Rifle Scopes Scope for 3,000 yards?

[Wannashootit]

By now most of you have probably read about the "alleged" (I guess) 3,079 yard kill by an Oz sniper:

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...*****=Feed:+TheFirearmBlog+(The+Firearm+Blog)

It got me thinking as a new long range shooter that struggles at 1000 yards. I know that sometimes "less" is "more" when it comes to magnification at distance due to mirage. However, hitting a chest-size target at nearly three miles requires some magnification...

I do know that on even a non-sizzling FL day the mirage off the range sands nearly makes me drunk at 1000 yards, even dialed down.

Now, I've never had an opportunity to look through a scope at three times that distance.

Feedback from any of you that have, what's the minimum magnification that will give a clear sight picture at that range...

And any guess on the optic these guys might have had on their M82A1's given they're not US?

 

[timelinex]

Re: Scope for 3,000 yards?

The trick really isnt in the optic. You might be overanalyzing that portion. As long as its a 'clear' day, and you have a decent scope, you should be able to see as far as the horizon will let you. For example, I can see and makeout trees on a mountain that is 3+ miles away from me.

I think the only issue with that would have to do with optics is for the crosshair to not be so thick that covers the target. But even then, even if it does, you can estimate about where you should aim. Lets be honest here, at that distance they were not exactly aiming for a certain spot on the persons body. They were aiming to hit him anywhere.

 

[Mister Ridge]

Re: Scope for 3,000 yards?

May I ask where you got the "hitting a chest-size target at nearly three miles" idea? 3079 yards is only about 1.75 miles. Did you by chance mean nearly three kilometers? That would be a more accurate as 3079 yards is about 2815 meters, which would be 2.815 kilometers.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Scope for 3,000 yards?

I had to dial my 5-25 down to ~12x to expose enough reticle to hold over enough @ 1700 yards while shooting at a 15"x15" plate. The plate appeared pretty small, but was really no trouble.

Sure, I would have loved to look at it at 60x, but 12x was really just fine.

So, double the magnification to ~24x, double the distance, and keep the target size the same, and the sight picture remains the same... So a 15"x15" target @ 3400 yards at 24x is totally doable.

...Connecting, on the other hand....

 

[jdgray]

Re: Scope for 3,000 yards?

Telescope!! LOL!

 

[Grizzdude]

Re: Scope for 3,000 yards?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I had to dial my 5-25 down to ~12x to expose enough reticle to hold over enough @ 1700 yards while shooting at a 15"x15" plate. The plate appeared pretty small, but was really no trouble.

Sure, I would have loved to look at it at 60x, but 12x was really just fine.

So, double the magnification to ~24x, double the distance, and keep the target size the same, and the sight picture remains the same... So a 15"x15" target @ 3400 yards at 24x is totally doable.

...Connecting, on the other hand.... </div></div>

Do you have a FFP?

 

[One-Eyed Jack]

Re: Scope for 3,000 yards?

1. Variable magnification to suit the atmospheric conditions.

2. Reticle subtension ("thickness") small enough so that it does not obscure your target.

 

[Atanasius]

Re: Scope for 3,000 yards?

What would be bullet drop compensation??? Did hi shot 338 LM, 408CT, 416B or 50BMG?

 

[culater]

Re: Scope for 3,000 yards?

look this one up March X-Series 8-80x56mm scope. You have to get the night force 40 moa base for that one

 

[turbo54]

Re: Scope for 3,000 yards?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Grizzdude</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I had to dial my 5-25 down to ~12x to expose enough reticle to hold over enough @ 1700 yards while shooting at a 15"x15" plate. The plate appeared pretty small, but was really no trouble.

Sure, I would have loved to look at it at 60x, but 12x was really just fine.

So, double the magnification to ~24x, double the distance, and keep the target size the same, and the sight picture remains the same... So a 15"x15" target @ 3400 yards at 24x is totally doable.

...Connecting, on the other hand.... </div></div>

Do you have a FFP? </div></div>

Yes. That is why I had to dial down the magnification to expose more reticle for more holdover.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Scope for 3,000 yards?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: One-Eyed Jack</div><div class="ubbcode-body">1. Variable magnification to suit the atmospheric conditions.

2. Reticle subtension ("thickness") small enough so that it does not obscure your target.

</div></div>

Most reticles are on the order of .04-.08 mrad thick, and it would be very, very doubtful you'd call the conditions to that level of accuracy, so just hold the reticle next to, and not over, the target.

 

[Wannashootit]

Re: Scope for 3,000 yards?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RidgeAve. Rifleman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">May I ask where you got the "hitting a chest-size target at nearly three miles" idea? 3079 yards is only about 1.75 miles. Did you by chance mean nearly three kilometers? That would be a more accurate as 3079 yards is about 2815 meters, which would be 2.815 kilometers. </div></div>

Brain fart...meant nearly <span style="font-style: italic">two</span> miles...

Carroll County, Md..(!)
Where I rode my first horse, and shot my first rifle. My cousin's grandparents had a farm up there off Liberty Road many decades ago...'Course, that all was gone long ago...

 

[Strip Poker 388]

Re: Scope for 3,000 yards?

My thought is,If your over there and sitting days on end, how many times do you get a chance to shoot,Your bored and shooting at what ever ya want, as many times as ya want,soon or later ya

 

[Sportin Wood]

Re: Scope for 3,000 yards?

I shoot out to 3k all the time with my 223 and countersniper. The trick is in the FMJ. They fly the best and are almost kinda like laser guided missles. And then some dude runs up and knifes me in the back. I hate it when I get knifed on Call of Duty...

 

[M_16_4_REAL]

Re: Scope for 3,000 yards?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: StanwoodSpartan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I shoot out to 3k all the time with my 223 and countersniper. The trick is in the FMJ. They fly the best and are almost kinda like laser guided missles. And then some dude runs up and knifes me in the back. I hate it when I get knifed on Call of Duty... </div></div>

Ow that was you? Stop camping. Newbs.