Scope advice please!

[Journeyman]

Hey guys and gals

I have a Ruger mini 14 that I love taking to the range but have a cheapy 3-9x40 scope on and struggle to see the groupings on the target at 100 yards unless I'm shooting a shoot'n see target.

I obviously need a higher power scope however don't have unlimted bankroll or the experience as of yet to decide on what to place on top. This was my first gun, which I still really enjoy, and the local gunshop I purchased it from reassured me that this cheap scope would be adaquate. I'm not into cheaping out where I shouldn't, I simply didn't know any better at the time and took his word on it. Now that I have 4 guns in the closet, and counting , I believe in my opinion that this is an adaquate .22 scope, and nothing more.

I am unsure of what to move into. I have looked at 12x40, 16x40 and even 18x40 but am having a real hard time deciding on what to buy. I realistically will mostly take this to the range. Mostly well lit conditions. Our range is a 200 yard range but will ocassionally take this into the back country. Maybe hope for 400 yards with adaquate experience so I'd like to keep this in mind when deciding.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance

 

[dero338]

what ou need is not a higher power scope, but better quality glass
I see holes better at 15X in my premier that at 60X in a cheap spotting scope
good glass will give abetter contrast and allow you to see more detail

if you want to go long range,get a scope with parallax adjustment

maybe give a look at the the nikon monark 3-12 sf

 

[Journeyman]

Thanks dero338

 

[geologist]

You could also just keep the current scope and buy a spotting scope.

 

[Journeyman]

I did entertain the idea of a spotting scope but really don't need something else to carry around. Tried one from a friend and just found it to be frustrating having to go back and forth.