Rifle Scopes Searching for my first scope

[ck867]

Hi there,

I am a newbie to this forum which was recommended by a friend. I been lurking for a while now and been reading the stickies and now I am ready to purchase my first scope with base and rings.  This will be going on a bone stock Remington 700 sps .308. The purpose of this rifle will be for me getting into precision shooting and using it on my first hunting trip at the end of the year. My local range has a 300 yard distance so I will be practicing at a range of 100-300 yards in the beginning.

After doing some reading, it appears to me that a moa/moa setup may be a better choice for me since it appears to have less and easier calculations. It also seems that most scopes are mil/moa on the market so I am having difficulty with finding moa/moa scopes.

I have also noticed that there are a ton of options that can vary by scope and brand and I am not sure if I need these extra features that higher end scopes may have versus others for my application. 

So what would you guys recommend for me? I am going to set the budget roughly at $500-$1500 as I am not sure what to compare now. I know this post is long but all help is greatly appreciated. So once again, looking for a first scope along with base and rings. 

Thanks 

 

[rksimple]

Re: Searching for my first scope

In that price range and moa/moa, a Nightforce 3.5-15x50 with NPR1 would fit the bill.

 

[ck867]

Re: Searching for my first scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rksimple</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In that price range and moa/moa, a Nightforce 3.5-15x50 with NPR1 would fit the bill. </div></div>

what kind of max range can i get out of 15x? Anybody else have experience with a setup for hunting big game and precision shooting?

 

[steve123]

Re: Searching for my first scope

More than you will ever be able to use.It's an excellent scope for allot of reasons!

RKsimple knows his stuff!He proves it at matches too.

Steve

 

[mgoodrich]

Re: Searching for my first scope

I use the night force scopes for hunting as well, but you should beware that you are adding ~ 2 lbs to your gun.

If you are doing a lot of walking, it does tend to wear you down at the end of the day.

 

[Opticsspecialist]

Re: Searching for my first scope

I just wrote an article about choosing a rifle scope.
http://www.riflescopes.tv/rifle-scopes-review/

if you have questions, i'm happy to answer any questions and i'm sure so is everyone else here. check out some different scopes, see what kind of reticle you like and are comfortable with. give me a call, my number is in the sig line, and my name is Jay. I can get you set up with base, rings, and scope. I'll also give you as good a deal as i can on what ever you want. I'm with these guys on the nightforce, i don't think you can find a more robust scope, it's my first choice for what your doing, i think it would serve you well, but there are a lot of good choices out there.

 

[ck867]

Re: Searching for my first scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mgoodrich</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use the night force scopes for hunting as well, but you should beware that you are adding ~ 2 lbs to your gun.

If you are doing a lot of walking, it does tend to wear you down at the end of the day. </div></div>

I do plan to use the rifle more for precision shooting than hunting so I am ok with the heavier scope since the hunts will only be occasional. Thank you everybody for you help. What about base and rings? Any recommendations?

 

[CaptainChaos51]

Re: Searching for my first scope

I have an SPS with a 3.5x15 nightforce rings and base and have been very happy with the results.
CC

 

[mgoodrich]

Re: Searching for my first scope

On my remington 700's, use Leupold QRW and PRW rings, along with their bases. Found that the medium height worked with my barell taper. Have the 5.5-22x56 and 3.5-15x56 NXS with mil dot and the NP-1RR. Like the NP-1RR the best. Mostly coyote hunt these days.

On my RRA AR15 predator, got the nightforce rings in super high. Didn't need to lap these.

 

[rksimple]

Re: Searching for my first scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ck867</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rksimple</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In that price range and moa/moa, a Nightforce 3.5-15x50 with NPR1 would fit the bill. </div></div>

what kind of max range can i get out of 15x? Anybody else have experience with a setup for hunting big game and precision shooting? </div></div>

15x will get you further than the effective range of your rifle with realistically sized targets. I killed my deer this last year with my 260 comp rifle topped with a NF 3.5-15. It serves double duty.

ETA: Thanks Steve. See ya at TPRC!