Rifle Scopes One of those annoying new guys with scope questions...

[Fire4606]

Well not entirely new...but new to this site.

History: I've been shooting for 30 years, military and law enforcement background, shoot more handgun than anything else, have some ARs, when I lived out west I had multiple hi power rifles, several of which I reloaded for, still reload these days. Back then I was shooting well at ranges out to 300 yds.

Today, well I've been wanting a long range gun for years and have been researching pretty heavy for the last year and have decided on my rifle which is on the way. Savage 10FCP-K .308

Now I'm deciding on scopes and have it pretty much decided, but it wanted to get the opinions of those with more experience to see if I'm overlooking something that is obvious to you guys.

Usage: I'm wanting this setup to shoot damn well out to 600 yds, as I learn more someday maybe I will try moving out to 800-1000, but honestly probably never farther than that, and by that day I may be willing to upgrade the scope. "Damn well out to 600 yds" to me that means hitting a gallon milk jug 9 times out of 10 if not better.

Vortex is what I'm looking at, shooting I want to do will be with a rangefinder at targets, have multiple rangefinders from hunting as it is.

The more I've read on hear about scopes the more confusing it became, but now it's making much more sense.

First scope I'm looking at,

Vortex Viper 6.5-20x50 PA Matte Riflescopes FREE S&H VPR-M-06MD, VPR-M-06BDC, VPR-M-06FP. Vortex Viper Rifle Scopes, Vortex Rifle Scopes.

6.5-20 x 50mm viper pa

I like this scope, reviews are very good, I personally do not want an FFP scope, I'll be shooting targets and using a rangefinder, I would prefer a mil dot and this model is available with that reticle. I do not care about lighted reticles, but I would also prefer to be able to dope the scope to the range, this scope isn't really set up for that as it has capped turrets.

How hard would it actually be to make adjustments when it doesn't have tactical turrets?? It can still be done correct??

Next scope...

Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50mm Riflescope FREE S&H PST-624S1-A, PST-624S1-M. Vortex Rifle Scopes.

6-24 x 50mm viper pst ebr1-Mrad

Again a non FFP scope, like this scope also but can't find it in a mil dot reticle, lighted reticle which I don't think at this point matters to me, it has tactical turrets which I wanted.

So for my casual enthusiast long range shooter in the 600yd to possibly longer 800-1000 yd range do either of these scopes really standout above the other to you guys? The only real difference I see in my wants/needs between these two, one has the mil dot reticle I want, the other has the tactical turrets I want, I'm thinking I just have to decide which want trumps the other unless I'm missing something that is obvious to you guys??

One last question, rings and bases, I'm looking at the viper medium tactical rings, .97", is this the same that people refer to as a 20mil base, or are the bases I'm going to be looking for actually raised up?? The only thing I'm still cloudy on is my rings and what bases to get....

Thanks for helping me to confirm my choices or pointing out what my inexperience isn't making obvious if you think I'm missing something.

 

[djskit]

Viper PST will do fine.

Your are kind of conflating your language talking about bases and ring as if they are the same thing. (I'm looking at the viper medium tactical rings, .97", is this the same that people refer to as a 20mil base)

You should do some more reading as it sounds like you still need to iron out your understanding of everything.

Rings are rings - what size to get? Medium will probably be OK. If not, take care of them and return them and get the next size up or down.

As for the base, again, check your vocabulary - no such thing a 20 mil base, you should probably get a 20 MOA base.

 

[Fire4606]

Thanks djs, it's been a long week trust me, 20moa base is what I'm going with, along with medium vortex rings, my hi powers before were ruger's most if not all I remember to have grooved receivers that rings only clamped into, was no need for a base/bases.

Anyway, again what I'm looking for, how hard is it to dope the first scope, or is it generally not done on a scope without tactical turrets??

Are there any big differences between these two, that as novice as I am, I don't realize now but will wish I did a year from now??

 

[Crosshair]

The main difference between the PST and the PA, besides the turrets, is the PST comes with matching units; mil/mil or moa/moa. The PA is a mil reticle calibrated at 14x with moa adjustments. I prefer to use second focal plane mil dot scopes as moa-dot, being as the lower end ones usually have moa adjustments. This is done by varying magnification at various intervals to where the mil-dots equate out to moa spacing at 2.5, 3, 4, and 5 moa spacings. The PA lends itself to this fairly well.

The PST line has a wider magnification range as well, and better glass as comparing the PST 6-24x vs the PA 6.5-20x, although the PA is one of the best offings in its price range for higher powered glass.

If you can swing the price of the PST, you will like it better than the PA most likely. There are sales on the SFP and FFP from time to time online, and through vendors here.

If you care nothing about illumination and the Ebr reticles, the Vortex HS-T 4-16x44 can save you a little cash over the PST (same basic design and glass), and is plenty of magnification for your usage.

 

[usmc02xx]

dont rule out the viper hs series also. ive ran PA and HS series, both are good. happier with glass in my HS though. and this year the upped the game with HS reticles so maybe find something neater if Mils is your thing.

 

[Onewolf42]

Out to 1000 yards hitting milk jug sized target? No need for 20X zoom. How about Vortex PST 4-16x50 with mil/mil and SFP? Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 Riflescope FREE S&H Best Rated Vortex PST-416S1

Heck, I can consistently hit the 6" gong at 1000 yds with a fixed 12X scope if the wind isn't too bad.

 

[BravoSector1]

The SFP PSTs are going for $750 with free shipping all over the place. I think it's a great scope for the money. If you getting into comp shooting the FFP scope would do nicely. It is very hard to beat for what it provides.

 

[Fire4606]

Thanks guys, I pulled the trigger on both the Savage and the Vortex PST 6-24x50 SFP this evening, sounds like I should have plenty with that for an entry level setup.

Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something that was obvious to you guys.

Got the EBR-1 MOA reticle, did some hands on with that reticle today at Scheels and liked it, no one hand one in stock locally only the FFP models but I found one online for $750 with free shipping.

 

[Bender]

Flame me if you want but the SWFA line is a good value as well and has same type warranty.