Service Rifle scope

[Greg64]

This is my first post, since joining. Sorry it's a dang scope question! I'm new to Service rifle competition and not totally sold on my initial choice of optics. I have shot two matches with it. While my scores have improved, I'm starting to see it's limits. I have been looking at the White Oak Armament SR scope, but it is out of stock. This will mainly be used for 600 yard prone matches. I don't shoot ATC, yet. Anyone have any suggestions for a rookie? I have been shooting F/T-R for several years, and at our range we shoot several classes at the same time. 600 yards or 1000 yards. Just not many SR shooters there. Also, in a SR optic, not many options. Seems like either low end or very high end. Not much in the middle.

 

[TimRB]

I was going to suggest that you do what I did: go to the Leupold custom shop and have a Mark AR scope built up for you, but I see from their web site that the Mark AR is no longer available and the custom shop is TU for a while. Sheesh.

Anyway, I know a lot of shooters use Vortex scopes, so you may want to check their line to see what would be applicable to service rifle. Actually, that said, probably the best thing to do would be to go to a few well-attended matches and see what people are using. One thing's certain--you don't need to spend a fortune on a scope for service rifle.

Tim

 

[SharpDog]

I would start with a Trijicon 1-8:



https://www.opticsplanet.com/trijic...-segmented-circle-crosshair-w-red-led-34.html



and then look here:

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...n-16-ar-style-308-rifle.875728/#post-11655758

 

[Hoser]

I would look hard at the March and Nightforce scopes designed for Service Rifle Matches.

 

[Laphroaig]

I assume when you say service rifle you want to stay at the 4.5x max. allowable.

There are many options. Leupold, Vortex, Leatherwood, Nightforce and probably others as well. I shoot with a Leupold VXR-Patrol 1.5-4x. Its OK but the clicks are mushy so I'm going to stop short of recommending. The reticle is illuminated which I like. I've seen a couple of fixed 4x Leupolds too.

I've seen a couple of Hi-Lux/Leatherwoods and they look impressive from the outside. When asked the shooters only say positive things.

https://hi-luxoptics.com/collection...s-the-course-xtc14x34-competition-rifle-scope

The Marines use Nightforce. $2K for a fixed 4X? Thank you tax payers!

https://www.nightforceoptics.com/riflescopes/competition/competition-sr-fixed-45x24

Vortex, I can't remember the model, show up too. They have a Christmas tree type reticle (if I recall) which is not necessary and is too busy for my liking.

 

[Laphroaig]

My curiosity got the best of me, and I hunted down the Vortex 1-4x.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-viper-pst-1-4x24-riflescope.html

I think that I saw it has been discontinued, but apparently some are still in stock. And I was wrong, its not a Christmas tree reticle but it is covered with little hachures which serve little if any purpose in the ATC game. That's a decent price, though.

 

[BobCat]

Vortex re-named the Viper PST 1-4X to Ranger. Sold some through Midway for a while, they are out now.

But you can still get one from Eurooptic https://www.eurooptic.com/Vortex-Ranger-1-4x24-Rifle-Scope-TMCQ-MOA-RGR-1401.aspx

Appears identical, specs are the same as the PST.

I shoot XC (not very well but it isn't because of the scope) using one of the old Viper PST scopes, and it has been totally reliable - clicking up to 200 from 100 (practice standing), then 300, 600, and back, for several years now.

There are better XC scopes (like the White Oak) but a Vortex like that is a reasonable choice.

 

[garandsrus]

It doesn’t make sense that they made the scope with .5 min clicks. .25 min would have been a lot better.

 

[Greg64]

It doesn’t make sense that they made the scope with .5 min clicks. .25 min would have been a lot better.

I agree.

 

[Greg64]

I assume when you say service rifle you want to stay at the 4.5x max. allowable.

There are many options. Leupold, Vortex, Leatherwood, Nightforce and probably others as well. I shoot with a Leupold VXR-Patrol 1.5-4x. Its OK but the clicks are mushy so I'm going to stop short of recommending. The reticle is illuminated which I like. I've seen a couple of fixed 4x Leupolds too.

I've seen a couple of Hi-Lux/Leatherwoods and they look impressive from the outside. When asked the shooters only say positive things.

https://hi-luxoptics.com/collection...s-the-course-xtc14x34-competition-rifle-scope

The Marines use Nightforce. $2K for a fixed 4X? Thank you tax payers!

https://www.nightforceoptics.com/riflescopes/competition/competition-sr-fixed-45x24

Vortex, I can't remember the model, show up too. They have a Christmas tree type reticle (if I recall) which is not necessary and is too busy for my liking.

That is correct. 4.5x max. I should have made that clear. I like the Whiteoak, but it is out of stock at the moment.

 

[Varminterror]

The clubs around here, at least when the rules changed to first allow optics, were allowing scopes with higher max zooms to be “taped” at 4.5x or below. Might be a good question for your MD’s, as it makes optic selection, including reticle selection, much, much easier.