• The Shot You’ll Never Forget Giveaway - Enter To Win A Barrel From Rifle Barrel Blanks!

    Tell us about the best or most memorable shot you’ve ever taken. Contest ends June 13th and remember: subscribe for a better chance of winning!

    Join contest Subscribe

Rifle Scopes can anyone help me choose a scope?

J

jackh

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 18, 2008
683
1
College Station, TX
#1
im having trouble deciding on a scope. its going on a r700 sps v chambered in .308. i dont think i will ever shoot past 1000 yds with it. i would really prefer a ffp mil/mil scope for ease of use. my choices so far are

SS 3-9x42
vortex viper pst 4-16x50 ffp
Bushnell Elite 4200 3-12x44
nikon monarch x 4-16x50

i would really prefer to stay under $900 but realize some of those scopes might be pushing it. which one would yall take any why? is there a different scope i should look into instead? i talked to scott at liberty and he said the viper pst's wont be available until late winter of '11. thanks for any insight
 
#2
Re: can anyone help me choose a scope?

From your list, my order of preference would be:
Viper
Bushnell
SS
Nikon (SFP scope)
Mostly because the Viper has all the attributes that one would want, but it is not on the market yet, the SS comes in third because of the low magnification (my opinion here only).

Out of the scopes listed and what is available NOW, the bushnell will fit the bill.

My first FFP scope was the Falcon Menace, I am very happy with the scope, decent glass, lots of adjustment range and good features. Low light performance is a bit wanting.

There are a couple of options out there, most notably Weaver.
While I prefer a mil/mil, if you are not dead set on the mil/mil feature, weaver makes a fine FFP tactical scope in 3-15x, they also make a very good entry level SFP scope, a 3-10x for Midwayusa that is on sale now for 300 bucks and is mil/mil.

Personally, I would opt for the 3-10 weaver, use it until the Vipers hit the market and pick up a viper.
 
#3
Re: can anyone help me choose a scope?

Look for a used scope somewhere. I've seen a few Nightforce for just over $1k on here. Not that it happens very often, but it's worth a shot.

*edited to add
Used US Optics ST-10
10xFP is fine for anything out to 1k
 
#4
Re: can anyone help me choose a scope?

I have the Bushnell Tactical 4200 6-24X50 and Nikon Monarch 8-32x50 and have a Viper PST 6-24x50 on order. For all around shooting the Viper PST would be on the top of the list with the Bushnell being second. The Nikon's glass is great and I love the scope but it is used mainly for off the bench shooting and wouldn't be well suited for any type of tactical situation. I have no experience with the SS scopes but have heard all good things but the fixed power sucks for me. I'd say wait for the PST if you can be patient it's only another month or two from being available. If not go with the Bushnell it's a great optic as well.
 
#6
Re: can anyone help me choose a scope?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: diggler44</div><div class="ubbcode-body">bushnell 3-12 ffp for sure </div></div>

+1

The Bushnell is a excellent scope for the $$, at under $700 street price it's very hard to beat. VERY good glass, repeatable adjustments, FFP, mil/mil, illumination, and Japanese quality.

The SS3-9X42 is a good scope depending on the application, but for another $50 the Bushnell with more magnification, parralax, and better glass is a better buy.

The Viper PST is months out and had issues with the initial production run. I would even give them some time after they release to make sure the new ones don't have any issues, no reason to be anybody's guinea pig with your own money.

I wouldn't even consider the Monarch considering it's SFP, has mixed turrets/reticle, and has very limited internal adjustment.
 
#7
Re: can anyone help me choose a scope?

wait i thought the pst's were goint to be out late winter '11, as in a year from now, according to scott at liberty. do you think he meant late winter '10 as in a month or so?

if the pst's will be out soon, i can stand to wait a month or two for them to come out and be tried and true by others. otherwise i will have to go with something else.

btw, i will use this rifle for long range paper punching as well as hunting.
 
#8
Re: can anyone help me choose a scope?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jackh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">... i talked to scott at liberty and he said the viper pst's wont be available until late winter of '11. thanks for any insight </div></div>

I saw that and thought what??? Then I figured that maybe what he was indicating was late WINTER, which won't really end until early spring time in 2011.
 
#10
Re: can anyone help me choose a scope?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MeridianNW</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jackh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">... i talked to scott at liberty and he said the viper pst's wont be available until late winter of '11. thanks for any insight </div></div>

I saw that and thought what??? Then I figured that maybe what he was indicating was late WINTER, which won't really end until early spring time in 2011. </div></div>

I talked to scott about a week ago, He said sometime late December or into January so I'm sure this is what he meant.
 
#11
Re: can anyone help me choose a scope?

ok ya that must be what he meant, ill email him back to make sure. if they will be available in january i can stand waiting a couple months (and saving) to get one. i am by no means a very skilled shooter, i am a novice to the whole long range shooting scene. i have seen some NF used for a little over $1k, would my money be better spent on a used NF than a new viper, assuming they fix the loose turret problem? i just dont think i want to spend that much on a scope for this gun when im new to the sport and dont get to shoot that often in the first place. plus im also trying to scrounge up some money for a manners stock in the future.
 
#12
Re: can anyone help me choose a scope?

A Nightforce is usually in the 1300-1400 range for one but I could be wrong. If you have 1300 to spend then sure, they are worth every penny. The FFP models will go for even more than that. I pre-ordered a Viper PST from Scott. I don't mind waiting a month or 2, he gives a good deal to Hide members and the scope is definitely worth every penny. Even though your new, it's worth getting the best optics that can squeeze into your budget. Buy a good scope now and you won't be replacing it later on either. Like I said in a post above, I have a Nikon and Bushnell and I'm waiting on the PST. If I were to choose just one, it would be the Viper PST. For the price and all the features it's by far the best deal. But if you decide against it, I give the Bushnell a big thumbs up as well.
 
#15
Re: can anyone help me choose a scope?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: diggler44</div><div class="ubbcode-body">bushnell 3-12 ffp for sure </div></div>

+1 I just got one and its a very nice scope at around $670 or so.
 
#17
Re: can anyone help me choose a scope?

i think i will starting putting some money away and wait a couple months for the psts. scott at liberty can cut great deals to hide members making that my best option imo. i would get a SS but i would really like a little more magnification than just 3-9
 
#18
Re: can anyone help me choose a scope?

i was so set on a damn viper, now ive started looking at IOR. i saw someone selling an IOR on here, claimed it made their vortex look bad. he said the vortex was amazingly clear, he could see screw heads on metal bldgs from way far away. but with his IOR, he could tell they were hex screws...

started to look at the 2.5-10x42 and the 3-18x42. both can be had non illuminated and ffp mil/mil. these both list for only an extra couple hundred dollars more than the viper. any input on those? is a 2.5-10x42 scope enough for me to shoot long distance, like out to 1k yds if i felt like it? i know some ppl shoot 1k with the ss 3-9's but i always thought id want a little more power when shooting that far
 
#21
Re: can anyone help me choose a scope?

i will be using the rifle mostly for hunting but i want to be able to shoot long range if i want to. i just feel like something with some more power than 2-10x would be a better option for me. the viper has more bells and whistles than the IOR but the IOR's glass is better and i feel like it might have better resale.

how is IOR's customer service? is it anywhere near as good as vortex?
 
#24
Re: can anyone help me choose a scope?

I've been waiting for the PSTs to hit the streets too. If they live up to the hype, they might be a good alternative to a Nightforce. As things stand now, I consider the Nightforce to bet the best bang for the buck in terms of overall package. A good piece of advise that I got a while back was to get the best optics that you can possibly afford. I've never followed that advise and found myself disappointed.

Although still on the more expensive side, I've seen a bunch of non hi speed models of NXS scopes being sold at good prices. From what I understand, Nightforce is discontinuing the non hi speed models. I just picked up a 5.5-22X50 at a price that equals what many want for a used scope. Check around.

Now I'm going to check out Liberty and see if I can cut a deal on a PST myself.
 
#25
Re: can anyone help me choose a scope?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TonyAngel</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been waiting for the PSTs to hit the streets too. If they live up to the hype, they might be a good alternative to a Nightforce. As things stand now, I consider the Nightforce to bet the best bang for the buck in terms of overall package. A good piece of advise that I got a while back was to get the best optics that you can possibly afford. I've never followed that advise and found myself disappointed.

Although still on the more expensive side, I've seen a bunch of non hi speed models of NXS scopes being sold at good prices. From what I understand, Nightforce is discontinuing the non hi speed models. I just picked up a 5.5-22X50 at a price that equals what many want for a used scope. Check around.

Now I'm going to check out Liberty and see if I can cut a deal on a PST myself. </div></div>

what does the non hi speed mean? never heard of that.

do any of the zeiss conquest come ffp mil/mil? also, i know i can get some mark 4's ffp but do they ever come mil/mil?
 
#26
Re: can anyone help me choose a scope?

NF has 10 mil per rev "high speed" turrets available now.The old ones are 5 mils per rev.

Leupold has the new M5 Mark4's.

The military grade Zeiss FFP's are called Hensoldt
wink.gif
They are a little out of your price ceiling.

My advise is get the Bushnell 3-12x44FFP.
 
#27
Re: can anyone help me choose a scope?

ya found the mk4 m5's. the 4.5-14x50 would fit my needs just fine, they price is holding me back though. i dont mind waiting and saving a little more to get a better scope, im just trying to find the best bang for buck in that price range.

i was set on the viper pst, then the IOR 2.5-10x42 ffp mil/mil. i dont think thats enough magnification for me, so the leupold might have to work.
 
#28
Re: can anyone help me choose a scope?

Although the Bushnell 6-24x50 FFP has a small amount of travel compared to most other scopes it could be made to work fine with the right combo of mount and rings.

IMO Leupold's bang for the buck is on the down side.I've seen and heard of too many of them go south at the worst possible time.

It'll be nice when SWFA,Vortex and others come out with a "medium priced" scope with...(SCOPE MANUFACTURERS ARE YOU LISTENING ?!!!)

10 mils per rev turrets with wider than normal low profile knob so the click spacing isn't so close together,30 mils total elevation travel,large numbers on the turret,zero stop,modern type mildot reticle with at least .5 mil spacing.
 
#29
Re: can anyone help me choose a scope?

ooo and good glass. they have to make a profit somewhere though...

heard someone say that you hear a lot of bad things about leupold because so many people have them. a low percentage of the actual amount of scopes out there fail, but this relates to a large number overall so you hear about it "a lot". makes sense to me. i have lots of friends with leupolds on their rifles and they are happy with them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
Optics WTT SFP for FFP
Replies
1
Views
264
Tjbgooding
T
P
Lightweight hunting scopes??
Replies
8
Views
1K
PewZ
P
J
Cheapish scopes
Replies
17
Views
923
jdulaney
J
Q
Scope for Hunting Rig
Replies
14
Views
784
Quackaddict
Q
C
Talk me out of an Athlon Cronus 4.5-29
Replies
113
Views
4K
Rudiger
R
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Merch
Alerts