Rifle Scopes Need help scoping rifle

[HellsHavoc]

Greetings all, My name is Slade and I have a HUGE problem. I have a wife and a Bushmaster BA50. 30" barrel. Currently has a Millet scope on it. And I'm looking for something better. But thats not the problem.

The problem is that my wife looked at me this weekend while I holding a NightForce NXS 5.5x22x56mm at Lafayette Shooters and said "Hey baby look at this one its pretty!" When I looked down, she was pointing at a Schmidt n Bender 4x16x50 PMII.
I could see the fire in the salesman's eyes...before I could say anything he had it out of the case and with a smile said "Take a look".

Now this is the point of no lies. I have never looked through a SnB before, and when I did....Words cannot express. So without saying a word, I flipped the tag over to show me wife, then handed it back to the salesman, knowing she would never be "OK" with a price like that. But thats when she surprised me. Cause its really hard for me to buy things for myself, and she knows this. So I just admitted defeat for the day, and we left the store.

My issue with scopes is that I don't think I know enough about ALL scopes, and too much about just a few scopes. Ive dealt with plenty of Leopold's but I've never dabbled in the fine art of top shelf scopes. Not knowing exactly what is the better scope to purchase is eating me. On the car ride home, the wife looked at me and explained that putting nice rims on a bucket of rust with no engine makes no sense. Ive spent a lot of money on that rifle so I might as well polish it off with the best glass. Buy what you want, put the best, no matter the cost.

So given the information that I now have no budget, and cleared hot from the range officer, I find myself in worse condition then when I started. I do not want to mess this up.

Before the go ahead I had my eyes set on the NightForce NXS 5.5x22x56mm with MOAR reticle. Now I'm looking at the SnB 5x25x56mm PM II/LP/MTC.

Before we begin, what Im looking to get is information on best optics for the price. Is NF a better optic for its price? or is SnB? Anyone with any experience with both these optics? Is there better out there that I don't know about?

Also, I'm looking into a more tactical setup, and the FFP option on the SnB is really sucking me in. This will not be a bench-rest weapon but more of a SHTF. I'm above novice shooter but i'm also not a 1000yd pro. Why is this so hard?

I have ambition to start taking longer shots, and hopefully with time, practice, and some helpful advice, I can get there.

Second, Given the fact that these optics do not come with anything. Anyone have any advice on the best mounts and rings? Suggestions on a 20MOA base? Sorry if I have so many questions, I just don't want to make a costly mistake.

And finally, Thank y'all for taking the time to read this and lend assistance. It is greatly appreciated!!

 

[phillip61]

Damn sure a nice rifle. Either of those scopes are nice........real nice. Be sure to post what you decided to buy. I personally have no advice either way other than to say try to get behind both and send a few rounds down range. Thats what will set one apart from the other. I shoot an IOR scope, you may look into these also. Some of their models are built like tanks, but I don't know if they're sexy enough for the BA50. Anyhow, enjoy your stay here.

 

[gunslinger07]

Nightforce scopes are very durable, I've got no experience with s&b. for a 20 Moa base, badger is hard to beat. I use barrett zero gap rings, but there are other good ones like seekins as well.

 

[gixxer822]

heres an idea, check out vortex. if all your gonna shoot is out to 1k or a lil more the PST will do great and your at under 1k, lifetime warranty,then grab a spuhr set of rings or base. if you have your heart set on the two tht u mentioned. i like nightforce. there very tough scopes. your gonna need it for tht beast.

 

[B3dlam]

I would definitely look at the Vortex Razor HD 5-20x50 part of the biggest reason I go that route is vortex's amazing warranty on these scopes which is lifetime and transferable. I personally got a bad taste in my mouth with S&B after watching 2 out of 14~ scopes in around 4-5 years fail. S&B fixed both quickly but their commercial warranty is only good for 10 years. I am not saying dont go that route as lots of guys love them it just wouldnt be my first choice. US Optics is another option that is up there in S&B price range their warranty is lifetime non-transferable and has a few stipulations I beleive but I would probably go USO over S&B. Again YMMV this is just my .02 and I am sure other guys will have their favs.

 

[lazy21]

if you decide on USO or vortex....shoot me a pm

 

[Wyldeman]

Just a thought, how often will you shoot this big rig? I have a m99, shot it quite a bit when I first got it, had a PH 5-25 mounted on it. Now it has a PST on it & the premier is on my 6CM. Basically, do you think it is worth sinking a bunch of cash in a top shef piece of glass if it will not be used regularly? My m99 is more of a conversation piece now. As you can see, I was in the same situation as you are now. I say get whatever you are comfortable paying for & have your wife help you pick it out. That way if she ever decides to remind you how much you paid for it, you can remind her she picked it out

 

[HellsHavoc]

Some amazing advice guys!! Thank y'all tons! It seems with the early birth of my first its kinda on the back burner now, but thats ok. Its giving me more time to do my research and find exactly what i want....As long as I can get the wife to pick it I'm looking in to vortex and USO right now. S&B is still on the table....But the 10 year warranty is kinda pushing me away......