Hey everyone. I'm going to be buying a Browning X-Bolt chambered in 7mm Rem-Mag for long range precision target shooting and hunting. I want a scope that has adjustable turrets and a good magnification. I will be getting out close to 1000 yards for some shoots. I'm looking at keeping it around the 500-800 dollar mark. If anyone has any recommendations it's greatly appreciated. This is my first venture into shots over 300 yards, so I'm a bit out of my element here.
Long range scope recommendations
- Thread starter Broken_Arrow
- Start date
In your budget the only option I'd look at is a used Sightron SIII. There isn't anything that can match the performance for the price. Brand new retail is just under $1000 for anything up to 8-32x56 and the 10-50x60 is just over $1100. Don't be sucked in by the list of features offered by cheap Chinese scopes, no matter how much they seem to offer for that awesome low price. For successful LR shooting you want turrets that track reliably, good glass with high resolution and clarity and the ability to back down the magnification to deal with mirage. I'll take an ugly boring looking scope that does those 3 things over the coolest looking Chinese scope any day.
This isn't what you're going to want to hear, but buy a Mark 4 or Nightforce and be done with it. You're venturing into a world where barrels are disposable, a case of kegs of powder isn't an heirloom and the guy at the reloading counter runs for cover when he sees you because he knows that you're going to clean out his bullet stock again.
When its time to twist two turns worth of come-ups into a scope you need to know that it going to do what its told the first time, every time, any temperature. Its hard enough to out guess the wind without trying to out guess your scope. Then there's the temporary nature of barrels. A Browning just isn't a great candidate for rebarrelling and that's something that should be considered from the get go.
If you back away from the 1000 yard line to maybe 600 things get immeasurably easier. A 7mm sporter and 4.5-14 VX3 with a CDS dial is a pretty good time.
When its time to twist two turns worth of come-ups into a scope you need to know that it going to do what its told the first time, every time, any temperature. Its hard enough to out guess the wind without trying to out guess your scope. Then there's the temporary nature of barrels. A Browning just isn't a great candidate for rebarrelling and that's something that should be considered from the get go.
If you back away from the 1000 yard line to maybe 600 things get immeasurably easier. A 7mm sporter and 4.5-14 VX3 with a CDS dial is a pretty good time.
ultimate_monkey
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- victoria BC
Dogleg pretty much said it .. You're better off to buy nice buy once the last thing you want to be doing is worry about if your dials run true for those long shots . It can be a waste of ammo (especially if the dials are so off you cant even spot your shots falling far to short or to high). And it can becom very frustrating for a new comer to long range to be all over the place with their shots .
I once heard a very experienced shooter say. " when it comes to scopes , be prepaired. To spend $1 or more. Per yard to plan to shoot "
Want to shoot 1000yds - you're looking into a minimum of the sightrons s3 line , 2000yds , your into night force territory , even further ? You're looking at S&B .. Now I'm not saying you can't do more with a "cheaper" optics but what I heard seems to pretty damn true . Glass quality makes up for more magnification any day if the week!
I once heard a very experienced shooter say. " when it comes to scopes , be prepaired. To spend $1 or more. Per yard to plan to shoot "
Want to shoot 1000yds - you're looking into a minimum of the sightrons s3 line , 2000yds , your into night force territory , even further ? You're looking at S&B .. Now I'm not saying you can't do more with a "cheaper" optics but what I heard seems to pretty damn true . Glass quality makes up for more magnification any day if the week!
4scopes.com, buy a sightron!
I have the 10x50 and like it alot.
Saved over $200 after shipping/taxes/duty compared to Canadian prices. Yes you can but scopes from the US without the paperwork BS! Not very many people know that most hunting scopes aren't itar!
I also saved $75 on burris zee rings from 4scopes!
Personally I'm supprized that no one has made the comment that you don't need a high power scope. I've read alot of posts about long range shooting and alot of people say that 12x-16x is all you need. IMO the more power the better as long as the exit puple isn't too small and the contrast isn't horrible or blury.
I would say a dozen or so people have thanked me for this info and they saved themselves their hard earned money!
I have the 10x50 and like it alot.
Saved over $200 after shipping/taxes/duty compared to Canadian prices. Yes you can but scopes from the US without the paperwork BS! Not very many people know that most hunting scopes aren't itar!
I also saved $75 on burris zee rings from 4scopes!
Personally I'm supprized that no one has made the comment that you don't need a high power scope. I've read alot of posts about long range shooting and alot of people say that 12x-16x is all you need. IMO the more power the better as long as the exit puple isn't too small and the contrast isn't horrible or blury.
I would say a dozen or so people have thanked me for this info and they saved themselves their hard earned money!
Definitely something to consider...despite claims, there aren't many true 1,000 yard rangefinders out there.
As humourous as this is, there is truth.
It's an expesnive hobby to get into. As a hobbiest myself, I reload and shoot a few thousand rounds a year, most of which are at 800-1200 yards. I think currently I'm around 3350. I don't want to compute the cost on that...
I have yet to see or hear of somebody using a X-bolt for long range. Doesnt mean it can't be done, but maybe that there are better options.
I'm looking to upgrade my scope. Not that it's not working for me, but because optics are reasonably good investments (in the grand scheme of things) and it's nice not having to second guess your scope. Going with a Vortex Razor. Nightforce users will hate me, but I'm not a big fan of low end (NSX) nightforces. The ATACR is nice, but another $600. All my friends run NF / Sightron so I've had lots of time behind the two.
Best thing to do is read as much as you can, make informed decisions, learn from those with experience and most importantly, have fun! It's rewarding hearing the gong ring out past 1000 yards. Even better numerous times in a row!
(So stoked to get out again, I just spend all Saturday setting up my "private" range)
Thanks for the information so far. I definitely don't mind kicking it up a nickle or two and jumping to around 1200 or so for a scope if I'm going to get a quality scope that will last. I had looked at a Zeiss that was around 1200 but I can't remember the power at the moment, and they're sold out at the shop I was at.
I guy that I work with has a company where he custom makes barrels for firearms manufacturers. So if I ever need a new barrel thats not an issue. I was looking at an X-Bolt because I've heard very good things about them and I've read that the Remington 600 series has started to go downhill. I was looking at the 7MM Rem Mag calibre because of it's balistics compared to the 300WM. Tikka T3 was also a rifle I'd tossed around.
I guy that I work with has a company where he custom makes barrels for firearms manufacturers. So if I ever need a new barrel thats not an issue. I was looking at an X-Bolt because I've heard very good things about them and I've read that the Remington 600 series has started to go downhill. I was looking at the 7MM Rem Mag calibre because of it's balistics compared to the 300WM. Tikka T3 was also a rifle I'd tossed around.
Aprilia Man
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Canadian "WET" Coast (Raincouver)
This!
No regrets here with my Sightron SIII ..... except my bank account is almost close to $0.00 now AHHHHHHH
Enough said!
No regrets here with my Sightron SIII ..... except my bank account is almost close to $0.00 now AHHHHHHH
Enough said!
I checked that site and I can get a Sightron 8-32x56 LRMOA for just under $1000, shipping and tax included.
When I purchased my most recent scope I bought a Mark 4 and I agree with Dogleg. It's just as well you buy something quality now and then you know you have a good optic. Also as others have alluded to, there are better options than the Browning. The X-bolt is a fine rifle but for what you want to achieve you'd be much better off adding some extras to a Remington 700 or a Savage 10/110. You'd still be in the same price range. If you buy one of those factory rifles and the barrel seems to be good to go, you could upgrade the stock and/or trigger. You could also put a higher quality barrel on those rifles. Overall you'd likely be better off in the long run.
honestly, if it is for hunting big game, I would not go any higher than 4-16 in power range
if you want to shoot long range, you need turets that track accurately so I would not go for something cheap.
sightron have a void in that power range for now, but they have a 2.5-17.5 comming up for next year
in the 1000$ price range there is a few interesting options
personnaly, I use a 3-15 FFP on my hunting rifle and a SIII 8-32 on the one I use only for target and I would never use that 8-32 for big game because the field of view is way to narrow at closer range
if you want to shoot long range, you need turets that track accurately so I would not go for something cheap.
sightron have a void in that power range for now, but they have a 2.5-17.5 comming up for next year
in the 1000$ price range there is a few interesting options
personnaly, I use a 3-15 FFP on my hunting rifle and a SIII 8-32 on the one I use only for target and I would never use that 8-32 for big game because the field of view is way to narrow at closer range
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Dogleg is right. Nightforce or Leupold. I've never used the Sightron so I can't weigh in for or against. But I've used both Leupold and Nightforce with complete success.
Sightron s3 vote here. Better than vortex and several leupold a I've looked through. Zeiss HD5 is a great choice as well!
A thought on 4scopes. Take into account the customs fee that will most likely involve gst/pst etc. just something to think about.
A thought on 4scopes. Take into account the customs fee that will most likely involve gst/pst etc. just something to think about.
UPS customs up front! Plus three day shipping door to door! Saying gst/pst is weak argument, you have to pay them regardless.
Unless you can find a Canadian store that sells it at the same cost. 4scopes is awesome!
Unless you can find a Canadian store that sells it at the same cost. 4scopes is awesome!
Don't get me wrong clarity is important but not much benefit if you can see what you're shooting at but still can't hit it. I haven't used a sightron to verify their adjustments. As a side note my Mark 4 is clearer than my shooting buddy's NXS. This is with both rifles side by side same conditions.
