What power scope do you recommend?

[mdslammer]

Hi Guys,

I'm buying a Savage BA110 .338 Lapua this week. I'm deliberting
what power scope I should buy.

A few notes: I live in NV (lots of open desert) and plan on shooting this rifle starting at 700 yards and out to 1760.

I have a Nightforce NXS 5.5-22-50mm / Speed Turret, Zero Stop, NP-R1, .250 MOA scope on my Remington .308. I really love this scope. In fact this is the model I'm contemplating on for the BA110 but...

I was thinking about moving up to the NF NXS 8-32x56mm Speed Turret, Zero stop etc.

I know there are a couple of things to keep in mind.
1. Elevation adjustment for the scope.
2. Dealing with mirage etc. during certain times of the day/year?

The 8-32-56mm has 65 MOA elevation adjustment. I was told that you need about 56 minutes or so of adjustment to reach out to 1760 yards. The BA110 has a 20 MOA cant on the rails.

Would that combination be enough of an adjustment to get out there?
Also, if there is a problem using the scope at the highest power, I can always roll it down somewhat. But if more power is needed, it's there.

I wanted to get some personal advice from those of you who shoot at these distances and what you recommend.

Thanks in advance for your time/help.

Mark

 

[Silent]

Re: What power scope do you recommend?

The 5.5-22 NF will do what you are asking it to do based on your ranges etc. With extremely high power you are going to see the effects of mirage play a much bigger role along with your pulse being exaggerated because of the extreme magnification.

 

[mdslammer]

Re: What power scope do you recommend?

Thanks jeff 03.

Anyone else care to chime in?

 

[Nostradumbass]

Re: What power scope do you recommend?

Stick to your present optic....everyones different but I think your scope is optimum for your application.

 

[RobertB]

Re: What power scope do you recommend?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nostradumbass</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Stick to your present optic....everyones different but I think your scope is optimum for your application. </div></div>COuldn't agree more. I have 3 5.5x22's and 1 8-32. The 8x32 is just for benchrest but for a field gun that needs a good bit of elevation the 5.5x22 should serve you just fine. Mine have. Good luck

 

[Evolution 9]

Re: What power scope do you recommend?

5.5-22 will be plenty. If your target is so far away/small that you need more than 22x, even a .338 isn't going to cut it.

I'd put your current scope on the .338 and get a 3.5-15 NXS for the .308

 

[mdslammer]

Re: What power scope do you recommend?

OK fellas. I appreciate your expertise and taking time to share it.
I'll stick with my NF NXS 5.5-22x50mm.

Best.

Mark

 

[Johnny Lately]

Re: What power scope do you recommend?

Good choice, I agree with what everyone else said, 22X is plenty.

 

[fox5]

Re: What power scope do you recommend?

Good choice, the amount of cant that you already have should be adequate. If you need more its more cost effective to replace ring than get a new scope.

 

[mdslammer]

Re: What power scope do you recommend?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Evolution 9</div><div class="ubbcode-body">5.5-22 will be plenty. If your target is so far away/small that you need more than 22x, even a .338 isn't going to cut it.

I'd put your current scope on the .338 and get a 3.5-15 NXS for the .308 </div></div>

Actually, I started out with the NF 3.5-15x50 but my 59 yr. old eyes needed a bit
more help. So I traded up to the one I have now which has worked out very well
for me personally.

 

[nimoz]

Re: What power scope do you recommend?

Shooting a .308 at 1200y, I was surprised that I could see my hits in dirt(misses) with a 3-12/44. My 3-15/50 was better though, but I'm not sure I could see more in a 6-24/50.
Also, it's still cold here, no mirage.
My 2c.

 

[goober]

Re: What power scope do you recommend?

Get the biggest adjustable magnification you can on your scope especially if your going to shoot the mile .Remember you can always turn it down to suit but never up if you haven't got it !!!
The nightforce 12x40x50 something would be the chop! Leave those that want 15 and 22 to struggle while you watch bugs.If this is a prone rifle the weight of a heavier scope wont matter .

 

[Strip Poker 388]

Re: What power scope do you recommend?

I just bought the NXS 8-32x56mm ,So far I ve only shot up to 500yd,Ya dont need a spoting scope at 500

 

[SVG308]

Re: What power scope do you recommend?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ch'e</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get the biggest adjustable magnification you can on your scope especially if your going to shoot the mile .Remember you can always turn it down to suit but never up if you haven't got it !!!
The nightforce 12x40x50 something would be the chop! Leave those that want 15 and 22 to struggle while you watch bugs.If this is a prone rifle the weight of a heavier scope wont matter .
</div></div>

Keep in mind the adjustment range for distance intended. I'm not sure the higher powered scopes have the adjustment to reach a mile let alone 2,000 yards. Might take a pretty steep base if you intend to be able to dial that far.

 

[tacdrver]

Re: What power scope do you recommend?

buy the best and highest power your money can afford... you can turn a 8-32 power down to 8 but you can only bring a 3-9 to 9 power.. i also live in open desert...and im running a 4.5-20 not to say im disappointed with it but i want more... so im now looking into a 12-42 nsx

 

[RobertB]

Re: What power scope do you recommend?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ch'e</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get the biggest adjustable magnification you can on your scope especially if your going to shoot the mile .Remember you can always turn it down to suit but never up if you haven't got it !!!
The nightforce 12x40x50 something would be the chop! Leave those that want 15 and 22 to struggle while you watch bugs.If this is a prone rifle the weight of a heavier scope wont matter .
</div></div>well mmmmmmm I have started with a 12-42 NF then went 8-32 and then 5.5x22 Thought I needed more power than what I really needed. 5.5x22 was no trouble at a 1 mile target

 

[goober]

Re: What power scope do you recommend?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RobertB</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ch'e</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get the biggest adjustable magnification you can on your scope especially if your going to shoot the mile .Remember you can always turn it down to suit but never up if you haven't got it !!!
The nightforce 12x40x50 something would be the chop! Leave those that want 15 and 22 to struggle while you watch bugs.If this is a prone rifle the weight of a heavier scope wont matter .
</div></div>well mmmmmmm I have started with a 12-42 NF then went 8-32 and then 5.5x22 Thought I needed more power than what I really needed. 5.5x22 was no trouble at a 1 mile target </div></div>

Why didn't you just turn you magnification down and save yourself the trouble of buying two other scopes ?? I have a 5 to 25 s&b and a 10 to 50 power sightron -I use them both full mag all the time except when mirage causes the magnification to come down but that not to often .The extra magnification "definatly" helps my shots at longer and shorter distances.If you want to have top mag of 22 good luck to you but I love as much as I can sensibly use

 

[Magstang1]

Re: What power scope do you recommend?

If you already have a 5.5-22 why not just put that on there for a bit? Get a little trigger time and see what you really need.

 

[mdslammer]

Re: What power scope do you recommend?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ch'e</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get the biggest adjustable magnification you can on your scope especially if your going to shoot the mile .Remember you can always turn it down to suit but never up if you haven't got it !!!
The nightforce 12x40x50 something would be the chop! Leave those that want 15 and 22 to struggle while you watch bugs.If this is a prone rifle the weight of a heavier scope wont matter .
</div></div>

The problem with the 8-32x56 or the 12x40-56mm is the limited elevation offered.
8-32x56 has only 65 MOA elevation.
12-42x56 has less at 45 MOA elevation.

To reach out to 1760 yards you need app. 56 minutes of elevation.
the 5.5-22x50 has 100MOA elevation.

 

[mdslammer]

Re: What power scope do you recommend?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Magstang1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you already have a 5.5-22 why not just put that on there for a bit? Get a little trigger time and see what you really need. </div></div>

Mainly becuase this scope is dialed in for my .308. Zero'd in at 100 yards. Then there's
the rings which would be too low to fit on the new rifle.

 

[twoshot]

Re: What power scope do you recommend?

I was under the assumption that if a scope has total 45 moa vertical adjustment like the NF 12-42x56 you should only count 1/2 of that? therefore 45 moa scope gets you 22 1/2 moa vertical elevation, put it on top of a 20 mao base gets you a total 42 1/2 moa?

Is this calculation correct or am I missing something?