Rifle Scopes Scope Advice, Please ?

C

CobraGT40

Private
Minuteman
Sep 8, 2010
34
0
54
Aurora, Illinois
#1
Hi all
I purchased a Remington 700SPS in .308 and I'm kinda stuck on what scope to purchase. I've never really used much more than a $99 scope for hunting and it got the job done. However, I am planning on entering a long-distance shooting competition 2 years from now and I am looking for something that is up to that task. As far as hunting, I always liked the Bushnells, they just always seemed crisp and bright (for the money).
The scope I'm using now is a Bushnel Banner Dusk & Dawn 3-9x40mm. Its a decent scope but it's not working out with my higher calibre Remington... It's dead on, but is shooting about 4" high. I have it adjusted down as far as it will go. I know that I have to pony up some bucks for some good glass eventually so I figured this is a good place to start.
I figure I have about $500-$600 that I can spend so I was wondering how this can be the best spent ? Like I said, I was always partial to Bushnell, but this is a different ballgame from what I'm used to, so I'm open to suggestions.
Thank you in advance for all your help and advice.

p.s. I'm sorry if this is a common question, but I've tried a search and couldn't find the answer I was looking for...

Scott
 
#3
Re: Scope Advice, Please ?

Check out SWFA's site and you can look through a huge amount of scopes that are in your price range. Some good scopes are over your $$ limit but a good scope goes a long way in shooting long distance. "Buy once, cry once" is a phrase used around here for buying quality gear, the first time. I learned that simple fact after buying my rifle and realizing it wasn't what I needed for all intents and purposes. Bushnell, SS, Vortex and many others will fit your bill, just figure out which one works for you.

Also, check out the "Optics for Sale" section here on the Hide. There is some good deals to be had if you look around and be patient.
 
#4
Re: Scope Advice, Please ?

You should spend some time thinking about what you really want. You may not be able to afford it all, but:
- what magnification do you want? Fixed or variable? Keep in mind that clarity makes up for magnification in many cases - my cheap scope at 16X is no better than my good scope at 14X
- ranging / hold-over reticle, or drop compensator, or something else?
- exposed knobs for dial ups, or will you be shooting fixed range?
- mil or MOA? (I strongly suggest you don't mix them, but at least make it a conscious decision).
- do you need to shoot in low light levels, so low power/large objective/ illuminated reticle?
- internal range of adjustment might be important, and/or an inclined base
- anything else you can think of

Keep in mind that rings and bases can be expensive, and things like tube diameter and what height you need might limit your choices. And, yes, buy the best you can the first time.

Good luck!
 
#5
#6
Re: Scope Advice, Please ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: flyrodder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You should spend some time thinking about what you really want. ...</div></div>

+1 - spend some time thinking about what you want/need. Then buy the best optic you can afford with those specs. Definitely get matching reticle/turrets...

My 2 cents..
 
#7
Re: Scope Advice, Please ?

yeah.....you came to the right place, AND completed your profile.........


savvy what the shooters around you use and stay away from hunting scopes.....

the super sniper as mentioned above is a superb starting point, get one in a 10x, and then wear your barrel out, you'll figure it out from there.

ever been to Hinkley Ill?
 
#8
Re: Scope Advice, Please ?

Hand around and read up for a while then scour the classifieds for something that fits your needs. Some good deals can be had if one is patient.

Or you can jump right in with a Bushnell (since you like Bushnell) 10x mil/mil from Midway along with some TPS rings and a quality 20 moa base. It will be well within your budget. I used one on my .308 out to 1000 with no problem. Then when you decide to upgrade, and you likely will, you can turn around and sell it without a huge loss.
 
#9
Re: Scope Advice, Please ?

Hey guys
Thanks so much for all of your advice, everything is really helpful. It's giving me several ideas to choose from. I'm the type that tries to get as many opinions as I can and try and make a decision from there. I do admit that I'm quite the novice when it comes to distance shooting. I like the Bushnell Elite 6500 series, I'm just trying to find the right scope for what I need...and I believe that's going to be a "jack-of-all-trades" type. The sportsmens club I belong to only has a 100m. range, but in the wintertime when it's not crowded we're allowed to shoot across the service road (200m.) as long as one of the administrators are there and closes the road.
As far a the competition that I'll be practicing for, I'm pretty sure it'll be 500m. plus.

So far, my rifle is just the stock Remington 700SPS Short Action .308 w/ bull barrel. I plan on changing out the stock and drop magazine ( know the drop mag isn't necessary, but I do want to maintain a cool-lookin' rifle aspect ;-)...) I've attatched a decent 6"-9" bipod and a Murphy's Precision 20MOA stainless steel scope mount which I've had bedded to the rifle. My next step is the scope and rings (since the ones I'm currently using are just wasting ammo trying to dial in.)

Sorry for dragging this out ! I still have time to look so I'm still open to all of your advice...and I really appreciate helping out a noob !

thanks 1

Scott
 
#10
Re: Scope Advice, Please ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CobraGT40</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I like the Bushnell Elite 6500 series, I'm just trying to find the right scope for what I need...and I believe that's going to be a "jack-of-all-trades" type.</div></div>

Sounds like you will also be hunting with it so stay far away from the fixed 10x scopes. Elite 6500 2.5-16x50 is a decent choice, I have had one, but it's a SFP reticle. For about $700-750 you could find a barely used Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 with (illuminated) FFP reticle in either MOA or MRAD. IMO better glass than the Elite and more features, although the 2.5x on the Elite is nice for hunting.

These two don't have MOA or MRAD reticles, and are SFP as well, but the glass is excellent for the money. If you spend most of your time hunting with the scope then give these two some serious thought. You'll also get 1/8 MOA turrets as an added bonus.

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/minox.pl?page=66030
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/minox.pl?page=66520
 
#11
Re: Scope Advice, Please ?

You'll find some great deals here in the optics for sale section. Be patient and don't settle for anything that hasn't been proven. Nothing worse than a scope that won't track or return to zero. Especially if you paid $400 for it.
 
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