My new baby (CZ550 VLS) needs a scope (pictures)

[HOOfan_1]

I've read through all the scope threads, so I know what there is out there, but to keep this from being another "Help me find a scope" thread, I've included pictures of the gun in need of the scope.

To tell the truth, I haven't even really decided what I want to spend....I think under $600 will be my budget, but that is not set in stone ($1000 ain't happening though). I would prefer to have a mild-dot or ballistic compensation reticle and I would prefer tactical style finger adjustable turrets, but that isn't set in stone.

On to the pictures. This is a CZ 550 Varmint with the laminated stock. .22-250. Will be using it for groundhogs from 50-400 yards. Should be pretty much used in broad daylight, although I may carry over to just before dusk.















I can attach some higher resolution shots upon request

 

[greyling22]

cameraland and swfa have some 4-12x40 vortex vipers on sale for $250. plex reticle only. they also have some higher power vipers 6-20x44 that have a dot reticle for $250. vipers supposed to be pretty nice. mine should show up in the mail tomorrow. you can buy much better scopes, and you can buy cheaper scopes, but I don't know if you can beat the bang of the buck for a viper on sale.

 

[Strongbad]

I have the same rig, and I know there will probably be some "Ewwww" responses but... I've got a 6.5-20x50 Simmons on mine. Yes a Simmons. lol That was not a good fit on anything else but has turned out to be the aboslutely perfect fit for my CZ and you can still find those scopes dirt cheap. It's one of the older Whitetail Classic models with the "granite" finish. It's probably one of the cheapest scopes I have, most of my others are high magnification Burris Signatures, a Leupold and a few others, so I know what a real scope is... however, cheap or not, that scope has been fantastic.

Now, if you're opposed to going that cheap and don't care for the Simmons, the 6.5-20x50 still seems to be a great magnification range for mine and lord knows there are plenty of scopes out there in that particular magnification.

Oh and for what it's worth, my gun likes 52 gr Shilen Microjackets and 52 gr. Matchkings with Reloder 10x.

 

[soloban]

I've got a Nikon 6-18 Buckmaster w/ Mil Dot reticle on my CZ-527 .223 on High rings. Great scope! It comes with standard covers for the turrets and turrets that you can leave on and adjust by hand.

 

[HOOfan_1]

52 gr. Matchkings with Reloder 10x.

I just so happen to have an entire box of 52 grain Sierra Matchkings which my dad was using in his Savage 340 .225 Win. I also have some 55 grain Gameking and some 45 grain Varminter (I like Sierra) and I was planning to try all three. Also was planning to try IMR 3031, IMR 4064 and H380...I have all three which are used for various rifles. I've also heard good stuff about R-15

 

[rangerruck]

the new Nikons with the ballistiplex reticle got some great reviews, easy to use, and not too expensive. I would look at that first.

 

[mstirton]

I have the CZ550 Varmint in 308 with a Bushnell 4200 6-24x40 mil-dot. This works very well for me and it is plenty good glass for 300-600 yards (not that I could hit a groundhog at 600).

 

[ms6852]

I know you do not want advice, but I don't listen to my wife either. Check it out:

http://www.snipercentral.com/weavergslam.phtml

 

[HOOfan_1]

I know you do not want advice,

sure I do. I've seen it all before, but I like reading about it and the more thread posted, the more opinions come out and the more options I have to look into.

 

[Uncle Mike]

Burris has several of their models on clearance to make room for their new line of optics coming out next year, so you may be able to find some deals on the Black Diamonds, XTR's and several other units in Burris's line-up.

 

[Maverick223]

If you can stretch the budget to about $700.00 the non-FFP version of the Vortex Viper-PST 4-16x50mm would be a perfect fit as it has all the features that you want, and probably a few that you don't even know you want (yet!). Otherwise the 2.5-10x44mm PST would be suitable, as would a Sightron S-II Big Sky 4-16x42mm with target turrets and mil-dot reticle, the S-II (not Big Sky) version of the same, Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24x50 mil-dot...and there are a multitude of others if you think you can do without the twisty knobs (from the same manufacturers at lesser price).

 

[PT1911]

IMO, check out the Bushnell elite 6500 series for that.. GREAT Value for your budget.. Hell, several NICE leupolds in your budget too... Those and some select Burris options would be my choice.

 

[HOOfan_1]

There are more scope choices than there are rifle choices...and it is so hard to make up a mind. I've been using cheap Bushnells for so long, I almost want to try a different brand like Vortex or Nikon....but right now I am focusing on this Bushnell...everything I want (except FFP) and a decent price.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=234058

of course you can add another $60 for 30mm rings (gun came with some heafty 1" rings)

 

[Maverick223]

^That is a fine optic, the only feature that I find it (as well as most of its competition) lacking is matched reticle and adjustments (and FFP, but that will really cost you). The Viper is the only decent scope in your price range that affords this option, and even has the option of Mil/Mil or MOA/MOA. The only problem is you have to sacrifice a bit of magnification or add a little cash, but it really is the best choice IMO.

I think you will find 10x to be sufficient when you see how good the glass is. I find the quality of the glass is more important than magnification, and it is several levels above a low-end Bushnell (which are really good low end scopes, but you can't have everything).

BTW, whatever you decide, talk to Scott at Liberty Optics. He might carry it, he has the best CS in the business and be able to save you a little pocket change (P.S.: be sure to ask for the THR discount when you talk to him).

 

[PT1911]

I have the Elite 4200 in a 4x16x40 side focus and am very impressed with it!

Maybe I can be talked out of it...

That is a good choice.

 

[mshootnit]

Weaver Grand Slam 4.5-14X 40. I used to use mine to look at the craters on the moon. They're great.

 

[stubbicatt]

I like the 2.5 x10 FFP IOR on my 550.

 

[HOOfan_1]

Just got the scope last night. I chose the Bushnell Tactical Elite 4200 6-24x50 Got it for a great price on Amazon. Rings are in the mail and when I get her mounted and zeroed I'll post some more pictures

 

[HOOfan_1]

OK scope is mounted. Pictures are kind of grainy because I tried to take without a flash. Indeed it was the high rings that I needed, as you can see there is a few millimeter gap between the barrel and bell of the objective lens

 

[brandon_mcg]

wow. nice set-up. what distances are you plan on shooting with that scope?

 

[juk]

That's gonna be mean!

 

[HOOfan_1]

wow. nice set-up. what distances are you plan on shooting with that scope?

I'll zero it at 100 yards...that is the longest range I have.

Out in the field, I have pierced the ears of a groundhog at 180 yards with my dad's .223 Handi Rifle. I have put a nice ear to ear hole in another one with my dad's Savage 340 in .225 Win at 358 yards. So pretty much if I can see a groundhog, and I have a safe backdrop I will take a shot at them. I would say 400 yards or so is the furthest I can realistically expect to actually see a groundhog with my naked eye to get glass on it.

I figure with a groundhogs not getting much heavier than 15 - 20 pounds, if I hit them anywhere in the body with a 45-55 grain frangible bullet, it will be pretty much an instant kill, so I am not too worried about wounding them. The farmers whose farms I hunt on certainly won't care how I kill them.

 

[Rancho Relaxo]

Please let us know how that good looking rifle shoots!

 

[HOOfan_1]

Well 4 months after buying the rifle and a month and a half after mounting the scope, I finally got out and shot it. I was sighting in 2 other rifles as well, so I ran out of daylight and I am not sure I have it 100% zeroed.

First I started with an old fashion bore sighting at 25 yards, looking down the bore at a target and then moving the crosshairs to that target. Then I shot it about 10 at 25 yards to get it closer to my point of aim. Moved over to the 50 yard rand and shot it about 10 times to get it closer. Finally I moved over to the 100 range and got it pretty much zeroed. I shot it about 20 times at the 100 range because I know I shot 40 through it that day. Most of my sight in groups were not shot for tight groups, just trying to get an idea of point of impact. I shot about 3 groups to get it zeroed at 100 yards, then shot 1 group for accuracy and shot about 5 at the January 2011 centerfire rifle contest target from the sticky. Unfortunately by the time I tried shooting for a tight group and at the rifle contest target, the light was so dim that I couldn’t even see my holes on target at 24x magnification. So I am thinking I might be able to do better next time.


Here are my first to dial in groups at 100 yards. I was shooting cheap Winchester White Box 45 grain hollow points. For these groups I was using the standard trigger pull, the top group is a 4 shot group, the bottom group is a 3 shot group. Using the outside to outside minus bullet diameter measure for group size, the 3 shot group is .713” and the 4 shot group is .526”.



Here is my 5 shot group. Using the above measuring scheme it is .588” For this one, I used the set trigger. I bet it breaks at 6-8oz. which is just a tap for me. <begin excuses> this was the first time I used the set trigger, the bench rest table was WAY too high for the seats they have and I had to shim up my back rest and the MTM front rest I was using is pretty frustrating, not to mention the light was so dim, I couldn’t see my impact holes</end excuses>





I still have 40 of the WWB rounds left, I mainly bought them for the brass anyway. I am working up some loads using H380 and Sierra 52 grain HPBT Match Kings, as well as Sierra 55 Grain HPBT Game Kings and Sierra 45 grain Varminters.

I may also try out Hornady A-Max, V-Max and Nosler Ballistic tips. I also have IMR 3031 and IMR 4064 powder to try. I am thinking I can easily turn this gun into a ½ MOA or better gun for just about every group.