1000-1200
- Thread starter Lead hammer
- Start date
Depends what you're shooting at? I shoot my 4-14x50 F1 NF SHV out to just shy of 1000 (16" target) regularly and in matches (PRS-type matches with steel targets) as far as 1280. My next scope will go to 20x but 14x works fine...
Very true.
I've shot 1100 with a Sightron SIII 6-24×50 and my NF 5.5-22×56. Both did very well. I haven't tried my NF 3.5-15×50 out that far but depending on the target and how accurate I needed to be I'm sure I could use it. My old Bushnell Elite 6500 2-16 (can't remember the exact numbers) was useless past 600yds, sold that one and will never buy Bushnell again.
I would go with something in the 6-24×50 region, I've shot a couple deer as close as 50 yards with one and it let's you stretch out when target shooting.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I originally bought a 3.5-10x Mark 4 for my 300WM long range rig but that wasn't nearly enough scope. I upgraded to a 5.5-22x NXS. Much better. Makes me wish I had another 5.5-22x to put on my LR 308.
Well since I want to hunt with it, having a 3 or 4 power on the bottom would be nice, but then your top is usually 12-16x.
I have an older 6-24 Bausch, and it sucked hunting. It sits on my HMR now. I am using a 4-12 Viper currently for hunting, but I'm pretty sure that scope won't do. Clarity and zoom.
I have an older 6-24 Bausch, and it sucked hunting. It sits on my HMR now. I am using a 4-12 Viper currently for hunting, but I'm pretty sure that scope won't do. Clarity and zoom.
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Been a question I have fought with for many years when I was also doing LR hunting. The higher top end was great for viewing way out there but the low end was typically too high for the short range stuff that you typically find the game at
If pretty much all target with a hunt or two a season, the SIII6-24X50- is my personal fave BUT it is a "large" scope and I hated using it when moving through the bush. 6X sounds like a good low end but when deer jump off the end of the muzzle, no joy.
Today, there is the STAC 3-16X42. This got me very interested and I know have 2 mounted on my PRS/Tactical type rifles. The glass is very good for the price point but behind the SIII's. Still good enough to see engage and hit a binary target container at 800m... I can put the central dot on a exterior door knob at just over 1000yds.
The size and layout isn't much bigger then a generic 3-9 hunting scope. The target turrets and side focus work really well for field shooting. Sorry, no low profile knobs.
At 3X, I can see and aim on a door knob across a room....
For an all around scope, about as good as it gets today for a sub $1K scope.
Jerry
Been a question I have fought with for many years when I was also doing LR hunting. The higher top end was great for viewing way out there but the low end was typically too high for the short range stuff that you typically find the game at
If pretty much all target with a hunt or two a season, the SIII6-24X50- is my personal fave BUT it is a "large" scope and I hated using it when moving through the bush. 6X sounds like a good low end but when deer jump off the end of the muzzle, no joy.
Today, there is the STAC 3-16X42. This got me very interested and I know have 2 mounted on my PRS/Tactical type rifles. The glass is very good for the price point but behind the SIII's. Still good enough to see engage and hit a binary target container at 800m... I can put the central dot on a exterior door knob at just over 1000yds.
The size and layout isn't much bigger then a generic 3-9 hunting scope. The target turrets and side focus work really well for field shooting. Sorry, no low profile knobs.
At 3X, I can see and aim on a door knob across a room....
For an all around scope, about as good as it gets today for a sub $1K scope.
Jerry
Thanks Jerry, I believe i can get by with the STAC 3-16, or 4-14 or the like. Need to make a short list, and that model is on there A bigger zoom is just gonna make me mad out in the field I think.
Does anyone have any input on the Nightforce SHV 4-14 x 50 or 56, or on the new Nikon Black X1000 4-16X50? These are in the same zoom range. Nikon is by far the cheapest one.
jparent, I think that one comes in a 3-12.
I've been running the NF SHV 4-14x50 F1 with the Mil-R reticle on my .308 match rifle since last August or so. It's a nice scope. Passed the tall target test with flying colours and I use it routinely to shoot out to 980 yards (16" square plate). Have made hits as far as 1170 in matches. If I have any gripes, I'd prefer 0.2 mil hashes on the reticle (like the new Mil-C) or a X-mas tree, 10 mil turrets instead of 5 and 20x instead of 14x. Those are all very specific to shooting PRS-type matches though and I think for your intended purposes, it'd serve you well. Here's a review I did on it a while back: https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1493413-Nightforce-SHV-4-14F1-Mil-R-review
Come in a 4.5-18x, as well. http://bushnell.com/hunting/rifle-scopes/elite-long-range-hunter/lrhs-4-5-18x-44mm
I wouldn't hesitate on any of the Elite Tactical or Elite Hunter Optics. Just pick your features and know you'll get a great scope.
I also own one of the S-Tac 3-16x42 that Jerry mentioned, it's a great scope for the money. I haven't looked at anything beyond a couple hundred yards yet but the clarity and definition is definitely there to be able to shoot longer distances. The 42mm objective lens might be a little limiting at dusk when the light is fading though so keep that in mind.
I recently had a chance to look through the new Vortex Viper Gen II series and they are definitely nice but now that they are $1500ish and I'm not really a big fan of Vortex (too many reports of needing warranty work) I doubt I'll be buying one. I do own a couple Vortex Viper series scopes and have not had problems yet but I won't be buying any more.
Probably the best scope for you would be a Sightron S-Tac 2.5-17x56. I've spent a little time behind one and they have great glass, a wide mag range and a large objective for gathering lots of light early in the morning and late in the evening.
I recently had a chance to look through the new Vortex Viper Gen II series and they are definitely nice but now that they are $1500ish and I'm not really a big fan of Vortex (too many reports of needing warranty work) I doubt I'll be buying one. I do own a couple Vortex Viper series scopes and have not had problems yet but I won't be buying any more.
Probably the best scope for you would be a Sightron S-Tac 2.5-17x56. I've spent a little time behind one and they have great glass, a wide mag range and a large objective for gathering lots of light early in the morning and late in the evening.
I think they are right around $1000 but don't quote me on that. I would contact Jerry at Mystic Precision and ask him. He's a great guy to deal with and ships fast.
http://mysticprecision.com/
https://sightronusa.com/index.php/s-tac-series/
I'll have to look at them again, that Bushnell Elite 6500 I used to own made me hate Bushnell and pushed me to decide I'd never spend money on them again.
