Need Advice on Bolt Action + Scope Short Cut - Is it worth it?

[HumbleEinstein]

I'm a little torn. I have a number of handguns and ARs, but I'm now in the process of saving up for my first precision bolt action. My goal is to get a Rem 700 setup in an XLR chassis with a few extras on it. Eventually, I'll get it trued and re-barreled, but that's way down the line. I also plan on putting a SWFA 5-20 on it, which I plan on buying used. That will cost me around 1k. In order to accelerate the process, I was thinking about buying a used fixed SWFA first with the same Mil-Quad reticle to get me started sooner. I have never had a fixed power scope before. Does this make sense? If so, would you go for their 10x, 12x, 16x, or 20x? I think the 10x costs the most, has the best resale, and the lowest power, and so on. Or would you go for a 20x for the lower cost and magnification? Or would you just wait until you can afford the 5-20x?

Thanks.

 

[propeine]

I never ran a fixed power scope before the ss 10x. It's a very nice scope for the money. I bought mine used and am 90% positive I could sell it tomorrow without taking a loss other than the shipping. Depends on your timeline but if you're going to have to save for an extra 6 months to buy the 5-20 I say buy the 10x for now and shoot until you can afford what you really want. You won't lose more than maybe 50 dollars anyways.

 

[HodgdonExtreme]

Buy once.

Skip the XLR chassis for now, if you need to, in order to afford the right glass the first time.

 

[Deadshot2]

What's funny is that I said I'd never buy a fixed power scope. I now have a whole "stable" of variable power scopes and I'll be darned if I know whether the magnification adjustment still works on any of them. They all sit on the "power" I find best for the range I'm shooting the rifle at.

The 10x scope is, I believe, still the military standard for their precision rifles. It's really going to depend on whether you just want to hit a target in the distance or put several rounds in a small area on the target.