Rifle Scopes Which long-range scope for CZ550?

[BobN54]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and hope you can help with this question.

I have a CZ550 in 6.5x55. I want to use this rifle to get an introduction to long-range matches this year. My objective is to learn, have fun, and see if I like it - I have no delusions of being competitive against custom target rifles. I prefer to get a scope that would be competitive if transferred to a target rifle later on. It would be nice if my son could use the CZ for deer hunting a couple of times a year, so field of view is some consideration. After a lot of Googling forum posts by long range shooters, my top two picks are:
NightForce 5.5-22x56 NXS Ill (32 oz, 1/4 MOA, 100 MOA internal, 17.5'FOV @5.5x)
Sighttron SIII SS 8-32x56mm LRTDTDT (24 oz, 1/8 MOA, 70 MOA internal, 12.2' FOV @8x)

I think the NF has enough internal adjustment for out to even 1000 yds. The Sightron will require a slanted picatinny rail, which narrows the considerable price difference a little; US Optical has those for CZ. I am leaning toward the Sightron for this setup, but wonder if the 12.2' FOV at 8x is adequate for occasional deer hunting? Both of these scopes are hefty, the NF particulary so, and that's another concern.

 

[blakheaven]

Re: Which long-range scope for CZ550?

Well what type of competitions are you looking to someday be in? target rifles imply BR but the scopes you listed are more a of a tactical touch (but still very good) Have you looked into Ziess at all? They make the best BR scopes IMHO

 

[pc3]

Re: Which long-range scope for CZ550?

I would buy the NXS in a heart beat but would opt for mil/mil variation

 

[Grumulkin]

Re: Which long-range scope for CZ550?

The CZ 550 has an integral scope base so what you should probably do is buy 2 scopes and put them each in Talley QD mounts or other type of QD mounts then you can use one scope for target shooting and one for deer hunting.

I had a Nightforce 5.5-22x56 BR on a 25/06 and I did use it for deer hunting and it's huge and probably not the sort of thing one would want to climb mountains with or do extensive tramping in the woods with.

 

[pcschwenke]

Re: Which long-range scope for CZ550?

If money is no object, the Nightforce is probably the better choice. Since I'm not going to spend over $900, the Sightron is what I'm going to buy. I have a post on the Hide as well very similar to yours.

Another option that you may want to consider is the Vortex PST. I have but, some people have mentioned the glass isn't great on the recent samples. Haven't seen one myself. A lot of Benchrest shooters use the Sightron.

Paul

 

[snewhouse]

Re: Which long-range scope for CZ550?

you might want to look at sghtron 6 x24 it works well to 1000 and it has 100moa of elevation. lower power for hunting

 

[BobN54]

Re: Which long-range scope for CZ550?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: blakheaven</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well what type of competitions are you looking to someday be in?... Have you looked into Ziess at all? They make the best BR scopes IMHO </div></div>

I have in mind local NRA mid and long range matches, shooting with the FT/R and Open F-Class. Shooting prone with a bipod. I have not looked at Ziess, mainly because online buzz seems to be dominated by NF and, to a lesser extent, Sightron. I'll check it out.

 

[BobN54]

Re: Which long-range scope for CZ550?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Grumulkin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The CZ 550 has an integral scope base so what you should probably do is buy 2 scopes and put them each in Talley QD mounts or other type of QD mounts then you can use one scope for target shooting and one for deer hunting.
</div></div>

The European 19mm dovetail used by CZ limits ring choices, and raises some questions. Warne has CZ permanent and QD high rings that are said to work with a 56mm objective scope. The other option is to install a US Optics CZ format Picatinny rail, and then use any brand of rings...I presume the picatinny would raise the mounting enough that medium or low rings would work, but I'm not sure. Going that way and buying a 2nd cheaper scope for hunting may be smart.

 

[BobN54]

Re: Which long-range scope for CZ550?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: usmc80</div><div class="ubbcode-body">you might want to look at sghtron 6 x24 it works well to 1000 and it has 100moa of elevation. lower power for hunting </div></div>

May indeed be a better fit to the rifle if usable to 1000. I had read that a 56mm is so much better for LR so I had not really looked at 50mm choices. Downsides seem to be 1/4 MOA clicks and limited choice in reticules.

 

[remau308]

Re: Which long-range scope for CZ550?

You really aren't going to see a huge difference in the 50mm and 56mm objectives. I shot in a 1000yard competition with a 44mm bell and it worked great. Unless you just want/like the look of the hubble being mounted on a rifle then I would probably opt for a smaller objective lens. For instance, most of U.S. Optics scopes are made to be low profile, even though they do offer up to 80mm I believe is the largest I've seen them custom make. I would go with no more than 25x magnification and no less than 15x if you plan to shoot 1000yards. Just my personal opinion though. Hunting will require less magnification, but your F-class will want something with more magnification. I would just buy two different scopes. Maybe a cheaper Leupold VXII or VX-3 for hunting and the Nightforce for your F-class competitions.

 

[treebasher]

Re: Which long-range scope for CZ550?

Read this article before you go and buy a scope:

http://www.shootingvoodoo.com/index.php/articles/practical_optics_selection/

You will find that for practical field shooting the FFP reticle and MIL/MIL configuration are invaluable.

Also don't get caught up with having too much magnification. 15x power on the high end is about perfect.

Oh and a 50mm objective is more than adequate, the 56mm is overkill unless you plan on shooting in low light situations and even then the 50mm will surprise you.

If you are stuck on have MOA turrets read the seventh post down:

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1851301

Another manufacturer I would consider is Vortex.

http://www.vortextactical.com/product/vortex-razor-hd-5-20x50-riflescope-with-ebr-2b-mrad-reticle

http://www.vortextactical.com/product/vo...-1-mrad-reticle

http://www.vortextactical.com/product/vo...-1-mrad-reticle

 

[snewhouse]

Re: Which long-range scope for CZ550?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BobN54</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: usmc80</div><div class="ubbcode-body">you might want to look at sghtron 6 x24 it works well to 1000 and it has 100moa of elevation. lower power for hunting </div></div>

May indeed be a better fit to the rifle if usable to 1000. I had read that a 56mm is so much better for LR so I had not really looked at 50mm choices. Downsides seem to be 1/4 MOA clicks and limited choice in reticules. </div></div>

I use a 6x24 x50 Sightron in 1000yd shoots with target dot reticule, as the mil dot reticule a little thick for my taste. I don't think the difference between 50 and 56mm is enough to sway a decision over. (maybe a slight difference in really low light )

 

[scottishclanman2]

Re: Which long-range scope for CZ550?

I have shot NF and ziess products i love the glass in both scopes but the ziess i had a problem with shooting over 1000m i would have to have around a 75 click which is max and then hold over about .5-.8 depending on the angle of fire. the NF i am always able to adjust and have the poa on target...

 

[flyrodder]

Re: Which long-range scope for CZ550?

Because the of the CZ dovetail, mounting choices can be limited. I have a 550 in 308 I've been shooting long range since before anybody that I could find made a picatinny rail for one, so I took advantage of the flat top receiver and drilled and tapped a sloped base I made from a Nightforce blank. Having the rail greatly increased the ring choices, which made scope mounting much easier. I'm running a Leupold Mark 4 LRT but would prefer a mil/mil setup. The 4.5-14 magnification has been more than adequate out to 1,300 yards, if that helps.

 

[calling4life]

Re: Which long-range scope for CZ550?

I have the Sightron SIII 8-32x56 and I really like it. Tracks reliably, audible, crisp clicks, the parallax is precise in its adjustment, clear picture from 8 to 32 power.

The suggestion of the 6-24 SIII is very valid if you are looking at that extra elevation.

Mine is in the mildot reticle, I like it very much and haven't found it to be too thick.