Target Scope Selection.....Help!

J

Japseye

New member
Rating - 100%
17   0   0
Location
Okotoks
Looking for a target scope for out to maybe 500m. Budget is a dollar a metre but would be happy to spend less without skimping on quality. I guess as in all things there is a certain amount of brand snobbery so you can end up paying top dollar for the name. One guy tells me don't go over 10x or eye relief will be a problem, another says look at 24x. I will mount it to a .308 yet to be determined but possibly a T3 Tactical.
Thanks Guys.....
 
I'm a big fan of the 6.5-20x range of optics. This kinda covers a broad spectrum of scenarios. Leupold has a VXII or VariXII in a 6-18 configuration that can be found used in your price range. Nikon makes a few that won't break the bank. If you could hold out for a Leupold I'm sure you wouldn't be dissapointed.
Having said that, I have shot long range with a fixed 10x scope just fine too. I find for my applications....If I want to shoot for groups or score I like to be able to see things a bit closer. If I just want to make 1st or 2nd round hits at distance, I see no reason to go beyond 10x. Just because I can see it better doesn't mean I can hit it better.
Bushnell offers something in every price range in every magnification. The Falcon series of optics are excellent value for what you get out of them.

Something that a lot of people overlook is the size of the exit pupil when they purchase high magnification scopes. I can't say for sure if eye relief is directly related to this, but a larger objective bell.....something bigger than 40mm is going to be a bit more forgiving when using at its max magnification setting. You will find that you can "get behind the scope faster" and get on target better without the rubber necking back and forth to get the right sight picture with a larger bell. When just casually target shooting, most people have no time limits and can easily overlook this minor insignificance. For competitions shooters, this may be something to consider.
 
Japseye said:
Looking for a target scope for out to maybe 500m. Budget is a dollar a metre but would be happy to spend less without skimping on quality. I guess as in all things there is a certain amount of brand snobbery so you can end up paying top dollar for the name. One guy tells me don't go over 10x or eye relief will be a problem, another says look at 24x. I will mount it to a .308 yet to be determined but possibly a T3 Tactical.
Thanks Guys.....
Click to expand...


the top optics in the world are:

nightforce
leupold
us optics
schmidt and bender
swarovski
(not in any order )

this isn't brand snobbery, its just that these scopes work under any condition and take a beating. i just dont see the point in buying anything else
 
Thanks Guys....doubtless the scopes you mention are the best out there but what I guess I was trying to get my head round is the X factor....meaning magnification. Is 10X enough or is 20X the way to go?
 
Fixed or variable? The variables are popular for a reason - versatility.

What uses is it going to be put to? Bench, offhand, hunting?

Magnification is a fairly personal thing. It magnifies mirage and also every movement of the rifle and too much can make holdovers difficult.
 
iconfig, I've been doing some research, and am looking at getting a Nightforce 3.5-15x50mm NP-R1 for a new .223 rifle I'm looking at getting. Would that be enough, or is the 5.5-22x50mm the way to go?

Also, (more importantly), who sells Nightforce in Canada? I've just quickly browsed through most of the suppliers at the top of CGN, but none seem to have Nightforce scopes listed.
 
At $1 per meter and with a 500 meter range, $500 limit. If a 4-14x 44mm would work, I'd check out the Falcon Menace 4-14x 44mm FFP scope with a ML-16 reticle. It's a good scope for the price. Yes you can go NF, Zeiss, Leupold etc. My 6.5-20x Zeiss were 1K each, and the Nightforce are double that. The falcon is a decent scope with great features. Especially for the price. The model I'm suggesting has good eye relief, is a one piece tube and is FFP. So you can range at any magnification. The crosshair gets bigger though as you increase magnification.

The other options are good but you'll have to at the very least double your budget.
 
Spazmo said:
iconfig, I've been doing some research, and am looking at getting a Nightforce 3.5-15x50mm NP-R1 for a new .223 rifle I'm looking at getting. Would that be enough, or is the 5.5-22x50mm the way to go?

Also, (more importantly), who sells Nightforce in Canada? I've just quickly browsed through most of the suppliers at the top of CGN, but none seem to have Nightforce scopes listed.
Click to expand...

We carry Nightforce Optics. Phil.
 
Alberta Tactical rifle ,The Shooting Edge /Target Sports and PD carry NF optics the thing to remember with NF optics is that as you increase the the Objective bell you decreaser the the amount of total elevation [MOA]Adjustments
 
I just put a Bushnell Elite 4200 4x16x40 on my 300 RUM.It is a great long range scope for the money.I think WSS has them for around 450-500,Well worth the money.
Reb
 
IOR/Valdada ???

and the entry level leupolds don't really belong in this list.

iconfig said:
the top optics in the world are:

nightforce
leupold
us optics
schmidt and bender
swarovski
(not in any order )

this isn't brand snobbery, its just that these scopes work under any condition and take a beating. i just dont see the point in buying anything else
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
So... why does everyone always just list the top brand names?

He said $1 per meter for 500 meters. Unless there's a sale I don't know about (and please let me know if there is, I'll be all over it), then a $2100 NF scope a $1100 Zeiss Conquest, the IOR, Leupold etc scopes aren't even close to that budget. :confused:
 
how about a weaver t24 or t36 series . good scopes for the money . i have a few of them no problems at all .
 
rar said:
how about a weaver t24 or t36 series . good scopes for the money . i have a few of them no problems at all .
Click to expand...

I agree these are pretty good scopes - I have a T-36, but there are two drawbacks: Their light transmission is poor, so trying to shoot a dim scope on a bright day is very hard. Secondly, you can't dial-back in high mirage conditions.

For low mirage and manageable ambient light, they are great.

Falcon scopes have good reviews, plus I have a Mueller scope that I am very pleased with for the money. It's no nightforce, but although it is a quarter of the price, it is far more than a quarter of the quality
.
 
iconfig said:
the top optics in the world are:

nightforce
leupold
us optics
schmidt and bender
swarovski
(not in any order )

this isn't brand snobbery, its just that these scopes work under any condition and take a beating. i just dont see the point in buying anything else
Click to expand...

:popCorn:
 
kinggeorge168 said:
The best bang scope for you bucks is the bushnell elite 4200 tac 6-24x50mm /30mm tube.
Click to expand...

I would have to agree that in the sub $600 range the bushnell elite scopes are great, presently I use a elite 6500 2.5-16x40 and am very happy with it, I also had the opportunity to own a Falcon menace 4.5-18x56 for a couple days, it too was a good scope but not as good as the 6500 IMO.
 
I will 3rd the Weaver I have a T24 and feel it has everytihng you are looking for good resolution, decent power good solid clicks mine is 1/8 with the 1/8 target dot. I use it for my 22lr at 50 yards without issues.

I also have the Nightforce 12x42x56 for light and clarity I would go with the Nightforce but at 3+ times the cost the Weaver isn't bad.

Seeing that this is a future purchase save your money and go with the higher end scopes. buy once cry once.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom