Rifle Scopes Building a rifle, need a hand chooseing optics

[Bastogne1327]

So I am a new member hear on Sniper's Hide, but I have been trolling and reading the forums for awhile now. I was a grunt in the 101st airborne for 4 years and spent a year in Iraq. I know how to shoot, but most of my experience is in assault or mounted weapons. I want to get better at shooting long distance with a bolt action.

So this rifles main purpose will be target shooting. But I will also be hunting dear and boar. Average shooting distance from 300-600m. But one of the local ranges has 1000m target that I would like to shoot at.

This is my first bolt action purchase as well as first scope purchase.

The rifle I have chosen will be a
Remington 700 SPS Tactical AAC in .308

So I have been researching scopes and read reviews on all of them, so I would like to know what you would pick if you where in my shoes. Please share any positive or negative experiences you have had with any of these scopes.

My budget is topped out at $800 for glass. And I prefer Mil-dot reticles.

Zeiss Conquest 3-9x50 MC w/ Rapid 600 reticle
$700

Vortex Viper PST 2.5-10x44
$600

Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50
$700

Trijicon AccuPoint 3-9x40 w/ Mil Dot amber reticle
$765

Leupold VX-3 3.5-10x50 w/mil dot and M1 dials
$800

If there is a different scope you would recommend, I will gladly research suggestions. Thanks again for any input, your expertise is valued.

 

[rusty815]

Re: Building a rifle, need a hand chooseing optics

Weaver 3-15x EMDR, its $699 in swfa and is the best scope for your price range imo (not just because I own one), its ffp, side focus, mil/mil with locking turrets and illumination. Has a 30mm tube with 100MOA of travel and 50mm objective.

 

[cb_tikka]

Re: Building a rifle, need a hand chooseing optics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rusty815</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Weaver 3-15x EMDR, its $699 in swfa and is the best scope for your price range imo (not just because I own one), its ffp, side focus, mil/mil with locking turrets and illumination. Has a 30mm tube with 100MOA of travel and 50mm objective. </div></div>

If I had your requirements, this would be my choice.

 

[z28kid]

Re: Building a rifle, need a hand chooseing optics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rusty815</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Weaver 3-15x EMDR, its $699 in swfa and is the best scope for your price range imo (not just because I own one), its ffp, side focus, mil/mil with locking turrets and illumination. Has a 30mm tube with 100MOA of travel and 50mm objective. </div></div>

This is a good choice, or the Viper PST 4-16x50 if you dont care to have a SFP scope. I think the Viper has the better reticle.

Dont forget to factor in a good set of rings and a base.

TJ

 

[Pappasniper]

Re: Building a rifle, need a hand chooseing optics

Off topic, even if you have no plans to mount a CAN, the AAC Brakes other such brakes do an excellent job of taming recoil. It can make that gun a real pleasure to shoot All day.

Lotta good scopes in $800 range. My only suggestion, get the higher magnification, you will enjoy it. You can always back it off.

 

[Bastogne1327]

Re: Building a rifle, need a hand chooseing optics

I have looked at the weaver, and is definitely being considered. Thank you for the recommendation.

I believe the Viper is also a FFP.

As far as the rings, and base. I am still deciding on those, but I have budgeted $250 to rings and a base. So far I am thinking Seekings rings, and base I am undecided. For the life of me I can't find the height of any bases, to add to the ring height, so I can get the best height rings. Plus I am still undecided on a 1 vs. 2 piece base

Unfortunately I live in Cali, so no can for me. But I will be getting a brake. I have been considering a few different ones. But my favorite so far is the APA Little Bastard brake or Seekins Precision ATC.

I will also be getting a new stock
http://rifle-stocks.com/wildcatthumbhole.htm
I am thinking tigerwood for laminate.
The company is local, so I need to go check the feel of the stock before I purchase, but it looks dope. lol I am also considering a couple synthetic stocks.

And I am going to eventually drop a timney trigger in there.

 

[slivoman]

Re: Building a rifle, need a hand chooseing optics

http://www.seekinsprecision.com/index.ph...6&Itemid=40

Seekins has a ring height calculator. It might not have your specific scope in the list, but you can pick something close to what you are looking at. Chances are low height will do you fine.

 

[Opticsspecialist]

Re: Building a rifle, need a hand chooseing optics

if you stick with zeiss, you need to get into the rapid z 1000, it's designed around the 308. personally, the 4-16 pst came to mind, do you want to use hold overs or crank the turret and use the reticle to range the target?

 

[mortarguy5611]

Re: Building a rifle, need a hand chooseing optics

See if Jay from Sport Optics can help you out. He set me up with my PST 6-24-50 while I was deployed and made things very easy for me. Great customer service. I would definately suggest them.


Thanks again Jay.

 

[uncledog57]

Re: Building a rifle, need a hand chooseing optics

Your list is a really good list! I think buying the scope is harder to buy then the rifle?? The one thing that I can add is the Vortex comes with great customer service.
I bought used here on the Hide and it arrived broken. Vortex had a new one to me in 7 days. No questions asked. It is really hard argue with that. Anyone can sell you their product it is how they treat you after the sale? Just my $.02. I hope this helps??

 

[Zebra644]

Re: Building a rifle, need a hand chooseing optics

I am waiting on my PST to come in with my new NF rings. I went the Accupoint 5-20 mil-dot model nice scope, but in low light the only thing you will see is that green dot as the cross hairs totally black out. Leupold only warranties the electronics in the illumination on thier scopes for 2 1/2 years as per thier warrany page and if anything screws up on that scope that you did, you will have to pay them to fix it. Vortex on the other hand, thier customer service guys are great to talk to and will help you even before buying one of thier scopes. Two of thier guys are members here and have assisted one Hide Member allready on a elevation issue that was due to his base and not the scope. As long as you have the scope in your possession they will fix or replace end of story. I also give Jay a + 1 to deal with. He was patient with me and answered every odd ball question I could throw at him on PM and over the phone when I placed my order.

 

[Ultraman550]

Re: Building a rifle, need a hand chooseing optics

The Vortex Viper PST comes in both FFP and SFP. I've been looking at the PST 4-16 model SFP for my AR-15 because I'm not really going to shoot it past 400 yards plus I'm not shooting at moving targets, just doing BR and Prone so I know exactly how far I'm shooting. I had a Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x40 and it was ok. Definitely not all its cracked up to be for how much they charge.

If you're looking for a really nice muzzle brake call up Ross from the hide here. He produces some pretty beautiful pieces of work at they're only $40. Shoot me a PM for the dimensions on the barrel if you decide to go that route.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1302004

 

[Bastogne1327]

Re: Building a rifle, need a hand chooseing optics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Opticsspecialist</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if you stick with zeiss, you need to get into the rapid z 1000, it's designed around the 308. personally, the 4-16 pst came to mind, do you want to use hold overs or crank the turret and use the reticle to range the target? </div></div>

I would like use hold over and crank the dial. I realize Adjusting the dials is a lot more accurate, and would primarily use the dials for bench or target shooting. But for hunting larger game like deer on the move. I find holdover to be a lot faster. I am used to adjusting my point of aim by eye. I have of lot of assault rifle experience and used a number of red dots/ M145/ and Acogs in the army. I also used to have a leopold scope on my M14 in the Army. But I did't use it much. Most our sniper OP's where at night, so I mounted a thermal scope. But most this shooting was done at 100-400m. This will be my first long range set up.

Thanks for the advice and I will definitely hit you up Jay when it's time to buy.

 

[socomike]

Re: Building a rifle, need a hand chooseing optics

Really, Its hard to go wrong with any on your list. The Vortex offerings you listed are great from what I hear.

 

[Paulus]

Re: Building a rifle, need a hand chooseing optics

I will chime in and say that you are on the right track. The rifle is a great choice and all the optics you are looking at are a great idea. Of the optics you listed, i think the Vortex PST is probably what you'd be happiest with. It's one of the most commonly referred to and suggested scopes, and gets rave revues.

Have you decided on rings and base yet?

-Paulus

 

[Bastogne1327]

Re: Building a rifle, need a hand chooseing optics

Apologize for taking so long to get back to this thread.

I really appreciate everyone's input.

I am leaning towards the Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50

and yes I believe I have decided on rings and a base.

Rings= Seekings Precision 30mm rings- Medium 4/6 cap screw set
Base= Weaver tactical 1 piece base.