Rifle Scopes Scope Choice for 90% Benchrest / 10% Prone

[Fattygabbiee]

Hi all,

I am seeking advice on my next scope for a new 224 Valkyrie build. I currently run a Vortex Razor Gen II 3-18x50 on a 6.5 Creedmoor bolt gun and an NF ATACR 4-16x42 on a 20” Bartlein 223 Wylde AR15. I would like something with more magnification, similar tracking capabilities, ability to shoot at night, and great glass. I don’t mind if it’s SFP or FFP. My budget can go as high as $3500.

The new scope will either move to the 6.5 Creedmoor or stay on the 224 Valkyrie. The sole purpose will be 90% benchmark and 10% prone. I won’t be moving around, using barricades, shooting at unknown distances, hunting, and scope weight is not an issue. My local range is open until 1000 pm, has 100 and 200 yard targets, and once a month 600 yards . At least 3-4 times a year, I will head to a different location to shoot 1000 to 1200 yards. I am trying to improve my paper punching groups and hitting steel targets consistently. My goal is consistent 5 to 10 shot groups across six squares.

I don’t believe I need to worry too much about a tight/sensitive eye box since I will be sitting on a bench in the same position for 90% of the time.

Pending the future, this new scope could also be moved to a 22LR trainer (Vudoo V22) so something with a 25 yard parallax would be nice bonus. Or, I could purchase a dedicated 22LR scope with the appropriate parallax.

I’ve read a ton and now am more confused. Some candidates include:

• March 5-40x56
• Nightforce 7-35x56 F1
• Cronus BTR 4.5x29x56
• S&B PMII 5-25X56 P4LF

If I get the Cronus, I could get two and save one for the 22LR trainer or a PVA 223 bolt gun.

I’d love to see a Minox ZP 5 in person and per their site, it’s parallax is 50 meters. The Vortex 4.5x27x56 has a 32 yard parallax and nothing else needs to be said how great this scope is.

Are there other choices you’d recommend for my specific purpose?

Thank you for your help.
SD

 

[W54/XM-388]

The S&B 5-25x56 is an excellent all around scope.
A lot of benchrest folks love the high magnification March Scopes.
The Nightforce would give you a bit higher magnification as well, which you may or may not need.

 

[Sharpened Graphite]

If you're dipping down into the Cronus price range, check out Sightron's new SV series.

 

[BallisticPrimate]

March 5-40 is absolutely perfect for what you want a scope to do

 

[kristian55]

Yes, 100%.

March 5-40 is absolutely perfect for what you want a scope to do

 

[steve123]

Hi all,

I am seeking advice on my next scope for a new 224 Valkyrie build. I currently run a Vortex Razor Gen II 3-18x50 on a 6.5 Creedmoor bolt gun and an NF ATACR 4-16x42 on a 20” Bartlein 223 Wylde AR15. I would like something with more magnification, similar tracking capabilities, ability to shoot at night, and great glass. I don’t mind if it’s SFP or FFP. My budget can go as high as $3500.

The new scope will either move to the 6.5 Creedmoor or stay on the 224 Valkyrie. The sole purpose will be 90% benchmark and 10% prone. I won’t be moving around, using barricades, shooting at unknown distances, hunting, and scope weight is not an issue. My local range is open until 1000 pm, has 100 and 200 yard targets, and once a month 600 yards . At least 3-4 times a year, I will head to a different location to shoot 1000 to 1200 yards. I am trying to improve my paper punching groups and hitting steel targets consistently. My goal is consistent 5 to 10 shot groups across six squares.

I don’t believe I need to worry too much about a tight/sensitive eye box since I will be sitting on a bench in the same position for 90% of the time.

Pending the future, this new scope could also be moved to a 22LR trainer (Vudoo V22) so something with a 25 yard parallax would be nice bonus. Or, I could purchase a dedicated 22LR scope with the appropriate parallax.

I’ve read a ton and now am more confused. Some candidates include:

• March 5-40x56
• Nightforce 7-35x56 F1
• Cronus BTR 4.5x29x56
• S&B PMII 5-25X56 P4LF

If I get the Cronus, I could get two and save one for the 22LR trainer or a PVA 223 bolt gun.

I’d love to see a Minox ZP 5 in person and per their site, it’s parallax is 50 meters. The Vortex 4.5x27x56 has a 32 yard parallax and nothing else needs to be said how great this scope is.

Are there other choices you’d recommend for my specific purpose?

Thank you for your help.
SD

I have the March FX and the Cronus BTR. IMO save the money and get the Cronus BTR. I wouldn't spend the money again on the FX. Save more money and put a Ares BTR on your 22.

 

[Clearlight]

For paper , the March 5-50 with MTR 1,2 or 3 reticles is a better option for range shooting .
The 5 - 40 FFP is great for ukd steel , general shooting and for paper ( I have 2 ) , but for paper
targets at the range only , the 5 -50 SFP March easily beats everything on your list . Better
resolution , flawless tracking , and finer reticles for group shooting . Several F Class World
Champions , and BR Champions use the 5 - 50 . They also do an 8 - 80 if you want to go
total overkill .

 

[BarrS]

You may want to check out the:
Bushnell ERS 3.5-21x 50mm Riflescope ET35215GZ

 

[Hairy Biker]

March if you can afford it. 5 - 40 FX will do it all but don't be reluctant to look at the SFP 25x range.

 

[nfngun]

From the sound of it seems to me your looking for a target scope. In which case I would recommend the NF competition ... Unless your hell bent on a tactical scope with all its bells and whistles your loosing magnification, adding additional weight and spending more money you don't need to spend.

To put any of these scopes on a 22LR would be complete, overkill ... 200 yards is about as far as i would go to maintain any relevant training feedback. At that range 24X would be plenty of scope. F1 would be useless you wont need to gauge distance. Id hunt down a Made in Japan Sightron BigSky. The turrets are little mushy but its more about wind reading and holding off with the 22LR. Maybe even a Sightron SIII 32X they are great scopes for the price and the best bang for the buck IMHO the new exposed turrets are an improvement over the older target turrets and can be had on sale sub $1000. Plus they are Made in Japan.

 

[KWilson]

If FFP or SFP doesn't matter then I'd get the March 10-60x56 Highmaster - that's the best paper punching scope March make if you're after the best resolution out there. If you're leaning towards FFP, then the March 5-40x56.

 

[dreever]

Find a nice used Nightforce 12-42 NXS with high speed adjustments either .250 or .125 MOA . I see them over on www.accurateshooter.com a lot.
I like the NP2DD reticle.

 

[StrayDog]

I have a latest model NF Competition for sale in optics. Parallax goes down to 25yds. For bench and prone paper targets, the NF comp is great, and the magnification helps shrink groups, rim or center fire. But they're not NXS tough and not illuminated for your night shots...
The one target scope I'll always keep is the 8-32x56 NF NXS in 1/8 moa in MOAR-T, that's a great model for your needs too, like the post above noted.

 

[steelheadr99]

If FFP or SFP doesn't matter then I'd get the March 10-60x56 Highmaster - that's the best paper punching scope March make if you're after the best resolution out there. If you're leaning towards FFP, then the March 5-40x56.

This is spot on

 

[koshkin]

When I read the original post, March was the first scope that came to mind.

That having been said, I am looking at Delta Stryker 5-50x56 and Sightron SVED 10-50x60 right now and both are really interesting designs. I do not think either is quite as nice as the March, but I would have to do some serious soul searching to spend the extra dow. That having been said, if you are comfortable spending $3500, there is no real downside to a March scope for this application.

ILya

 

[Thud]

Best bang for your buck Nightforce Competition.

 

[Fattygabbiee]

Thank you everyone for your advice and feedback. I went looking this weekend for various scopes listed here and asked coworkers/friends about them and as (no) luck would have it, I couldn't get behind any of them. I decided to go with SFP and keep my other two FFP scopes as is. On a side note, I think I will try the Cronus BTR for my new 223 bolt gun. So one decision done (the easy one).

I am fortunate to live in the PNW, so 1/3 the year it will be light until 8 or 9pm. Most of my range/paper shooting will be at night though so having illumination will be key in the non-spring and summer months. The range is also well lit at night and the locals also recommended an illuminated reticle for when it gets dark by 5 to 6pm.

From the scopes recommended that have illumination, are SFP, and geared towards benchrest/paper punching, it's down to the following:

March 5-50x56
March 10-60x56 HM
Nightforce Precision Benchrest 12-42x56
Sightron 10-50x56 SV SIII (non-ED version)

I hope the Delta Stryker 5-50x56 will readily available and have stateside support soon as it sounds like a great option. Maybe next year the Sightron SV ED will be illuminated. I could also get two Nightforce 12-42x56 for the 224 Valkryie and the 22LR trainer or save a bit more and get two Delta Strykers/Sightrons vs. one March scope. However, if I did that, I will always wonder why I didn't get the March.

I did some more reading on accurateshooter.com and it looks like the new Khales K10-50x56 is another solid choice. Fits in my budget too.

I do go by the "buy once, cry once" motto and hope this purchase will serve me well for the next 3-5 years. A bonus is the March Optics CS office is roughly two hours from where I live so if I have issues, they are close by.

I really wish some folks I know had any of these scopes to look through. I will continue to research to narrow down my choice and will keep you all updated!

Thanks again and keep the great advice coming in.

 

[KWilson]

Thank you everyone for your advice and feedback. I went looking this weekend for various scopes listed here and asked coworkers/friends about them and as (no) luck would have it, I couldn't get behind any of them. I decided to go with SFP and keep my other two FFP scopes as is. On a side note, I think I will try the Cronus BTR for my new 223 bolt gun. So one decision done (the easy one).

I am fortunate to live in the PNW, so 1/3 the year it will be light until 8 or 9pm. Most of my range/paper shooting will be at night though so having illumination will be key in the non-spring and summer months. The range is also well lit at night and the locals also recommended an illuminated reticle for when it gets dark by 5 to 6pm.

From the scopes recommended that have illumination, are SFP, and geared towards benchrest/paper punching, it's down to the following:

March 5-50x56
March 10-60x56 HM
Nightforce Precision Benchrest 12-42x56
Sightron 10-50x56 SV SIII (non-ED version)

I hope the Delta Stryker 5-50x56 will readily available and have stateside support soon as it sounds like a great option. Maybe next year the Sightron SV ED will be illuminated. I could also get two Nightforce 12-42x56 for the 224 Valkryie and the 22LR trainer or save a bit more and get two Delta Strykers/Sightrons vs. one March scope. However, if I did that, I will always wonder why I didn't get the March.

I did some more reading on accurateshooter.com and it looks like the new Khales K10-50x56 is another solid choice. Fits in my budget too.

I do go by the "buy once, cry once" motto and hope this purchase will serve me well for the next 3-5 years. A bonus is the March Optics CS office is roughly two hours from where I live so if I have issues, they are close by.

I really wish some folks I know had any of these scopes to look through. I will continue to research to narrow down my choice and will keep you all updated!

Thanks again and keep the great advice coming in.

Out of that list if you can afford the March HM, buy it. Buy once, cry once. I've gotten behind both it and the 5-50x56 (which is excellent) but the HM steps things up another notch in the glass dept.