Rifle Scopes I'm Looking for Suggestions on a Scope...

[Bully]

So I finally purchased a mid-to-long range rifle. It's the Ruger MK77 Varmint/Target. Salt and pepper laminated stock with matte stainless action and barrel. The barrel is a 26" heavy barrel. I picked it up the other day from my LGS and I have to say that I am very pleased with the fit, feel and finish. It's a gorgeous rifle in my eyes. I do realize that the rifle is just the beginning of this journey, however. First up on the check list is glass(bi-pod, bags, etc. will come later). I am betwixt and between several scopes at this time but am very open to suggestions.

This rifle will be an intermediate to long range target/bench gun. I am going to join a range with a 300 yard range and will be taking a trip to PA next year to stretch it to 500-600 yards. I'd like to take a crack at 1000 but that will need to wait a bit. Anyway...

I am looking at the:

Weaver 3-15x42 with the EBX reticle. Model number 800335. SWFA price $582.
It has a 1" tube, target turrets and side focus.

Vortex HS-LR 4-16x44 with the Dead Hold BDC Reticle. Model number VHS-4305-LR. Street price (Optics Planet, I think) $599. It has a 30mm tube, exposed target turrets and side focus.

Leupold VX-2 6-18x40 with the Long Range Varmint reticle. Model number LEU114412. SWFA price $549. 1" tube, adjustable objective, target turrets with Custom Dial System.

I've also found the Leupold VX-3 6.5-20x40 with the fine duplex. Model No. 66540. Price seems consistent at $799. 30mm tube and finger adjustable. There is the option of the 4.5-14x40 as well for $100 less so $699

Again, I am open to suggestions however please save your typing fingers and my eyes by refraining from telling me how I should just save up and get a Schmidt and Bender or a Nightforce. I won't as they are unrealistically expensive for me at this time. I am desperately trying to stay below $1000.

I will be using this gun to learn to shoot well at longer ranges so paper and steel. I will also try my hand at the "Hathcock" match next year that the range puts on.

Thanks all.

C

 

[SomeOtherGuy]

First question: are you planning to use the Ruger 1" rings it came with? If not, would you rather buy Ruger-style 30mm rings, or buy a picatinny rail which you would then attach conventional rings to?

I like the M77 but I wish they would replace their proprietary scope mount system with short milled-in sections of picatinny rail. It would make them so easy to scope.

 

[M77]

I would go with a Sightron s3 6-24x50 in ffp or sfp nice bright glass
<900

 

[Bully]

First question: are you planning to use the Ruger 1" rings it came with? If not, would you rather buy Ruger-style 30mm rings, or buy a picatinny rail which you would then attach conventional rings to?

I like the M77 but I wish they would replace their proprietary scope mount system with short milled-in sections of picatinny rail. It would make them so easy to scope.

I will be using Ruger rings however they will swap them for appropriately sized rings if I get a scope with a larger objective or larger tube or both.

C

 

[briang7511]

right now there is a deal on mile high and euro optics for a vortex razor that is huge savings. I know it exceeds your limits of 1k but try to buy as much glass as you can afford. reason being is that you will upgrade later so you are saving in the long run. mile high is 1299 and euro optic is 1349. What ever you choose make sure you go MIL turrets with MIL reticle or MOA knobs with MOA reticle. don't want to mix them as it will add confusion.

 

[SomeOtherGuy]

I understand wanting to use the Ruger setup, but AFAIK that limits you to 30mm tubes at the largest. For the distances you are interested in I would skip the BDC type reticles and get a decent mil based setup. The Weaver Tactical 3-15x50 EMDR would be a good bet, and probably the best value below your price limit. The Viper PST would also be OK, but I have not come to like them much. If you were OK with a picatinny setup I'd look at the Burris XTR genII 3-15x50, but that requires 34mm rings and I haven't seen those made for Ruger's proprietary system. I'd give a strong vote for the Weaver EMDR. Note, the Weaver EBX you listed will probably not have enough elevation to go out to 1k, and will be clumsy to use at anything past 300 or so. It's meant as a hunting scope, I think it's a good one, but not best for your stated uses.

Edit to add: The Sightron SIII mentioned above is also a very nice scope, within your price range with a 30mm tube.

 

[Bully]

I understand wanting to use the Ruger setup, but AFAIK that limits you to 30mm tubes at the largest. For the distances you are interested in I would skip the BDC type reticles and get a decent mil based setup. The Weaver Tactical 3-15x50 EMDR would be a good bet, and probably the best value below your price limit. The Viper PST would also be OK, but I have not come to like them much. If you were OK with a picatinny setup I'd look at the Burris XTR genII 3-15x50, but that requires 34mm rings and I haven't seen those made for Ruger's proprietary system. I'd give a strong vote for the Weaver EMDR. Note, the Weaver EBX you listed will probably not have enough elevation to go out to 1k, and will be clumsy to use at anything past 300 or so. It's meant as a hunting scope, I think it's a good one, but not best for your stated uses.

Edit to add: The Sightron SIII mentioned above is also a very nice scope, within your price range with a 30mm tube.

Thank you for the insight. And yes, the Ruger only has 30mm rings AFAIK.

Anyone have any insight on the SWFA 5-15x44 30mm with their milling reticle? Is it junk? The price would lead me to believe that it isn't a good piece of glass.

C

 

[lancetkenyon]

I was going to suggest the SWFA 3-15x42. Great scope for the price.

Or you can watch the for sale adds here, and get a used SWFA 5-20x50 for about $1K. This is what I did, and I love this scope.

 

[SomeOtherGuy]

The SS 3-15x has had very good reviews here, although a few people have reported reticle failures. It would be another good pick. But... personally I'd go with the Weaver or Sightron depending on your preferences.

 

[lawman29]

Another vote for Sightron SIII 6-24x50 LRMOA

 

[Bully]

I am looking pretty seriously at the Weaver. The reticle is nice and the reviews are quite positive. I also like the mag range. Along with that, the fact that it's a FFP scope is apparently quite the bonus.

I also just got an email from Leupold. I like one of their scopes, and they will build it with the reticle of my choice however they haven't given me a price. That should get interesting. I am a believer in "If you have to ask..." and, I asked. Most likely WAY out of range.

Additionally, should I consider looking at a fixed power? A straight 10x? Any good for 100-300yards? Too much? I love the idea of simplicity. Just not sure if it's overkill at shorter ranges.

C

 

[briang7511]

I am looking pretty seriously at the Weaver. The reticle is nice and the reviews are quite positive. I also like the mag range. Along with that, the fact that it's a FFP scope is apparently quite the bonus.

I also just got an email from Leupold. I like one of their scopes, and they will build it with the reticle of my choice however they haven't given me a price. That should get interesting. I am a believer in "If you have to ask..." and, I asked. Most likely WAY out of range.

Additionally, should I consider looking at a fixed power? A straight 10x? Any good for 100-300yards? Too much? I love the idea of simplicity. Just not sure if it's overkill at shorter ranges.

C

one thing I always consider is resale value and what everyone else is using. Is it a popular item? just in case you ever decide to upgrade you wont lose as much money. I wouldn't go with a fixed 10x but that's me. Ive looked at leupolds a lot, they are built well but I never considered their glass as good as others in same price range. They didn't seem as bright either. the more magnification you have the better you can see your hits with out a spotting scope at longer distances.

 

[Bully]

I haven't really ever considered what resale value on a scope would be. I should probably start.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

C