Which scope for out to 400 meters for bench shooting only?

cereal83

cereal83

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Hey all,

I am looking for a scope to go out to about only 400 meters at my local club. At first, I will have it on a 30-06 until I get a 223 or 308.

I am looking for tactical turrets hopefully and I don't think I want more then 16x magnification. Some people are ok with a 3-9 but with me, I feel like I can't see anything at x9 at even 100 meters. I like to see the bullet holes.

So I have looked at a wide range of scope. Not sure what is pure garbage and what is good.

Some options I have are:

Bushnell Elite 3-12x44 $1200
Vortex PSt 3-16x50 - $1250
Leupold VX3i 4-16x44 (i think) Has no turrets but I had to look at Leupold. $799

So what is a good solid reliable option for shooting only 400 meters, I am never gonna shoot further as my range doesn't have anything longer? Under $1200 would be nice, under $1000 would be even better.
 
I think you might want to consider a lot more magnification if you want to shot 400 bench rest. An 8-32 would be a way better choice
 
The better the scope glass, the more clarity you will have.
I.e a nightforce 9x vs bushnell 9x will net you far more clarity to enable you to see smaller and more defined marks.

A tasco 50x will be miles behind a leupold 10x.

The money is 100% in the glass which equates to you get what you pay for.
This will directly translate to spotting scopes too.
so just buy a great scope to start and don't waste money on spotting scopes for your application.

I shoot 400yards with a 2.5-16 bushnell elite and get by just fine.

Albeit, lots of times i can't see my holes on 'shoot n see' targets as the clarity can blur the aiming lines with the same colour bullet hole.
 
Yes I am aware of the more money I pay, the better quality the glass will be. As with my suggestions up there, I feel like the Bushnell elite line is a good choice.

I wandered over to the 400 meter range yesterday and a majority of scopes were Vortex. Not sure which ones as I didn't get close enough.

Skypilot, thanks for your suggestion. I am not sure if you just posted that without reading as if so, it lined up with what I suggested to buy so I must be on the right track.

How does the Leupold VX3i compare to the Elite or Vortex PST? It's $500 cheaper but has no turrets which is ok I guess if it's a solid choice.
 
cereal83 said:
Yes I am aware of the more money I pay, the better quality the glass will be. As with my suggestions up there, I feel like the Bushnell elite line is a good choice.

I wandered over to the 400 meter range yesterday and a majority of scopes were Vortex. Not sure which ones as I didn't get close enough.

Skypilot, thanks for your suggestion. I am not sure if you just posted that without reading as if so, it lined up with what I suggested to buy so I must be on the right track.

How does the Leupold VX3i compare to the Elite or Vortex PST? It's $500 cheaper but has no turrets which is ok I guess if it's a solid choice.
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VX3 is a nice optic but you'll appreciate the "tactical or target" type turrets, they are easy/handy.

However, if you had a reticle like a mildot you wouldn't necessarily have to use the turrents to hit at 400.(even though all mildots I've seen come with the tac/target turrents), you would simply raise the firearm until the correct corresponding mildot or portion between mildots corresponds to the range you wish to make a hit.(a "holdover")

I have a Vortex 4-16 FFP and also a Bushnell Elite Tactical 6-24 and a Leupy 3-9 duplex reticle among others. All are good, some are better at certain things if you dial come ups or do holdovers, etc.
 
Thanks for your input skypilot. I appreciate it.

I just have to see if I can score a deal in the EE or if I am buying new.
 
My father and I have Bushnell 3-12x44 and are very satisfied with the product. Optic is clear, the turrets are easy to zero and the overall thing feels solid. I would not hesitate to buy another one.

We respectively paid 800 and 750$ +tx (both bought recently) so it is worth shopping around. G2DMR is a nice reticle for target shooting.

12x is no spotting scope, but really it should suffice for large target shooting to 300 m.
 
cereal83 said:
Yes I am aware of the more money I pay, the better quality the glass will be. ....
Click to expand...

Be aware that isn't always true. Paying less is reliable for getting lower quality, but paying more doesn't mean higher quality is a sure thing. You can pay a high price for expensive marketing and advertising and/or gadgetry instead of the glass you wanted.
 
TheTooner said:
Be aware that isn't always true. Paying less is reliable for getting lower quality, but paying more doesn't mean higher quality is a sure thing. You can pay a high price for expensive marketing and advertising and/or gadgetry instead of the glass you wanted.
Click to expand...

That is also true. I have read tons of reviews and am reading that some of the cheaper Vortex options have features that not even similar priced Leupolds haves etc. It's like with all things in life.
 
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