Which scope for target shooting at 350m?

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Camper Greg

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I am looking for a scope to put on an old Savage .30-06 for target shooting (of small paper targets) from 100 to about 350m.

I'm totally confused with all the statistics on scopes out there -- and features. What should I be looking at for magnification, and other features?

I saw a few "reasonably" priced Leapers scopes for sale in Canada however there is not a lot of independent reviews on Leapers scopes on the internet.

Having had poor success with resolution of 2 Bushnell binoculars over the years, I'm rather hesitant to "go Bushnell" in a scope for my middle aged myopic eyes.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
 
There's some very nice Leupold scopes that are priced pretty decently IMO. The VX-II series would be around $300 depending on magnification of course. I'd say out to 350 m you would be fine with 3-9x magnification. I've shot at 600 m with a 9x magnification, and it was "ok" but that far out would be nicer to have more like 15-20x :) Just my opinion though.
 
9x will not be enough for 300m and beyond. Sure, you'll see the target, but you won't have a hope of seeing your bullet holes. At 300m, it's also very nice to have some type of parallax adjustment, and you're not likely to see that on most of the 3x9's.

I'm shooting with a Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16X in 42mm objective on my .30 cal. At 16x it's just barely adequate to see my bullet holes at 300m. If I was only shooting targets, I'd have gone with a higher power, but 2.5x on the low end is great for hunting.

I bought this scope ofter comparing it side by side with Leupold VX3 and Zeiss Conquest. The glass was comparable to the VX3, which is to say, good. I couldn't tell the difference between the two. The Zeiss Conquest had the best glass of the three, and would have been my choice if they had a model that matched the other features of the Bushnell.

Basically, for pure range work, higher magnification is better. Parallax adjustment is important. As for glass, no two pair of eyes are alike - it's best to go to a store that will let you take the scopes outside to compare them. You may find, like me, that the Leupold's are over-rated.
 
Vortex Optics offers a couple of different scopes depending on your price range. The Crossfire series is an entry level to mid priced level scope, and offers a 4-16 and a 6-25 power scope, both with 50mm objective lenses with paralax adjustment and several different reticle options, all for about $300 or less.

In the Viper line, which is a higher end scope there is the 6.5-20X50 with side paralax focus and several reticle options, for about $600 to $700.

Both of these scopes will work well out to 300 mm and beyond, with the Viper having the edge in clarity and focus at the longer ranges.
 
I'd certainly like to see the bullet holes on paper targets out at 350m.....guess that means magnification will be important. I imagine magnification without resolution is useless....hence my dilemma.
 
I am in the same boat. Looking for a scope for my .22, at 200m. Any thoughts about Tasco 10x40x50 target and varmint.
 
The best bang for the dollars spent are the Bushnell Elite 4200 AO 6x24 scopes. They have premium optics and I use them on my F class rifles. They are the Corvettes of the Bushnell line up and stack up very well with scopes costing several times more.

Sightron is another that is coming on really strong. I have tested their new side focus scopes in 1" and 30mm and they are amazing. Optical clarity and resolution equals/tops most scopes at any price point.

Offering top line performance for decent dollars.

Nikon is another great value scope. I find the field of view a bit smaller then the other scopes but glass is very nice.

To see bullets holes at 350yds, you are going to need to spend some money on optics. The Elites are sub $600, Nikons a bit more, Sightrons more again.

If you are on a budget that is below these prices, used is a great way to go. However, if buying new, I can't think of any scope that will have the clarity you need.

Jerry
 
If you dont want to go with a bushnell then go with a cheaper leupold. You wont be able to see the bullet holes at 350yrds but you should be able to see the target easily.
 
mysticplayer said:
Sightron is another that is coming on really strong. I have tested their new side focus scopes in 1" and 30mm and they are amazing. Optical clarity and resolution equals/tops most scopes at any price point.

Offering top line performance for decent dollars.
Click to expand...
Looking for a scope for my .223 Ruger for bench and gopher hunting. Wanted a Leupold but the lack of parallax adjustment rules this out for me. Bushnell and their AMAZING warranty service rules out their 4200 and 6500s.
Sightron looks the part. Love the looks of the SIIISS624x50 LR D but I am unable to find a dealer with an online price list or any availability (or a website for that matter). Where did you get yours from Mystic?
 
Either click on the banner above or www.mysticprecision.com

Let me know. Demand for these scopes in the US has been HUGE so inventory comes and goes fast.

About to get one of the new SII Big Sky 36X42 target scopes with fine cross hair. If the glass is similar to the other products, this will be another best buy for the competition crowd.

If the dollar keeps at this level, the pricing will drop for the Sightrons. I will try and update when I can but PM or email me for recent pricing. Bushnell, Nikon and Weaver are still staying at listed levels.

Jerry
 
mysticplayer said:
Either click on the banner above or www.mysticprecision.com

About to get one of the new SII Big Sky 36X42 target scopes with fine cross hair. If the glass is similar to the other products, this will be another best buy for the competition crowd.

Jerry
Click to expand...

Fixed 36?

If they would make an 8-36 X 50/56 with the super-fine crosshair they would have a winner on their hands and give NF a run for their money.
 
They are working on a big mag variable with a top end either 40 or 50 something. Supposed to have been announced this fall but so far no info. Hopefully, pricing will be reasonable. Then NF will really have to go back and refine their profit margins.

With the type of glass Sightron has been using, mirage is not a big issue. When testing during the summer, I could use all their scopes at full mag with ease.

Not sure if it is coatings or what but these scopes see through the murk really really well.

Will do up a report once I have some time behind the scope. You can imagine this scope is designed for the SR BR crowd.

Jerry
 
You watch Jerry, they will put it out with a 1/4 minute blob in the middle of that high mag scope with 1/4 minute adjustments.

If they came out with a high mag, 1/8 or 1/16th minute dot and 1/8th minute clicks I would probably sell all my NF scopes and switch over (depending on the price range they come into of course).
 
Holleyman said:
Do they put the blob on all of their fine cross hairs??
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http://www.sightron.com/index.php?action=view_document&did=1201816362&cat_id=15&id=41

That is the spec on the 36X that I am getting in a week or so. Great features for the target shooter. I don't worry about the AO because everything is far away and using the infinity setting anyways. Plus AO scopes are way easier to get better optics from.

A very fine crosshair, 1/8 min clicks, nice 10 mins per revolution ( I hate base 6, 8 or 12 turrents - simple mind I guess), good amount of elevation/windage for anything a target shooter is going to need. Decent price.

Look at the difference between the NF NXS and BR models. The BR versions offer better optics.

Don't misunderstand. The Sightron side focus (SII or SIII) is WAY better then the NF for ease of use and being able to dial out parallax. Doesn't suffer from the issues of a Leupold either. Really well made.

The nice part about the larger dot is that it fits the new ICFRA target quite well. With the V ring usually getting obscured, indexing off the 5 ring makes sense. Here the larger dot actually is a positive.

Will let you guys know once I get to test this 36X. will also let you know once I hear anything about their upcoming high mag variable.

Jerry
 
mysticplayer said:
The best bang for the dollars spent are the Bushnell Elite 4200 AO 6x24 scopes. They have premium optics and I use them on my F class rifles. They are the Corvettes of the Bushnell line up and stack up very well with scopes costing several times more.
Jerry
Click to expand...

Do you have any idea how the 3200's stack up against the 4200's? I have been told the only difference is coatings on the glass.
 
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