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Rifle Scopes Newbie Optics questions

adamedner

adamedner

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 26, 2010
27
0
37
Cheyenne Wyoming
#1
Hello!

I am new here and i have a ton of questions. I hope that none of you mind going over the basics.

First off, the rifle:

BCW3M-30-50BMGLW.jpg


It is a Bushmaster BA 50.

I am looking for optics that will get me out to 2500 yards and anywhere in between. I will be using this rifle for long range target/competition shooting. Most importantly, i will be using this rifle to compete with a good friend of mine who owns a .375 SnipeTac.

I was looking at 4 brands of scopes. Leupold, Nikon, NightForce, and Burris. Having perused the forum a bit before posting i learned of another which sounded good, but i am not sure. Vortex Viper was the last one i looked at. With that being said, i am not married to any of those brands. That being said, i am no Bill Gates either. $2500 is a lot of money.

So now on to the magnification. I was all set for the 8 x 32. However, i was reading that after zooming in so far the scope becomes too distorted by the mirage to be of any value. Is this true? If it is, at what point does this happen? Since this rifle is not a "tactical" rifle per se, would it make a big enough difference to care about? My life will never depend on this rifle, so is this mirage something that i need to care about?

At this point i have exhausted every bit of information i know (and i use the term 'know' loosely) about optics. So please tell me every thing that you are willing to write. I am not even sure if i know enough to know that i am missing something.

Thank you.
 
#2
Re: Newbie Optics questions

NF NXS in your choice of magnification should do the trick. I wouldnt put a Nikon or Burris on a .50 And Im just not a fan of anything Leupold these days. Their scopes leave a lot to be desired.
 
#4
Re: Newbie Optics questions

The nxs were designed as field scopes vs bench rest scopes. The BR. Scopes doent have sife focus and are typical 1/8 moa turrets wich is typical for a bench rest of fclass scope for finer adjustments. The nxs are 1/4 moa, most tactical shooters are not going to make that fine of an adjustment so a 1/8 is just a whole lot of turning. And the nxs is listed as being their more durable scope. Not sure what internals if any are different but that's the implication in advertising atleast, some one here my know more about the internals
 
#7
Re: Newbie Optics questions

How about bases rings and reticles?

It would seem that there is quite a price range for bases and rings. What i would like to know is if i get the NF NBR 8-32 56mm with a 30mm tube what should i be looking for as far as rings and bases go? Would a pair of $25.00 Tasco rings do just as well as the $200.00 NF rings? Since my rifle has a rail on top, would i gain anything by buying a base for the rings?

As far as the reticle goes. What do i want there. NF offers a wide selection of them. I thought that the NP-r1 looked good but a lot of people were saying that a fine wire like the CH2 would be better for long distance shooting. Since i am just doing target shooting (2500 yards) would i want the thin wire one? If so, what are the reasons behind that choice?

Again thank you everyone for your help.
 
#8
Re: Newbie Optics questions

At 2500 yards, you need a lot of magnification. Heres the deal. That is a tactical rifle, not a BR rifle, so IMO, if you are using it for the intended purpose, tactical work, you need a tactical scope, which is the NXS. But also at that distance, you would want small adjustments, .05 mil or .125 MOA. well the NXS currently does not offer a .125 moa or .05 mil turrent on the 12-42. But there are plans for one to be released. So that means if you want precise adjustments, you are looking at getting a BR model.

A fine reticle will be most desirable. If you are planning on ranging to your targets with the reticle, then you need to choose a ranging reticle. If you shooting from a bench, using wind flags, and have known distances, you need a NP2DD as it allows the most visibility for wind flags.

I have to admit. You seem inexperienced in LR shooting, especially if you don't know what mirage is. If this is your first LR rig, you are probalby going in way over your head.

My advise, start a little shorter. A lot shorter. Like 2000 yards shorter. With a rifle thats a lot shorter. And rounds that are a lot shorter. See if this is your cup of tea before investing all this cash in a LR rig that you may or may not like.

EDIT: If you are an experienced shooter, and I'm misreading you, I apologize. Just no need to waste a bunch of money, thats all.
 
#10
Re: Newbie Optics questions

You should get a NXS series and not the BR. First off it will take the abuse better. Second, it has much more MOA of scope travel. The 5.5-22x56, which I would recommend, has 100 MOA. The BR 8-32x has only 50 MOA total. You need the elevation to dial on the scope to hit targets at the distances you want.

Also 22x is more than enough to shoot the distance you want. I have shot to 2000 yards with a 5.5-22 on 18x on an MOA sized target, which is about 20" at that range. More power is not always better.
 
#11
Re: Newbie Optics questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SoggyPowder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what should i be looking for as far as rings and bases go? Would a pair of $25.00 Tasco rings do just as well as the $200.00 NF rings? Since my rifle has a rail on top, would i gain anything by buying a base for the rings?</div></div>

I seriously hope you're joking. Decide on the scope first, and depending on if you have enough elevation on the scope to get you to where you want, then buy rings to match. Quality rings.. Seekin, NF, Badger...etc It's a 50 cal~ anything less than the best in the optics department and you'll have issues with POI shift.
 
#12
Re: Newbie Optics questions

Experienced shooter, sort of. Experienced long range shooter, well I can say that I have pushed my .300 Winchester Magnum out to about 600 yards (just doing some plinking, not paper targets). 2500 yards was just a number I threw out there as a goal of what I intend to reach. I understand that practice makes perfect and that shooting that distance is no cake walk. I love to shoot. So in the end I would be happier for it to take 1000 shots to get there over 10. I just want to make sure that I get the right equipment before I start so I don’t have to start over.

I have a whole slew of questions regarding ballistics too (mostly how to compensate for wind, humidity and other such ‘complications’). But I will leave those for the ballistic board.

Anyway back to the optics. How about rings? Should I buy the $25.00 Tasco or the $200 NF rings? Should I buy rings with a specific MOA to them? Or how about the base, is that important for my application?

I appreciate your help. I am a novice when it comes to long range shooting but I hope to make the 2500 yard shot. This is just where it all starts.
 
#13
Re: Newbie Optics questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Acttacus</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SoggyPowder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what should i be looking for as far as rings and bases go? Would a pair of $25.00 Tasco rings do just as well as the $200.00 NF rings? Since my rifle has a rail on top, would i gain anything by buying a base for the rings?</div></div>

I seriously hope you're joking. Decide on the scope first, and depending on if you have enough elevation on the scope to get you to where you want, then buy rings to match. Quality rings.. Seekin, NF, Badger...etc It's a 50 cal~ anything less than the best in the optics department and you'll have issues with POI shift. </div></div>

Thank you. How about the base? Would it make a difference on the type of rifle i have that already has a rail on it?
 
#14
Re: Newbie Optics questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You should get a NXS series and not the BR. First off it will take the abuse better. Second, it has much more MOA of scope travel. The 5.5-22x56, which I would recommend, has 100 MOA. The BR 8-32x has only 50 MOA total. You need the elevation to dial on the scope to hit targets at the distances you want.

Also 22x is more than enough to shoot the distance you want. I have shot to 2000 yards with a 5.5-22 on 18x on an MOA sized target, which is about 20" at that range. More power is not always better. </div></div>

Thank you. This is just the kind of information I was looking for.
 
#15
Re: Newbie Optics questions

As Rob stated of the scopes you listed the NXS 5-22 is my pick as well.

You didn't list it, but I'd also look at the Vortex 5-20x50 Razor HD, I think it has 125 moa of elevation adjustment, FFP, illuminated, zero stops, etc. Can be found for under $2k with rings if you shop around a little.
 
#16
Re: Newbie Optics questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jasonk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">As Rob stated of the scopes you listed the NXS 5-22 is my pick as well.

You didn't list it, but I'd also look at the Vortex 5-20x50 Razor HD, I think it has 125 moa of elevation adjustment, FFP, illuminated, zero stops, etc. Can be found for under $2k with rings if you shop around a little. </div></div>

Yeah, I saw your guys' review on the razor scope. Very impressive to say the least. How about the viper by vortex? How is that?
 
#17
Re: Newbie Optics questions

I would go with the 5.5-22 NXS as well. If you want to get the maximum range out of the gun I would definitely get rings with some built in MOA. NF makes them, so does Barret along with others. None of them are very cheap. Don't spend this much on a setup and then skimp out on the rings. All pieces must be quality.

You should save some money for the NF ballistics program, a chronograph (necessary), laser rangefinder and a windage/temp/humidity gauge. These tools will help you reach out and touch something. Oh and lots of ammo.
 
#18
Re: Newbie Optics questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dreamlander</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would go with the 5.5-22 NXS as well. If you want to get the maximum range out of the gun I would definitely get rings with some built in MOA. NF makes them, so does Barret along with others. None of them are very cheap. Don't spend this much on a setup and then skimp out on the rings. All pieces must be quality.

You should save some money for the NF ballistics program, a chronograph (necessary), laser rangefinder and a windage/temp/humidity gauge. These tools will help you reach out and touch something. Oh and lots of ammo. </div></div>

Sounds good! I will look into those other tools. And ammo, lots of ammo. lol

Thanks
 
#19
Re: Newbie Optics questions

Chey Tac uses NXS 5.5-22's on their rifles, and those calibers will smoke a fiddy.


Just saying, they might have tried a few other options and that is what they recommend...

And, for the love of god, spring for some good rings...damn.
 
#22
Re: Newbie Optics questions

For rings, go with a reputable manufacturer who will stand behind the product. Seekins and Badger spring to mind.

Of the four scope brands you are considering, I'd look at the NF, based solely on reputation and CS. Of course, I'd also look at the USO line of scopes.

$2500 is a lot of money, and if it were me, I'd check the WTS and 'Optics and Accessories' forums for deals. A quick look garnered these.

S&B PMII 5-25 for $2900 at http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1581125&gonew=1#UNREAD

US Optics SN-3 3.2-17 for $2275 at http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1587637#Post1587637

And at least three other high quality scopes on the first two pages of the optics FS forum.
 
#23
Re: Newbie Optics questions

I have a NXS 5.5X22/50mm on my .50BMG. Persaonally I really like Badger rings. I think they are superior and if they are good enough for the USMC, they'll work for me. The Nightforce's internals are built stronger than leupold MkIV's. I shot with some of the guys with the FCSA. They shot nightforce and claimed Leupold scopes wouldn't hold up to the 50 cal recoil....I personally can't prove that though.....
 
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