Scope Selection - Need some help

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Thranton

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EDIT: I'm going to make a small update here, please disregard what is after this edit please :)
After looking at the scopes people have suggested to me, (which I'm thankful for) I've decided that I want to change my paths.. At first I was looking pretty much only for the Mill-Dot reticle but, after looking at what Nightforce has to offer in their MOA I would prefer something that is more towards that (if not identical).
/EDIT

Hey everyone!
I'm new here :) As you may see 1 post, and well I need some advice.

I'm looking at purchasing a new system next spring, it'll actually be my first fully owned gun + scope. I want to do it right and I want it to be for life.

I have the gun picked out, Sako 85 Finnlight but, the scope is another story. I was leaning towards the the Trijicon 5-20x50 Green Mill-Dot as I am a fan of the reticle being lit without batteries and I have heard fairly good reviews. But then I got reading and I saw some other great scopes out there. Specifically the NXS Nightforce 5.5-22x50.

Is there any others that I should consider that are out there? Price isn't big, I'd like to keep it under $2000 but can stretch it if need be (as I know the NXS is about $2500 here in Canada).

Oh and I will be using this for both range shooting and hunting. I'm getting the Sako 85 Finnlight in 7mm Rem Mag.

Thanks!
 
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Bushnell DMR's are worth looking at too, as well as the Vortex PST's.

Do you want first or second FP? For hunting I'd go with FFP.

The one thing I note is that you have a really light rifle, but your proposing a pretty big heavy optic. I have no problem with that, but it's kind of a dichotomy.

-J.
 
Gerry from Mystic precision should be along soon, he sells and likes his Sightron. Be prepared for a lot of opinions ....both on rifle and scope choices. You are buying a combo here that would put you over $4500. My thought is that the lower magnification of 5X is a bit to much for close range/hunting. If your also thinking of hunting, then how much weight are you willing to pack. A heavier profile barrel and rifle set for the bench is not a sheep rifle. If you can think of hunting with a heavy rifle may i suggest a Remington 700 5R or even a Sendero.
 
It seems like an odd mix with a Sako Finnlight in a magnum hunting set up and a heavy high magnification scope like the Trijicon or Nightforce. I would look at a lower magnification say 3.5-14x40 in a Leupold or similar size in a Zeiss Conquest or even a Nikon Monarch. Unless you are considering shooting from a fixed position at greater distances, the high magnification you were suggesting would be of little use. Also the choice of a Finnlight (my favorite Sako) is most often fitted with a lighter scope to make the carrying and off hand use a little easier. Phil.
 
I guess I never really thought about it but does 1.7 pounds added onto a scope make that big of a difference for everyone to be mentioning it?
Does it make it too top heavy which then becomes unbalance and it just wants to flop to one side or the other? (Basics physics there I guess).

I will be doing a lot of "fixed" shooting, not a lot of shots are taken in a split second up in the prairies or at least for the 7 years I have been going for White Tail, Mule, Moose, Coyotes I've had time to get into position (Just long enough to get into prone and have a rest for the gun).

And then there is also the range shooting that I will be doing in the spring/summer months.

EDIT: Oh and the reason I am going with the finnlight and another gun is because I friend of a friend of mine came hunting with us once and brought his and I absolutely fell in love with it (along with all the research I put into it).
 
I"ve got a 4-16x42 on my 7mm rem mag (Nikon Monarch 3)
she's a hunting rifle tho, not a range rifle.
I see a lot of new shooters thinking they need some out if this world high end scope for hunting....... I just shake my head.
I learned a long time ago to separate my range rifles from my hunting rifles and choose optics accordingly.
I'd use a night force in the bush..... sightron and others, not a chance. however, I do like to equip my range rifles with superior and yes , costly optics.
a guy can get a hell of a nice hunting scope for well under 2000 dollars LOL

OP, I would take a big step back and decide what you really need..... that is unless you have money to burn..... then fill yer boots hehehehe
 
45ACPKING said:
I"ve got a 4-16x42 on my 7mm rem mag (Nikon Monarch 3)
she's a hunting rifle tho, not a range rifle.
I see a lot of new shooters thinking they need some out if this world high end scope for hunting....... I just shake my head.
I learned a long time ago to separate my range rifles from my hunting rifles and choose optics accordingly.
I'd use a night force in the bush..... sightron and others, not a chance. however, I do like to equip my range rifles with superior and yes , costly optics.
a guy can get a hell of a nice hunting scope for well under 2000 dollars LOL

OP, I would take a big step back and decide what you really need..... that is unless you have money to burn..... then fill yer boots hehehehe
Click to expand...

Oh I know that the Trijicon 5-20x50 is way more then what I need, way... way more. But this isn't just going to be my hunting rifle where I shoot it once a year and put it in the closet to gather dust. It's also coming out to the range with me where I'd like to take those really long shots.
 
Thranton said:
Oh I know that the Trijicon 5-20x50 is way more then what I need, way... way more. But this isn't just going to be my hunting rifle where I shoot it once a year and put it in the closet to gather dust. It's also coming out to the range with me where I'd like to take those really long shots.
Click to expand...

dude, if you have the coin for the trijicon, that's another optic line I wouldn't hesitate to put thru the potential abuses that are bound to occur to a hunting optic
hehehe
as I post all this, I have to stop and laugh at myself.......... my "truck/front of quad/shtf" rifle is an m14 type with an 1800.00 nightforce....... about a 6500.00 package all in LOL it rarely sees a rifle range hehehe
 
What about one of the Bushnell 6500's in 4.5-30 X 50. Decent scope and very compact for the magnification. Must be some still kicking around at dealers. I know it may not be on the same level as the couple you mentioned and lacks the cool factor but it may keep weight lower. Always meant to pick one up myself but never got around to it.
 
45ACPKING said:
dude, if you have the coin for the trijicon, that's another optic line I wouldn't hesitate to put thru the potential abuses that are bound to occur to a hunting optic
hehehe
as I post all this, I have to stop and laugh at myself.......... my "truck/front of quad/shtf" rifle is an m14 type with an 1800.00 nightforce....... about a 6500.00 package all in LOL it rarely sees a rifle range hehehe
Click to expand...

Oh the coin isn't the issue here lol.. I'm just looking for the best. Something that can be sighted in for 100-200 yards for hunting but then still used out at the range for 800+ yards.



Now I remember someone saying something about the 5x magnification is a little much for hunting. How much? Does anyone hunt with the lowest setting being 5x? Would you go lower if you could?
 
In the trees 5x can be a bit much.

I'd try a get 4x, or even 3x if you can.

1000yd scopes tend to weigh 2+ pounds.

Ain't nothing wrong with hunting with a NF, or Trij, or S&B, etc etc!!!...you just gotta carry it.
 
Gunneegoogoo said:
In the trees 5x can be a bit much.

I'd try a get 4x, or even 3x if you can.

1000yd scopes tend to weigh 2+ pounds.

Ain't nothing wrong with hunting with a NF, or Trij, or S&B, etc etc!!!...you just gotta carry it.
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Understandable that in the trees 5x is a lot, and if I was going that route I would have a 2x-#x. Though our group doesn't push a lot of bush but, when we do I'm usually out on the hill watching for anything that gets scared out.
 
It was my post about 5X being too high. The money you are looking at spending gets some pretty clear glass. So that helps, picking up close range targets. The issue is that you loose field of view and a animal at 30 yards might just be a scope full of hair, with nothing to distinquish a vital area.

I have hunted BC for years, most shots are going to be pretty close with only a few areas in the province offering common shots over say 200yards. Most large mag range scopes like that are going to be 5,6,7 X ranges such as a 3-15. Most would also be 30mm tubes to accomodate the internals and give you sometimes 100MOA of adjustment. Someone posted about the scope being really heavy, i think given your dual purpose....that is a given. It all depends on your level of fitness, do you want to pack a rig 5 or 10 k through blow down and slashes, when it weighs 10-11lbs? So do you want a still hunting/stand rifle that is mostly used at the range....or do you expect to pack it on a sling over hill and dale. It seems that the money is not the issue, why not a walking rifle setup that is lightweight and say a 3-9....and a target rifle that you could use still hunting in a pinch?

Hey we are gunnutz, just trying to help and give you a justification for two rifles.
 
nowarningshot said:
It was my post about 5X being too high. The money you are looking at spending gets some pretty clear glass. So that helps, picking up close range targets. The issue is that you loose field of view and a animal at 30 yards might just be a scope full of hair, with nothing to distinquish a vital area.

I have hunted BC for years, most shots are going to be pretty close with only a few areas in the province offering common shots over say 200yards. Most large mag range scopes like that are going to be 5,6,7 X ranges such as a 3-15. Most would also be 30mm tubes to accomodate the internals and give you sometimes 100MOA of adjustment. Someone posted about the scope being really heavy, i think given your dual purpose....that is a given. It all depends on your level of fitness, do you want to pack a rig 5 or 10 k through blow down and slashes, when it weighs 10-11lbs? So do you want a still hunting/stand rifle that is mostly used at the range....or do you expect to pack it on a sling over hill and dale. It seems that the money is not the issue, why not a walking rifle setup that is lightweight and say a 3-9....and a target rifle that you could use still hunting in a pinch?

Hey we are gunnutz, just trying to help and give you a justification for two rifles.
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Ha, there it is. Trying to make me buy two guns now ;)
Hows the hunting out in BC? I'm here in Saskatchewan, where trees are slim, just tall grass and land that you can see for miles upon miles.
 
Thranton said:
Ha, there it is. Trying to make me buy two guns now ;)
Hows the hunting out in BC? I'm here in Saskatchewan, where trees are slim, just tall grass and land that you can see for miles upon miles.
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Sorry i thought u were in BCistan, and just trying to help a brother out .....with the two rifle thing.

That Swarski scope sounds juicy.
 
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