$500-$600 for a long range variable scope

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GunNewb

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I dont rightly know what to get here. Looking for something in the 4-16x or even 6-24x range as I want a scope for these guns that can see way out there, already have a decent hunting optic that is light and lower power variable.

cz 452 22lr

m1a

Remington 700 LTR 308

Needs to have adjustable objective for the 22lr- any suggestions around $500? Im thinking vortex viper
 
Is this a $500 budget for all three? Or ea individually?

I've really enjoyed my Millet LRS, first it was on m browning .30-06, but it ended up on my .22lr Savage MkII Mako.

LRS will fit the 6-24 bill for ~550, and the MRS will fit the bill for ~350.
 
quite frankly anything in the 16x plus range under $1000-1500 is not going to be decent quality by any stretch of the imagination and frankly, in most cases unnecessary, and that goes double for variable power scopes. this YT playlist has some really good information if you're planning on getting into any kind of long range shooting, there's a fair bit to get through, but by the end of it you'll be a much more educated buyer, be able to get what you really need and save yourself a lot of money.
 
One 22 (CZ 453) we've got has a Nikon Monarch 4-16 x 42 Mildot with side focus. It's a slightly shorter scope than many in that zoom range, and suits the rifle quite well, and specifically chose the 42mm diameter rather than 50mm for the smaller rifle. It was $500. Optics are reasonable for 22LR long range ;) (a couple hundred metres). It's a solid scope (so far) and about as low a quality we usually to go. Clicks are good, and interchangeable turrets available (pretty sure,that's one reason I wanted to try it).

I haven't done much optical quality comparisons, but a couple people who have done side by side comparisons, apparently the Nikon is the same as the Viper, but the Nikon has better eye relief and is a touch more durable (fewer warranty returns).

Above that, try a Sightron SII Big Sky, there are several models, around $650-750. And above that, the Sightron SIII around $1000-1200
 
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I've got the Bushnell Elite 6-24x40 on my Rem 700 30-06 and for the ~$500 price it's decent, no complaints. Also have the Millet LRS on my Sav 110BA and it's prolly a better scope usability wise if only for the bigger lenses/tube and more light. Again for the price point, decent unit. Are there better, of course, but price goes up significantly.
 
kb007 said:
I've got the Bushnell Elite 6-24x40 on my Rem 700 30-06 and for the ~$500 price it's decent, no complaints. Also have the Millet LRS on my Sav 110BA and it's prolly a better scope usability wise if only for the bigger lenses/tube and more light. Again for the price point, decent unit. Are there better, of course, but price goes up significantly.
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ill look into that- Im not expecting nightforce quality- "good enough" is good enough. to the optics snob fellow- any reason I cant use these $500 optics to shoot out to 800?
 
U can shoot out to 800 with a$100 scope if you want , but the optic quality of a low end scope to that of a good scope is like comparing Atari to blue ray .

I used to run all Mid grade optics , the treated myself to a Schmidt and bender ( if you've never heard of then , top of the line 4k a scope ) now it's pretty much all I'm willing to buy , even considering a night force feels like I'd be going backwards
 
GunNewb said:
ill look into that- Im not expecting nightforce quality- "good enough" is good enough. to the optics snob fellow- any reason I cant use these $500 optics to shoot out to 800?
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it's not that you can't, but that it will be much easier with a better quality optic. Generally a variable power scope in that range will have poor construction (meaning little durability or accuracy of adjustments), low quality glass (meaning that zooming in may just zoom you in on an optical distortion, not making the image any clearer), and would most likely be a second focal plane scope, rendering any fancy reticle useless. Not to mention that you don't need a 16X scope at 800 metres, a fixed 10X will serve admirably, and get you better value for your dollar. People tend to focus too much on magnification power and things like adjustable zoom, when there are other factors that are much more important.

Like I said, before you buy a scope you should watch that series, it'll cost you nothing but your time and by the end you'll have a much better idea of what you need, and what makes a good scope. He even has specific recommendations for scopes in your price range (I believe it may have been the SWFA Super Sniper, but don't quote me on that).
 
Discontinued Zeiss Conquests and Bushnell 4200 and 6500 are on sale now in your price range at various retailers.
 
Long range scopes? You cannot underestimate the need for quality glass........and that means money. I have a Leopold 8.5 X 25 X 50mm that cost me $1200 plus tax several years ago and it was superb in competing in centre fire silhouette shoots...........shooting offhand up to 500 meters...you get what you pay for......
 
Paladin308 said:
it's not that you can't, but that it will be much easier with a better quality optic. Generally a variable power scope in that range will have poor construction (meaning little durability or accuracy of adjustments), low quality glass (meaning that zooming in may just zoom you in on an optical distortion, not making the image any clearer), and would most likely be a second focal plane scope, rendering any fancy reticle useless. Not to mention that you don't need a 16X scope at 800 metres, a fixed 10X will serve admirably, and get you better value for your dollar. People tend to focus too much on magnification power and things like adjustable zoom, when there are other factors that are much more important.

Like I said, before you buy a scope you should watch that series, it'll cost you nothing but your time and by the end you'll have a much better idea of what you need, and what makes a good scope. He even has specific recommendations for scopes in your price range (I believe it may have been the SWFA Super Sniper, but don't quote me on that).
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thanks for the info man much appreciated. I checked out the videos and yes he recommends the SWFA. Interesting- would the SWFA at 350 have as good glass as the vortex viper 6.5-20x50 at $500? I actually already have a 1.5-8x scope a minox za5 which is an ok midline optic- thats why I seem so set on on bumping it up to the 20x magnification and using it also as a way to see whats going on down range- not because I'm being an ignoramus and not listening to your solid advice which is appreciated. Based on you wise folks I am wondering whether I am just wasting my money on a 20x optic at this price point- keeping in mind that I am definitely ignorant of what a high end optic even looks like(and its gonna have to be that way until my 30s come atleast :)

There is definitely a tendency for a gunnewb such as myself to be attracted to the higher Xs
 
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I don't have personal experience with the Viper 6.5-20x so I can't really attest to the quality, though Vortex does have a reputation for building decent quality affordable optics. IMHO I would shy away from a 6.5-20x in that $$$ range simply because it's not really necessary, and a fixed power 10x or so in the same price range would almost certainly provide a higher quality and durability. The simple math is: when they're putting money into features like variable zoom they're not putting it into ruggedness, precision and optical quality.
 
I just picked up a new Bushnell Elite 4-16x40 with DOA 600 reticle.

After much research, it can be mounted on medium rings and the reticle give me something to work with when I start working on ballistics.
 
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