Best long range target scope

[coloradokevin]

Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50mm would probably be my choice. Has all the features I would want including: good glass, matched reticle & adjustments (Mil/Mil), target turrets, and FFP (available for about $150.00 more).

Sure, if they ever actually release those scopes again. It seems like their turret redesign has become quite involved at this point! I was really eyeing the Viper PST line for quite some time, but it seems like the release date on these scopes is very tenative at best.

I will say that it sounds like Vortex is really a customer oriented company, and I've had good experiences in speaking to their people on the phone. Unfortunately they've been telling me that the expected release date of this scope is around the 1st of the year, and from what I can see it appears that this isn't the first time that they've tried to bring this scope to market. Plus, it looks like there is a waiting list for the product at this point, so who knows when you'll actually be able to reach out and buy one.

I still plan to look at the PST line when (if) it becomes available, but I had to buy a scope in the mean time. I went with the Weaver Grand Slam Tactical 3-10x40 mil/mil scope. Midway sells it for $400, and has been sale pricing it at $300 for a couple of months now. The scope had a favorable review through Snipershide, for whatever that's worth. I'm happy with it so far myself, but I haven't put this scope through all of its paces as of yet. VERY clear glass though, and a rare find on a mil/mil scope for this price.

 

[Maverick223]

Sure, if they ever actually release those scopes again. It seems like their turret redesign has become quite involved at this point! I was really eyeing the Viper PST line for quite some time, but it seems like the release date on these scopes is very tenative at best.

I thought the only ones that have yet to be released were the 1-4x magnification model (and perhaps the FFP ones), I looked at one not long ago (don't recall which model) and was pretty impressed...if anything it had better glass than the standard Viper series (which isn't what I would consider sub-par). I am waiting on the 1-4x24mm Mil/Mil myself.

 

[ms6852]

For that kind of money I would recommend the Sightron Big Sky. I'm a huge fan of this scope. Company has excellent replacement warranty and the glass is just as good. At this price range it becomes a matter of preference with leupold, nikon, or sightron.

 

[coloradokevin]

I thought the only ones that have yet to be released were the 1-4x magnification model (and perhaps the FFP ones), I looked at one not long ago (don't recall which model) and was pretty impressed...if anything it had better glass than the standard Viper series (which isn't what I would consider sub-par). I am waiting on the 1-4x24mm Mil/Mil myself.

I was looking at the 4-16 power myself, and I've only heard great things about these scopes. However, from what I understand, these scopes were released only in limited numbers in early 2010 (perhaps it was just the FFP models). Vortex then did a voluntary recall of the scopes to address some limited complaints that they had been receiving regarding the turret clicks (apparently the scopes tracked fine, but people wanted harder clicks). From there it seems like it has been a waiting game. I have no idea how many scopes ever actually made it to market originally, but it seems like a few of them must have, given the fact that I've heard a few positive reviews on those models.

The 4-16x scopes are listed on the Vortex website, and a number of places will allow you to preorder them. But, as of mid-October (when I last checked with Vortex directly) these scopes definitely weren't available yet.

 

[Maverick223]

The 4-16x scopes are listed on the Vortex website, and a number of places will allow you to preorder them. But, as of mid-October (when I last checked with Vortex directly) these scopes definitely weren't available yet.

May be a PITA but worth the wait (if you can) IMO.

 

[Txhillbilly]

There are many brands of scopes that will do what you want.It all comes down to finding a scope that has what you want.
I put Sightron SIII 6-24x50 scopes on my last 2 long range rifles,a 25/06 and 308.I have a Swarovski PH 4-16x50 on my 300WM Tactical and the Sightrons are just as clear and bright as the Swaro scope for less than half the price.

This is the best price that I've found on the Sightrons,and their service is great also.http://www.arcadian-sales.com/Merch...=AS/PROD/Sightron_SIII/SIIISS624x50LRMD_25133

 

[spook22]

Can anyone who has experience with some of the scopes here give me some input?
Thank you

 

[joed]

I've only owned 2 brands of scopes, Leupold and Weaver. You can't go wrong with Leupold. The Weaver scopes I own are Target models and they've worked great for 5 years now. I have 2 Leupolds that are 30 years old and work as good as the day I purchased them.

There are other brands, you have to make the decision on what you want.

I always tell friends when they ask about scopes to buy a good one in the beginning or they'll be throwing money away and buying another in a short time.

 

[BrocLuno]

Spook22 "Can anyone who has experience with some of the scopes here give me some input?
Thank you"

As I said, I have the Elite 4200 on a custom 22-250. The rifle/round shoots flat and fast. The 4200 has never been the limiting factor in a shot on a distant critter. The scope is clear, even in high humidity, which out here means coastal fog and heavy marine layer. The proprietary lens coating does work.

But, you have to be careful cleaning it. Like any lens coating, it can be rubbed off. I use plain soap and warm water with a lens brush to clean the lenses. I dry by gently patting with a Micro-Fiber cloth and let it air dry. If I took it rain hunting, I'd let it air dry. By I don't take the custom Mauser out in the rain.

Larger caliber guns I have taken out in the rain have either had Nikon or Weaver glass. Shooting in the rain is not fun. Getting wood stocked rifles all wet is not fun. Both Weavers and the Nikons fogged up and made any shot over 25 yds tough or not doable.

The one gun I have with all synthetic stock wears a rebuilt Kassnar scope that was fixed up and re-nitrogen purged two years ago. That's an aluminum tube scope made in Japan. It's on a 22 WMR autoloader. When it goes out in bad weather, I'm looking to kill a 'coon, skunk, possum or other critter that has been at the garden or larder. I don't have any of those shots over 75 yds. I can't say how that would work for long range?

I was a professional oceanographic survey tech for a couple of decades. I have spent more time looking though scopes of one kind or another than most folks here, I guess? I have worked from the Mexican border to Alaska, staring at tiny targets a long ways away for hours at a time and in all light conditions. I have used instruments/glass from Nikon, Wild, TopCon, Swift, Zeiss, Bushnell, and Leuplold. The best is euro~spec Wild or Zeiss - period. If you can afford it, buy it.

If you have heavy weather, really consider the Elite series because Rainguard does work. You'll still need lens covers during carry and a sun hood extension will help keep the objective dry when setting up to shoot. But it will minimize fogging and that makes the shot possible in most cases. If you are only interested in dry weather shooting, you have other choices.

You want to reach out there and you want a Mil-Dot for trajectory compensation. OK, you have some choices. I put my money on Bushnell Elite and Nikon. There are others. I strongly suggest you go to some place like Bass-Pro or Cabellas and takes some scopes out in the parking lot on a hot day and see what mirage looks like and dark shadowed areas look like. You will soon be able to tell what you prefer. I can't tell you what you will like. I can only tell you what works for me.

 

[Maverick223]

Can anyone who has experience with some of the scopes here give me some input?

I have extensive experience (and own, now or formerly, most) with: Barska, BSA, Bushnell, IOR, Kahles, Leapers, Leupold, Nikon, Premier Reticles, Sightron, Simmons, Tasco, Vortex, & Zeiss; and some experience with the following: Meopta, Minox, NCStar, Nightforce, Redfield, Schmidt & Bender, Swarovski, Trijicon, USO, & Weaver...the ones that I would and have looked the strongest at are emboldened, the ones underlined are the ones that I have had horrible experience with. The ones present, but without any such indications are decent scopes, but not what I consider a good value.

If you are willing to wait, the PST is an outstanding scope...if not the Sightron S-IIBS and Bushnell E-4200 would be the first I looked at.

 

[spook22]

Thank you very much. What do you mean by PST?

 

[spook22]

Scratch that last question about the pst. Maverick, why did you say if you are willing to wait the pst is an outstanding scope? Is there a new version of the pst coming out or something?

 

[Maverick223]

What do you mean by PST?

I guess that is a bit confusing. I had to look it up...apparently it stands for "Precision Shooting Tactical". Anyway, that is the new series of Vortex Viper that has added features for long range shooting (target turrets, matched drop-compensating reticles, FFP available, et cetera). I had the opportunity to look through one a while back and was very impressed, just as good (if not slightly better) glass as the standard Viper, but with all the features necessary for target use. Unfortunately it seems that they were only released in small quantities and have been delayed to the marketplace.

 

[Maverick223]

Scratch that last question about the pst. Maverick, why did you say if you are willing to wait the pst is an outstanding scope? Is there a new version of the pst coming out or something?

Too late.

Apparently it was a very limited release. Perhaps there was a problem with it, or they were just trying to "feel out" the market, I don't honestly know. They are supposed to begin full production 1st qtr. of next year.

 

[Rokman]

I also think that Sightron scopes are pretty good and that they appear to have excellent customer service. I have zero experience with the really expensive scopes mentioned, but have used many Leupolds, Bushnells, Burris, Nikons, Weavers and Redfields in the past and I like my Sightron scopes as good or better than any of them.

 

[racine]

Is a 4-12 power long range?

I'm debating on purchasing a Nikon ProStaff 4-12x40 BDC scope primarily for hunting with a 308 cartridge. I don't have the beans to spend on $500+ scopes but somewhere under that would work. Does anyone know if that BDC would work with the 308 for 150-600 yds? Would you buy that particular scope?
Thanks for any input.