Scope options are daunting!

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Big_E

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I am looking for a scope for my project rifle that will be used for long-distance shooting (600-1000yds).

I really dont want to spend $1000 and up, so I stumbled upon the Bushnell Elite 4200's. A mil-dot is a must for me, now here comes the hard part:

Do I need a 50mm lens w/ 30mm tube? or is the 40mm/1'' just fine?

What exactly is the adjustable objective for? especially if the scope has a side parralax adjustment.

Are target turrets really necessary? I would like the dials and learn how to get proficient with them.

These are the scopes I am looking at.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=177944

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=234058

So please help me out. The only scopes I have are a Leupold VX-I 3-9x40mm and a Bushnell .22 rimfire 4x32mm
 
A 30mm tube will give you more elevation, assuming they didn't just stick in a 1" erector set. That means you probably don't need a base with elevation built in for shooting at 1000. However one of my 1000 yard scopes is a 1" tube, it cost about $5 more to get a base with 20 moa of elevation.

You don't need a 50mm exit, 40mm works just fine.

AO is a must for long range shooting in my opinion. I prefer the side focus on the second scope, adjustment is easier.

Target turrents are nice but not an absolute requirment.

For the relatively small increase I would get the second scope.
 
50mm objective w/ 30mm tube will let more light through but if your not planning on shooting at dusk 40mm w/ 1in should be fine. optics now days are so much better than they were just 10 years ago that as far as clarity i highly dought you will be able to notice a difference in the two.

If it has a side parallax adjustment it shouldn't have an adjustable objective, it's one or the other.

The idea of target turrets is that you don't have caps you need to remove every time you make an adjustment. this way you can't loose anything and they are quicker.
 
Okay, looks like the second scope it is then! I don't know if I will be shooting at dusk but when I get my property and build my personal 1000yrd range in the future:p I am sure to shoot whenever I want.

Oh, and this is going on a Savage 10fcp hs.
 
Nice choice! Be sure to post pics and a range report. Hmmmm... "my property and build my personal 1000yrd range in the future I am sure to shoot whenever I want." I don't think I like you anymore!
 
Lol jimmy, its just a dream I have, it will probably take a few years :(
As for the range report, money is a bit tight right now so it will be a few months and the only range nearby is 300yrds. But I will post pics when I can.

Oh and jimmy, u can go up to idaho and shoot at my bunker/cabin/range anytime :p (when its finished of course)
 
The 4200 elite is a fine scope for the money, but the adjustment range is a little tight despite being a 30mm body. It generally still works for typical tactical setup (like 100 to 1000yds with a 308) but you must use a offset 20moa base to make it, and its close. The Falcon Menace scopes are little cheaper and more adjustment range, are a excellent value if you can find them in stock. They generally sale as soon as they make it to a online vendor's website.
 
While these scopes are out of your price range, here is a good overview of LR features

A100_1910_img.jpg
article | Practical Long-Range Rifle Shooting, Part II - Optics extwh3.png


In your price range, I would try to find a used Leupold Mark 4.
 
Zak, another good article, but as far as I'm aware, Leupold doesn't offer a FFP scope with an illuminated reticle and I'm not sure that they offer a MOA/MOA or Mil/Mil option either. So maybe only two scope manufacturers meet the 8 criteria in your "conclusions" section, namely S&B and US Optics.

To the OP, a used Leupold would be a good choice as Zak mentioned. The transferable lifetime warranty means that as long as it hasn't been abused, you'll be able to have it serviced/repaired at no cost for the life of the scope. If you do find a used one on Ebay (or similar), don't buy it if it's been painted since the warranty will be void (unless you don't care about the warranty).

:)
 
You could get a used Leupy Mark 4 that was upgraded by Premier Reticles. Just keep in mind that you will have to buy it that way as they no longer perform the upgrades IIRC. Other than that I would recommend the Bushnell 4200 (or even 3200) or a Super Sniper 10x (see SWFA). On a side note I love the little Bushmaster on your .22, mine has performed quite well for such an inexpensive scope. I have it on my Grandfather's Stevens M87D, and it is a tack driver.
 
1858,

I'm not sure why you're picking at that one point. The OP was questioning what gross, basic features are needed for long-range shooting; I posted the article because it discusses all those questioned features and more.

In that class of scope, the Leupold options are kind of limited as you say, but at the time the article was written, it was the only other option that had FFP and was under $2000, even though they lack some of the other features-- which will have to be compromised to get under $2000 anyway.

There is a big leap in quality from the sub-$1000-retail options (today's pricing) and a used Leupold Mark 4 (or the Vari-X III's that had the external target knobs) from 6-10 years ago. I know plenty of fairly seriously long-range shooters who are still using their Leupolds from 6-12 years ago, while the ocurance of anything below the Leupold is a novelty. Those shooters almost always end up bringing something better the next time they show up.

-z
 
I'd check and see how much adjustment those Bushnells have, they used to run short. I love the glass in mine, but there isn't much vertical adjustment. In fact, with a 20 MOA base, the scope bottomed out with a 300 yard zero (and yes, I switched to a 10 MOA base). I don't know about a mil-dot at 1000 either, the one time I tried a mil-dot at 500, the dot covered so much of the target, there wasn't much hope of precision (F-Class shoot). I guess if you're just trying for a hit on a big target you'd be ok.
 
and yes, I switched to a 10 MOA base
Click to expand...
Why? Wouldn't you want as much as possible? Would like to know any detriments as I just ordered a 40MOA base for a new long range bolt gun. P.S.: a Premier Reticles 5-25x56mm will go on top so I don't believe that lower end adjustment will be an issue.
 
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