Rifle Scopes Scope Requirements, long Range Shooting

[RCRTR814]

Gentleman:

Looking for some help as to scope selection. I currently shoot Rock Rivers, one a 16" Operator and one with a 20' stainless barrel Predator Pursuit, and had tremendous success at ringing the gong out to 500 yards with both guns. The bug has bitten me and I seriously want to do longer range shooting. There are a couple of ranges locally that have 1000 yard capabilities, ie, Camp Perry, Ridgeway etc.

I am going to have a custom rifle built. This will be my first true left handed rifle. Being left handed is why I shoot Rock Rivers because they can be shot ambidextrously.

I have been reading everything I can get my hands on as to this long range part of the shooting world and have pretty much made up my mind as to "what it will look like" when I am finished. One source I have been spendng my time on is the You tube Video Series by Tiborsaurus Rex, Sniper 101. It is excellent and goes into great detail. His reccomendation is to use a 10x 42, or max 12x42 fixed power scope, specifically the SWFA Super Sniper. Obviously I can buy a more expensive scope but this scope is reputed to do everything the more expensive scopes willl do. I have never looked through a fixed power scope and don't know "what I will see" at 1,000 yards. My understanding is that the SWFA Scope is rugged, made very well, excellent mil-dot turrets and a great buy for the money and is plenty of scope to get it done.

My question, is this enough scope? Do other long range shooters use fixed power scopes? Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated.

I thank you in advance for your sharing your expertise.

 

[VJJPunisher]

most will say go 14X-25X, since we have become quite the magnifacation whores in this day and age with great optics out there. But to answer your question yes a fixed 10X is plenty of scope to shoot 1,000 yards. Alot of mil types have done so for years with a fixed 10, myself included. Is it the preferred method, now that is the question. What size targets do you guess you will be shooting at most of the time, that will help the decision cause a NRA highpower 6 foot bull means a 10X is win, but if you wanna shoot 1/2 scale ipsc steel at a grand than ya might want a lil more power. remember more power means more issues with mirage and paralax, generally speaking

 

[gigamortis]

I have a 10x SWFA Super Sniper on my Savage 10fp. It has been stone cold reliable and repeatable for over 5 years now and still going strong. I shoot out to 800 yards regularly at the local club and don't really regret going fixed 10x at all. Only thing I don't prefer about it is the MIL reticle and MOA turrets. But for $300, it is a screaming value for the performance.

Rumor has it that SWFA is working on a MOA reticle to go along with their MOA turrets for the spring of 2014. I know a lot of you guys prefer MIL/MIL, but a 1/4 MOA turret clicks is worth 1.5 inches at 600 vs .1 mil click worth a little over 2 inches. I will be all over one of the MOA/MOA versions when they come out.

 

[jkonzal]

You can't beat good optics. Go to your local ranges and talk with shooters about what they are using. Most will probably offer you a look thru theirs. Get am idea of what you like in the real world rather than holding one to your eye in a store. Me, I have six NF's (smallest is 5.5-22x50) and one more on the way. :-/

 

[MoBoost]

Really depends on what type of shooting you are planning to do.
Tactical style - 10x will suffice.
F-class - well .... http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/f-class-f-t-r-competition/218548-1000-yard-power-setting.html

 

[sarge7174]

If you're going to shoot Fclass and you're a geezer with bad eyes, 10X 'aint gonna cut it. I keep my Sightron cranked to 50 when I shoot 600 and longer, only come down when the mirage starts to act up.

 

[Pinecone]

A big thing to start with is your budget. If low, fixed power gets you better glass for the money.

But most people shoot variable power.

Also, what type of shooting? Fixed range, or tactical? That can affect what would be best.

 

[RCRTR814]

I thank all for the feed back. Would a fixed 12 power be better? I really don't want too much scope. I'd spend more time fooling with it.

As to my application I am a paper puncher and will shoot anything out to 1,000 yards or at least that is my goal. I have not participated in any formal shoots so I "don't know where I fit". The gun I will have built will have a Hart barrel, A stiller left hand action and a tactical Bell and Carlson stock.

I was looking for a new LH Remington 700 donor gun, but by the time my gunsmith got done fooling around with the autopsy and the cost of the original gun, I "think" I would have as much in it as the Stiller. The gun will be most likely a 7MM-08. I've read alot about the caliber and at on time it was the caliber of choice. I can't say that I am interested in a 6MM. I have read that caliber is very hard on barrels with excessive throat wear.