Rifle Scopes Help with reticle choice

[tomcat mv]

I am soon to receive my XLR chassis for my T/C Venture .308 and am about to order a Vortex Viper 6.5x20-44 PA scope to replace my Vortex Crossfire. I want to be able to get out to at least 700 yds. and since I can't find a 20 moa base to replace the current two piece base and am familiar with compensating for hold-over which reticle do you guys recommend, BDC or mil-dot? I have a couple of Nikons with the BDC on my AR and a Savage .17 HMR bolt gun and the drop info on Nikon's website seems to be pretty accurate. If I am going to run out of elevation with 0 moa mounts when I zero at 100 yds. which reticle would be a better choice for judging hold-over at 7 to 800?

 

[Graham]

How accurate do you want to be? A BDC is never precise. A Mil dot always is.

That rifle will be way over-scoped with a 6-5-20. In that price range stay away from the tourist trap of high magnification.

 

[Temp9]

First off, mil-dot vs BDC. Go mil-dot, hands down. Your drop is going to change depending on loading, atmospherics, etc. The BDC reticle will only be accurate at one condition with one loading, if you're lucky. More likely, it won't work as intended at all. The BDC reticles are intended to be hunting accurate within 400 or so yards. To be fair, you could always using the BDC reticle in conjunction with actual drop data, but then you have to memorize your subtensions in the reticle. What's easier: knowing that each line represents one mil (ie. mildot), or remembering that the first line is .5MOA, next is 1.8MOA, then 3.2MOA, then 7.3MOA (ie. BDC; the numbers are made up, though)?

I'd also try to steer you away from the Vortex Viper 6.5-20x. You'd be better off with a scope utilizing matching turrets and reticle (mil/mil or MOA/MOA). In your price range, look at the mil-based SWFA SS fixed powers or the Vortex Viper HS 5-15x44 (if you can find it). I'm sure others will chime in here and give more options.

 

[Graham]

SWFA Super Sniper 3-9x Mil/Mil. It's in your price range, it's a durable scope with excellent glass, 9x is fine for all practical purposes at 700 yards and in, it has the required elevation travel and it won't unbalance that rifle.

 

[tomcat mv]

Hey thanks gents. I was leaning toward mil-dot. I know the Nikon info seems to work for me using Hornady factory loads in the .17 but since I will be trying out different loads in the .308 I guess I'll go mil-dot. What about a Millet, I think they have one in, I believe 4x16 or some such? My eyes aren't what they used to be and the most mag I can use effectively the better.

 

[tomcat mv]

First off, mil-dot vs BDC. Go mil-dot, hands down. Your drop is going to change depending on loading, atmospherics, etc. The BDC reticle will only be accurate at one condition with one loading, if you're lucky. More likely, it won't work as intended at all. The BDC reticles are intended to be hunting accurate within 400 or so yards. To be fair, you could always using the BDC reticle in conjunction with actual drop data, but then you have to memorize your subtensions in the reticle. What's easier: knowing that each line represents one mil (ie. mildot), or remembering that the first line is .5MOA, next is 1.8MOA, then 3.2MOA, then 7.3MOA (ie. BDC; the numbers are made up, though)?

I'd also try to steer you away from the Vortex Viper 6.5-20x. You'd be better off with a scope utilizing matching turrets and reticle (mil/mil or MOA/MOA). In your price range, look at the mil-based SWFA SS fixed powers or the Vortex Viper HS 5-15x44 (if you can find it). I'm sure others will chime in here and give more options.

Why are you guys saying a 6x20 range scope is "too much scope" for the rifle? Is it because of the rifle itself? I know there is not a lot of love here for the T/C bolt guns but I shoot with a buddy who shoots a Rem 700 in a McCree stock and I can match him group for group in the POS factory stock on my Venture.

 

[Temp9]

I don't recall anyone saying a 6-20x is too much scope for the rifle, so I'm assuming you are referring to our recommendations (5-15x and 3-9x). I definitely wouldn't say the 6-20x is too much scope for a TC, but don't be lulled into thinking magnification is king. I'd happily trade magnification for quality and certain other features (mil/mil) any day. There are plenty of guys shooting 10x scopes out to 1000 yards. As for the Millett, I won't say they suck, but I think you can do better for the price point as far as quality, reliability, and repeatability go.

 

[tomcat mv]

Think I am going to go with a Falcon Menace. 4x16.

 

[tomcat mv]

Scratch that. I am going to stay with the Vortex., better warranty and known quality. Just need to figure out ring height.