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Rifle Scopes Newbie needing optics advice

A

AspiringSniper

Private
Minuteman
Aug 27, 2010
9
0
41
KS
#1
Hello to a populous whose experience I am in dire need of.

I am to attend a Basic Sniper course for my agency and will be using my personal rifle (Savage FP10).

The course calls for an optic that can shoot 1 MOA at 600 yards and I am presently using an NCSTAR SEFR62450G (6-24X50 RANGEFINDER).

I have been advised by dept. snipers and some avid long gunners, that this optic might not make that tight of a group. I am looking for a starting optic, that could give me a 1 MOA 600yd shot group, but I can't afford to spend an arm and a leg, as I am having to fund the course myself.

Please, any and all advice is appriciated. Links would be a god send!!

Thank you in advance!
 
#2
Re: Newbie needing optics advice

Welcome!

A couple things;

1. The rifle is responsible for shooting 1 MOA @ 600 yards, not the optic.
wink.gif


I think what your buddies are trying to tell you is that your current scope may not hold it's zero, which of course won't let you shoot repeatably.


2. What is your budget? You'll need to narrow that down before any recomendations can be made. Understand that you'll be looking at least $300-$500 to start.

 
#3
Re: Newbie needing optics advice

Indeed, the rifle makes the shot, and this I know.

In reference to your second point, you hit the nail on the head. $500.00 is starting to REALLY hurt the coin purse, but is feasible. Preferring $300.00-$400.00
 
#5
Re: Newbie needing optics advice

I am a big fan of the Super Sniper. Shop around in the used optics forum, you can probably save a few bucks there.

Also- Don't forget the importance of a good solid base and a set of rings. I would recommend a 20 moa base for that rifle.
 
#6
Re: Newbie needing optics advice

Wow...I've been a member of this site for a grand total of 20 minutes, and now will not go anywhere else for advice!!!

I couldn't find a scope for under $700.00 using the dang "google shopping" site.

You're awesome Glock24!!!
laugh.gif
 
#7
Re: Newbie needing optics advice

Happy to help. It's fun spending other people's money!

Understand the scopes recommended above aren't as powerful as your 6-24x NCStar. Don't worry about it. 10x is more than enough for 600 yards.
 
#8
Re: Newbie needing optics advice

Well as the initial post said, I am a complete newbie. I have fast reasoning skills and can do a decent amount of trig on the fly and have been very interested in long gun for a while which is why my dept. is allowing me to attend.

So that being said, let's keep the ball rolling. Base's and Rings....recommendations? Brands etc?
 
#11
Re: Newbie needing optics advice

Seriously Glock...quit your day job and start charging us newbies for info.

I can't even get people here to give advice without telling me why I need to spend 1000.00 for quality instead of affordability.

You all rule!
 
#14
Re: Newbie needing optics advice

Got a couple of super snipers. For 300 bucks i think you get alot of scope for your money. They track perfect and hold zero. Also plain and simple,not alot of bells and whistles so easy to use for someone just starting out.
 
#15
Re: Newbie needing optics advice

I ran a Falcon 4-14 when I took a basic course. It worked great, it is on my training rifle now, i replaced it with an IOR 3-18 (as has already been said, you will eventually upgrade).
Another scope that has actually been given a good review if the Hawke Sidewinder tactical:
http://www.eabco.com/store/products/Hawk...ope-1916-1.html

If you decide on the Falcon, the first thing you do is go to the hardware store and buy a can of aerosol Silicone lube, remove the turret caps, spray them out and wipe out the excess grease, spray a coat of lube and replace them, it helps a tremendous amount.

Midway currently has the Weaver Grand Slam tactical on sale, it is an excellent scope.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=598484#productTabReviews
 
#16
Re: Newbie needing optics advice

I've really been working out my new WoTac the last couple of weeks. Tracking, ranging, shooting 200 rounds about every other day. The scope is running fine. For the price, it's a lot of scope. The big factor is Matt Wonders, when you call up WoTac, you talk to him.

The nice thing about the 4X14X50 is that you can range in either moa/moa or mil/mil. Since it is SFP, you must be at 9X to range moa, and 10X for mils.

Call up Matt and talk to him, he will add to your knowledge base.
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#17
Re: Newbie needing optics advice

First off, Welcome to the Hide.

Of the brands that <span style="font-weight: bold">glock24</span> mentioned I currently have or have owned all but the Weaver.

I currently have a Millett TRS-1 4-16x50 , (2x) Wotac 4-14x50,
and a Bushnell 4200 Elite Tactical 6-24x50 (all on rifles).
I have also owned a Falcon and A Super Sniper.
I was pleased with all of these and have personally never had any problems with any of them. The Bushnell is easily the best out of the bunch overall, and I picked it up "like new" on the hide for $500 shipped. I've seen them as low as $450. If you can stretch the budget a bit, you won't be disappointed.
The others are all in the $300-400 range. My last recommendation would be the Falcon, since I've been told that Falcon Optics does not warranty scopes sold in the US, so if you were to have a problem, you would have to go through the US dealer from which it was purchased.
The Millett, Wotac and SS all have excellent warranties.
I am not a LEO, and all my shooting is recreational, but If your personal rifle/scope will also be a "duty rifle", I would tend to steer you towards the SS 10x42 simply due to their extreme reliability. Not that it <span style="font-style: italic">couldn't</span> happen, but I've never heard of a SS scope failing. The best warranty in the world doesn't mean anything if the scope fails when lives are on the line.
Also, since you are paying for the course yourself, if your scope were to fail and you couldn't complete the class, You would likely end up having to pay for the course again at a later date.
Good luck and let us know how you make out.
 
#18
Re: Newbie needing optics advice

I would go SS 10x42 as well, for the money it is a great scope and I think that the service from swfa is worth every penny. I bought a used super sniper scope and it had a loose lens, they replaced the scope no questions. It is a great scope and I think it would be hard to find a tougher scope for the same money.

the loose lens was my fault for trying to take off a flash hider and unscrewing the wrong part. they still sent me a new scope.
 
#19
Re: Newbie needing optics advice

Sorry to have to bump this back up, but I honesly couldn't tell from the aforementioned reccomnedations.

Do any of those scopes have parallax adjustment? And if not, do you guys know of any decent mil-dot with parallax for $300 to $500? If not, show me the next best thing!!

Please and thank you!
 
#22
Re: Newbie needing optics advice

I agree with Glock on the EGW base as well, but if you plan to use a B-Square scope level... Get the HD model base. It has the solid slots for the rail instead of the one with the channel. The channel causes problems in keeping the level actually level. In addition to this, the base is also lower then the standard rail.

I HIGHLY recommend using the scope level. Consistancy is your best friend when trying to shoot accurately.

DK
 
#23
Re: Newbie needing optics advice

hey guys bought a 338 lapua in a rem 700 looking for a scope i can do 1000 yards with. I am big fan of leupold and nightforce there just a little out of budget in this one.

I was looking at http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=118792

but i don't know if i like the radical big fan of mill dot and TRM.

i would like 24+ magnification and stay under or around $1000 if i could find a Leupold 24+ or night fouce 24+ for $1100 i would seriously consider.
 
#24
Re: Newbie needing optics advice

A big +1 on the level. I picked up a US Optics level and it made a big difference. Really helps with keeping a consistent position shot to shot.


dakotadan: While Nikon Monarchs are a nice scope, That particular model may be a lot of magnification. Keep in mind that as a rule, the higher the magnification, the less adjustment range the scope will have. That particular model only has 20moa of adjustment and the clicks are 1/8 moa. The Nightforce of similar magnification has double that (still not a lot). You may be better off going with a high end of 24x and having more room for adjustment.
Here is a great option: http://www.sightron.com/index.php?action=view_document&did=1201816362&cat_id=6&id=4

Lots of adjustment, mildot reticle, and excelent glass for the money. Either that or you can wait for the Viper PSTs to become available.
 
#27
Re: Newbie needing optics advice

I never beat up a Sightron, but I have had a chance to check them out in person, and they are very nice. You should have no problem with it standing up to recoil. Now if you're looking for generally "indestructible" durability, then you're back to Nightforce.

The Vortex Viper PST's look promising, but there's only about 25 of them out there at the moment, so thee's not a lot of info to go on. The turrets are being redesigned and they are tentatively expected by the end of this year.
Use the search function. There are a ton of threads on the PSTs and I know there are a few on the Sightrons.
Here's a review: http://www.snipercentral.com/s3sightron.htm
 
#30
Re: Newbie needing optics advice

well guys i like were you all are coming from. Good advice i have a Leupold 20 moa slop base on order. Theirs no need to talk me into a Leopold, NF or a USO. I am a little leary about the sightron as i am just unfromiliar with them. but it shounds like some very qualified people above voche for them so there an option.

What do you guys know is the key player in making the low light shot is it the bell size, glass, modle or brand ?

Out of the scopes we talked about which one would make that make that low light shot ok. also i have herd good and bad things about having lots of magnification whats your opinion?
 
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