Rifle Scopes Newbie scope purchase questions

[makoman]

Hi guys I have some newbie questions for you. Sorry in advance.

I just got a new 300 Win Mag with the intent on learning how to shoot long distance properly. I had a 308 with a Leupold MK4 3-9x36 Mil Dot reticle and MOA turrets but never really knew how to use it properly.

I want to dive into this head first and really learn how to use a scope the right way for long distance shooting. I'm going to take some long distance rifle courses and anything else I need to do to learn what I want to know. I would also like eventually to try some local shooting competitions. I like to do things once and the right way and I’ve got about $1600 to spend on a scope. This time I would like matching reticle and turrets.

Should I go with both Mil or both MOA? Is one way easier to learn than the other Like if you had to do the calculation in your head or on paper without a calculator?

I also wanted a FFP scope. I like the idea of being able to calculate distance at any magnification. I don’t have the cash for a S&B scope so I was leaning more toward Night Force but their only FFP scope is 3.5-15x50 F1. Is that scope big enough to wring all the potential out af the 300 Win Mag?

Should I just go with their 5.5-22x56 SFP and learn how to use that or do you have any other FFP scopes in that price range you can recommend? I'm not new to shooting. Been shooting since I was five years old. (I'm 42 now)I'm just new to the precision long distance shooting game. It's always fascinated me and I want to learn it. Thanks

 

[vman]

Re: Newbie scope purchase questions

Mako sounds like your one the right track considering you already know about matched reticles/turrets and focal planes.

One thing to take into consideration is elevation adjustments. If you want to stretch that .300 winmag out to say 1500 you really need something with enough adjustment available... the nightforce scopes have what you need in this regard.

About Mil or MOA.... My personal preferance is Mil/Mil... From what ive gathered alot of people on here will support the Mil/Mil combo over Moa/Moa BUT you know its about what you understand and what your comfortable with. Both work, but for me i just prefel mil.

I own a nightforce and love it, they really are great scopes for the money and they can take a beating and have good customer service... Ive seen nightforces get smashed around and not lose point of impact.

S&B are great glass too, expensive but great... I have personally seen a S&B lose point of impact simply from the rifle falling off a bench rest from extreme wind... 6 inch change at 100 yards... in my books i would be shitty if i owned that scope. Would i still like one? YES.

Focal plane is just personal choice really. IF you will get use out of it by all means go for it... Im happy enough to crank it to 22x and read distance that way... I figure if its so close that 22x will be hard to judge properly, then the target is most likely near to my zero.
In the field or on a hunt, I would use a laser range finder. Simple, put it to your eyes, aim, press button and then adjust turrets accordingly.

Yes i still own a mil-dot master but thats for backup and isnt as practical on a hunt as a good set of Binos/LRF

 

[makoman]

Re: Newbie scope purchase questions

Thanks alot for the good info vman.I appreciate it.

 

[GrimmRoper]

Re: Newbie scope purchase questions

Welcome to the hide!

Matching turrets/reticle are great! As long as you keep the reticle/turrets the same, mil/ mil or moa/moa will be much easier. I bought a NF SFP scope with a mil dot reticle, but it has moa turrets. I am waiting till the middle of the month to send it back to NF to have the turrets changed and add the zero stop. I saved a bunch of money on my scope getting it the way I did, but now I just have to send it back to them.

I thinnk going the mil/mil route will be easy enough to learn, and it is universally used nowadays, so it is a great system.

Sounds like you have done a lot of research on FFP and SFP scopes. Whether you should go with the FFP or the SFP depends on your budget. You mentioned that you want to do some competitions down the road. If you are doing target competitions with known distances, a SFP scope will be just fine. If you want to do tactical shooting competitions where you are engaging multiple targets quickly at different ranges, you will want a FFP scope.

NF is a great company and I love their scopes. If you have 1600 saved up, you can get an NXS, but the F1 will cost you about $800 more. You do get free NF rings, which is about $160 value, but you are gonna pay much more than a SFP scope.

I run a 3.5x 15x56mm on my stick, and I love it. 15x is way more than enough out to 1000 yards. If you are going to go as far as you can, the 22x is really nice, but the F1 isnt made in that magnification yet. It will be, but not yet.

Another great looking scope that is coming out at the end of June/ July is the new Vortex Viper PST. It will be FFP, have matching turrets/reticle, and ilumination. The Viper PST will be around $800 so that would also let keep more money for reloading supplies. Vortex is a great company, and they are heavy supporters of Snipers Hide.

Just some food for thought, Good Luck

 

[makoman]

Re: Newbie scope purchase questions

Thanks for the info GrimmRoper.