Target scope recommendations, please.

[RM]

I would appreciate some help in buying a target scope. I will be shooting targets at both 100 and 200 yards- daytime only. First, does shooting at these two different distances require a variable power scope? I want a scope for my AR-15, which could also be used on a bolt action .308 rifle, if I buy one in the future. Please recommend some scopes that would work well for these applications. Thank you.

 

[dakotasin]

36x fixed power scopes are popular for target-only applications. start your search here: www.sinclairintl.com

 

[bogie]

Weaver T36 or the Sightron 36 are both getting high praise lately.

 

[rockstar.esq]

The aforementioned scopes are fine suggestions, they are however expensive and in my humble opinion overkill for 200yds. Although mere mortals like most of us have some difficulty hitting past 200yds. The real deal dyed in the wool snipers / competition shooters consider this to be short range. Frankly from what I understand shots past 600yds are the beginning of long range shooting. Zak Smith made an excellent post which is now "sticky" addressing such shooting. Personally, I would recommend an inexpensive 3-9 X 40 which would allow you to see what you and your rifle are capable of. Truth is that once you are zeroed for a given range very few scopes move around on you. If you are only shooting in broad daylight all the coatings and special add ons aren't really needed. Some folks preach that the scope should cost as much as the rifle. I think that the scope just like the rifle should fit the shooter. The cost quickly climbs as quality increases. I figure that a cheap scope will allow you to figure out what would fit your better. For example, I find that I am fairly capable of reading the wind and doping accordingly. However I nearly always find my misses to be the result of incorrect rangefinding (too high or too low). Just another guys opinion I hope it helps.

 

[USSR]

I would appreciate some help in buying a target scope. I will be shooting targets at both 100 and 200 yards- daytime only. First, does shooting at these two different distances require a variable power scope? I want a scope for my AR-15, which could also be used on a bolt action .308 rifle, if I buy one in the future. Please recommend some scopes that would work well for these applications. Thank you.

RM,

You basically got two different and distinct needs here. First, I will address the 100 - 200 yard target shooting. The 36x scopes mentioned in the previous posts will work fine for your purpose. If the shooting is to be strictly at targets between 100 and 200 yards, then a variable power scope is not necessary and any fixed power scope between 20x and 36x with an Adjustable Objective will work fine. The need for a scope that can be switched between rifles is a little more difficult. I am assuming that the bolt action .308 of the future will also be used for 100 - 200 yard target shooting. If your AR-15 is a flattop model, then this is not too difficult. If your AR-15 has the handle on it, it is difficult. What you want to do is to be able to keep the rings on whatever scope you have, and simply unbolt it from one rifle and bolt it on the other rifle. If you have a flattop AR-15 and put a picatinny rail on the .308 rifle, you can do this. Otherwise, you will have to remove the rings and install different rings on the scope each time you want to move it from one rifle to the other; a real PITA. Hope that helps.

Don

 

[Red_SC]

For a good target-only scope, take a look at the Super Snipers by SWFA- http://www.riflescopes.com . I have a 16X on my .308, and they also make a 20X. Variable power would be better if you were using it in the field, but you said you're not. I've shot a little past 800 yards with my 16X- a little more magnification would have been great, but I was having mirage even with that.

 

[pbhome71]

Let me state one obvious thing.

Please make sure that you get a good mount, and a good set of rings that is suitable for your rifle (meanings no $10 for a pair of no-name rings.)

This means don't be cheap on the mount and the ring. I learned this from my experience...

-Pat

 

[P0832177]

Please define a budget you had in mind.

For less then 300
Weaver V16 is a good choice
For shade over 300
SWFA Super Sniper would be good deal.
For less then 400
Sightron 6-24 is a good choice
For shade over 400
Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24

When you go over 450 plus you get into some nicer options. But, the Sightron and Elite 4200 are good scopes. And, the SWFA Super Sniper is a good choice!

I would suggest that you get good rings. Warne rings and bases come to mind. Then of course TPS makes a good ring, too. I might suggest getting Weaver/Pitcanny type of mount. That way you could swap the scope with out much trouble.

 

[deadly50bmg]

You know another fairly cheap scope is the Leupold VXIII 6.5X20X40. You can pick one of these up for right at $600 I believe. I say fairly cheap, really its not but if you look at the big picture and take into consideration how expensive all of the other quality scopes are its really not that bad. I find that a 6-18X scope is more that enough magnification at 200 yards. any more than that then you will start running into other problems. I read earlier that you should get a cheap scope to see what exactally suits you. I personally would take that advice. I dont know if you've ever looked through a highpower target scope but its a different world. Try to go to a gun shop and look through a few of them. you'll see what I'm talking about.

 

[RM]

Thanks, gentlemen, for your replies and for the excellent information. My AR is flattop, so I guess I would get a similar setup in a bolt action rifle if possible. My budget is in the $300-$700 range.
Besides, the price of the scope itself, how much does a set of rings cost to go with a scope in the above price range? Also, are gun shows a good place to check out scopes and compare? Thank you.

 

[Henry455]

I recently acquired a RRA A4 Varmit upper to use strictly at the range. I decided on a Super Sniper 20X from SWFA because of its reputation, it fit my budget and these old eyes needed all the help they could get. I did buy a A.R.M.S. 36 extended mount (rasises rings 1/2" and allows a more foward mounting of the scope) and Leupold 30mm, high, QRW steel rings. The A.R.M.S. mount was approx. $70.00 and the rings approx. $60.00. This turned out to be a great combination and placed the scope in a very comfortable cheek weld position for me. I am very, very pleased with this scope and the RRA Varmit upper is a tack driver with Black Hills BB 50 gr. V-Max. I enjoy the looks of the bolt action shooters when they see the groupings on my targets.

 

[USSR]

Besides, the price of the scope itself, how much does a set of rings cost to go with a scope in the above price range?

Badger Ordnance makes the best rings - about $135. An excellent (and cheaper) alternative are TPS rings for about $70.

Also, are gun shows a good place to check out scopes and compare?

Not really. Most vendors at gun shows carry cheap POS scopes to be sold to the uninformed because, well, they're cheap. There are a lot of things you need to know about scopes so that you will make an informed buy. Looking thru a couple of scopes and picking the "brightest" one or the one with the most magnification won't hack it. Suggest you do your research prior to making the purchase.

Don

 

[bogie]

Huh?

Guys, time for some definitions here...

Target Scope: Probably shot from sandbags, needs high magnification, fine crosshairs.

Varmint Scope: May be shot from sandbags, needs wider field of view (medium magnification), easily acquired sight picture. The various scopes that have zoom ranges within 6-24x come to mind...

Hunting Scope: Probably shot offhand. Very wide field of view, very fast sight picture. The Weaver K4, generally available dirt cheap used, is a beautiful hunting scope. No zoom to adjust (and break).