Rifle Scopes Scope help for a noob.

[OkieFabGuy]

Hello all..
I'm new to long range shooting and am in need of some advice from the masters. I have a fd308 on order.. My question is what scope would you put on it? I would like to stay around 1500-2000. Normally It will be used for deer hunting, but I would like to be able to start practicing the long range thing out to 800yds. I like the idea of a turret cause I always have a rangefinder with me. So.. What would you do?

 

[jdgray]

I'd look at a 4.5-14 power range scope, low enough to hunt, can turn it up for longer ranges. I just put a Leupold MK4 4.5-14x40 LR/T on my 308, and love it! Took a VXIII 8.8-25x50 off of it because it was way too much magnification for what I needed, and the eye relieve difference between min and max magnification was way to much, like the new scope much better.

 

[OkieFabGuy]

Is the 14x enough for longer distances? Or what is the max distance one could accurately shoot with a 14 power scope?

 

[jdgray]

Depends on what your shooting at. If your shooting at tiny targets at 800yrds, maybe not.....
Buy a scope for the type of shooting you plan on doing most of the time.

 

[Shotplacement]

Bushnell XDMR has the same features as all the higher end scopes

 

[kis2]

These two articles will go a long ways for you friend. If its a multipurpose hunting rifle as well, consider choosing what you NEED for a low end on the magnification, and then find scopes that have that paired with the best upper end magnification. Depending on where you hunt, you may want very little magnification (like around 3-4x) or you could get away with a little more.

Regardless, with the usual caveat of target size, 16x or 17x is a real good upper end.

Check these out:
PRACTICAL LONG-RANGE RIFLE SHOOTING - PART II: OPTICS
Introduction to High-End Long-Range Rifle Scopes

 

[hk401]

My first long range scope was Nikon monarch, but I sold it. I went straight to the nightforce NSX( even tho i was so broke in college haha). Get the Nightforce 5.5x22-56mm and don't look back( that thing will last long).

 

[Crosshair]

I'd look at the 2-10x, 3-15x, or 4-16x range for a do-it-all scope. The new SWFA 3-15x FFP would fit the bill very well and save you a lot of money from the top end of your budget. Also, the Weaver Tactical 3-15x50 FFP would be excellent and is illuminated. I would recommend watching the overall weight though, a long range rifle with a heavy optic can top 15 lbs. in a hurry, my hunting rifle weighs in at 8 lbs. scoped and I would not want too much more for packing. There are some awesome pieces of glass for the money like the Bushnell HDMR 3.5-21x50, but remember they weigh in at over 2 lbs. alone. As far as magnification, a lot of guys shoot out to 1000 yards with fixed 10x's without much issue. Leupolds are expensive for what you get compared to some other manufactures, but they sure are lightweight for what they offer in comparison.

 

[OkieFabGuy]

Okay so I read the articles and I'm realizing I've got a lot to learn.. Lol I've bought many "standard" scopes from bass pro and never realized all the options that are available with high end optics. FFP, SFP, tube diameter ect.. It's gotta be the most complicated purchase I've ever had. Thanks for the input so far.

 

[kis2]

Its a lot of information for sure! once you define your needs, you begin to limit the options though (which is good). taking a look at the key features of a scope from those article and making a list of desirables would help you find a starting point.

the scopes listed by name in this thread are good ones though. I would add that at $2000 for a budget, you are breaking into USO territory, just something to consider.

My precision rifle is my hunting rifle and is because 1) I have the opportunity to hunt where long shots are possible 2) I can't afford to build a lighter set up just for hunting ...I go up and down mountains, and its heavy (average for a precision rifle, heavy for a hunting rifle), but that's the only bad thing a guy can say about it. long story short, if you are willing to lug it around and have the endurance to do so, I wouldn't stress too much about the weight. but as Crosshair already said, lighter is obviously easier.