Rifle Scopes Could someone double check a newbies math....

[Big_tom60]

I’m just getting into long range shooting and in the market for a decent scope. I’ve read some posts, and think I have the basic understanding down, but am not confident enough in my math/knowledge to buy without having someone double check me. I’m a hunter and I’m shooting a 300 win mag. I wanted a scope that will work to 700-800 yards for now, maybe alittle more later. I was saving up for nightforce but came across an acquaintance selling a trijicon accupoint 2.5-10 at a price almost too good to be true. Reading up on the scope, there is +/- 30moa of vertical adjustment (so 60moa total I think). If I were to buy this scope, zero it 200yards, I’m guessing (after zeroing) I’d still have 40moa+ left in the vertical adjustment to play with.

I think my drop at 800 yard on the 300WM zeroed at 200 yards is about roughly 140”, or 140/8 = 17.5 moa. I think the drop at 1000yards is somewhere around 300” or 300/10=30moa.

So if I understand this correctly my gun mounted with this scope will get me out to 1000yards with 10moa left to play with? I feel like i'm overlooking something? Any help is appreciated.

 

[tommyc279]

Re: Could someone double check a newbies math....

Your math is a little off due to the fact your looking a total moa. With a 20moa base that will help get you out further. Next problem the trijicon you are looking for repeat ability of the scope are night and day to the Nightforce. First always pick a 20 moa base for long range shooting and if you plan on dialing to every shot pick a scope for repeatable dials. Trijicon has great glass and many features but unless its the new TARS I would pass on the scope. I believe Nightforce, IOR, and US Optics are truly reliable but a good vortex has been known to win a few competitions. Not to burst your bubble but a great scope will pay you back ten folds in reliability and clarity. When I buy a rifle I plan on paying more for the optics.

 

[Km22]

Re: Could someone double check a newbies math....

+1 on the NF. Also, maybe I'm mistaken but the turrets don't seemed marked on the Trijicon, so remembering where you are from shot to shot could be a problem. Also having a reticle that matches the turrets is useful, so you don't always have to dial and you can hold over properly. I didn't want to spend a ton on a scope, but I ended up doing so on my first Night force and it definitely was NOT a mistake. I'd rather save up the extra amount of time and getting that quality above something that is a little less. Plus a 5.5-22x has like 100 MOA of elevation.

 

[Big_tom60]

Re: Could someone double check a newbies math....

Looks like I should just stick with my plan on getting the nightforce... For my understanding was I not supposed to look at total moa for my calculations?

 

[teerex]

Re: Could someone double check a newbies math....

The vertical travel in an optic means total, not up or down from center. 30MOA total is really not a whole lot to deal with, especially as you stretch out. Most people also want a bit more than 10x as they push out. The trijicon glass I have looked through is nice, but it feels more like a hunting scope to me, due to the other features. You can use the dots as hold point, but the turrets are covered so dialing them isn't really an option.

 

[gstaylorg]

Re: Could someone double check a newbies math....

The reticle should come from the manufacturer centered (optical zero) with respect to elevation and windage travel or adjustment range (ie. centered in the tube). That is to say it will have one half of the total elevation or windage adjustment available in a single direction. Of course, the "one half of the total" is a theoretical maximum. You really don't want to have to dial every single bit of travel possible in your turrets because when the reticle movement is maxed out to one side of the tube, you can start getting major issues with the optical quality. From your original post, it sounds as though that particular scope could get you to 1000 yd with the ~30 MOA elevation travel it should have. However, just because it can do it doesn't mean it is optimal, or even desirable, for that rifle. You also need to think about total magnification, clarity of the glass, reticle choice, etc. My take is that in the long run you'd be far happier with the NF on that rifle. If the cost of the NF is prohibitive, the are other more economical choices that would serve you equally well as compared to the Trijicon, such as Vortex Viper, some of the Sightron models, etc. You might want to take a look at other options before buying.

 

[Big_tom60]

Re: Could someone double check a newbies math....

Thanks far all the info, look like I should stick with plan A and go nightforce. Would I be happier with the 2.5-10x32 velocity 600 retical or pony up the extra cash for the 3.5-15x50 velocity 1000 retical? I like the price of the 2.5-10, but have concerns about the small objective (32mm), and only being a 600. 95% of my shots will likely present themselves at 600 yards or less, so maybe not a big deal. For the longer shots I can still dial down the knobs to get out that far. The 32 mm just seems really small, even my cheap burris scopes are 50mm. I worry hunting deer early morning or late afternoons might not give an optimal light through the small objective? I'm probably just over-thinking the decision, and either would work well enough for my situation.

 

[B3dlam]

Re: Could someone double check a newbies math....

the gun has 30 moa the +/- I beleive refers to the small variance scope to scope the accupoint line is notorious for have very limited adjustent with a 20MOA base you might have to go all the way down to get it zeroed then be unable to dial much at all I would definitely go with a nightforce or other high end scope something like an SWFA SS would be another great option to look at but a nightforce is a great option!

 

[gstaylorg]

Re: Could someone double check a newbies math....

According to Trijicon's specs for that scope, it has 30 MOA up and 30 MOA down elevation adjustment range. That is what the +/- indicates. It has nothing to do with the rifle or base.

https://www.trijicon.com/na_en/products/product3b.php?pid=TR22-2