Have new Savage FP10LE, need moderately priced tactical scope!

[emc]

To properly set up the new Savage FP10LE, I've been looking around for a moderately priced "tactical" scope. I expect to try some target shooting with this rig, and want to find an appropriate scope. With that in mind, I'm considering the Nikon Monarch LR 3.3-10x44 Mildot or the Leupold VX-II 4-12x40 Mildot. The Nikons run around $370 to $390, while the Leupold is offered at $450. I have a Nikon Monarch 6.5-20 on a target AR-15, and have been happy with that so far, but figure that to be more magnification than I really need for the Savage. I have no personal experience with Leupold scopes.

Two questions:

1. Are there any other models that I should consider without talking nose-bleed territory pricing? I would be willing to spend up to $500 or so, but really don't want to go beyond that. The extra money could be used towards a replacement stock.

2. Between the Leupold and the Nikon models I mentioned, is there any significant difference between the two of these?

Thanks,

emc

 

[nipprdog]

can't offer any advice on nikon or luepold, but I do have 2 savage bolt rifles, one being 10FPLE1, and the other a 10FP in 223.

if you haven't already ordered your mount and rings, are you aware that the accutrigger model scope mounts are different than the non accu models?

 

[emc]

Thanks for the advice! The rifle is used, but minimally, and comes with rings, bases, and Harris bipod. So, that should get me taken care of.

emc

 

[nipprdog]

be sure to check out http://www.savageshooters.com

lots of good info and people.

 

[shoobe01]

I just went for the Bushnell (formerly Bausch & Lomb) Elite 3200 10x mildot. Seems very nice, clear and bright, big handy turrets, etc. Plus that neat rain coat stuff (have to try that out someday).

SWFA , etc. has them for $189 (retail like $300). I got mine at the Bushnell factory outlet (advantage: Kansas City) for $154. There's 1-2 left if you are in town.

Besides the cost, no bad reviews, and I always seem to in fact have zooming scopes on the wrong setting. Such that lately I have just resisted changing it. So zoom is a waste to me. And I still have this old-timer nagging feeling that zoom has got to be less reliable. Besides, mils only scale right [on most scopes] at maximum magnification.

Downsides? Not much. I suppose you could be concerned about the 1/4minute clicks slowing you down in combat. And some have complained that the turrets are only numbered one way. Ie: to go the other you have to count backwards. Minor concerns.

If this blows up ever (after I return it for unlimited warranty repair) I will get IOR, Leupold Mk4 or something expensively German. Hopefully it will work forever.

 

[emc]

Interesting comment on the scaling issue for the mildot feature! Tell me more about this! If I follow you right, on a variable power scope, at anything less than max zoom, the mildot will not offer the proper scale? If so, then attempting to use them for any sort of rangefinding on an intermediate setting would be a waste of time, from what you've said.

Pondering,


emc

 

[Mike Hull]

Sightron is another excellent scope for the $$. I just mounted an SII416x42MD. I'd buy another in a heartbeat.
http://www.sightron.com/index.php?action=view_category&cat_id=1044403502

Here's a link to a thread about them.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=73578

 

[ocabj]

I also have a 10FP-LE2 (with McMillan A-5). I have the Bushnell Elite 3200 10x mildot on a Ken Farrell base and Burris Signature Zee rings.

Click on pictures below for higher resolution versions:

Interesting comment on the scaling issue for the mildot feature! Tell me more about this! If I follow you right, on a variable power scope, at anything less than max zoom, the mildot will not offer the proper scale? If so, then attempting to use them for any sort of rangefinding on an intermediate setting would be a waste of time, from what you've said.

Yes, this is correct. Most variable scopes with a mildot reticle only have proper scale for the mildots on the max power. Very few scopes have the reticle on the first focal plane. This allows the mildot reticle to maintain proper scale on all the respective powers of the variable scope.

The Leupold VX-II is a bit too much in my opinion, at $450. I'd rather have the VX-III with a duplex reticle (Midway carries it for $459 without dealer discount: http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/890024). The VX-III and Mark 4 series is what gives Leupold their great reputation. The VX-I and VX-II may be fine scopes, but definitely not the best scopes in their respective price ranges.

If you must have a mildot at under $500, I'd recommend the SWFA Super Sniper at $299 (http://www.riflescopes.com/departments/231/rifle_scopes/super_sniper.htm). It's a 10x42 (or 16x or 20x) fixed scope with a 30mm tube, mildot reticle, and target knobs. They were originally designed by Tasco but SWFA bought the design. Older generations of the scope got a bad rap, but the current production is getting solid reviews.

The Bushnell Elite 3200x Mildot is a solid scope, too, and at a shade under $200, it's value can't be beat.

Do you already have a base and rings? If not, go with the Ken Farrell (http://www.kenfarrell.com). You can purchase direct from Ken Farrell or go through Sinclair's (http://www.sinclairintl.com) for about $10 less than MSRP. Available in 0/10/20MOA. Rings are subjective. I used Burris rings. They were a great value at $25 or so and hold up really well. If I were to get other rings, I'd give the TPS (http://www.tacticalprecision.com) rings a try. People testify of the TPS quality.

If you want to spend a couple hundred on a base and rings, get the Badgers (http://www.badgerordnance.com). Arguably the best scope mount system you can get.