help me spend my money (scope/rings)

[fish2xs]

OK, I'm narrowing down my decisions on how to augment my Savage 10FP 308 w/ Choate stock.

I know little about scopes & nothing about rings, but have decided if I get a Leupold scope (sp?) I'll be alright. I expect to shoot mostly at the range, maybe some varmin. I'm thinking a 4-15X40 scope (or thereabouts). Our club's rifle range only goes to 150 yards, but they will be expanding it soon.

What about the rings? I'd like something rugged enough. Is there a 'one piece ring'? What about brands? Are there any 'safe' names?

Lastly, what adjustments do I have to make when mounting the scope on the rifle?

Thanks! and happy 4th
-Phil

 

[GHILLIE]

I prefer the Leupold dual dovetail bases/rings. These have the same turn in style ring in the rear as in the front. I'm not a big fan of the two screw windage adj. type rear. Burris also makes a dual dovetail set. Both mfgs. make them in matte finish. I also prefer the Leupold 3.5x10x40 over the slightly higer magnification ones simply due to lower price. Unless you are shootin prairie dogs at long ranges, the 10x should be plenty. Use blue loctite on the screws of the base and don't over tighten them and you will be set with a rock solid rig.

Good luck, good shooting!

One more thing...if you get turn in style rings, use a broom handle or wooden dowell to turn them, don't beat on them, or worse, use the scope as a lever to turn them. They turn in harder than you think and will ruin a scope. Not trying to insult your intelligence, there are many people who don't think of this until it is too late.

 

[Art Eatman]

Not knocking Leupold rings at all, but I've had zero trouble, ever, with Weaver and Weaver-style rings--since 1950.

While the three-screw mounting system of a bridge-type mount seems to work okay, I note that the four screws of two-piece bases provide a third more shear strength against recoil--if that matters to anybody.

Art

 

[uglymofo]

From your self-professed ignorance about scopes and rings, I'd suggest the no-fault Burris Signature Zee rings with the plastic inserts. That way you'll be able to mount your scope without damaging it (or the need to lap the rings). It sounds like your gun will be a light hunter at most; that is, no draggin' through the bush, droppin' out of planes, Special Forces obstacle course gun. If you're willing to lap your rings (a simple process), almost any real name brand will be rugged enough--Weaver, Leupold, Burris--without having to get into the more exotic (read that 'expensive') brands (i.e., Badger, GGG, IOR, etc.).

I agree with Ghillie, there's no real need for 4x15, unless you're trying to cheat and skip the spotting scope at the range. 10x is about all you can use when the weather is warm enough to generate a mirage in your scope that can make the target seem like it's swimming. The higher the power, the worse the mirage.

Choose your reticle carefully. An aquaintance I shoot with made the mistake of getting a fine duplex reticle; he intended his .308 gun for 100-150yd target shooting and hunting. I introduced him to silhouettes (500M targets) and 300-500yd paper targets, and now he can't shoot without cranking his turrets; he's constantly so confused about comeups that he shoots mostly up to 300yd. Hindsight says a reticle with some kind of delineating hash-marks (or mildots) would have suited him so much better.

No offense to you--some folks really "can't be bothered" with 'details' and would rather pay for their self-induced ignorance; this aquaintance is a fine example, as hashmarks would at least allow him to adjust out to farther targets.

 

[Quintin Likely]

Unless you're gonna be dragging this rifle around in the bush, most any base and ring set from a reputable manufacturer will do you fine. I prefer the Leupold 1 piece base & rings myself, its a great setup for the money. I've got Leupold bases and rings on three of my rifles, and they've been great, no complaints whatsoever.

I've got one Leupold scope, a Vari-X III 3.5x10x40 stuck on a Remington 700 in .308. I don't have enough good things to say about this scope, it tracks beautifully, rugged, simple, nothing flashy. Makes everything else I've got look like peering through a Coke bottle. One thing to take into account with higher magnifications though, on the higher settings on hot days or after sending a few rounds downrange, you'll be fighting mirage bigtime. 14x is probably tops I'd go personally, but I'm hooked on this 3.5x10 I've got.