Scope for new build, .260 rem

[VTmtn.man]

Any thoughts on good deals for a quality piece of glass to go on this .260 Rem? 20", 30mm base, custom trigger. I'm looking for this to be a longer range rifle as I generally use other AR's in 15's and 10's for shorter ranges. I was thinking SWFA initially in a fixed x12 power (hense the 30mm rings) but there are some other scopes out there that have cought my interest. I'm looking to spend aprox. $500 but could go a couple hundred under or over. Variable power is great but am OK w/ fixed if I get more scope for the $....

Interested in all thoughts, comments / smart remarks!

 

[batex]

I don't have a scope recommendation but wanted to say that's a very nice looking gun. What make is it? I have a 260 Rem bolt gun and it's one great cartridge.

 

[VTmtn.man]

Yes, I'm really enjoying the charactaristics of the 6.5mm bullet just in the short time that I've shot it. The balistic coefficient is better that the .30 cal's! The rifle is sort of at hoge-podge of parts all bought seperately. DPMS is the short answer, Colfax Tactical 80% lower the long answer....

 

[GooseGestapo]

My .260 is a different breed of cat. It's a Rem. Mod-7 w/20"bbl. Mine wears a Nikon ProHunter 3x-9x. I've taken several deer with it (4). It's a walk/stalk hunting rifle with long range capabilities. I shot a deer with it year before last at a lased 478yds. It jumped straight up and kicked at the shot (lung hit), and took off running. Never found it till buzzards found the left overs from the coyotes. I shot it with a 129gr Hornady SST over a max load of RL22. (2,750fps). From what was left, it appeared that velocity was too low for adequate expansion and the bullet just perforated the lungs with minimal damage.

Although the b.c.'s are favorable for the 6.5, it still needs the m.v. to give it the necessary terminal velocities for long range "hunting". For long range hunting, I'm still going to give the nod to the .30cal's. But for target shooting where recoil becomes a factor, the 6.5's have their place.

As far as scopes go, with a $500 budget, a Leupold 6x-18x VX-2 will get the nod. You can never go wrong with a Leupold. A friend has one on a .223 AR Varminter that he uses on "high density" p-dog towns. One of the ballistic reticles if you really feel the need.

 

[redneck2]

Kinda depends on intended target size and range. I have a couple of 6.5x20x40 VX-III's on some of my longer range rifles. The newer VX-3's are significantly better quality glass. I've got two 4x14x40 VX-3's that are absolutely awesome.

That's a NICE rifle.

 

[VTmtn.man]

Sounds like Leupold is getting the nod. I have x2 of the the newer VX-2's on Browning A-bolts, that I do like, but "doping the scope", I kind of like the bigger turrets on the AR style scopes. Intended targets are mainly paper punching 500yd aprox. with an anal retentive, obsession w/ bullet holes touching ea/other. Not sure how this will work out as a hunting rig but I may take it out if I'm just sitting, waiting in a stand or blind. I guess that w/ the gas system I'm loosing a few fps. RL 17 is a great powder though, so I'm sure I'm gaining a few fps 'rolling my own'...

 

[C-grunt]

I'm really liking my Vortex Viper PST I have on my 700. If you stay with SFP you can get a 4-16x50 for just over 500 I believe.

 

[rayatphonix]

I use the 4-16 Viper PST on my AR10 Creedmoor. Excellent choice. Price usually runs about $699 new, $599 demo or lightly used. If you find one for less than $600 you ought to buy it as it's a steel at that price.

I've also got an SWFA 10X scope. Very good scope for the money.

 

[redneck2]

Another to check out is the Burris Black Diamond. I had a Signature 8x32x40 mil-dot on my 1,000 yard gun. It was OK I guess, but not a Black Diamond. If you haven't read Zaks posts in the stickies at the top of this forum, I'd do that.

 

[wnycollector]

Another Vortex fan here. I have a 4-16x44 HS on my Savage 10FCP-HS .308. Depending on your recticle preference you can pick up a vortex HS for your $500 budget.

 

[Derek Zeanah]

I compared a Sightron with a Vortex (photos of both at the link) and thought both were pretty reasonable, with a bias towards the Vortex. A few extra features make the difference, though if you buy one be aware that the illuminated reticle knob will turn itself on frequently.

In general I default to US Optics on long range rifles. The ST-10 fixed 10x is a solid scope, but at $1,200 it's not exactly cheap. If I were trying to save money over that I'd go with the Vortex or the SWFA (though I haven't seen a recent SWFA high power scope, so I can't help there.)

 

[Hopkins]

Weaver 3-15x50 30mm side focus FFP 1/10mil EMDR reticle, a bit more than $500 but well under $1k. They are very rare in the used market because the original owners keep them.

 

[VTmtn.man]

Thanks all!!! I would like to try the Vortex at some point but having had such positive experiences with SWFA in the past I ordered a -SWFA SS HD 5-20x50Tactical 30mm Riflescope. It kind of blew my intended budget at $1300.00 puls but it's better to grow into a scope not out of one. I really appreciate all your input!