Scope for 600 yard target practice

[mxa]

I just purchased an FN A1 SPR, .308 calibar and I'm trying to choose a scope for it with the sole purpose of target shooting with a maximum distance of 600 yards. I want to stay around ~800 dollars (less would be better). I've kind of been looking at the Bushnell, elite 6500, 2.5-16x42 for now or maybe the 2.5-16x50 but looking for opinions. Are there other scopes that I should be looking at and is 16x power sufficient? Suggestions would be great.

Thks

 

[jpwilly]

Reading some of these reviews may help you: http://www.snipercentral.com/scopereviews.htm

This site has a couple unique offerings: http://sightwonders.com/home.html

 

[redneck2]

If you look on ebay you can get some screaming deals on Burris Black Diamonds. On my 1k prairie dog gun, I've got a Signature in 8x32x44, but there are Black Diamonds for $150-200 less than I paid.

 

[johnny_boy]

For sole target shooting, the higher the magnification, the better, imho. I would say 16x is too low for 600 yards. go for 24x or 32x.

I like Sightron SIII (the updated version. one reviewed on the snipercentral is the older design). Very good scope for around $800 and personally feel that is is better than Bushnell Elite 6500.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/sightron-siii-30mm-8-32x56mm-riflescope-siiiss832x56lrd.html
http://www.opticsplanet.net/sightron-siii-6-24x50mm-riflescope-siiiss624x50md.html

 

[Art Eatman]

I won't make a recommendation, but I'll offer a minor bit of experience: I have a 500-yard range at my house. 22" hanging plates.

My hunting rifle has an inexpensive 3x10x44 scope. I had no difficulty in getting MOA groups with it.

I will agree with anybody that more is better, but I wouldn't go overboard about magnification.

Similarly, I've been able to get inside of one MOA at 100 yards with 3X and 4X scopes. Again, more is better, but...

 

[gunnie]

what weight/mfgr bullet do you plan to use? if you intend to make 600yds the cut-off point for distance, MANY good scopes are out there with BDC stadia in the reticle. is a nice option as you only need to dope the wind and range if shooting at near level targets.

very fast, if ~ever~ needed for targets that shoot back, especially used in conjunction with windage stadia, with no knobs to crank on and reset for subsequent shots in different directions at different ranges. it does, however require that you stick to a standard velocity/weight combination.

gunnie

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

On that budget, I'd definitely go with an SIII, as johnny boy mentioned. Or possibly a Sightron SII Big Sky 36x42mm.

Either that or find a used version of this Leupold somewhere:

http://swfa.com/Leupold-35x45-Competition-30mm-Riflescope-P67.aspx

600 yards is a looooong ways. You want resolution / clarity. You may or may not need a special base depending on the scope's adjustment range.

This site has a couple unique offerings: http://sightwonders.com/home.html

I like how on the W.O. Tac scopes (that outfit's own line of scopes), their 30mm tubes are made "for light gathering and strength!"

Odd since that's the job of the objective lens and the tube size has nothing to do with it....but I'm sure all their other claims are true.

 

[gunnie]

"...Odd since that's the job of the objective lens and the tube size has nothing to do with it....but I'm sure all their other claims are true..."

from what i've been able to scratch up, you can get more windage/elevation adjustment out of a larger tube ~using the same lenses from a 1" tube~.

OR use larger lenses to transmit more light, with similar windage/elevation adjustments as found in 1" tubes.

the extended adjustment plan seems more american in origin, and the improved light transmission option is more euro in origin.

pls see:

http://hubpages.com/hub/Lookin-For-The-Best-Rifle-Scope

see posting #7- http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-69757.html

http://www.alpharubicon.com/leo/selectscope.htm

gunnie

 

[mxa]

Ok, after some of the comments and some web reading I guess some more magnification might be better. I also have narrowed down the choice to the following two scopes:

Sightron SIII 6-24x50

Burris, Black diamond, 6-24x50

It seems a number of articles and most people feel the Sightron's are better but I really haven't seen any hard evidence why one is better then the other. The Burris is cheaper but not by much. I'm leaning towards the Sightron but I don't know why other then going with popular opinion from what I've read. I'll try to see if I can find the above two scopes somewhere to compare. Thanks for your comments.

 

[something vague]

Before you drop all that dough on either of those two scopes I would seriously check out the Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24x50. I don't personally own one but for the money I have heard they are impossible to beat. I honestly think this is my next scope. Here is a comparison of a Black Diamond next to an Elite.... http://www.benchrest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58144