Rifle Scopes scope choice

robertsma

Sergeant of the Hide
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Oct 4, 2011
    126
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    Camp Pendleton
    I am just looking for a little advice and to see if anybody can help me decide which scope to go with. Currently i am looking for a scope to shoot in 1000 yard matches and hoping to stay under 1600 or so. I have looked at a couple of scopes so far and like the nightforce nxs 5.5 - 22x56 the best. Also looking for adjustments in mils with a mil dot type reticle, ffp or sfp isnt a huge deal for me. If there are any other scopes matching this description i'd appreciate it. Thanks, mike
     
    Re: scope choice

    Sightron makes a 6-24x50 and a 8-32x50 that feature mil/mil.

    very good glass, excellent tracking, lots of internal adjustment, and leaves you with more money for your rifle/ammo.
     
    Re: scope choice

    Nightforce - may look at the NP-2DD reticle

    http://nightforceoptics.com/RETICLES_OVERVIEW/RETICLES_DETAIL/reticles_detail.html

    "1,000 yard benchrest competitors prefer the NP-2DD reticle when selecting the 8-32x56 and 12-42x56 models in the Precision Benchrest series for its optimum dot subtension. The unobstructed field-of-view allows the shooter to observe the wind flags to detect a change of condition."

    so they say
     
    Re: scope choice

    Well, everybody has his preferences and opinions
    smile.gif
    , and Nightforce is likely to be a good and reliable scope. Are you planning to shoot in a benchrest match? (Perhaps it's obvious from "1000 yards" statement, don't know.) The recommended scope and especially the recommended reticle may or may not be your cup of tea. Also ask yourself: are you considering using this scope for <span style="text-decoration: underline">anything at all</span> besides shooting 1000 yards matches?

    MilDot IMHO is a "blast from the past" - unless you feel nostalgic, there's no reason to buy a MilDot reticle now with so many better choices around (MilHash).

    FFP vs SFP - well, if you plan to range with the reticle or do reticle holds at variable distances, FFP is the only reasonable choice. If you plan to shoot at (more or less) one fixed distance - say 1000 yards - then indeed it probably shouldn't matter.

    Manufacturer-wise, I personally like the relatively new (a couple of years?) kid on the block - Vortex. Take a look at Vortex scopes. And upon my taste Vortex EBR-2B reticle is the best.

    Of course, you pays your money and you makes your choice.
     
    Re: scope choice

    In fact i do plan on shooting different ranges thatn just 1000 yards. I just need a scope powerful enough for 1000 yards and with enough variation to shoot well under that as well. I just checked out vortex scopes and their HD line is WELL above the price of a nightforce and just not in my price range at the time (unless you can tell them to give a CPL a HUGE pay increase) I wont be spending 2500 on a scope anytime soon.

    As far as reticles I have shot with a mil-dot before but am willing to try other reticles, i've been out of the shooting game for a little while between deployments and training so i;m trying to get back into it.
     
    Re: scope choice

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: robertsma</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I just checked out vortex scopes and their HD line is WELL above the price of a nightforce and just not in my price range at the time (unless you can tell them to give a CPL a HUGE pay increase) I wont be spending 2500 on a scope anytime soon. </div></div>
    I own HD, and it costed me in the ballpark of $1,900. But Viper PST is below $1,000 - and people seem to like it. I tried it and liked it too - though less than my Razor HD.
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    Reticle-wise - consider the EBR-1 MRAD reticle on this scope: Vortex Viper PST. Of course you can get it MIL/MIL.
     
    Re: scope choice

    The NF and SIII will have better glass than the vortex. My M4 6.5-20 FFP M5 is a real nice scope and the SIII 6-24x50 MOA/MOA (SPF) as well. It depends on the use. I dont have a NF but will sometime soon.

    John
     
    Re: scope choice

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JAAM12</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The NF and SIII will have better glass than the Vortex.</div></div>
    First, I'd question that statement. Second - glass is not everything: while <span style="text-decoration: underline">good</span> glass is a-must (if you can't see it - nothing else matters), but a little better at the cost of other capabilities would not be my choice. And if you need the best glass - go buy Hensoldt.
     
    Re: scope choice

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JAAM12</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The NF and SIII will have better glass than the vortex.</div></div>

    You throwing the Razor under the bus with that bold statement...?