Rifle Scopes New member posting: new scope viper pst 6-24 x50 purchased

[khanh]

New member (from washington state) to this awesome site. been learning alot from reading members postings.
I have been reloading and shooting pistols for while now and now have started shooting more rifles.
picked up a savage 10 PC in 308 with an added JP muzzle break, been using old simmons classic scope and just purchased my first to me expensive scope: viper PST 6-24 x50(second focal plane, could not afford the FFP version: mostly shooting targets for now.
i am excited to get it home and mounted.
I currently have a 20 MOA base already mounted on the rifle,
would like some advice from members regarding what reasonable price rings I should get for the scope when it arrives, I was thinking about a set of Burris tactical rings.
I have to figure wether to get medium or tall set. I know that the lowest mounts wiht appropiate clearance to the barrel is ideal.
I have been loading two different loads currently: 147 gr FMJ military brass on federal FC brass and also the sierra 168 HPBT .
with the current setup with my simmons classic scope I am only able to get about a 2 in cluster out at 100 yards.
I hope the new scope will improve this, I am fine tuning what powder load, OAL length ideal, working things out slowly to find the best load and setup,
for me have the fun is trying to figure out the best loads for any new gun.

any advice from members as to how to improve my shooting would be appreciated.
current poweders varget and IMR 4350, also using AA2230 in addition.
thanks alot
khanh

 

[jimmykm21]

You're off to a good start with choice of rifle . The one thing I would change is the bullets you're using .
The 147 surplus are okay for plinking and shooting steel but I really wouldn't spend too much energy trying to get groups out of them.
You are going to be chasing your tail with those.

The SMK 168 is what you should only focus on if you want to improve group size. You're using good powder and it will be trial and error on what your barrel likes.
I have two of the scopes you just bought and I think you will be pleased by their performance.

Another thing , are you shooting off a bench or prone , front bag or bipod? One thing right off the bat that will help you out is a rear bag if your not using one.

The Burris rings will be fine if you don't want to spend too much on rings, Burris makes solid mounting rings , medium height should be fine.

 

[t0kie]

Jimmykm21 hit it. Believe it or not but the rear bag does help, especially new shooters.

 

[khanh]

I am shooting from a bench rest: caldwell sled.
I will focus only on the sierra 168 HPBT and try to dial in the new scope with my rifle.
I am very excited about getting the scope home and mounted.
I am also working to load the bullets as close as i can off the Rifles Land in order to get more accurate loads.
Still learning, my problem initially is that being new to loading this rifle: i am using too many different powders, will limit it to one or only two powder varieties and then work them up to get the most accurate loads.
thanks for advice
khanh

 

[mahbin]

Varget and R-15 are great powders for the 308!

 

[3DHUSKER]

I use Varget topped with a 168 grain A-Max

 

[Doug S]

You will be very pleased with that scope.
I have four of them and they track and return great.
Congrats.

 

[jjrgr21]

if you shoot a lot of wind, try the 175 or 178 amax. and imr 4064 is awesome in my gun, varget is pretty good too.

 

[grayghost]

Savage rifles have a tight chamber my 10 fpc will not allow me to make oal over 2.81 or the bullet will stick in the rifling and pull out of the case if you try to eject a loaded round. I have the exact same scope with a 20moa base. For the money it can't be beat. Good shooting

 

[khanh]

i have been playing with some longer bullet seating length. I Have up to 2.850 on my rifle thus far, beyond that i can see rifling marks on the bullet when i chamber it, so i backed and found so far 2.850 is longest i have loaded so far. Kept same powder just playing with longer bullet seating.
I have just ordered the Sinclair bullet seating Depth tool which will help to pick the best overall OAL for my savage 10 PC 308
it is alot of learning to get the best bullet/powder/length setup, but this is half the fun to do this
khanh