Should I get a new scope?

[C-grunt]

I have a Leupold Mk4 3x9 on my Savage 10FP. I use this gun for target shooting out to 200 yards and at this distance, I find it hard to get good groups. I would like to get a higher powered scope. I found a Nikon 6x18 with target knobs for 350 dollars. It also has a side focus knob, which my Leupold does not. So do you all think that I should get the Nikon or stick with the Leupold.

 

[ugaarguy]

The leupold and savage are both plenty good, especially at 200 yds. If you're havin group size problems try several different types of ammo. If that doesn't fix it work on your technique. I don't shoot high power rifles matches, but the guys who do shoot 200-600 yds with target aperture iron sights - no scopes. I suspect you may be using ammo the rifle doesn't like, or, like I do when I'm out of practice, throwing shots off with poor breathing and trigger control. Fixed 4x would be plenty of scope for 200 yds. Save your money for trying different ammo, then buying ammo for practice once you find what bullet weight your bbl likes.

 

[Outlaws]

People use those scopes for much further than 200 yards. I would consider ammo selection also. It doesn't have to be expensive if it works, and since you are traget shooting, your selection if completely open.

What caliber is this?

I shoot 200 yards with a 4x and can get good groups.

 

[C-grunt]

The rifle is a .308 and it loves Win 150grn Ballistic Silvertip. At 100 yards Im shootind 3/4 inch groups with 1/2 inch groups showing up when Im really on my game. But at 200 yards, I cant get better than about 3 inches. I think one of the reasons is that I cant see the holes at 200 yards when they are in the black.

 

[fineredmist]

Invest in a decent spotting scope with a 18-35 power range and try shooting at red targets. The holes are much eaiser to see on a red backround.

 

[Outlaws]

You might wanna try shooting groups at both distances with min power and then again with max power. There is no need to see the bullet holes, only the target. As long as your Point of Aim is the same each shot, your Point of Impact will also be.

Also, 3" groups at 200 yards isn't too bad. Even though .75" groups at 100 yards should ideally equate to 1.5" at 200, the added distance can easily cause some user error in opening that number up. It doesn't take much to go from 1.5" to 3" at 200 yards.

 

[Oldnamvet]

Umm. How is your eye sight? Mine can no longer be corrected to 20/20 so I need the higher (x18, x20) powered scopes to shoot at 200 yd targets. When it gets so it is a little fuzzy and you can't be absolutely sure when you have the crosshairs in the middle of the spot, you will drift around a little no matter how good your rifle, techniques, trigger, breath control, etc. You need crystal sharp optics (including your own) to get the most out of it.

 

[Terrierman]

3x9 is a hunting scope. If you are wanting to target shoot, I think you need the higher power scope with the side focus in order to get the best performance out of your rifle and ammunition combination.

 

[hps1]

At 100 yards Im shootind 3/4 inch groups with 1/2 inch groups showing up when Im really on my game. But at 200 yards, I cant get better than about 3 inches. I think one of the reasons is that I cant see the holes at 200 yards when they are in the black.

What Outlaw and Oldnamvet said!

We shoot iron sights out to 1000 yards in competition. All that is necessary is to be able to see your sights and target. Suggest you experiment with different sizes/colors of targets. At 9 power, I suspect that a 2" florescent (sp?) orange self adhesive center would be just about right. Black crosshairs on a black bullseye is not the ideal sight picture.

Walmart sells these stick-ons; pick the size that leaves just enough orange visible on all four corners of your crosshairs to gauge and I think you will find your groups will shrink (this is also true @ 100...try a 1" orange dot and adjust your power to get the proper sight picture). If your rifle is accurate at 100, it will shoot equally as well @ longer ranges (subject, of course, to external forces such as wind/mirage).

I have a Leupold Mk4 3x9 on my Savage 10FP. I use this gun for target shooting out to 200 yards and at this distance, I find it hard to get good groups. I would like to get a higher powered scope.

The picture below proves that high power scopes are not necessary to shoot good groups at longer ranges. The white circle is a 3" spotter placed in the bullet hole by the target puller in the pits to enable the shooter to see his bullet holes at extended ranges. The spotter was placed in my first shot @ 600 yards (it is held in place by placing a wooden spindle at it's center in the bullet hole). The subsequent 14 rounds, visible in the 3" spotter, were fired from prone position using iron sights.

Pick the correct target for the range used, I'm sure your groups will shrink.

Regards,
hps