Rifle Scopes Scope Mount with MOA Question

[ShortRangeSniper]

I am considering getting an FNAR for longrange precision shooting. Long range shooting besides basic stuff with a magnified ACOG or a plain red dot is new to me. And yes, I am sticking to a semi-auto, I am not a bolt gun guy, and yes, I know the inherent limitations of shooting long distance with an SA rifle, especially versus a bolt gun.

My question is the need for a scope mount with built-in MOA, especially for an FNAR to go out to 600 yards or further. I have two scopes on hand, a Burris XTR 1-4 and a Leupold Mark 6. The Burris has 130 minutes of elevation, the Leupold 100. Based on my layman`s knowledge I should not need a 20 MOA scope mount, is that correct? Seems I have enough built in to the scopes.

 

[Sherrick5]

You shouldn't need it... you might need it if you were going out to 1000 or so, but yeah... shouldn't need it for only 600

 

[briscoetab]

Yes you should have plenty of adjustment to get to 600 yds and probably quite a bit further.

That being said you will need to know how much adjustment it is going to take to get you on target at 100 yds or any distance really because if for some reason it took 70 MOA to get you on target at 100 yds you will only have 30 MOA left to play with then you may start running out of adjustment depending on what kind of ammo you are shooting and how far you want to take it.

I wouldn't think it would take anywhere near 70 MOA to get you on target at 100 though, if it did it would likely be because something is messed up with rifle or mounts or scope. I would think at most it would take 20 MOA or so to get on target at 100. That would leave way more than enough elevation to get you we'll past 600 yds.

So after that, the short answer is yes you should have plenty of adjustment without a canted base.

 

[ShortRangeSniper]

Thanks for the quick and informative replies!

Follow-up question; both my scopes have 5.56 reticles, what are my issues shooting NATO 7.62 with those scopes?

 

[2_many_dogs]

Thanks for the quick and informative replies!

Follow-up question; both my scopes have 5.56 reticles, what are my issues shooting NATO 7.62 with those scopes?

you mean you have a reticle that has marks for holdovers for different distances for 5.56mm?

ballistic reticles are matched to specific cartridges - the ballistic profile of the 55gr, 62gr, and 77gr 5.56mm loads are quite different from each other. this is one reason why ballistic reticles can be a curse since they are matched to just 1 cartridge at just 1 density altitude.

you can use the scope you have and zero it any way you like. then you can use the existing holdover lines for your cartridge you shoot, but be aware that the holdovers in the reticle will correspond to different distances than what the reticle says. you'll have to log that in your log book (distance and DA) and so you remember it.

 

[Snake CharmerXX]

On the other hand, why would you not buy one with MOA added?

 

[Sherrick5]

This is true.... but it really depends on the scope... I've seen a few scopes once you get to the edge of the adjustment it's a little rougher to see clearly, so sure the 20 should work fine for what he needs... if he were planning on changing scopes in the future with a lower adjustment, then sure get the 20.

 

[SomeOtherGuy]

On the other hand, why would you not buy one with MOA added?

Because you don't need it for 99% of the shooting you can do with an FNAR, it costs more money, and most elevated mounts are too high to work well with the FNAR scope rail and buttstock comb heights.

I have an FNAR, with a 3-15x50mm scope, and am using medium height rings (1.075") which give me a good cheekweld and provide plenty of clearance between the scope and rail/barrel. Typical one piece mounts are 1.4 to 1.6" high, which would put your eye way above where it needs to be, and aren't necessary with any objective up to 60mm, the largest anyone would be likely to put on the FNAR.