Load development scope suggestions

7055steved

7055steved

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I'm thinking I'd like to have a scope specifically for load development and accuracy testing on various rifles, rimfire and centerfire. I think I'd just keep the scope in the box until needed and then put it on the particular rifle that I'm testing out that day. This would be especially helpful for open sight rifles...even though I may not get the precision out of them to realize the load's accuracy, it's still nice to know you've got the best ammo in the gun!

The Sightron fixed 36 option seems like a good choice to me. Any other suggestions out there for such a purpose?
 
Sightron, Athlon and Delta have all proven to have very stable, and reliable internals. The last thing you want to fight is a scope with POI shift problem

I would lean you to the more expensive models and there are certainly models we have proven to work really well.

PM or email if I can help Thanks

Jerry
 
My very limited experience at doing that is to understand what is parallax sighting error, and how to check for that. The number on your scope dial may or may not be correct for the sighting in range that you use. Parallax sighting error is NOT focus, although the two may become closely related on some scopes. Small tight groups are very much possible with non-adjustable scopes, and very strict cheek weld discipline when aiming. I think this could become an issue for you since you mention wanting to use the same scope on both rim fire and center fire rifles.

My own choice for this purpose was a fixed power Leupold 12x scope with Adjustable Objective. Eventually got tired of swapping it, so it lives now, more or less permanently, on a CG 63 in 6.5x55.

It seemed to me that getting an absolute repeatable sight picture is important. So, I do not get best results aiming at a spot or at a thing that gets covered or partially covered by the cross hairs - I found plain white squares with bold black perimeter work for me - the cross hairs form 4 x squares that my eye can immediately pick out whether they are equal or not. And then want the bullets hitting the target somewhere else - not where you are aiming - that changes the sight picture.

For different sighting arrangements, want different target shape. Double aperture sights seem to work best with round black bullseye to aim at. I have some targets for International Small Bore Free Rifle - so 50 meters - the black round bull is about 4.2" diameter. I read that PALMA shooters are aiming at 44" diameter black bull's at 800, 900 and 1,000 yards. Some "post" front sights work best for me with a black "V" with a flat bottom - aim centered at the bottom edge. I was never trained or coached about this - pretty much trial and error over 50 or more years of shooting at things - so I am more than willing to defer to those that know more about the issue than I do.

To check for parallax sighting error, set rifle on something solid - sandbags or whatever - I doubt this can be done hand held, but then what do I know about what others can do. Move your head side to side or up and down - if you have parallax sighting error, the cross hair will appear to move on the target - even though the rifle /scope did not move. So each time you look through the scope, you might be seeing a different aiming angle - and so your testing results get confounded by a sighting error.
 
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I also use a LEUPOLD 12X Adj Obj with a 1/8” Target dot. Load development for me is 100 or 200 yds and I find 12X to be plenty. I’ve tried 25-30x but FOR ME, I prefer the 12x.
Potashminer is correct, the AIMING MARK for PALMA between 800-1000 yards is 44” BUT THE 5 ring (top score) is 24” at those distances and the “V” ring (used to separate a tie score) is 12”. Those look like large scoring rings but PALMA shooters do NOT use a bench, NO bi-pod, NO bags NO SCOPE. It’s shot PRONE, using only a jacket, sling & glove with PEEP SIGHTS. Frustrating but fun.
 
big boar said:
I also use a LEUPOLD 12X Adj Obj with a 1/8” Target dot. Load development for me is 100 or 200 yds and I find 12X to be plenty. I’ve tried 25-30x but FOR ME, I prefer the 12x.
Potashminer is correct, the AIMING MARK for PALMA between 800-1000 yards is 44” BUT THE 5 ring (top score) is 24” at those distances and the “V” ring (used to separate a tie score) is 12”. Those look like large scoring rings but PALMA shooters do NOT use a bench, NO bi-pod, NO bags NO SCOPE. It’s shot PRONE, using only a jacket, sling & glove with PEEP SIGHTS. Frustrating but fun.
Click to expand...

I find the Small Bore Free Rifle fascinating - as mentioned, the bull that they aimed at is 4.2" at 50 meters - but the "10" ring is about 0.4" diameter. I probably have this muddled up, but 10 shots prone, 10 shots sitting, 10 shots kneeling and 10 shots standing off hand - so 40 shots for score - some years had top 4 or 5 shooters tied at 400 points after their turn to shoot. Very similar to PALMA except four positions involved - no rests, no optics. I do not know any competitors - just guessing they have eyes like hawk, nerves of steel and musculature to put the younger Arnold to shame - and probably haven't drank coffee or ate sugar for years previous... The Schultz and Larsen Model 61 Small Bore Free Rifle that is here was apparently the real meal deal about mid to late 1960's - it weighs over 15 pounds.

Apologies to the O.P. - I wandered way off away from your initial question with this post...
 
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For load development I would suggest finding an old school Leopold target scope maybe 24X.

I would avoid anything with a fast focus eye piece.

If you mount scopes with fast focus eye piece and wiggle the ocular lens, the reticle will usually move as you do it.

If you only have a scope with fast focus, it might be advisable to wrap the system with a bunch of rubber bands or possibly cut segments from a bicycle inner tube and wrap with that to keep it under tension and provide stability.
 
I gave up on high magnification single power scopes … some downrange heat with a bit of humidity can present a challenge. Crank the magnification down to where the mirage is not a factor.
 
I suppose I don't need 36x to do load development since my shooting would be 50 to 300 yards across the different rifles I would use it on (rimfire included). What I want is something no frills to enable me to shoot with precision at known distances under no time constraints. Basically all the bells and whistles scopes can have that help for hunting or comp I don't need. That's an interesting tip about the fast focus eye piece, I'll have to check that and maybe firm mine up at their adjusted settings.
 
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