Rifle Scopes Scope power for 16.5" .308

[AK4900PA]

I've decided to utilize the LEO discount Burris offers to order one of their new XTR II scopes, but can't decide which model will suit my needs best.

The rifle will be used for paper and steel at distances not likely to exceed 600 yards. I would also like to use the rifle for deer and hogs. Shots on game would be 25-300 yards.

Options are...

2-10x42
3-15x50
4-20x50

I think the 20x is a bit overkill for my purposes, but I keep looking at it because it's the same weight as the 15x, but gives me 5x more on the high end while only losing 1x on the low end.

The 10x saves me a bit of weight, but I feel like I might want more power for longer range paper punching with these aging eyes.

I'm leaning towards the 15x right now, but figured I'd get some input from folks more experienced than myself before placing my order.

 

[RyeDaddy]

I've owned a 16.5" 308 for 3 years and have changed scopes a few times looking for "the one". I recently went from a Weaver 3-15x50 to a NF 2.5-10x42 and feel I finally found the perfect match for the rifle. I really value light weight and don't shoot the 16.5" past 850 yards, and past 500 is pretty rare. I find the 2.5-10's weight savings more valuable than the extra magnification, but this is from the perspective of a 32 year old with perfect vision. I might opt for the 3-15x50 range if my sight were a concern. Hopefully someone else will chime in that's a little older and share their thoughts on magnification range for aging eyes.

For record, I feel 10x is plenty for all the shooting I do with the 308 and our habits seem similar, use mine for hogs and deer a lot. If it helps, here's a pic of the 2.5-10x42 at 500 yards the IPSC style target is not a full size, but close:

 

[Thebelly]

I use a Leupold MK4 LR/T 3.5-10x40 on my 16" PredatAR 7.62. I've never felt like I had too little (or too much) glass.

 

[AK4900PA]

RyeDaddy,
I didn't intend to give the impression I was an old geezer, I'm actually younger than you. Lol. My eyes are far from perfect though.

The 10x is lacking illumination, but to be honest It's not a feature I'm all that concerned about. The trade off of the extra magnification on the 15x is $150 and 8.2 ounces. They both have the FFP and zero stop that I want.

 

[RyeDaddy]

Great, it turns out I'm the fuckin old guy?!

The weight diff between my examples up top was about 8 ounces too and it was very noticeable to me. If you don't care about illumination I'd go with the 2.5-10x. I assume if weight wasn't a concern you'd have a longer barreled rifle?

 

[Guest]

I also have a Leupold Mark4 LR/T 3.5-10x40 on my POF P308 14.5"

Sent from my Sprint Galaxy S4

 

[AK4900PA]

Great, it turns out I'm the fuckin old guy?!

The weight diff between my examples up top was about 8 ounces too and it was very noticeable to me. If you don't care about illumination I'd go with the 2.5-10x. I assume if weight wasn't a concern you'd have a longer barreled rifle?

Weight and overall size is a major priority for this build. I will be putting the barreled action into a folding chassis (MDT LSS or XLR Element) for the sake of weight and compactness. I want to keep the rifle heavy enough to comfortably shoot paper all day, but light enough to hike with all day also. I'm shooting for 12-13 pounds complete with full mag, bipod, suppressor, etc.

I've eliminated the 4-20x50 from my choices as it's just more scope than necessary for my application. The weight and cost savings of the 2-10x42 is a very strong selling point.

 

[BCP]

Weight and overall size is a major priority for this build. I will be putting the barreled action into a folding chassis (MDT LSS or XLR Element) for the sake of weight and compactness. I want to keep the rifle heavy enough to comfortably shoot paper all day, but light enough to hike with all day also. I'm shooting for 12-13 pounds complete with full mag, bipod, suppressor, etc.

I've eliminated the 4-20x50 from my choices as it's just more scope than necessary for my application. The weight and cost savings of the 2-10x42 is a very strong selling point.

The Vortex 2.5-10x32 is another value priced optic that is compact and doesn't weigh a lot. I also have a couple leupold M3 scopes on other rifles. They are all fairly compact and light in comparison with the larger, 2+lb tactical optics out there. Neither is as good as a nightforce 2.5-10 but then both can be bought for ~700 on the new or used market whereas the nightforce will run you 1000-1200.

Based on what they look like on paper I would get the 3-15 burris. For what you are talking about I think it would be nice to have a little bit more magnification and 3-15x is my favorite range for a variable. That is based on the assumption that the burris will be a decent scope for the money like the weavers, SWFA, vortex, other value priced options.

 

[AK4900PA]

I've considered all the other competition, including Vortex, Weaver, SWFA, Bushnell, Sightron, etc... and the new Burris scopes look like they'll suit my needs/wants about as well as possible within my budget. The 2-10x42 comes out to $600 with the 3-15x50 at $750 using their LEO discount program. I want to buy quality so I don't need to upgrade a year later, but at the same time I have limited funds to work with.

I have no doubt the 10x would be plenty for hunting applications, I just can't help but feel like I'm going to want a bit more when it comes to shooting paper.

 

[Kamkaze]

Have you concidered the 1-5x or 1.5-8.5 in the Burris XTRII I will definately be concidering them on my new DPMS GII 308. Out to 600 yards unless you are shooting for groups the 5x should be all you need but 8.5 for sure. I really wish Burris would have included a 1-8 in the lineup.

 

[BCP]

I've considered all the other competition, including Vortex, Weaver, SWFA, Bushnell, Sightron, etc... and the new Burris scopes look like they'll suit my needs/wants about as well as possible within my budget. The 2-10x42 comes out to $600 with the 3-15x50 at $750 using their LEO discount program. I want to buy quality so I don't need to upgrade a year later, but at the same time I have limited funds to work with.

I have no doubt the 10x would be plenty for hunting applications, I just can't help but feel like I'm going to want a bit more when it comes to shooting paper.

Well with the burris you'll be a beta tester. If you're okay with that then go for it, like I said on paper they look great to me.

 

[FourNineThree]

The 2.5 to 10 is a good choice and will give you plenty of power in an optic. I run a similar length rifle barrel on one of my weapons and have the NF 2.5-10x32 and it is plent out to 600.

Hope this helps.

Be safe,
FourNineThree

 

[samnev]

I have a VV Viper FFP PST 4-16X50 on my 16.5" POF P-308 after changing from a USO ST10 which I felt at longer ranges left me wanting a bit more magnification. The ST 10 is a great scope otherwise. I would go with you inclination towards the 3-15X50 scope. i think it's the sweet spot for scopes unless your shooting very long distances.

 

[brwn bggr]

If your game is occasional steel,deer and hogs...
Then like most others here,I would lean to the 2-10x42...
But like you,I just picked up the very same rifle and am looking for glass...
And just like you,my eyes have gone south...lol!
Having said that,I also enjoy smaller targets at distance,and because of that, I like having 15 or 16 on the top end and give up a little on the bottom...to better resolve smaller targets...
But that's another can of worms because that for the most part,forces me into a 50 mm objective...I really want to stay around 40 or under...
not many choices for anything over 10x that are not 50mm

 

[BobinNC]

If your game is occasional steel,deer and hogs...
Then like most others here,I would lean to the 2-10x42...
But like you,I just picked up the very same rifle and am looking for glass...
And just like you,my eyes have gone south...lol!
Having said that,I also enjoy smaller targets at distance,and because of that, I like having 15 or 16 on the top end and give up a little on the bottom...to better resolve smaller targets...
But that's another can of worms because that for the most part,forces me into a 50 mm objective...I really want to stay around 40 or under...
not many choices for anything over 10x that are not 50mm

Not many Choices??

Bushnell 3-12x44mm Elite Tactical
IOR 3-18x44mm
Leupold 3-18x44mm MK 6
SWFA 3-15x42mm
S&B 4-16x42mm PMII
USO 3.2-17x44mm LR17

 

[brwn bggr]

Not many Choices??

Bushnell 3-12x44mm Elite Tactical
IOR 3-18x44mm
Leupold 3-18x44mm MK 6
SWFA 3-15x42mm
S&B 4-16x42mm PMII
USO 3.2-17x44mm LR17

My bad...
I was trying to stay on page in reference to the price point of the Burris line...
I would love an MK6...but over my pay grade...and yes,I'm curious about the Bushnell,but I would still like a few more X's...but don't give up on me yet...grin,what am I missing under $1500.00 or so???

 

[CPRifle]

I've been running a USO 1.8-10x37 on a 16" OBR. At 600 yards, 10x is plenty for steel shooting. At 1k yards, the steel was pretty small; I would've preferred some more magnification, but it was still sufficient to get some hits. I'm happy with a 10x on a 16" 308.

 

[D.ID]

I have bean running mine with a 10x and was content until the rock chucks came out, now I am missing my hi power so it's going to get a 6-24x50 this weak end. I'll leave the 5" sunshade on it just to emphasize the big scope/little gun appearance.

 

[brwn bggr]

I have bean running mine with a 10x and was content until the rock chucks came out, now I am missing my hi power so it's going to get a 6-24x50 this weak end. I'll leave the 5" sunshade on it just to emphasize the big scope/little gun appearance.

A little gun w/a big scope is no longer a scoped rifle...
It has become a high powered observation device with disposition correction capability...grin!