Rifle Scopes Recommend me a starter scope for long range precis

[henschman]

I am wanting to get into long range precision shooting, and am looking at attending a sniper class at Badlands Tactical. I have a Savage 11 that I am planning on re-barreling to .260 Rem and turning into my sniper rig, with a McRee chassis.

Anyway, I am having a bit of trouble making up my mind on optics. I know I would be best off with something high end like a USO SN3 or a S&B PM II, but saving up for one of those would just make it that much longer before I could afford to go to some classes and hit some competitions.

So basically I am looking for something a little lower priced that will do everything I need to do to get me started in the long range precision game, so I can get out and get some experience as quickly as possible. I figure I can always upgrade later.

I would prefer something with mil/mil and FFP if possible, but I am open to suggestions from those of you with more experience in this type of shooting as to what a good beginner setup would be.

I have done a little searching, and am finding the Falcon Menace and the Bushnell Elite Tactical models interesting. The Falcon particularly looks like a lot of features for the money, with mil/mil, FFP, side focus, and illumination for about $400; but I'm not sure where it falls as far as optics quality and durability are concerned. The Bushnell looks nice too, with all those same features and a bit higher price tag... again I wonder how it compares to others on clarity and durability.

By no means are those the only two I am looking at -- they are just two that caught my eye based on price and features. As I said, I realize that I am not very experienced with this type of shooting and am open to suggestions.

Thanks in advance,

henschman

 

[blksno]

Re: Recommend me a starter scope for long range precis

With the price and features available, I would consider strongly the Bushnell line you're looking at.
I got to lay behind one side by side with my Nighforce...and it was clear the Nighforce was a better optic...BUT, i do not believe that it is $800 better.

IMO, the Bushnell optics that are going for 800-1000, are easily worth 12-1400. I'm not sold on the models that are going for $2000...for that coin, I think you can do better.

Anything with the G2DMR, TRMR2 in 3.5-21 or 6-24 should be fine. Havent looked through the 4.5-30 so I'm unsure of it's clarity at the top end.

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Recommend me a starter scope for long range precis

If you are new and don't handload, go with a .308 or 6.5 Creed as you'll be more able to afford ammo. Also, you could pick up a 700 SPS Tac/Varmint/AAC for little more than the cost of your rebarrel job. You'll have two rifles. Far as glass the Bushnells are good in the price range. Also, look at used NF or Leupolds, especially now that you can get M5 conversions on Leupolds for matched reticles an knobs.

ETA: isn't the 11 a long action? You'll be running that .260 with longer mags that will perhaps need modified to run well rather than going with regular AICS .308 mags.

 

[bruno86]

Re: Recommend me a starter scope for long range precis

What about the Viper 6-24pst? It holds its value very well if you want to sell it later on. Extremely clear. Lifetime warranty

 

[henschman]

Re: Recommend me a starter scope for long range precis

No, the 11 is short action... 111 is long action. Mine is in .308 from the factory. I will be hand loading, so no worries on the price of .260.

OK, call me a tightwad, but is this not a pretty kick-ass deal for a mil/mil FFP scope? http://www.midwayusa.com/product/456482?cm_vc=S014

It is the same Falcon Menace I was looking at, re-branded as BSA and selling for $250 shipped! What do you think?

 

[Blasst]

Re: Recommend me a starter scope for long range precis

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: henschman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">No, the 11 is short action... 111 is long action. Mine is in .308 from the factory. I will be hand loading, so no worries on the price of .260.

OK, call me a tightwad, but is this not a pretty kick-ass deal for a mil/mil FFP scope? http://www.midwayusa.com/product/456482?cm_vc=S014

It is the same Falcon Menace I was looking at, re-branded as BSA and selling for $250 shipped! What do you think? </div></div>

Nah.....get a decent scope. That one is sub par to put it nicely. For the price and warranty you can't beat a viper PST 4-16 FFP.
Keep in mind people like Steve Suttles at Badlands made that 1250 yard killshot on hill 55 with a 10x scope most likely.
It wasn't long ago just about everybody at badlands had a 3.5-10 FFP Leupy.....wasn't much else available if you wanted FFP.....unless you really wanted to spend some major coin. $899 is a hell of a deal for that PST scope and especially with that warranty.

 

[hlee]

Re: Recommend me a starter scope for long range precis

Henschman, I just bought a bushnell 6-24x50 FFP iluuminated mil dot scope for what appears to be a great deal. I don't know what the rules are for "deal spotting" on this forum but PM me and I will let you know were...

 

[leadbullet]

Re: Recommend me a starter scope for long range precis

get a 10 or 12X super sniper in mil/mil, it will do just fine on anything and won't break the bank.

 

[IslandTime]

Re: Recommend me a starter scope for long range precis

Hlee is the Budhnell mil/mil?

 

[hlee]

Re: Recommend me a starter scope for long range precis

Yes, it is mil mil.

 

[IslandTime]

Re: Recommend me a starter scope for long range precis

Excellent!

 

[BoilerUP]

Re: Recommend me a starter scope for long range precis

Buy your Bushnell FFPs from Scott @ Liberty Optics...he has the best deals around (but you gotta 'add to cart' to see them).

OR, look in the classifieds here and get nice used kit such as this:

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3612295