Where I'm at, and my shooting goals
I've got a Remington Sendero II SF in 7mm RM that I've been doing some load testing on at 100 yards. I'm just about at the end of that process, with very good results, but the Millet LRS-1 I've got on there now, although acceptable for 100 yards (and perhaps beyond), just ain't going to cut it for what I want to do now.
For long range shooting, I want to start (but not end) with paper punching. I belong to a club with a 1000 yard range, and I want to make full use of that. I'd like to go even longer than that eventually, but first things first. I figure target shooting is probably the easiest place to start for making long range shots. After that, I would like to move on to LR hunting, and (after watching Tiborsuarus Rex's ("T-Rex") line of YouTube videos), I'd like to at least explore the possibility of trying out "practical" matches. This apparently means I will need a versatile scope, but it may also mean (and don't be bashful about telling me), that my expectations of a single scope may be unrealistic.
My research so far
I've read some of the tutorials on this forum by Zak Smith, looked at the posts of certain respected long range THR posters (such as taliv) and I've watched T-Rex's line of videos up through #22, which got me through optic selection (I plan to continue, but I'm pausing here to buy an optic). I've looked at other stuff, but these sources stood out from the others. The one frustrating thing about T-Rex's final optic selection videos is that some of the info seems outdated (several of the "best picks" are no longer available), and don't get into detailed comparisons of the optics I'll be considering).
My budget and buying philosophy
My budget is not fixed, per se. Rather, I will describe my budget in how much "political capital" I will have to spend with my wife to get the scope Obviously, the less painful, the better.
That spectrum is as follows: $1,500 (slight grumbling, but she can't complain, based on her "toy" spending), $2000-2500 (moderate grumbling, I will have to take my lumps, but I will get to spend the money), $3,000 (I will still probably get it when the dust settles, but it will be painful), $3,000+ (uncharted waters, but the worst that can happen is "no").
I am a pay once, cry once kind of guy. I am not currently of a skill level I would consider "worthy" of scopes in these price ranges, but I do intend to get there, and I'm not afraid to make an upfront investment in the right equipment. That said, I don't want to simply pass over a scope in a lower price tier that's a proven performer merely because more expensive scopes are (generally) better.
Required/Desired Features
Please do not hesitate to correct me if anything I'm saying sounds "off"... I'm here for advice!
100% reliable turret tracking is a must. Excellent glass is a must (seems like fully-corrected apochromatic glass, ED, HD, etc. would be best, if my budget allows). Unless I've grossly misunderstood my research, first focal plane is a must (if variable power). I want the reticle/turrets in Mils. I want a reticle that allows for holdovers/holdoffs. I want enough travel in the elevation to cover bullet drop out to 1500 yards or so (the published data for 1000 yards with my current 7mm bullet says the drop at that range is 204.5", not sure what that would be at 1500), which probably means at least a 30/34/35mm tube. I'd be willing to live with travel covering me out to 1000 yards. Must be reasonably durable.
Fixed power seems like it has a lot of things going for it, although I'm not sure I can get away with that given all the things I want to do with the scope. If I were to go fixed, it seems like 10x would be my best bet.
If variable power, it seems like for my needs, it should go at least up to 15x, maybe up to 25x.
Looks like most of the objectives available for the scopes I'm looking at fall into the 42-56mm range, which I'm ok with.
Looks like there's a LOT of reticles that fit my bill, from standard mil-dot, to Horus H-59.
Other features, such as zero-stop and illumination (e.g. I could be hunting in low-light), and reasonably large travel per rotation are a definite plus.
Am I missing anything?
What (I think) fits my bill
In no particular order, here are scopes that appear to satisfy my wants. If I'm missing something that should be on here, or considering something I should dump, let me know... that's the purpose of the post!
NightForce ATACR F1s (4-16 or 5-25)
USO LR-17 (or perhaps ST-10 TPAL, if I'm going fixed, or ER-25 if I'm feeling brave enough to argue with the wife about it)
Steiner T5Xi (4-16 or 5-25... or maybe the Mil Tac if I'm feeling brave)
Hours Falcon
Vortex HD/HD Gen II
S&B PMII (although might be too much $$)
I haven't had a chance yet to sift through the numerous models of Swaro, Zeiss, Premier, IOR Valdala (or others that I missed), and any recommendations would be appreciated.
Ok, I know that was way too long, but hopefully some of you out there can help!
I've got a Remington Sendero II SF in 7mm RM that I've been doing some load testing on at 100 yards. I'm just about at the end of that process, with very good results, but the Millet LRS-1 I've got on there now, although acceptable for 100 yards (and perhaps beyond), just ain't going to cut it for what I want to do now.
For long range shooting, I want to start (but not end) with paper punching. I belong to a club with a 1000 yard range, and I want to make full use of that. I'd like to go even longer than that eventually, but first things first. I figure target shooting is probably the easiest place to start for making long range shots. After that, I would like to move on to LR hunting, and (after watching Tiborsuarus Rex's ("T-Rex") line of YouTube videos), I'd like to at least explore the possibility of trying out "practical" matches. This apparently means I will need a versatile scope, but it may also mean (and don't be bashful about telling me), that my expectations of a single scope may be unrealistic.
My research so far
I've read some of the tutorials on this forum by Zak Smith, looked at the posts of certain respected long range THR posters (such as taliv) and I've watched T-Rex's line of videos up through #22, which got me through optic selection (I plan to continue, but I'm pausing here to buy an optic). I've looked at other stuff, but these sources stood out from the others. The one frustrating thing about T-Rex's final optic selection videos is that some of the info seems outdated (several of the "best picks" are no longer available), and don't get into detailed comparisons of the optics I'll be considering).
My budget and buying philosophy
My budget is not fixed, per se. Rather, I will describe my budget in how much "political capital" I will have to spend with my wife to get the scope Obviously, the less painful, the better.
That spectrum is as follows: $1,500 (slight grumbling, but she can't complain, based on her "toy" spending), $2000-2500 (moderate grumbling, I will have to take my lumps, but I will get to spend the money), $3,000 (I will still probably get it when the dust settles, but it will be painful), $3,000+ (uncharted waters, but the worst that can happen is "no").
I am a pay once, cry once kind of guy. I am not currently of a skill level I would consider "worthy" of scopes in these price ranges, but I do intend to get there, and I'm not afraid to make an upfront investment in the right equipment. That said, I don't want to simply pass over a scope in a lower price tier that's a proven performer merely because more expensive scopes are (generally) better.
Required/Desired Features
Please do not hesitate to correct me if anything I'm saying sounds "off"... I'm here for advice!
100% reliable turret tracking is a must. Excellent glass is a must (seems like fully-corrected apochromatic glass, ED, HD, etc. would be best, if my budget allows). Unless I've grossly misunderstood my research, first focal plane is a must (if variable power). I want the reticle/turrets in Mils. I want a reticle that allows for holdovers/holdoffs. I want enough travel in the elevation to cover bullet drop out to 1500 yards or so (the published data for 1000 yards with my current 7mm bullet says the drop at that range is 204.5", not sure what that would be at 1500), which probably means at least a 30/34/35mm tube. I'd be willing to live with travel covering me out to 1000 yards. Must be reasonably durable.
Fixed power seems like it has a lot of things going for it, although I'm not sure I can get away with that given all the things I want to do with the scope. If I were to go fixed, it seems like 10x would be my best bet.
If variable power, it seems like for my needs, it should go at least up to 15x, maybe up to 25x.
Looks like most of the objectives available for the scopes I'm looking at fall into the 42-56mm range, which I'm ok with.
Looks like there's a LOT of reticles that fit my bill, from standard mil-dot, to Horus H-59.
Other features, such as zero-stop and illumination (e.g. I could be hunting in low-light), and reasonably large travel per rotation are a definite plus.
Am I missing anything?
What (I think) fits my bill
In no particular order, here are scopes that appear to satisfy my wants. If I'm missing something that should be on here, or considering something I should dump, let me know... that's the purpose of the post!
NightForce ATACR F1s (4-16 or 5-25)
USO LR-17 (or perhaps ST-10 TPAL, if I'm going fixed, or ER-25 if I'm feeling brave enough to argue with the wife about it)
Steiner T5Xi (4-16 or 5-25... or maybe the Mil Tac if I'm feeling brave)
Hours Falcon
Vortex HD/HD Gen II
S&B PMII (although might be too much $$)
I haven't had a chance yet to sift through the numerous models of Swaro, Zeiss, Premier, IOR Valdala (or others that I missed), and any recommendations would be appreciated.
Ok, I know that was way too long, but hopefully some of you out there can help!
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