Rifle Scopes First rifle and scope setup

[xBoostx]

Hey everyone i am getting my first rifle this week. I purchased a Savage 10FP in .223 I am going to get a Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x40 BDC scope. (I like it a bit better then the Lupe, i compared them side by side) My question is what are quality base and rings. What setup should i get? Im plan on buying the scope, base and rings from Bass Pro shop and having them Zero it in and get it set up. Is that a good idea?

Thanks for any help i can get.

 

[paraiso]

Re: First rifle and scope setup

Set it up and zero it yourself, to you. Or ask somebody that knows what they are doing to help you, and take the opportunity to learn. There is so much to learn before you even begin to take your first steps in this field, depending what your goals are. Just start at the beginning of what you want to do, search for it here on the Hide, read all that you can about the subject, and then start doing it. Step by step you will be able.

 

[badred6]

Re: First rifle and scope setup

Do what paraiso said, it is something that is worth learning.
It was nice when someone tied your shoes, but you had to learn how to do it. If you decide you enjoy shooting then you will eventually buy another rifle, so might as well learn the skill.

 

[KTDLS7]

Re: First rifle and scope setup

Congrats on the purchase of your first rifle.

Good Idea? - NO! Don't let those yahoos touch your rifle! Most will not care about your property as much as you.

As paraiso & badred6 said: Do it yourself. It's not that difficult. Do a search for all your questions: base & rings, scope mounting, bore sighting. All these have been discussed.

Scope mounting is not nuclear physics - use the manufacturers instructions, get the required tools (good quality), blue locktite, acetone, and get after it. You can boresight by pulling the bolt, look down tube at target ~ 25yds, adjust scope, and be "on paper" easily.

You don't indicate where you are (location). There may be a Hider close that would help you out.

If you still don't want to tackle it, have a competent gunsmith do it, not a $10/hr yahoo.

Kevin

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: First rifle and scope setup

Welcome to the Hide...this is the start of your journey and it is a good idea to learn how to set up a scope and zero it yourself. It will be much more satisfying to you if you work it yourself not to mention they probably don't know all that much more than you do.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=86421&page=1

look through this thread and it should give you good ideas of how to mount your scope. have fun.

 

[john2000]

Re: First rifle and scope setup

Another thing to consider is that (especially) some of those hunting/fishing "general stores" hire in unexperienced or less experienced employees, I have seen, up close and personal, some rather interesting examples of scopemounting, suppressor/brake-"threading", bedding, and even worse attempts to repair faults that were clearly defects present from the factory...
Not bashing anyone or any company, I am just stating that personally I do not hand my weapon to anyone for any work unless I know the person is a very good gunsmith and the job require tools that I do not have and that are too expensive to aquire.
It is not rocket science, read up on it, there are quite a few good sites out there describing in detail how to mount a scope and sight it in.
Find one that suits you, bring in some experience from at least a couple of other and add a little common sense and youre in business.
With a little assistance from a friend and the right tools (you do not need anything that is not in a regular toolbox for a simple setup) you can do this yourself in a couple of hours,
you save the cash and (way more important than saving a few bucks) increase your general understanding of the physics of a device like a scoped rifle.

Good luck!

John - out

 

[tigmaned]

Re: First rifle and scope setup

go a little higher with te scope power, 4-15 bucks also have a side foucus. Leupold makes great steel bases and rings, Millett too.

 

[xBoostx]

Re: First rifle and scope setup

Thanks for the input guys. I will do it myself and learn. That is indeed the best way to go about it. Yall do have a point. LOL. Theres alot of ways to do it from the link posted LOL.
I have alot of learning to do. BTW i live in Miami, Fla. It would be nice to meet with an expert marksman.

So whats a good base and ring set. Just the ones tigmaned listed?

 

[john2000]

Re: First rifle and scope setup

I started with Leupold QR rings and a simple picatinny rail, cant remember what brand but there are several very good threads on that here, I would go for a steel picatinny rail anyway.

I like the QR rings on a regular hunting rifle, they are not overly expensive, just a little up from regular rings, and they have sort of a half wing nut to allow you to quick-release them if you want to take your scope off.
This could happen IF you trip and damage your scope or simply do not trust its point of aim until you get another chance to sight it in, then you can easily use your open iron sights for the rest of that hunt without ruining a great weekend.

The picatinny rail is easier to mount and give you several advantages over separate mounting blocks, some rails come with a slot (they are narrower at the middle) above the loading port to ease loading, see for yourself what they have in the store.

If you are unsure after talking to the sales people in the shop,and live so close to the place you can afford another trip, note down the serial/type numbers and brand names of the items you are looking to buy and check them out online before you buy, but the base/rail is usually just 4-8 screws so as long as the pattern fits you should be gtg.

Congratulations on your first rifle, good luck

John - out

 

[xBoostx]

Re: First rifle and scope setup

Cool, thanks John. I will be going to check out some stuff today.

 

[cuffm4615]

Re: First rifle and scope setup

xBOOSTx I'm in Miami, though nowhere near an expert marksman, but I do have a little knowledge (probably better knowledge than my shooting) and I frequent Trail Glades shooting range on the weekends (early due to football season). So any help I can give you let me know but I'll start with this DONT BUY ANYTHING AT BASS PRO SHOP!!!! everything is overpriced and more than likely you will purchase something you will not be happy with later and end up loosing your money when you decide on something different. I know your enthusiastic about getting out there and shooting but like mentioned earlier by other HIDER's do your homework on this site first and if you have questions ask. BTW though I've never shot that Savage 10fp I do beleive its a law enforcement model so you may want to consider a more tactical scope and slightly higher magnification than "9" (unless its a hunting rig).

 

[xBoostx]

Re: First rifle and scope setup

Hey cuffm, Thanks for the info. I do plan on doing some hunting. Thats why i think the 3-9 is perfect. And can still do some long range stuff. How far down can you shoot at that range?

I am going to go with the Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x40 BDC scope. And probably Warne QR rings. Trying to decide on the base. Thinking about either Warne or Ken Farrell. What do you guys think?

 

[xBoostx]

Re: First rifle and scope setup

Spoke with Scott at Liberty Optics. Gonna go with a Warne picatinny base and Leupold rings to hold the buckmaster scope. Cant wait!!!!!

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[Ship Ahoy]

Re: First rifle and scope setup

Here's a couple links I found.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1988622

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=86421&page=1

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=856515

http://www.arcanamavens.com/LBSFiles/Shooting/Downloads/ScopeChecking/

 

[snipedogg]

Re: First rifle and scope setup

Good luck and great choice with the Warne-Leupy. Nikons are great scopes, not to mention out of the box accuracy you get with a Savage. This thing will shoot, don't worry

 

[xBoostx]

Re: First rifle and scope setup

Thanks for the links Ship.

Thanks Snipedogg, I feel good about this setup. I dont know much, but with all the suggestions and info i got from the people i talked to, this is going to be a nice first rifle on a tight budget.