Scope for Remington 700 SPS Varmint Rifle in 308 Win?

[NYH1]

I bought a Remington 700 SPS Varmint Rifle in 308 Win. (26" heavy barrel). I have to decide which scope I want to get for it. I really like Leupold Scopes. I had an issue with one of their scopes years ago and they went out of their way to fix it for me and then air shipped back on a Saturday so I would have it for the following Mondays opening day for deer season. That really meant a lot to me. Since then I've become a dedicated Leupold customer so I'd like to stick with a Leupold Scopes and Mounts.....as long as they fit my application and budget.

This rifle is going to be a target/fun gun that I'll add things to as I go. First a Timney Trigger, then maybe a better stock, a bi pod and things like that. My budget for a new scope will be up to $600, NOT including the mounting system. I plan on using Leupold's Dual Dovetail base and rings (mounting it as close to the barrel as possible. I plan to shoot it from 100 out to 500 yards or so.

I/we currently have five Leupolds, a VX-I 2-7x28mm Rimfire on our S&W MP15-22, a VX-II 2-7x33mm on my Rem. 7600 Carbine 30-06, a VX-1 2-7x33mm LR that I switch back and forth with QD mounts between that and my Aimpoint PRO on my Colt AR15 Carbine 223/5.56 (MT6400) this setup works awesome, a VX-1 3x9x40mm "lady's edition" on my wife's Rem. 700 Compact 243 Win. and a VX-II 4-12x40mm AO on my Remington 700 BDL 223 Rem. it's a tact driver and I really like that scope.

I have to say that I probably prefer to have more magnification then most guys do. I usually use my scopes turned all the way up unless I'm moving. So I'm looking for a scope similar to my VX-II 4-12x40mm AO for my 308. Should I get something like a VX-2 4-12x40mm, VX-2 6-18x40mm (this is the most powerful scope I'll probably be able to put on my rifle) or a VX-3 4.5-14x40, they all come with nothing on them or with AO or CDS or with both AO AND CDS. Or put my current VX-II 4-12x40 AO from my 223 Rem. on my 308 Win. then get a new VX-2 6-18x40mm to put on my Rem. 700 223 Rem?

I've also been seriously considering the fixed power FX-3 12x40mm AO, seems like nice simple scope. I've looked at the Mark AR Mod 1 4-12x40mm or 6-18x40mm Scopes too. I like the tactical look and the idea of being able to use adjustment turrets for elevation adjustments. However, the markings on the scope dials are for 223/5.56. Can I get them for a 308?

I'm leaning heavily towards the VX-3 4.5-14x40mn (w/AO, CDS or both AO and CDS) or the FX-3 12x40mm AO. Which "reticles" work on larger caliber rifles for long range shooting? What about the Custom Dial System (CDS)? How does it work, is it worth getting? I've never used a scope with adjustable turrets. This will be the first rifle I'll be setting up as a dedicated target/long range rifle.

Thanks NYH1.

 

[dodge]

You should look at the Vortex line of scopes these seems to be thee scope of use by long range (1000 yards). Go to www.sniper'shide.com or www.snipercentral.com for some of their recommendations. There is a lot of information on these two sites. I, too, recently bought the same rifle replacing the trigger with a Timney and the stock with a Bell & Carlson. I bought the stock from www. redhawkrifles.com as they seem to have the cheapest price. Very good people to deal with and shipping was fast.

 

[NYH1]

Thanks dodge.

NYH1.

 

[eastbank]

first of all i like and use leupold scopes also, on my 700 rem in .308 i use a 6.5x20 with ao and target turrets and use varget and 162-175gr target bullets and 500 yds is a piece of cake. my latest leupold scope is the 4.5x14-30mm tube with target turrets and side focus and cds system, i just recieved my custom turret for my 7mm mag and the 139gr bullet. i run the clicks with a good range finder, i never got comfortable running the mildots, i use a 8.5x25 leupold on a scary accurte 700 rem vssf in 22-250. and another 6.5x20 on a rem 700 varmite in .223,also scary accurte. i don,t think you could go wrong with any of the leupold scopes you mentioned if you are satisfied with power. if you can read the wind and mirage at longer ranges you rifle will do the rest. eastbank.

 

[NYH1]

eastbank, thanks for the info.

NYH1.

 

[cat_IT_guy]

I've got a VXII 4-12x50 on my 700 sps. It does everything I need for now and is a great scope, as the longest range I have access to (short of making a small vacation out of driving to a range) is 200 yards. "For now" is kind of the key phrase though. I've tossed around getting a nice scope, maybe a VXIII with up to 20x magnification, but with my limited range access... I just cant justify the expense.

 

[Skylerbone]

For any SFP (second focal plane) scope the CDS system will be far more accurate than stadia lines in a variable power, assuming the info given to make the turret is correct. A FFP (first focal plane) scope allows for stadia lines to remain at their constant holdover points throughout the zoom range. Either of these options will be your best bet for accuracy at variable distance; just two ways of skinning the same cat.

Leupold's CDS system works very well as do specialty scopes. Pride Fowler makes one such FFP model within your budget, I can personally vouch for its accuracy also. http://www.rapidreticle.com/evo57.php

Still not clear on what your intended purpose is though you mentioned moving so hunting?

 

[d2wing]

If you don't want to spend the money on the Leupold you might want to look at Nikon. I think they have a .308 model as well.

 

[z7]

I'll chime in for vortex, the viper series looks and feels great. I am going to order a PST 4-16 within the month. With your budget check out the hs-t

Another option if you are open to a fixed power is the swfa fixed power scopes around $400

 

[HDMF04]

I have a Remington 700 in .308 I have a Vortex 4×12-40 on it and it works great. I would say Vortex Leupold or Nikon would do the job you want.

 

[NYH1]

I went to our semi annual gun show this afternoon and bought a used Leupold VARI-X III 4.5-14x50mm Long Range Tactical Scope with a 30mm tube, side focus and target turrets. It's in great shape.

NYH1.

 

[NYH1]

Would a 15, 20 or 30 MOA offset rail/mount be worth going with now instead of the Leupold Dual Dovetail mounts and rings? I'm going to be shooting from 100 to 500 yards for now. I guess I could always go with the Dual Dovetail mounts and rings for now. Then if or when the time comes when I need to go with a 15, 20 or 30 MOA offset rail/mount on my 308, I could always put the Dual Dovetail mounts and rings on one of my other model 700's that now have the standard Leupold mounts and rings.

Thanks, NYH1.

 

[WelshShooter]

I've got a Tikka t3 varmint in. 308 and I've got a 20moa rail and a Vortex Viper FFP in 6-24x50. Really enjoyed using it at 100m so far and will be trying it out for the first time at 1,000m this Saturday. It's currently $950 on opticsplanet.

 

[Legionnaire]

If you're not planning to go out past 500 yards any time soon, you probably don't need a canted base. You should have enough elevation in your 30mm tube to get you to 500. Most factory .308 ammo will drop less than 60 inches at 500 yards, which is 12 MOA. You probably have over 100 MOA of elevation in the scope, so you should be good to go.

 

[NYH1]

Thanks Legionnaire.

NYH1.