Best size scope for .308?

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I've shot under 4" at 500 with a 6x on my 308.
Just use the right size target for your optics.
 
I've shot 600 yard matches using my 10FP in .308 with a 10x fixed. My rig is more a 'tactical' sniper rig more than a competition rig.

For serious long range target competition shooting, I'd think you might like a variable that tops out at 14-16x for more comfort. I wouldn't go higher than a 20x.

I think a 12x will be fine.
 
If I were you I'd take the money you have and spend it on better glass over higher magnification.
Like instead of spending $250 on a 4-12x40 spend it on a 3-9x40 in the next step up in quality line.
Better glass quality will be just as useful for long shots as higher magnification with the added benefit of being able to see more detail, color, and light.

If you're going to hunt a lot, 4-12x is more magnification than you need. If you're going to punch paper more than hunt then yeah, the 4-12 may be better.

What's your scope budget?
 
For serious long range target competition shooting, I'd think you might like a variable that tops out at 14-16x for more comfort. I wouldn't go higher than a 20x.
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Why not higher than a 20x?

I have a 4.5x14 Leupold and it seems like I could go higher at 300 yards.

I'm new to this, so maybe I'm doing this wrong?:)
 
Buy good glass to begin with! And, Leupold makes the ideal scope in the form of a 4.5 - 14. You can get the Tactical with target turrets. This will get you to 500 yds. The problem with some other scopes is that without sufficent built in elevation you might need a sloped base!
 
I am at present using a 3.5-10 on tapered bases so I can shoot at 600 and 1000 yards - a friend has got me trying out F-class long range. Can't zero at 100 at all. My load takes 17 minutes from 100 to 600 and 22 minutes from 600 to 1000. And that scope doesn't have 39 minutes to work with.

I am looking at the Leupold "tactical" 4.5-14 PR 30mm because it has 95 minutes of elevation and I can shoot it at all ranges.

My coach says too high scope power will show too much mirage and drive you nuts. I looked at several high range variable scopes the other day and most were set at 12 to 16X for 600 and 1000 yds.
 
If you plan on doing a good bit of hunting, a good-used Weaver K4 or equivalent would do just fine. Few hunting shots exceed 200 yards.

Get another scope for target work, particularly if you seriously plan on 500-yard pleasures. It won't take that much shooting to double-check your sight-in.

I have a 500-yard range at my house. I've done okay with my Simmons 44Mag 3x10, getting one MOA and a bit better from my ancient '06. I won't argue against "more and better" scope, of course.

Art
 
I have a 3.5-14 on my 10FP but i never turn the power up past 10 unless I'm using the mil-dot to measure with. We shoot to 650 yards and I can shoot the same sized groups on 10x as I can on 14x. Keep in mind too that at higher powers barrel heat really starts to show up as well as mirage. One other thing is finding a target at 100, 200, or 300 yards is much tougher with the power on a scope turned up high. We shoot pop ups and moving targets and with my scope on 14x it is nearly impossible to locate them in time to get a shot off. With pop ups i keep the scope on 6 to 8 power and have no problem hitting the 650 target "Fred" center mass.
 
I did look at the Leupold Rifleman the other day. It was 4-12x40. Very nice scope. I could get it on www.swfa.com for $250.
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I have the 3-9x40mm VXI, its very similar to the rifleman series, the pnly difference is the VXI has multicoated lens/air surfaces and it's $20 more for a matte finish on the VXI.

Its a very good scope (the riflemans and the VXI's), but for target work I don't think it's that good a choice because they have friction adjustments. If you want to make an adjustment you have to physically look at the adjustments, there's no simple clicking.
 
Listen to P0832177.

Everything he's helped me out with (and it's been a lot), has turned out to be right!:)
 
If you're a sittin' hunter, that 4.5x14 Loopy is fine. It can add a good bit of weight if you're a walkin' hunter. My old Weatherby, fully dressed, is about 9-1/2 pounds. Made my shoulder sag, by the end of a dozen or fifteen miles. (Which is why I've switched to a 700 Ti in my old age. D:) )

Art
 
My favorite for clarity, price, and warranty is the Sightron SII4-16x42MD . I have one on my 700P, .308.

Midway has them on sale at the moment too @ $349.95. Normally $422.68.
http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse

http://www.sightron.com/index.php?action=view_category&cat_id=1047415659

Also, I've read many posts on other forums by world class long range shooters, and mirage can be your friend in helping you to read the wind etc. Just learn to use it.
One other thing they all seem to use is scopes redone in up to 25X, though personally, I believe that takes some fun out of less formal shooting, and I like a variable for the simple reason of moving targets, like mentioned above, and closer targets.

To each their own though.
 
Yeah, I think 4-12x is a good choice. Even better is 4-16x maybe from a Bushnell Elite 4200.
 
What's the budget?

Ever considered IOR Valdada? http://www.valdada.com/

They seem to be gaining more and more popularity. I've read good reviews, especially on the optical clarity of their glass which is made by Schott Glasswerks of Germany.

There is a hunting and tactical line with options/price differences. Google up their prices as they sell for below MSRP. I've already settled on getting one when I build up a precision rifle.
 
For practical/tactical/sniper type shooting, or just shooting randomly sized objects at arbitrary distances, a scope with a max power of 10x is fine for 500 yards. I have a 3.2-17x and rarely turn it up above 14x, for shooting to 800.

For long range shooting, you basically need an external elevation adjutsment turret, like is found on the Leupold M1 scopes.

A good value would be the Leupold 3.5-10x40mm M1, or the 4.5-14x50mm M1.
 
two words, Zeiss Conquest.....best glass for the buck....bets most Leupolds, sightrons, etc in clarity, brightness.....
The only other scopes that beat it, are $1000 and up ones..... and they are 30mm
 
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