Good entry level long range glass

[ldlfh7]

I have a good friend who lack internet access so I am posting for him.
He is wanting to get into long range shooting (wants to work up to 1000 yards eventually) and wants ideas/feedback on choosing a scope.
He is shooting a Savage model 10 in 308 win.
As of today, the rifle is completely stock. The first upgrade he is looking to make is the scope.
Price range is $400 max which I know is not going to get that great of a scope so I though I would ask a knowledgeable crowd if there was a good scope in this price range.
He either wants moa/moa or mil/mil.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[burrhead]

For that money I'd look at a Weaver T series 24x fixed power. Plain crosshair reticle will work fine for target work because the range distances are known. No reason for a range-finding reticle. Just DOPE the scope, change the elevation to match the range and learn to read the wind.

 

[Chuckin' TV]

I personally really like my Redfield Revenges. I have a 3-9 on my 243 and a 6-18x on my 300WM. He could spend only 250$ on the 6-18x and use the rest of his budget on a 20MOA rail if needed or ammo. I maxed my dial at 28MOA which is well over 1000yds but maybe I'm lucky. The dial returns to zero with no issues either and works accurately. My longest shot was a 680yd woodchuck one shot kill. Its a good piece of glass for the price, so he might want to consider it.

I will warn that it's 1/8MOA clicks; meaning you have to click more to dial for range. 1 full rotation equals 6MOA. But it works for me. You just have to keep track of how many rotations you did because you could return to zero and be 6MOA off one way or another.


Midway is having a sale right now on the varmint reticle 6-18 for 200$ and that has the same dial.

 

[back40]

check out the swfa SS10x42.

http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-10x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P53712.aspx

i prefer the mil version, but they make it in moa as well. combined with a 20 moa canted base rail, your friend will have plenty of travel to get to 1k. plus, they track well, and have nice glass.

people get wrapped up with lots of magnification, but it starts to become an issue with mirage.

 

[ZGunner]

I've read nothing but good things about tho SWFA SS 10x42.

http://youtu.be/9fe4l_CAthI

This video is pretty long but the guy goes in depth with it.

 

[Ankeny]

Another vote for Weaver. The glass might not be world class, but the tracking is spot on. That's what really matters.

 

[Walkalong]

Vortex Viper 6X20X44 for $324.99

Hard to beat for the money and will do him well for under $400. I have one on a .222 Mag and I like it.

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexviper6-20x44

 

[Aaron Baker]

I picked up the SWFA scope recommended above, except I got the mil/mil version in 12x, because the 10x was on back order. It's a very good fixed power scope for that price, and well within your friend's budget. On my Remington 700 .308 in a Bell & Carlson Medalist Light Tactical, it's a great setup. I have not shot at 1000 yards with that setup, but it's capable of it.

Aaron

 

[Legionnaire]

Here's a Vortex Viper 6.5-20 on sale at Midway ... Mil Dot or direct hold BDC.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/24...uy-_-full_vortexviper_20140724_1-_-Main_Image

 

[The_Next_Generation]

IMHO, the SWFA series of scopes are the best deal out there. They are extremely durable and come with a lifetime warranty. I recommend the Mil/Mil version with the Mil-Quad reticle.

I used to own a 16x42 Mil/MOA, then I traded it for a 12x42 Mil/Mil. Both scopes were/are fantastic, with excellent tracking thanks to their solid internals. You really cannot go wrong with one.

Burrhead: No reason for a range-finding reticle.

I wholeheartedly disagree. Ranging reticles allow the shooter to measure more than range. Group off-center by .4 mil? That'll be 4 clicks. No more converting to MOA and dividing by four!

There are many practical advantages to a ranging reticle. A scope with this feature would be a perfect match for a do-most-things rifle like the Savage 10 in 308.

Edit: Unfortunately, after checking out the Vortex 6.5x20 for sale on Midway I noticed that it uses a wire reticle. Because of this, I would definitely choose the SWFA since it uses an etched-glass reticle...

 

[Chuckin' TV]

I was just looking at the sale that Legionnaire mentioned. 300$ for that scope would be a great price. I hear good things about Vortex's ability to track moa very well.

 

[ldlfh7]

So my buddy expanded his price range and picked up a Viper 6.5-20x50 PA.
We sighted it in last weekend and were shooting at 500 yards by the end of the afternoon. This is a real nice scope from what we could tell.

Now I am jealous and would like to get into some distance shooting.
Now I have 2 kids and 1 more will be here in 3 months so I do not have a great budget. Anyone have thoughts on the redfield revenge? Looks interesting and has lifetime warranty. I know its not a top quality scope but for moderate shooting at this price it looks tough to lay off of.

 

[osprey176]

I recently picked up a Vortex Viper for around $400. I have a Redfield Revenge,and like it,but the Vortex is really a great scope for that price range.

 

[docsleepy]

If you want to spend that much on a scope, it is fine with me. I have a swift reliant 6-32x power that is a bit cheaper and does very well.

The guys that mentored me said the key thing was you couldn't hit what you couldn't see, and you couldn't tell how much you off on your aim if you can't see it.

In other words, you have to, absolutely have to know how much your aim is wobbling at the point of pulling the trigger.

So resolution is important, and a decently high power is key to getting that but not the only factor. Obviously a poor lens at very high power lets you see squat.

I shoot at 800 yards with a 24 power scope that is dirt cheap Centerpoint Walmart's, $69, and I can see just barely enough to aim properly. I wish I had my 32 power on that particular rifle, but the 32 power is on six PPC that won't reach that far. Believe it or not, I also try to hit 800 with a seven power cheap scope on a Mosin-Nagant, but that is somewhat of an exercise in futility.

If you really want to have fun shooting at small targets at those kind of distances, 24 power is probably the minimum and 32 or 40 power would make it a lot more fun. My cheap 60 power spotting scope cannot resolve the bullet holes unless I am shooting at a spray-painted AR500 gong, so that the splatter makes a much bigger visual effect than just the bullet size.

consistent muzzle velocity is going to be extremely important so unless you learn how to reload well, you're probably going to have to use match ammo.