What scope to get?
- Thread starter D3vin
- Start date
kinda depends on your shooting style and how far you want to shoot. the general rule of thumb is your scope should cost at least half what your gun costs. if your shooting in the 1000 yard range maybe save up a few hundred more.
I don’t think there’s anything in your price range, over 14 power,that offers good clarity.
Your going to have to bump it up to the $1200-$1500 range, to get the clarity.
I’ve had S111,Nightforce SHV and PST Gen 11 and all three were great scopes.
I prefer the reticle in the SHV though,
From my experience,anything over 15x and in the $700 - $900, it’s going to lack in clarity.
I just bought a Leupold 6.5-20 ,I’m think that Leupold cut back on the power range to add to the clarity.
And I ordered a set of target dials to replace the capped hunting dials.
So if the clarity is there,I’ll have a good scope with nice dials,for $900.
But I’m not really counting on it.
Your going to have to bump it up to the $1200-$1500 range, to get the clarity.
I’ve had S111,Nightforce SHV and PST Gen 11 and all three were great scopes.
I prefer the reticle in the SHV though,
From my experience,anything over 15x and in the $700 - $900, it’s going to lack in clarity.
I just bought a Leupold 6.5-20 ,I’m think that Leupold cut back on the power range to add to the clarity.
And I ordered a set of target dials to replace the capped hunting dials.
So if the clarity is there,I’ll have a good scope with nice dials,for $900.
But I’m not really counting on it.
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If it's going to be a precision tool and with your budget in mind, I would look for a used scope (one with a lifetime warranty), one that holds zero and tracks precisely.
OR order a 10x or 16x SWFA graduated in mils or moa, ~$525 delivered to your door. These scopes hold zero and track with the best of them. The glass is good enough for precision hits past 1000 yards.
Alternatively a scope that is 'clear' is useless unless it holds zero and tracks perfectly, it is an aiming device not for googling far away objects.
OR order a 10x or 16x SWFA graduated in mils or moa, ~$525 delivered to your door. These scopes hold zero and track with the best of them. The glass is good enough for precision hits past 1000 yards.
Alternatively a scope that is 'clear' is useless unless it holds zero and tracks perfectly, it is an aiming device not for googling far away objects.
So , my 4.5 -14 Bushnell HD should be the right tool?
It tracks and holds zero perfectly, has clear glass, and only cost $359.
But the only thing I had the crosshairs on at 1000 yards was a moose... or maybe a stump ...
There’s been a couple of S111 6-24 on the EE for about $1000.
That would be your best bang for your buck.
I’ve owned the veracity, elite , s-tac and in my opinion,they are overpriced mediocre scopes.
Which are being hyped up because of their features.
But they all lack one and the same feature.... good glass.
That would be your best bang for your buck.
I’ve owned the veracity, elite , s-tac and in my opinion,they are overpriced mediocre scopes.
Which are being hyped up because of their features.
But they all lack one and the same feature.... good glass.
This company is out of Texas, but this particular model might give you something to think about...
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pro...d&refType=&from=fn&ecList=7&ecCategory=120025
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pro...d&refType=&from=fn&ecList=7&ecCategory=120025
Brad,I’ve been trying a lot of scopes, the past few years.
And I’ve never found a $500 scope that compares to a $1500 scope.
But I haven’t tryed the SWFA yet.
Maybe I should.
Also the reason I like my scopes to be clear, is so I can see my hits on paper.
But I’m sure,not everyone needs that capability.
Nikon, BDC retricle FFP first focal plane.
Very clear class, and you'll be suprized how well they collect light in day brake or dusk on 3 power.
$550 or less when on sale Cnd funds.
This is the first budget optics to take me out to the 1 k & 1700 meters. Monarch 3 BDC 3-12X42.
most shooters would not try this, but I'm not one of those most shooters.
Life time no fault warranty on top of that.
Low profile solid clicks.
Side dial Parallax.
Good field of view with 42mm lens.
Low mounting profile.
And strong as nails.
Nikon stands behind their name in the optics world.
I've been pounding the life out of this optic for 7 months from OHV, horses, hiking, and lots of crappy winter days on the Eastern Slopes of Alberta / BC.
Dam cold out here in the mountains.
2700 shots on it as I close in on the 5000 rounds by the 1 year owner ship-date.
Moderate recoil from a 30/06 178gr bullets so far.
Both of my rifles and optics have quick change mounts systems.
I'm sure my F Class rifle will give the optic scope a run for its money.
And no, I'm not using this optic for competion, but for a all round performer, it is equal to qualify per buck.
Good luck in your search, as you find what you're looking for.
Western Canada Don
Very clear class, and you'll be suprized how well they collect light in day brake or dusk on 3 power.
$550 or less when on sale Cnd funds.
This is the first budget optics to take me out to the 1 k & 1700 meters. Monarch 3 BDC 3-12X42.
most shooters would not try this, but I'm not one of those most shooters.
Life time no fault warranty on top of that.
Low profile solid clicks.
Side dial Parallax.
Good field of view with 42mm lens.
Low mounting profile.
And strong as nails.
Nikon stands behind their name in the optics world.
I've been pounding the life out of this optic for 7 months from OHV, horses, hiking, and lots of crappy winter days on the Eastern Slopes of Alberta / BC.
Dam cold out here in the mountains.
2700 shots on it as I close in on the 5000 rounds by the 1 year owner ship-date.
Moderate recoil from a 30/06 178gr bullets so far.
Both of my rifles and optics have quick change mounts systems.
I'm sure my F Class rifle will give the optic scope a run for its money.
And no, I'm not using this optic for competion, but for a all round performer, it is equal to qualify per buck.
Good luck in your search, as you find what you're looking for.
Western Canada Don
I just picked up two new S-TAC 3-16 scopes from GP Tactical for $599 each. While I certainly agree they're not Nightforce, I'm really quite impressed with them. They are both clearer than my SWFA 10X (which in itself is pretty decent glass), and I think only slightly less clear than the two Sightron SIII scopes I own. I'm thinking you may have had the misfortune of getting one that shouldn't have made it through QA -- either that, or I just got really lucky with some good ones. Don't get me wrong -- I'm not saying the S-TAC is perfect. But it does strike me as a ridiculously good scope for the cost. A $599 scope that lets me clearly read the license plate on a car laser ranged at 570 yards away? I'll take that any day.
Sakoman .308
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My elite 6500 2.5 to 16 x 50 & Sightron 4-20 x 50 are both decent, but I have not shot long distance with them.
Your new rifle probably deserves a Leupold or better.
Your new rifle probably deserves a Leupold or better.
I only found and use one scope that was under the 1000 mark. Zeiss conquest 6.5-20x50, have two of them. These have fantastic good glass that comes very close to my S&B / Kahles tactical scopes. Every other under 1000 scope I had was sold again sometimes next day. Vortex.... I was embarrassed to sell.
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