Rifle Scopes New to site need scope help.

[GandH]

Hello to all. I am new to the forum but have been trying to garner info for a while cruising the site. I am a novice to long range shooting, but want to learn and enjoy the hobby. This brings me to my current project. I am a blue collar guy so I have no choice but to build on a budget. I am building a longe range rifle that will also be used for deer hunting. I am starting with a basic Savage model 11 in .308 and am planning on changing the trigger and stock at a later date. I will be adding the optics soon and have pretty much decided on a Nikon Buckmaster in the 4.5-12 range. I want to be able to make shots out to the 500-600 yd range. My questions are should I get the BDC or the Mil-dot reticle. I don't know how to use the mil-dot, but am willing to learn. Also should I get the 40mm objective model or the 50mm and will the side focus feature be useful to me?

My experience is limited to shooting out to about 200-300 yds. with my Savage in .223 with Nikon 3-9x40 scope with nikoplex reticle and I am able to get 3-4 inch groups with that, which is acceptable to me.

Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[sgtbutt]

Re: New to site need scope help.

MilDot scopes are awesome, welcome to the Hide.
If you go with a MilDot scope you can range your target. The "Optics FAQ" page has a good page on the MilDot reticle. Once you learn how to use the reticle you can build up your scope dope. Take the time to find out where your rifle shoots at X range and build it up into a card for yourself. You can either use holdovers or dial in your dope.
If you get a BDC you still have to know the range. I konw for me ranging is a PITA and I am worthless at it. But with a MilDot you can take different targets sizes and range them acording to how many Mils they appear to be within your reticle. A few simple calculations and pull the trigger. Or have all the math worked out so that you just dial your dope.
Hope this helps out. Spend some time reading up on the Hide and you'll get a wealth of knowledge.
Good luck

 

[FequalsMA]

Re: New to site need scope help.

The 50mm objective will be brighter and give you a larger field of view. The side focus is handy. Buy once cry once.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: New to site need scope help.

If your shooting a production weapon, plan on spending twice the price for optics, let me recommend to you a Nightforce 3.5-15x50, MLR reticle and MilRad knobs.

Welcome to the Hide, please complete your profile, location is important because somebody always needs a shooting partner, know where you be helps, and is requred to sell stuff here.

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Re: New to site need scope help.

get the mildot one, it's better for rangefinding, holdover if you don't want to turn turrets, or both.

the bdc is nice, however it's compensating for a load that THEY think you are shooting, and not the one you are ACTUALLY shooting. it gets you in the neighborhood, but not as precise or as ethical as correcting your optic properly for distance.

the 50mm will allow more light, which is nice at dawn or dusk, however make sure of how high you have to mount it to clear the barrel. going too high will screw up your eye alignment / cheek weld which is very important at those ranges.

some stocks have a cheek piece adjustment to compensate for it, other don't. i always felt that having the center of the optic as close to the bore as possible not only adds to lessen problems as these, but adds to more control over the firearm, and more elevation adjustment (line of sight bullet path kinda thing)

the mildots aren't REALLY that hard to learn, find a formula that you can use correctly and stick to it using 10x to start. keeping it simple causes less confusion. there's more than enough here on the hide to find and use, the basic being...

1 MIL IS = TO .01047" 1 METER IS 1.0936 YARDS
Mil FORMULA: SIZE (H OR W) DIV. #OF MILS X 25.4 (METERS) OR 27.778 (YARDS)
MIL - 1 MIL IS 3.6" AT 100 YARDS ON 10X (CENTER OF DOT TO CENTER OF DOT)
1 MOA "CLICK" IS 1.04719756"

so if you have a deer (16" average from top of back to bottom of rib cage)and you are reading 3 mils on 10x through your scope...148 yards

16" divided by 3 mils, times 27.778 = 148yards (135.4) meters

 

[GandH]

Re: New to site need scope help.

This is awesome stuff guys! Thank you so much for the advice. I will definately go with the Mil-dot. I will continue to research and read on the forum. I need to learn the Mil-dot formula and practice ranging.

I understand the Nightforce would be a great scope, but honestly I've always had great luck with the Nikon's and I really do have to keep it within my budget.

I'm excited about getting started on this project and have lots to do. Thanks again!

 

[brandon33]

Re: New to site need scope help.

You could also upgrade from the buckmaster to the monarch if you like Nikons.