Looking to buy a good scope for distance target shooting

mr.rhtuner

mr.rhtuner

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Hey guys, I am going to order a savage 10FP .308 next week and I also need to place a order for a scope.

I've been reading around trying to figure out what I should go with.
At Gobles(local gun shop) I was recommended a Tasco scope, but after comming here and reading up about them I'll pass and get something a bit more high quality.

Two scopes I've come across are -

Bushnell Elite 4200 8-32x40

Bushnell 3200 3-9X40 or 4200 3-9X40


now I'm not too sure which one I should go with.
I've read that the 3-9X40 is a nice 'average' scope but I'm also looking to be able to use the scope up to 800+ in time.

Would I be better off with the bushnell Elite 4200 8-32X40? does anybody own that scope?
Any recommendations? This is only going for target shooting between myself and friends...not a competition.


Thanks
 
After quite a bit of research, I went with a,
Bushnell 4200 :sniper:
6–24 x 50mm 42-6245T
now featuring finger adjustable target-style turrets and side parallax adjustment for varmint and long-range shooting.
Reticle: Mil Dot
Finish: Matte

I know Marlin at Frontier has them; I talked to him last week.
http://www.frontiertaxidermy.com/html/elite_4200.html
I think it’s the best scope for the money.
bmd
 
These scopes are good for hunting and short range target shooting. Once you will start shooting at 300 meters up 800 like you want, you need a scope that allows you to use the windage and elevation knobs easily (on these two scope they are covered by a protective cap, means that they are designed to be zeroed once and left alone plus their water resistant capacity might not be the best). My first scope I bought was a 4200. It was supposed to be 1/4 MOA but it was 1/2 MOA in fact.

You should be looking for scope made by Leupold, Night Force... These scope are of higher quality and will retain the value of their clicks for a long time.

I own a Leupold M1 Long range 3.5-10X in 1/4MOA adjustment. It gave me good service but was somewhat lacking a bit of magnification for 900 meters.

Many people who shoot at my club use magnification level of 4.5-14X or 8.5-25X alway in 1/4 of MOA on a 600 yards range.

Personnally I wouldn't recommend a scope with a magnification of more than 25X since you will not see the target any better and during hot days the mirage will fool you big time. BIGGER IS NOT BETTER.

Keep in mind that the McMillan TAC-50 used by the CF had a Leupold 16X in 1/4 MOA. Now it has been replaced by a Schmidt & Bender 5-25X in milliradian (roughly 1/3 MOA but now cm is the unit of measure). This weapon is designed and use for 1000 meters ++ range and it is zeroed at 500 meters ideally.
 
I've never used them or know anybody who had. The price is rather good but its less than half the price of a Leupold scope which doesn't have illuminating reticle. The lens quality have a lot to do with the price.

The 1/8 MOA is too much from my point of view. It may sound more precise but in fact it is more than any rifle/shooter combination can achieved.

If price is an issue, then the 4200 with multi-X or mils dot might be a good choice. The 1/4 MOA reticle is in fact very thin with a dot in the middle which can obsur your target partially. I've used mine for 2 years and sell it after. It was a 6-24X with adjustable parallax in front with mils dot reticle. This is a 1/2 MOA adjustment scope.

Millet, Burris... might have good products but I frankly never used them or saw them used by competitors in F-class shooting.

Also, don't neglect your scope rings and base which have to be of good quality (not the chapest in the store).
 
wcmd said:
After quite a bit of research, I went with a,
Bushnell 4200 :sniper:
6–24 x 50mm 42-6245T
now featuring finger adjustable target-style turrets and side parallax adjustment for varmint and long-range shooting.
Reticle: Mil Dot
Finish: Matte

I know Marlin at Frontier has them; I talked to him last week.
http://www.frontiertaxidermy.com/html/elite_4200.html
I think it’s the best scope for the money.
bmd
Click to expand...

I'm going to second what wcmd said. Nice scope for the money. Only downside is it only has 50 moa of adjustment, however a 20 moa slanted base helps.
 
I have a Bushnell 4200 8-32x40. Duplex reticle. Scope is bright and clear. Adjustments seem repeatable. I don't like the focus being on the bell, I would prefer the side focus knob style. I think it was a good purchase. I only have really used it out to 300m so far and it works well.
 
I have a number of Bushnell Elite 4200's (including the 8x32x40) on my hunting rifles and find them to be of good quality but the lack of target turrets and the 1" tube meant they were not for me for the target/precision rifles I own. For target rifles I went with the Falcon Menace 4.5x18x56 from Allen Gun Works ( CGN sponsor ) - this, IMO, represents very good value. I use EGW bases and TPS rings. Snipercentral reviewed this scope and the Millet you referred to.
 
Well thank you all for the response's

I'll have to see what I can afford to purchase.

Might go with the Bushnell 4200 8-32x40 instead of the Millett Scope from Frontier...what do you guys think?
 
My only concern with that scope for a .308 would be lack of elevation adjustment. Bushnell lists it at 20 MOA, this is not enough to get a .308 out to 900+ yards without shimming it so far that you won't be able to zero at 100. I went the with 6-24 with side paralax adjustment which bushnell lists at 40MOA and I'm concerned about that scope having enough to get out to the long distances (900 yards etc) while still being able to maintain a 100 yard zero. I've got it shimmed with burris signature series rings so that I'm adjusted almost all the way down to zero at 100, so I think I'll be ok, but haven't had a chance to test it out far yet.
 
^^Very simple to check^^. At 25 yards zero your rifle to hit point of aim. Now if you can crank up the dials to hit 7 3/4 inches high with the same point of aim, you should have enough elevation to get to 900 yards. If you can crank it to 9 1/2 inches high with the same point of aim, you should be able to get 1000 yards.
 
Has anyone taken a look at Vortex Optics? I have a Vortex Viper 6.5-20X44 with side focus and a 30 mm main tube. Glass is very clear and the price was less than $550. It will be going on a Savage Model 112 22-250 single shot, I am waiting for rings and bases and when I get it all set up I will let you know how it performs. You can check it out here... http://www.vortexoptics.com/riflescopes
 
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Buy the best you can afford, probably not what you wanted to hear. Leupold Mark 4, Nightforce etc... If you want quality glass you have to pay for it. It will cost more than your rifle. Also,you must get quality rings and bases or you are wasting your time.
 
Take a look at the Bushnell 6500 elite's. They are pretty new and have the longest magnification ratio on the market. Just another option to look at. If I had the money, I would certainly look at those for long distance target.
 
Christ, choosing a scope is difficult haha

does anybody have a link I can read up on how to 'understand' scopes?

example - what's the difference between a 8-32x40 or 3-9X40?


Also, looking on frontiers web site, they have a bunch of scopes but how would Leapers Scopes rate?

Very possible I'll be buying a used Savage 10FP .308, so now I need a good scope but nothing price intense, etc... That will come in time with the higher quality scopes.

Thanks
 
Go for 50 MM lenses and a 30 mil tube.
Let the light in, you can't shoot what you can't see.
I got rid of a 6-24x40 and replaced it with the Tactical 6-24x50, not even close to comparison. The tactical is far and above superior.

M.
 
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