Hello, I am posting this for a friend of mine that isn't that computer savvy. He just purchased a M99 in 50bmg. He is looking for a scope for it. He kind of has a hard on for Leupold. What is a good size scope? I had done some looking for him and found a 4.5-15X50. He didn't think that a 15 power would be enough for this rifle. What are your guys thoughts? Knowing the guy, he will mostly use this to punch paper, and maybe the occasional plate. Thank you. Also, some good rings.
Rifle Scopes scope for m99
- Thread starter mark_k
- Start date
You didn't mention your friend's budget, but I'm assuming he has reserved enough for good glass, as shooting a .50 is expensive no matter what.
For a FFP scope, if I was scoping a .50, I'd probably do a Vortex Razor 5-20x50. Great glass, best warranty, and lots of elevation adjustment. For a SFP scope, I'd do a Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56; the reports are excellent so far on it. Vortex, Seekins, or IOR rings would be my choice.
Here is a good write-up about the Razor from 8541 Tactical (Lonewolfusmc): 8541 Tactical - Vortex Razor HD 5-20x50mm Review
For a FFP scope, if I was scoping a .50, I'd probably do a Vortex Razor 5-20x50. Great glass, best warranty, and lots of elevation adjustment. For a SFP scope, I'd do a Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56; the reports are excellent so far on it. Vortex, Seekins, or IOR rings would be my choice.
Here is a good write-up about the Razor from 8541 Tactical (Lonewolfusmc): 8541 Tactical - Vortex Razor HD 5-20x50mm Review
He said he's looking about the $1000 range. So it looks like a 20 power, Ill see if he would want to switch from Leupold. Do you guys have any links that I could print and give him that could persuade him. Once again, thanks for the help, its hard doing someone else's dirty work.
Crosshair has some very good suggestions, and I'll throw in a couple additional. SWFA SS 5-20x, and of course S&B PMII 5-25x, budget allowing. Depending on how far he really intends on stretching its legs will make the difference in what magnification he will want/require, but I would definitely step into the <20x region. I wouldn't go much higher in magnification as you tend to get scopes that are really limited in travel then.
For the mount/rings, I'm assuming he has one of the newer Barretts with the built in canted rail. Badger Ordnance MAX-50 ultra highs. If he has one of the older ones with no cant, I would recommend a Spuhr with built in cant.
For the mount/rings, I'm assuming he has one of the newer Barretts with the built in canted rail. Badger Ordnance MAX-50 ultra highs. If he has one of the older ones with no cant, I would recommend a Spuhr with built in cant.
For a $1k budget, you can easily find a SWFA SS 5-20 non-illuminated for at or very near that used. They're up for sale quite frequently as guys who picked them up on the group buy last year sell them off, or watch the SWFA "Sample List" where they sell off used/return scopes at discount. If he is mil/LEO, he can step into a Bushnell HDMR for around that on discount as well.
SWFA SS HD 5-20x50 Tactical 30mm Riflescope
SWFA SS HD 5-20x50 Tactical 30mm Riflescope
Durability is going to be one of your main concerns with a budget scope on a .50BMG rifle. If he's planning to take it as far as possible, magnification won't be as important as available elevation. Just something to keep in mind.
I shoot a M99 in .416 and a cheap scope is not going to last very long. Tell him to save up more money and purchase a good scope unless he intends on buying several 1000 dollar scopes over the time he has the rifle. If you can afford to send five dollar bills down range with each pull of the trigger, a good scope should not be too much of an issue. There are several optics to choose from in the 2-3k range that will fit the bill.
^^^ THIS
On that Accupoint, it doesn't have much available elevation and is more for .223 and maybe .308WIN rifles. Of course, if he plans to shoot 300 yards at the local range, it'll be fine.
Sounds like he came across a good deal and jumped on it without thinking about the logistical side of owning a large caliber rifle. If he can't hit at 1000-1200 yards with .308/.300win/338 or similar round, he is going to be disappointed when he sits down behing a .50 bmg. Sure the 50 is great for 1k yards but if he is recoil sensitive he will just be pissing money away. Not sure where the owner lives but finding a range that allows 50's can be difficult. He might just put an old junk scope on it and see if he even likes to shoot it before he spends too much. Difficult to say what to do with this one as we don't know his background or experience with shooting large calibers. Just the simple idea of asking what scope he should have and restricting it down to 1k or less tells me he has no idea what he is in for.
Ya, he bought it for 3600 i think he is mostly gonna shoot on some property he owns. I know he shoots a 270, but not sure what else he shoots. Thanks for all the help you guys have provided. Hes a good customer of ours and just tryin to help him out.
SWFA SS scopes hold up just fine on M99s. We have a few of the old school ones here that are in service seven years later.
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