Need advice on scope for long-range

[taliv]

the review he linked to says china with "final assembly" in the UK

that reticle is awfully small on 4x. that's one nice thing about the mil-hash reticles instead of dots

 

[2000Yards]

If the Falcon Menace 4 is as good as you say it is... it may be in the lead on my list. It looks good from my end. Any on else have experience with Falcon Optics

Yes, I used a Falcon Menace 4-14x44FFP scope over a three-day long range rifle course. The FFP is a definite asset for rapid ranging, but overall it was disappointing. The scope has a very limited eye-relief range (I don't know what Falcon publishes, but if I wasn't EXACTLY in the right place, the image had a lot of dark fringing on the sides or just disappeared - I compared to several Leupolds that were not picky at all in this respect - looking through the scope was definitely more challenging at all magnifications). Also, despite the 44mm objective, the scope image was noticeably darker than the leupolds at 40mm. On the final day of the course the reticle completely lost correlation to windage - I was off by 6 feet at about 200 yards. We checked base and rings, they were tight (Badger Ordinance 50-MAX, IIRC), and the instructors worked with the rifle for about 15 minutes before telling me the scope was shot. I borrowed a gun to finish the course, and FWIW, the instructors told me that about half of the Falcons that come through the school fail.

To be fair, the leupolds being compared were multiples more in cost, so its not a fair comparison, but the windage problem was unnaceptable.

My $.02,
Mike

 

[kansas45]

Check out the Barska scopes. I've been shooting 600yds with a 10X40X50. Not the best glass, but not bad. It was just under $400.00 on sale.

 

[texas chase]

OK... maybe the Falcon is not the way to go.

I've been reading up on focal planes and I need some clarity. So I understand with FFP, the reticle "changes" size with magnification power so that one mil is one mil.

Now here's what I'm not clear on... for Second Focal Plane reticles, the reticle stays the same size. So how do you figure out how much each mil dot or hash mark is worth at different distances?

Like I said, I'm new to optics so I apologize if this is a dumb question. Thanks for any insight.

 

[taliv]

typically, you don't. it is only right at one magnification setting, and you just use that setting if you want to use the reticle. otherwise, you twist knobs

 

[tbogh]

don't mean to hijack, but what do you think about illuminated reticles? i've never used them myself.

 

[popeyespappy]

I've got a Super Sniper 20x42 mounted on my Remington 700 SPS tactical in 308 and I really like it. I've also got a Super Sniper 10x42 on my AR. For $300 I just don't think you can beat the Super Sniper. Clarity and light gathering are good. The turrets are at least as good as anything in price range and probably better than some that cost a lot more. Repeatability is top notch. these scopes will shoot a box over and over again.

My Savage 12 Long Range Varmint 223 wears a Bushnell elite 4200 8-32x40. Its a great scope and you can get one from Overstock.com right now for less than $500

A step down from there in price at $180 is the Bushnell Elite 3200 10x40 Tactical. My mini-14 and my 1895 both wear one of these.

 

[texas chase]

Getting close to purchase

I've narrowed it down. Right now, I've got my eye on a Bushnell Elite 4200
6-24X50 and a 20x42 Super Sniper. I'm hoping for the Bushnell but I might be able to get the Super Sniper at a really good price. I'll keep everyone posted. I've learned a lot about scopes in the past week or so. Thanks to everyone who has posted so far.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Those Super Snipers are supposed to hold up to heavy recoil. For practical shooting, I'd go with the 16x42, but for target shooting, the 20x42.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Good choice,(especially the 4200) but you may want to reconsider the jumbo 50mm. objective.
From most of what my extensive research has yeilded, these are mostly a big fad,they look real cool. But they also add weight,generally cost more, and raise the scope up off your rifle, sometimes adversely affecting cheek weld. I believe most snipers use a 40mm. bell. Again, going by much of what I've only read,since my biggest bell is 42mm, but the big supposed advantage of the bigger bell/lens is better light gathering, but as I understand,this only applies at the lowest light times ( dusk/dawn) and only at FULL magnification, and even then, I believe it's not a tremendous difference.
Not trying to start a flame war with you guys that have the big objectives and dig them, just trying to give the guy as much info as possible.

 

[texas chase]

Mil Dot,

I totally understand what you're saying in regards to the 50 mm objective lens. It is very large. Thankfully, I'll have this rifle on a stock that has different size cheek pieces and some adjustability. So hopefully this won't be an issue.

One of the reasons, I like the 50 is because it comes with bigger knobs. The 42 or 40 ( I can't remember off the top of my head) seems to have smaller turrets/knobs.

By the way, I got this rifle because my dad got an AR-30 in .338 Lapua. It became his long-range rifle and I got the Savage, which I'm extremely thankful for. I got a chance to shoot the .338 a few weeks ago... and wow, that is a powerful cartridge.

 

[Jim Watson]

The biggest advantage of the 50mm objective lens TO ME is that it gives a slightly larger exit pupil and makes it easier to line up on the scope. I don't need twilight factor for low light sniping, I am just a target shooter.

I would sure like to get a look at a Konus M30 rifle scope. If it is as good a product for the money as their spotting scope, it will be something to consider for casual target shooting.

 

[texas chase]

I just bought a used Super Sniper 16x42. Looking forward to using it.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

On the final day of the course the reticle completely lost correlation to windage - I was off by 6 feet at about 200 yards. We checked base and rings, they were tight (Badger Ordinance 50-MAX, IIRC), and the instructors worked with the rifle for about 15 minutes before telling me the scope was shot. I borrowed a gun to finish the course, and FWIW, the instructors told me that about half of the Falcons that come through the school fail.

I'm disappointed to hear in the failure of the Falcon - I was planning to put the T-range fixed 35x45 on my as-yet-to-be-acquired Savage 12 FC-PTR. Hmmm, now I'm thinking Super Sniper 20x42.