Rifle Scopes Advice for next scope

[str8razor]

I am looking for advice for a better scope for my rifle. I’m about to spend around $1200.00 to re-barrel, cut the chamber & true up the action on my 700P rifle and am looking at getting a good scope for my rifle. When I bought the rifle, I bought a low end scope for about $400.00 to get me started at the 100 to 200 yard range while I developed a good load for it am now at the point where I feel the rifle and scope are holding me back.

My scope is supposed to be in .1 mil clicks, so I put up a range pole with 1’ marks on it and set it at 300 yards. If my calculations are correct, 33 clicks should have brought the crosshair up 36” at 300 yards, but it only came up about 33”. I didn’t bother calculating the MOA’s it’s off, but all I know is it looks to me like the click values are off. I know, I know, this is what I get for buying a cheap scope, but it’s all I could afford at the time to get me started and has definitely served it’s purpose.

Here is the advice I’m looking for. If I’m going to sink $1200.00 into the rifle and another 1 to 2K for a scope, this time, I want to make sure to get the perfect scope and would like everyone’s advice on the scope, reticle, power and click adjustment values. I have looked at the NightForce scopes and see they have a new reticle called the “Ballistic” scope that is somewhat custom for caliber/load of a particular rifle. My rifle is .308win. and am looking to be able to shoot to the rifle’s max distance. Another question is this…Even with high end scopes, how accurate are the click adjustments at the longer ranges and how much consideration should I put into this when getting my next scope?

I still consider myself very new to long range shooting and therefore, am completely open to any criticism and suggestions. Please give me your suggestions so I can hopefully get the perfect scope this go-around.

Thanks!

 

[Longshot38]

Re: Advice for next scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: str8razor</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here is the advice I’m looking for. If I’m going to sink $1200.00 into the rifle and another 1 to 2K for a scope, this time, I want to make sure to get the perfect scope and would like everyone’s advice on the scope, reticle, power and click adjustment values. I have looked at the NightForce scopes and see they have a new reticle called the “Ballistic” scope that is somewhat custom for caliber/load of a particular rifle. My rifle is .308win. and am looking to be able to shoot to the rifle’s max distance. Another question is this…Even with high end scopes, how accurate are the click adjustments at the longer ranges and how much consideration should I put into this when getting my next scope?

</div></div>

When choosing a scope you need to look at several things. Reticles, turrets, tube diameter, glass quality, and durability all come into play. For the price range you are suggesting things like a Nightforce F1 and Vortex Razor come to mind. Both of these scopes are well built, track true, offer good reticles, and have acceptable glass.

 

[Joop]

Re: Advice for next scope

Before looking at a new scope (not that you shouldn't be), I think there are some questions that you need to be able to answer and possibly some things that you may need to understand about your current scope. It may, or may not be faulty, as from your description of the issues, there are some possible variables. First off, is it first or second focal plane? I'm going to assume that it's second, as there aren't many FFP scopes in the $400 range. If a SFP, at what power is it set up for accurate mil measurements? Is it a mildot, or mil based reticle (probably so, if the adjustments are in .1 mil)? I think you need to determine what magnification it needs to be set at, to be accurate, before you can determine if the adjustments are off. You should be able to do this all at 100 yards.

 

[ean anderson]

Re: Advice for next scope

I am a fan of the Nightforce and USO. they are of very good quality and Customer Service is great.

 

[Rob01]

Re: Advice for next scope

Look at this scope very hard
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2716145#Post2716145

FFP, excellent power range and reticle as well as Mil/Mil and not overly large. Not many left at that price so think fast and get ahold of George.

And any scope should have adjustments that track properly.

 

[gbird001]

Re: Advice for next scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Joop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Before looking at a new scope (not that you shouldn't be), I think there are some questions that you need to be able to answer and possibly some things that you may need to understand about your current scope. It may, or may not be faulty, as from your description of the issues, there are some possible variables. First off, is it first or second focal plane? I'm going to assume that it's second, as there aren't many FFP scopes in the $400 range. If a SFP, at what power is it set up for accurate mil measurements? Is it a mildot, or mil based reticle (probably so, if the adjustments are in .1 mil)? I think you need to determine what magnification it needs to be set at, to be accurate, before you can determine if the adjustments are off. You should be able to do this all at 100 yards. </div></div>

That is some good advice, it's an easy oversight with a variable power scope to be milling on the wrong power. I have seen that be the reason for a faulty measurement much more often than a faulty scope. The most common reason I have seen for a scope that isn't tracking properly, is loose base and/or ring screws. If you haven't yet, invest in a torque wrench. Most rings will come with recommended torque settings, or ask around, I have never searched it but I'm sure there are about a billion threads on here about it.

As for my personal setup, (with which I run .308 out to 1k)I prefer a mil dot reticle, fixed 10x with 1/4moa adjustments. It suits the KISS principle as well as being tried and true; ie if it's good enough to be standard issue it's good enough for me.

 

[gbird001]

Re: Advice for next scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: str8razor</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Another question is this…Even with high end scopes, how accurate are the click adjustments at the longer ranges and how much consideration should I put into this when getting my next scope?

</div></div>

Oops, I skipped your last question. The accuracy of a scope's click adjustment does not vary with shooting distance. With a properly tracking scope they will be the same at 1000yds as it will at 100yds. For example, suppose you have a scope with 1/4moa clicks. at 100yds a single click will move your bullet strike .25", at 1000yds 1/4moa equates to 2.5". Now if what you are asking is if it is necessary to get a scope with finer click intervals, like 1/8moa to fine tune at distance, well consider that at 1000yds, that single click would be 1.25", but also consider that at 1k yds a rifle that shoots 1" groups at 100 will be shooting 10" groups.

For me personally I have never felt limited by 1/4moa click intervals.

I hope this helps.

 

[fdkay]

Re: Advice for next scope

Since you did not fill out your profile, I am not certain if you are talking US Dollars, Canadian or otherwise.
1200 bucks to true an action and install a barrel is a VERY steep price, almost twice what I would expect to pay (including a new barrel).

I would shop around for a different smith. RW Snyder will get it done for about 600, depending on the cost of the barrel.
http://www.rwsgunsmithing.com/gunsmithing-services

Mark at short action customs will do a more detailed job for about 800.

There are several other top notch smiths that are hide members that will likewise beat that quote with room to spare.

Well below your 1200 dollar quote.

As far as glass, the sky is the limit.

Very Good FFP scopes in the 750 - 850 range:
Vortex PST
Weaver Tactical
Bushnell tactical

Excellent FFP Scopes that offer much for the money 1200 - 1800:
SWFA
various IOR models. (I am an IOR fanboy)

Makes your wallet flinch but well worth the money:
NF F-1
USO

Makes your wallet cry in pain:
S&B
Premier
Hensoldt
March