Magnification for First Scope for First Rifle? (Bench/ Target)

[Mr_Toad]

Hi, THR folks,

Just received my very first rifle (DPMS LR-308AP4), but lots of reading is still not solving my confusion on a good first scope.

So, may I ask three questions:

1. Could y’all suggest a good scope "magnification range" for 50-year old eyeballs just starting out in 100 to 600 yard bench and target shooting?
2. At distances out to 600 yards, would I need a high upper magnification just to determine if I’ve even hit anything?
3. Should I first head out to the range with just the iron sights and learn from the ground up? (I'm planning on a careful range break-in for the barrel, anyway.)

It seems the Bushnell scopes get good reviews for a good price…like the “Bushnell Elite 3200 32-4124A Scope, 4-12 x 40mm, Adjustable Objective Multi-X Reticle Matte” at Midway for a few hundred dollars.

So, is a “4-12 x 40mm” scope a good magnification range for 100 to 600 yards?

Thank you in advance for your advice,

 

[M1key]

I think your choice for casual target shooting is fine...though I don't know how good your eyes are or how good your shooting skills...

I think many target shooters like high magnification...20x-40x or better in a high end scope for a clearer picture of the target at distance.

However, if you shoot in the desert during the hot mid-day sun, you will have serious mirage effects with anything over say, 12x-14x..."shootin' through the pool" as the old timers used to say...and difficulty shooting for accuracy.

For your first rifle and scope the Bushnell Elite should be fine...Nikon also makes a fine scope for the money.

 

[dakotasin]

1. 4.5-14 is a good all-around scope power.
2. yes, but at 600 yards a rifle scope won't cut it, nor will most spotters - so don't worry about this part of it.
3. no, unless you just want to shoot irons. scopes and irons don't operate the same way. you can shoot to 600 yards w/ irons if you want to, but it isn't a beginners game.

always get the best glass you can afford. a bushnell elite 3200 or 4200 will be fine. but don't buy a $100 scope and think you'll be able to effectively play at 600 yards.

good luck! a 308 at 400 or 500 yards is a riot! shoot, listen to the bullet whistle for a second, then hear the thwack on target. when you back the 308 out to 1000 yards, the bullet no longer whistles over the grass... so, shoot, sneak a drink of coffee, and then hear the thwack on target. its a riot, and some of the most fun you'll have shooting is when you start stretching the range a bit.

mirage is always a problem w/ high powers... i've shot on sub-zero days where the mirage was about impossible, and i've shot in 105° temps where the mirage was almost manageable... just depends on the conditions that day.

 

[Twud]

Your desire to shoot 600 yards really changes the equation. Were it me I'd would buy a Leupold VXIII 8-24x 50MM with a 30MM tube and a fine duplex reticle, this is what my varminter wears. Shoot 100 yards at 8 power and 600at 24.
If you really want to go first class buy a Nightforce 32x variable. At 600 yards you don't want to compromise on glass quality. You need a really good clear image to see the target.
I've never been a big Bushnell fan, but folks seem to be happy with the Elite line.
Figure around $1,350 for the Nightforce Benchrest model and around $950 for the Leupold.
A compromise for the Leupold would be a Vari X III 6.5-20 x 40 with a 1" tube, around $650, I think. Check out Bruno's for some good Leupold prices.
Be sure you get an adjustable objective on whatever you buy.

 

[Jim Watson]

Keeping score is the trick. A spotting scope will not resolve a bullet hole at the ranges you talk about. Getting a 600 yard zero with a new load can be a chore.

 

[rangerruck]

I like the new super sniper scopes, one model has side focus. also I am a big fan of the Weaver 36x fixed power. It will look good tuned down to as far as 50 yards. But for variable, 100 yards plus, I like a nice 6 x 24 power.

 

[Eyesac]

I'd want more than x12, and check out Burris.

 

[Mr_Toad]

Thanks, Guys!

I appreciate all your advice,

Time to spend some more retirement money!

 

[GreenMtnTac]

Toad,

For shooting to 600 yards a 2.5-10x is a good choice. Remember, military snipers shot to 1000 yards with a fixed 10x for many years. The Marine Corps just recently upgraded to a 3-12x S&B scope for their SWS rigs.

I have personally shot successfully to 1000 yards with an IOR 4-14x42 scoped rifle. I highly recommend the IORs. You will be hard pressed to find better glass on any scope: they use Schott glass and Zeiss coatings, and the clarity of their scopes is better than Leupold or other more traditional brands.

Whatever you get, don't skimp on the glass. The old saw is the scope should cost at least as much as the rifle.

Best of luck.

 

[ShunZu]

For out to 600, I prefer an 8-32X scope. But to SEE the hit, you'll need a 20-60X spotting scope, imho. Get good glass... and I mean something OTHER than BSA or other junk. I have a Winchester 20-60X for spotting and can see the hits @ 600, .30 cal holes.

 

[TargetShooter2]

scope

Just received my very first rifle (DPMS LR-308AP4),

Hello,
if you wanted to shoot out to 6oo yds you should of purchased a LR308
with a 24 barrel , your little 16 is going to have a hard time meeting your needs at 600 yds ,, as a bench /target shooting rifle out to 300 yards you should do pretty well but your rifle not built for that . if you want to scope it any 4X16 should be a good all around scope for you , if you go higher pwr then your scope may end up being up to 16 inches long and your rifle Extended: 38" & Collapsed: 34.25" inches .

i shoot a 24 and it makes the 600 fine .

TS2

 

[Mr_Toad]

Thanks, TS2!

You're right, of course.

I did realize my mistake after I ordered the rifle...a bit too late, though...

If I do get into distance shooting enough to justify the additional expense, I guess i could look into having the barrel swapped, perhaps...or even get a complete 24 inch barrel and upper set.

...live and learn.

 

[taliv]

with a 24 barrel , your little 16 is going to have a hard time meeting your needs at 600 yds

why do you say that? 16" barreled 308 will reach 600 just fine.

 

[Zak Smith]

12x is fine for 600 yards. I've shot a 3-12x scope to 1350 yards.