Rifle Scopes Scope and Long Range Shooting Education

[elziet]

I’ve purchased a semi-auto 7.62 rifle w/16in. barrel and am starting my search for a variable power scope. I’m looking to spend up to $2,000 for the right scope. Activities that I’ll use the rifle/scope for are tactical courses of fire and classes, field, and bench rest. Distance from “bad breath” to 800 yards/meters.

I’ve been shooting a couple of 5.56 ARs with rds for a number of years and am comfortable with that concept. It was pretty easy to pick the rds as there were only a handful to pick from and I could easily find a friend who had one to try out. I’ve shot these out to 300 yds. With variable power scopes there’s 100s of them out there, most with at least 2 or 3 different types of reticles. I’ve tried a few and there were things I didn’t like about all of them.

This is really a two part request. I’m totally unfamiliar with the ins and outs of longer range shooting (400+ yds) AND how that translates to the purchase and use of higher powered scopes. I’ve been reading the forums (Sniper’s Hide, Silencer Talk, M4Carbine, and Lightfighter) to try and educate myself and while I’ve found a few really good discussions most just seem to confuse me further. Everyone seems to have a favorite scope for this or that reason which seemingly contradicts the reasons why a different scope is someone else’s favorite.

Can anyone provide me with some leads to forums, books, videos, etc. that will help me educate myself so that I can make the right selection of a scope. The types of information I’m looking for is scope terminology for dummies, features that are important to have and what’s not necessary but would be nice, how much magnification is needed and why, different types of reticles and their uses, ffp or 2fp and benefits of each, is illumination important, abc’s of turrets, meters vs yards, accessories, etc.

I’m not looking to be a expert here, just want to be smart enough to buy good equipment for the right reason and be able to use it. Thanks

 

[steve123]

Re: Scope and Long Range Shooting Education

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Elzie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I’ve purchased a semi-auto 7.62 rifle w/16in. barrel and am starting my search for a variable power scope. I’m looking to spend up to $2,000 for the right scope. Activities that I’ll use the rifle/scope for are tactical courses of fire and classes, field, and bench rest. Distance from “bad breath” to 800 yards/meters.

I’ve been shooting a couple of 5.56 ARs with rds for a number of years and am comfortable with that concept. It was pretty easy to pick the rds as there were only a handful to pick from and I could easily find a friend who had one to try out. I’ve shot these out to 300 yds. With variable power scopes there’s 100s of them out there, most with at least 2 or 3 different types of reticles. I’ve tried a few and there were things I didn’t like about all of them.

This is really a two part request. I’m totally unfamiliar with the ins and outs of longer range shooting (400+ yds) AND how that translates to the purchase and use of higher powered scopes. I’ve been reading the forums (Sniper’s Hide, Silencer Talk, M4Carbine, and Lightfighter) to try and educate myself and while I’ve found a few really good discussions most just seem to confuse me further. Everyone seems to have a favorite scope for this or that reason which seemingly contradicts the reasons why a different scope is someone else’s favorite.

Can anyone provide me with some leads to forums, books, videos, etc. that will help me educate myself so that I can make the right selection of a scope. The types of information I’m looking for is scope terminology for dummies, features that are important to have and what’s not necessary but would be nice, how much magnification is needed and why, different types of reticles and their uses, ffp or 2fp and benefits of each, is illumination important, abc’s of turrets, meters vs yards, accessories, etc.

I’m not looking to be a expert here, just want to be smart enough to buy good equipment for the right reason and be able to use it. Thanks
</div></div>

Did you run across this yet?

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=378812#Post378812

Sorry there's no perfect "do all" scope, especially for $2000. Many of us on the Hide have come to the realization that every scope no matter how expensive has things about it that are not personally preferred. It's just the way it is.

Most of the new dual plane 1-8's and 1-10's are about $3000. They would be close to what you'd need if I were to guess by reading your post. The problem with them being short on mag in the top end.

My question concerning criteria for choosing a scope in your case would be... what's appropriate for your 16" 308?

1.Maybe something reasonably light weight and compact.

2.Decent magnification on the top end for long range.

3.Illumination. Are you going to do any low light hunting or night shoots?

Without going into all the different choices out there, if it were me, I'd get a used NF-F1 3.5-15 with Mil reticle and HS mil turrets for long range use and mount a mini red dot sight at 45 degrees for the "bad breath distances". That'll cover just about anything you could ever want to do.

 

[Squid284]

Re: Scope and Long Range Shooting Education

http://nightforceoptics.com/

Seriously though, http://nightforceoptics.com/

If you can, go to some local shooting ranges or gun shows and observe. It's better to try before you buy. I'm guilty of looking at other people's targets while I'm waiting in between strings. If someone else is shooting really good I walk over, see what they have and strike up a conversation. Most shooters are happy to talk shop and will let you take a look through their scope, sometimes even offer to let you squeeze off a couple of rounds.

I have a 32x NF NXS and rarely have to break out my spotting scope. It's pretty hard to beat yourself up after buying an awesome scope. Save enough in your budget for good rings/mounts. Larue mounts are hard to beat and if you use picatinny rails you can easily share your "good" scope with several rifles. One thing I will caution you on though (I'm beating myself up for this now) is that most "good" scopes have 30mm+ tubes. If you spend 200 some-odd dollars on a mount or rings that are 25mm (1") you may regret it later if you want to upgrade.

My $0.02

 

[Redmanss]

Re: Scope and Long Range Shooting Education

Steve covered it pretty well. Read up on the FAQ and that will answer a lot of your questions concerning the various terminology and the pro/cons of the various scopes designs out there.

For your specific purpose, running 8' to 800yds, I'd personally recommend a 1.8-10x from US Optics. It's on the upper end of your price range new, but you can find them used for under $2k. It is a compromise on both of the range fringes, but it's one of the best singular all-around scopes out there for your intended purposes.

 

[Ring]

Re: Scope and Long Range Shooting Education

razor HD, if going to use on a AR and bolt, get a QD mount with 20moa in it..

this 1

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/642163/...?cm_vc=wishList

 

[CanPopper]

Re: Scope and Long Range Shooting Education

There is a March 1-10x for sale in the For Sale section for $1900.

That will be the scope that takes you from breathing distance to well over 1000. And only that scope can do it and it is short enough to fit well with your relatively short barrel rifle.

 

[remau308]

Re: Scope and Long Range Shooting Education

What's the 16" semi? If you're wanting to do some serious competition for benchrest or something out to 1000yards you may find yourself wanting something more precise like a bolt gun. It will work great as a "tactical" gun if you're making quick shots as the Larue OBR's were up at the top at the Practical Marksman Challenge down here. The Larue's and LMT's have proven to be quite accurate, but I wouldn't enter a benchrest match or a match that requires minute of angle or less at distances of 800 yards or more. That's just my opinion though based on my experience. Can they do it? Probably. Is it much easier with a bolt gun? In my experience, yes.

Now, my recommendation on your optic selection would be the USO or S&B 1-8. They are both fine optics, but it looks like that March for sale for $1900 may be the best choice at the moment.