Rifle Scopes Scope info request (400yards max)

[Genow]

Hello,

I've been stalking this forum for about 2 weeks straight. Learned a lot about optics, quality, reticles, ffp, loads, you name it.
Don't want to jabber a lot and need help in selecting a scope after reading the stickies and many topics.
I have bought myself a Rem700P in 308.
This is what I'm looking for:
- 100 to 400 yards
- shooting groups on paper (I reckon I need large magnification?)
- no hunting

The local shop only had a Falcon 5-25 and a 10-50 (but on the website it states this is for below 100yard competition shooting) which were both very cheap but there doesn't seem to be a lot of shooters behind it on Sniper's Hide.
I'm all for buy something for $1000 (my rifle cost enough) and use it for 20years such as a bushnell 6-24. I haven't seen what 24magnification at 400yards looks like (I don't have access to this range yet), so I'm not sure if I need a higher mag for what I want to do.

Any input or a link to a topic that I might have missed during my search is welcome.

Geno

 

[walley2960]

If you buy the best optics you can afford you will not regret it. JMHO

 

[walley2960]

Fyi A new nightforce scope has recently become avalaible. You might want to consider a used 12x42 power that one of the f-class shooters is selling used. Having plenty of magnification has never been a problem for me when shooting paper.

 

[Genow]

So you're also of the opinion when shooting paper for groups higher mag is better?
The Nightforce is around $1700-2000. Not sure if it's the NXS or the Benchrest model. Will have to search for the right one, but the price is around those numbers.
Are there no other competitors for that huge price range?

 

[Crosshair]

For just under $1000, I would venture a guess that the sightron sIII 6-24x50 would have about the best glass available. It is subjective of course, but I think that, or a Bushnell gen1 HDMR 3.5-21 would be the scopes to beat in that price range for pure image quality. For a few hundred more the SS 5-20 would be great, and supposedly competes well against the Nightforce NSX. Also in that range, the IOR scopes are said to have phenomenal glass in the $1500 ballpark.

 

[walley2960]

So you're also of the opinion when shooting paper for groups higher mag is better?
The Nightforce is around $1700-2000. Not sure if it's the NXS or the Benchrest model. Will have to search for the right one, but the price is around those numbers.
Are there no other competitors for that huge price range?

Strictly for paper. I feel that having asmuch magnification as you can use is an asset. Mirage is a factor. As magnification is increased mirage easier to see. Up to around 20 power mirage is not much of a factor. Above that it depends on the conditions that you are in. Not sure how familiar you are with mirage, it is something that can seem like a nuisance. Shooters that know how to interpret it use it to "read" conditions(wind). The Nightforce I am talking about is the br model. As far as the cost the br would be cheaper than the nsx model. You might look on 6mmbr.com forum for a used one if this is what you seek. There are many other options out there. I tend to favor Leupold scopes as they have served me well. I don't have any experience with other high end scopes I am sure there are many good ones. As Crosshair noted some favor sightron. They are a little cheaper. Hope this helps. Hopefully others will chime in
Wally

 

[walley2960]

Just to clarify. People have been selling their 12-42 nf because a new model recently became available.

 

[CSTactical]

For shooting groups at 400yds you did not need FFP I would SFP would work just fine for you. I would recommend looking at the Nightforce 5.5-22x50mm or 56mm. You may what 0-Stop but for that type shooting your do it is not needed. If your looking for something a little cheaper I would recommend looking at the Vortex PST or HS line.

Mike @ CST

 

[Genow]

Strictly for paper. I feel that having asmuch magnification as you can use is an asset. Mirage is a factor. As magnification is increased mirage easier to see. Up to around 20 power mirage is not much of a factor. Above that it depends on the conditions that you are in. Not sure how familiar you are with mirage, it is something that can seem like a nuisance. Shooters that know how to interpret it use it to "read" conditions(wind). The Nightforce I am talking about is the br model. As far as the cost the br would be cheaper than the nsx model. You might look on 6mmbr.com forum for a used one if this is what you seek. There are many other options out there. I tend to favor Leupold scopes as they have served me well. I don't have any experience with other high end scopes I am sure there are many good ones. As Crosshair noted some favor sightron. They are a little cheaper. Hope this helps. Hopefully others will chime in
Wally

I actually have not read about mirage yet. Did some searching, it looks annoying but doubt it will hurt me alot at that distance.
I will favorite that forum and follow up on that later, thanks.

For shooting groups at 400yds you did not need FFP I would SFP would work just fine for you. I would recommend looking at the Nightforce 5.5-22x50mm or 56mm. You may what 0-Stop but for that type shooting your do it is not needed. If your looking for something a little cheaper I would recommend looking at the Vortex PST or HS line.

Mike @ CST

I don't think I need FFP either. I'm not looking for "cheap". Just something that I can use that suits my needs.

For just under $1000, I would venture a guess that the sightron sIII 6-24x50 would have about the best glass available. It is subjective of course, but I think that, or a Bushnell gen1 HDMR 3.5-21 would be the scopes to beat in that price range for pure image quality. For a few hundred more the SS 5-20 would be great, and supposedly competes well against the Nightforce NSX. Also in that range, the IOR scopes are said to have phenomenal glass in the $1500 ballpark.

I've also checked out the Bushnell series. The one you mentioned and the rest of the Elite tactical series. They all look good, but I didn't immediately get sold on the magnification.
Is there perhaps some sort of app or webpage that can show me what 21x looks like at 400yards?

I forgot to mention that I am a beginner. Have only looked through 1 specific rifle at 50yards at 16x which I didn't find that high.
I've shot rifles at 50yards with iron sights with no issue (of course no groupings) & I can get my heart rate under control.