Rifle Scopes Rimfire benchrest optic

[Akdodge88]

So I’m having a hard time deciding between a few scopes to shoot my local rimfire benchrest matches. The ranges for these matches are 50yds and 100yds. I was planning on budgeting between $1000-$1500, don’t know if I should choose between a FFP or SFP. I was also hoping for 1/8th MOA adjustments. The first choice I was looking at because I like the reticle and look of the glass was the Vortex Viper PST gen2 FFP 5-25x50 with the EBR-2C reticle. My local dealer has this one available at roughly $1100, but I feel I may want more magnification or at least 1/8th moa adjustment.
The other option I was looking at was the Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60x52 with the ECR-1 reticle. I’m going to try and play with a friends on a rifle, but trying to visualize I look through the Golden Eagle without it being mounted to a rifle I’m not sure if I like it.
The last option I was looking at, if I was to save for a little longer and find a good deal, was the Nightforce Competition 15-55x52 with the FCR-1 reticle. Unfortunately I cannot look at one of these prior to purchase, but I do have a Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x50 on one of my rifles, so my question for anyone who has experience with both Nightforces is how does the competition compare to the NXS?

So my question is, which optic between the Viper PST, Golden Eagle and the Nightforce competition, which one would be better suited for benchrest?

If you have other optic suggestions, how do they compare to the ones I listed? I don’t have the ability to look through anything except the few Vortex’s my local FFL has on hand, which is pretty much all they stock other than a few (less than 6) Leupold and Sig hunting scopes.

 

[Archangel01]

There's also the burris XTRII 8-40 it's 1/8 moa and available in FFP or SFP seems like it would fit the bill for your needs well

 

[ToddM]

The NF 15-55 is the only one you listed I'd consider and is very popular among many of the big rimfire benchrest guys. However, tons of really amazing scores are also shot with the Weaver 36x T series ($500), and the Leupold comp 45x ($1300) is impressive as well. 36x used to be the standard at 50yds but now with many 100 yard matches many have moved up into the 40's. NF also has a 42x fixed power that was very popular, and you see a few March 10-60x. I'd say at comps I see Nightforce/Leupold/Weaver in that order. You will almost never see anything under 36x and you absolutely want a very fine reticle or dot, and 1/8 MOA adjustments. Also remember that just like spotting scopes or binoculars, fixed power is less glass elements and more light transmission/less distortion. The view through the T36 weaver scopes punches above its $500 price tag comparing to variable power scopes.

If it's only for benchrest duty on a rimfire, there's zero reason for variable power unless you go over 45x. You are almost never going to get enough mirage at 100 yards where you'd want to turn the power down under that. At 50+ power you might come across a match you want to dial down.

 

[Langford]

Ditto to what ToddM said, you’ll definitely want more magnification than what the PST offers.

I don’t have any experience with the Golden Eagle, but got to shoot behind NF competition a few times and loved it. If I would have stuck with that type of shooting, I would have probably ended up with the NF...but for the price, I was definitely pleased with my weaver t36. A leupold competition 45x would be another choice worth looking into...you can find used ones on benchrest forums all the time. I never once found myself wishing I had less magnification shooting 25-100 yards with the fixed 36x, in that scene...more is better.

 

[tansinator]

Weaver T36 for benchrest. Save the extra $1100 and buy high $ ammo

 

[YF12A]

Best bang for the buck is the Weaver T36. After that, it's your money, your choice. Really no wrong choice here, just your preference.

 

[oneforall]

I would also go with the Weaver T36 , get the reticle with the dot for 100 yard shooting. The FCH is not as easy to aim on small targets at 100 yards.