Rifle Scopes Scope advice

[corkin]

Looking at getting a scope for long range..on a budget. What do you guys think of the Monarch 3 4-16x42 compared to Leopold 4.5-14x40. Both have the system were I send in info and they send me a turret based on info. Thanks for any help. Im a nebie at all of this . Thanks, jake

 

[Pester]

Jake,
Welcome to the Hide. There are some folks here that have an amazing amount of experience and many with years of industry experience.

Nothing wrong with the two you list but more info on what you expect to do with it would help. What distances do you plan to shoot, conditions, etc. I might also suggest that you go the optics section and search to see what other similar questions have been asked. I bet your answer is already there.

The Leupolds have a strong following for a reason and I have had good success with them. When it comes time to buy you might also check the sales sections here as well. Lots of great equipment at good prices. In fact I usually start in the sale section when I am looking.

Again, welcome to the Hide

 

[Crosshair]

Looking at getting a scope for long range..on a budget. What do you guys think of the Monarch 3 4-16x42 compared to Leopold 4.5-14x40. Both have the system were I send in info and they send me a turret based on info. Thanks for any help. Im a nebie at all of this . Thanks, jake

The ballistic turret system isn't ideal for accurate long range shooting. It is meant for quick and dirty dialing for ballpark accuracy, such as general vital-area hits on big game out to 500 yards or so. Much more geared towards hunting than long range or tactical type shooting.

For 500+ yards and shooting at smaller targets, you will be best served with a mil-based reticle and matching mil adjustments (or moa reticle with moa adjustments). Both scopes you mentioned aren't optimized for dialing efficiently for long range, and lack reticles useful for ranging, or more importantly; holdovers.

Most longer range shooters here prefer to dial elevation and hold for wind. If you are not hunting with your setup, and just wanting to learn long range shooting fundamentals, a SWFA SS 10x or 12x would be your best bet for $300. The Weaver tactical 3-10x from midway is a great budget variable. Leupold Mk AR series is good, aswell as Burris Mtac. Generally, stay away from powers over 16x with scopes under $500.

Welcome to the Hide, lots to read here.

 

[corkin]

Thanks for your input guys. I live in New Mexico and have lots of opportunities for long range shots. I'll be using for hunting here in the west. I would like the ability to reach out to 600 but get really spot and stock closer. The oryx we hunt are now giving 300 minimum opportunity unless u get a dumb animal. The ibex can give you many long range opportunities and helps to have the option of setting up and glassing anticipating a long shot
Anyway it will be strictly for hunting. I don't like the reticles for that distance. Feels like guesswork to me. Kind of like old holdover method. I don't have the Dinero for a 1000 dollar scope unfortunately. Any advice greatly appreciated.
Really like this site!!! Maybe when I retire from teaching instead of a watch the administration will hook me up with a sniper rifle
I'm looking at getting a tie a to lite in 300 Wm but until then I will use my 270. That round has killed 8 oryx and a couple elk. Love the rifle. Just want to upgrade optics. Thanks. Jake

 

[Notso]

Crosshair above is spot on. However, I disagree that mil reticles are not good for hunting. In fact, I think they have more utility for hunting than the ballistic reticles. The problem with the ballistic reticles are that they are for an extremely narrow use and will only be accurate if the load and conditions exactly match what they were spec'd for. They are not very accurate as conditions change and you will be stuck with the one load FOREVER.

Mil based reticles can be used for quick and dirty holdovers just as easily - but if you know your dope can be quickly tailored to changing conditions. If I think that elk is standing 500 yds away and I know my 500 yd dope is 3.2 mils - sticking the 3.2 mil spot of the reticle on the elk's chest is absolutely no different than putting the supposed 500 yd ballistic circle in the same place.

Trust me, the novelty of the ballistic reticle will wear off quick. I started with a 5-20x Monarch ballistic reticle. It was fine until I shot different loads or when I wasn't shooting at exactly the range specified. Then it just became a distraction and I couldn't sell it quick enough.