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Need advice on scope for long-range

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$600 could get you a Leupold 30x40 FX-III, Sightron 6.5-20x50 SII Big Sky or 36x42 SII Big Sky, the weavers mentioned before, a few of the Nikon Monarchs, Bushnell Elite 4200 in 6-24 or 8-32, along with a few more nice options.

The question really comes down to what you want to do with the rifle. When it comes to long range shooting some people shoot amazing groups with only a 20x scope. Then again others bump up to 50x and never come down from that. I personally don't see the point in a paper punching long range scope that is anything-20x magnification. You will never dial below 20x when shooting long range. When mirage gets thick people tend to back down to mid 20s-low 30s. Others stay at 40-50x. If you think this scope will ever go on a hunting rifle then something in say 6.5-20 will be a decent dual purpose scope. Still that said if all you are doing is say shooting at 1000 yards why would you bother with something that only goes from 6.5 that you will NEVER use to 20x which is on the low end of the spectrum? Some people don't like fixed zoom scopes as they just can't shoot well with heavy mirage and high magnification. Even then there are a few decent 8-32 or 34x scopes out there in your price range that I think will be much better long range PAPER punching scopes.
 
benzy,

I would love to be able to shoot this rifle anywhere from 200 to 1000 yards. I know this is a hard bill to fill but I think it can be done. Also, I'll probably be using it for 300 - 800 primarily. With that being said, any other opinions?
 
well, military sinpers hit targets to 1,000yd with a 10 power scope, so that proves it can be done with a lower power scope. Most of the scopes before mentioned, nikon monarch, bushnell elites, ect are good scopes. Another in the $600 range (actually, it is $500) that i really like is the Horus Hawk scope. 12x top end, and a 50mm obj lens. u are wanting to.great all around scope, and i use it for almost exactly the same purposes as you are wanting to.

http://www.horusvision.com/hawk.php
 
Military snipers also have to hit moving targets, quickly move from one target to another, be ready to hit those moving targets as close or far away as it requires, etc. They aren't shooting a fixed target and they don't have all day to setup from shot to shot or from target to target.

Like I said if I had ANY plans to shoot anything living with it or anything moving then I would seriously consider something in the 6.5-20 range as you still can dial down enough to shoot things that are either moving or those that you have to move one to another to and 20x is still high enough to be on the low end of long range paper shooting magnification. It makes a very good dual purpose scope.

But when you look at what the guys in F-class shooting are using you don't see many 10x scopes. You see a ton that are in the 20x-50x range. You don't NEED to get a higher magnification but if you want to punch the smallest groups possible at long range it helps. Even the guys shooting 50 yard rimfire matches use 36-50x scopes. Nothing wrong with the 6.5-20 and with good clear glass it will do far better than a ugly glass at a huge power.

Bright and crisp are the real first thoughts. If you can't see what you are aiming at it doesn't matter how magnified it is. Get what you like though. If you think the scope ever may be swapped to a different rifle that will either be a longer range hunting rifle or one you plan on shooting multiple targets with then the 6.5-20 is really a great go to magnification range. If you really only plan on punching paper at medium to long ranges I would get all the glass I could.

You can figure out what magnification you want. As far as brands go you can't go wrong with Leupold, Sightron, Weaver, Burris black diamonds, bushnell 4200 or if the budget is tight 3200, Nikon Monarchs or buckmasters if the money is tight, and a lot more that are going to be out of your price range. As long as you stay away from China made scopes and the bottom line of all of the brands listed you should get a decent scope for the money that will be usable at longer ranges. Im sure I am forgetting a good brand or two in that price range but those are the ones that I see the most. Clearidge scopes seam to get good reviews though I know less about them. The Super sniper scopes seem to get decent reviews though a "sniper" has different needs than a paper puncher. Pick what floats your boat. Most of the decent scopes in your price range have been listed in this thread. Find the features you like most and buy it.
 
benzy2, he did specify "practical long range shooting" in post #3 and #7 and "possibly f-class".
 
I missed the practical part. That changes a bit. Still the brands I would look at are the same. Really two different beasts. I would go with a mildot for anything I am estimating ranges and hold over quickly and I would go with a very fine crosshair for fixed shooting. I guess I would pick which way I thought I would shoot more, setup for that, and be at a little handicap on the other style.
 
scope

i just bought an osprey 10x40x50 for my 308 and it shoots fine out to 500 meters at the ground hog shoot an it only costs 199.00, they just started selling them at the gun shows.. check them out ,they have all different recticles an zoom ,plus illuminated crosshairs,, its worth a look see..:neener:.
 
Get the Super Sniper at SWFA. It has the clicks for elevation. It has a large following and SWFA will stand by this product. It is the ultimate poor man's sniper/target rifle telescope. Don't spend tons of money on a scope when you can spend it on the firearm, magazines, ammo considering the political climate.
 
Feel a little dumb but...

On the SWFA website, they list the Super Sniper scopes "16x42 30mm". Is 42 the objective lens size? or is it 30mm? Is 16 the fixed magnification power?
 
that is an odd description. normally, 16x42 would mean fixed 16 power with 42mm objective. 30 probably refers to the tube diameter.
 
Scope sight parallax is a condition in which the reticle and the target are not in the same focal plane. Move your head behind the scope and the reticle appears to move around on the target. A high powered scope suitable for target shooting has an adjustment to bring the images together for the range being shot at. A hunting scope is factory set to eliminate parallax at some typical range, commonly 150 yards.
 
it's like looking at an analog speedometer from the driver's seat, then viewing it from the passenger's seat. the later might look a couple MPH lower because of the angle. that's parallax.

parallax adjustment, as Jim said, makes it so it looks the same no matter where you view it from, but only at a single range. (thus the adjustment for shooting at different ranges)
 
Practical Long-range shooting
Click to expand...

Ahhh, I was gonna recommend the Falcon T-Range for under $400 (fixed 35x45mm), but for Practical Shooting type competitions, you want a little lower power, like a fixed 10, 4-12, 4.5-14, something like that. I'd look at Nikon Buckmaster, Sightron S2, and Bushnell Elite 4200 for that magnification in that price range. I'd probably want a 44 to 50mm objective lens size, but 40-42 is ok, too.

I think I've come to the conclusion, after looking at and shooting with my three Sightron S2s I own, that they are THE best value scope I've ever dealt with. For $200-$300 or a little more, you get a scope that's as good or better than a Leupold Vari-X III. But, sadly, I'm at a loss to understand Sightron's new lineup scheme, what with the Big Sky and such - did they eliminate the S2s or what the heck is going on?

The 4.5-14x42mm Sightron S2 I have feels and looks like, and holds zero like, a $600-$800 scope and it was $200 at Academy (although this model now sells for around $385, if you can find it at all). So it would come highly recommended by me. Due to its extreme fine-tune, close-in parallax adjustment, it's the ultimate rimfire & airgun scope, bar none.

P.S. I would still also look at the other Falcons - they're suppose to be really good glass for the money, but I cannot verify this:

http://www.falconoptics.com/
 
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"it's like looking at an analog speedometer from the driver's seat, then viewing it from the passenger's seat. the later might look a couple MPH lower because of the angle. that's parallax.

parallax adjustment, as Jim said, makes it so it looks the same no matter where you view it from, but only at a single range. (thus the adjustment for shooting at different ranges)"

That's a great explanation.

So... the Super Sniper 10x42 w/ parallax adjustment would be alright for a beginner? The 10x seems a little low but a lot of people seem to think that it works. Any thoughts?

(Again, this is going to be a practical long-range rifle for the most part. Most shots taken from 300 - 800 yards with an occasional 1000 yd. At least, that's how it happens in my dreams anyway... :))
 
For the past 6 years, I've competed in 1,000 yard F Class matches. I have two rifles, and they wear the following scopes: Leupold 6.5-20x50 LR M1; and Sightron SII 6-24x42. Lately have been using the rifle wearing the Sightron more often, and have found myself turning the power down to 18 or 20 power most times to dial out some of the mirage effect that is found when using high power optics at long range. The advantage of having a variable power is immeasurable when it comes to dealing with targets at various distances, as well as contending with varying atmospheric conditions.

Don
 
I don't know what these guys saying that 400 bucks won't get you a decent LR scope are smoking, but they're full of ....

Look at Falcon Optics.

http://www.snipercentral.com/menace4.htm

That is going to be the best option for your cash. It's a FFP scope, meaning that the reticle stays the same size in relation to the target, allowing for accurate ranging and holdovers on any power. The adjustments are accurate, and they will shoot the box. Any of these nimrods that say it won't have never used one or have a personal agenda.

Seekinsprecision.com

Glen makes any taper you want for Savage (among other) rifles, and he makes rings. Seekins is probably the highest quality stuff out there, on par with Badger Ordnance.

PM me if you have any questions, or come pose this question over at Snipershide
 
James,

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?

Thanks again, James.
 
id say with the budget you have you should look at a Millett 4.5-16x50, i had to return mine 2 times before i got a good one but i like what i have now, works great on my savage 10fp, burris also makes some great scopes for your price range give them a good looking over too, good luck with your choice
 
Does anyone have any place that you know of that has the Falcon Optics scopes? More specifically the new Menace 4 with FFP. And yes, I've gone to their website and found the North American distributors. So far - no luck.
 
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