Rifle Scopes Rings/Mount/Scope Recommendations (700 AAC-SD)

[freebyrd]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a Remington 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD (model 85538 -- .308 - 16.5" barrel), and am looking for some recommendations for a mount & rings, as well as your thoughts on optics.

I'll start by saying that this rifle's #1 intended use is for hunting -- majority of which being white tail, hogs & other small to large game, with 90% of that being in GA and other parts of the southeast.
When time permits, I would like to start target shooting, but that's not necessarily a big priority at the moment with my schedule (recreation that is -- practice is definitely/obviously a priority).

My hunting club contains about 840 acres with all types of terrain, though if you had to categorize a majority, I'd have to say there are more open fields than thick brush -- a few of these fields/stands contain a potential 400-600yd shot. (We also have a 250-300yd firing lane where members sight in their rifles -- so I'll be practicing there alot)

With that being said, on my average day, I wouldn't be taking more than a 250yd shot, however, should I happen to see a big-ass-lovely buck-a-roo at those 400-600yd ranges, I sure would like to be able to reach out and touch 'em.

I've been looking at these scopes:

-Millet TRS 4-16x50mm (Mil-Dot)
-Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 4.5-14x44mm (Mil-Dot)
-Nikon Prostaff 5 3.5-14x40mm (Mil-Dot)
-Vortex Diamondback 3.5-10x50mm (BDC)
-Vortex Viper 3.5-10x50mm (BDC)

I prefer a large objective and would really like a Mil-Dot, though that isn't a deal killer. When it comes to mounts and rings, I'm virtually clueless, so I'd like y'all's opinions on both of those and the scopes alike.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Notso]

There's probably 3-4 active threads asking the same thing at the moment.

It kinda depends on your budget. I wouldn't skimp on base & rings too much, as they are a direct connection between scope and rifle and do affect accuracy and repeatability. There's lots of choices. I would stick with the "picitinny" style base and rings rather than the weaver style. For your gun, you want a "short action" base.

In the higher end, look at:
Seekins
Badger
Larue
Spuhr
Leupold
Bobro

On the lower end:
SWFA
Burris
EGW

My personal favorite is Seekins. They are Very nice top end base and rings that won't break the bank.

Check out the pinned thread on this forum on choosing scope ring height. Its very important to get the lowest set of rings possible for your particular scope without the objective lens touching the barrel. Unless you get a big 50-56mm Obj, lens - for the AAC-SD it will likely be Low. But every ring manufacturer is slightly different, so make sure you check the height clearance.

Final thought on scopes..... get the best that you can afford. Most think of the rifle as being disposable some day, but the scope will last through several guns if you have a good one. I would recommend getting a mil dot scope, the reticle will be useful for both hunting and target shooting. Its just so versatile that I don't understand why any one gets anything else unless it is a very specific shooting discipline like BR or such.

Good luck.

 

[madAB]

+1 for Seekins rail and rings. Excellent quality, and very clean looking rings.