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Posted: 2/3/2015 3:18:09 AM EDT
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I am looking for a scope for target shooting only. Goal is small groups at 100yds currently, but want to keep longer range options open. Shooting is done from a bench. I prefer higher magnification scopes - really want something that can go up to 20x. I am looking at scopes in the $500 range. So far I've picked out a few which look good, but this is my first time looking at 'nice' riflescopes, so I wanted to know if there are any others which I should consider. I plan to go to cabelas to actually look through some of these soon.
This scope will be sitting on a pretty decent AR-15. I have a joke of a scope on it right now because I didn't want to spend a bunch of money on a good scope right away, and I happened to have a 4x scope on my old airsoft gun. I can manage 3-4moa at 100yds, but I don't know if I just suck or the scope sucks. It's really hard to see details at 100yds, so I figure with higher magnification I will be able to see better. The scopes I have on my list right now: Burris Fullfield II 6.5-20x 50mm - I have a Burris on my revolver, and it's quite nice. Eye relief at max magnification kinda sucks though. Vortex Viper 6.5-20x50 PA - Vortex doesn't seem to make super high end stuff but that's not what I'm looking for. I've heard good things about this scope. Nikon Monarch 5-20x or Prostaff 4.5-18x - Nikon's site doesn't tell me if these are FFP or RFP (I want RFP for target shooting, right?) Would a Leupold VX1 be worth considering? The VX2/3s for the magnification I want are out of my budget. |
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Out of all those the Nikon is the only one with 1/8 MOA adjustments. You want small adjustments for target shooting. I don't believe Nikon makes a FFP in your price range, if at all currently.
I like Nikon scopes, very nice glass with a great eye box (as they refer to it ). ETA: Weaver Super Slam is also a nice optic. Slightly out of your price range at $550 but the 20x are also 1/8 clicks and they have a large exit pupil for good light transmission at high power. I don't have actual experience with this scope but I did a lot of research on higher power scopes within that price range for a target scope very recently. I ended up with one of Weaver's T-series. They are fixed power but for target shooting I keep things maxed out anyway. |
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Have you considered used? I don't know if there is anything in EE.
My scope for such purposes is a QD mounted scope no longer in production. It is a 6-24x50 Burris Black Diamond (co branded as a Pentax Lightseeker 30, but labled on the eyepiece "Made in USA"). It has the tall, 1/8" per click turrets and a fine center ballistic duplex reticle, side focus and four inch removable sun shield. I paid about $850 a few years back from SWFA. It is out of production now, but if you can find one used, it might be in your price range. There is a relatively new 6-24x50 with target turrets and nice reticle on the market in your price range It is the Lucid L5. I don't have one, but have three Lucid red dots that have performed very well. Lucid is an American company owned by a member of this board, Jason Wilson. The scopes are Chinese, but they have gotten some good reviews and have a lifetime warranty. I am thinking of putting one on a varmint rifle. It is MOA/MOA with a very interesting reticle that shouldbe useful for precision shooting at multiple ranges. Here is a thread from snipershide forum about the Lucid L5. http://forum.snipershide.info/showthread.php?t=175729 After a lot of smug "sniping" (pun intended) from some optics doubters or snobs true range experience emerged at the bottom of the page, from a fairly knowledgeable firearms instructer who shot with it extensively in a well-respected class that included Jason Wilson. Draw your own conclusions. The Lucid website has been updated since that post and the link to the L5 is now here. I may try one after reading this. I need 1/8" clicks on the varmint rifle and dont want to give up the Burris/Pentax, which is used for load development and is moved from rifle to rifle. I think street pricing is under $400. |
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Quoted:
Out of all those the Nikon is the only one with 1/8 MOA adjustments. You want small adjustments for target shooting. I don't believe Nikon makes a FFP in your price range, if at all currently. I like Nikon scopes, very nice glass with a great eye box (as they refer to it ). ETA: Weaver Super Slam is also a nice optic. Slightly out of your price range at $550 but the 20x are also 1/8 clicks and they have a large exit pupil for good light transmission at high power. I don't have actual experience with this scope but I did a lot of research on higher power scopes within that price range for a target scope very recently. I ended up with one of Weaver's T-series. They are fixed power but for target shooting I keep things maxed out anyway. Just to make sure, the Nikon scopes I'm looking at are RFP then. I will keep in mind the advice about 1/8 adjustments. Didn't really think about that, although I'm not really sure if I need that fine adjustment... I can live with being 1/8" off target, since that will mean I'm shooting groups small enough for that to matter :) Took a peek, there is a Weaver Classic V 6-24x 42mm in EE right now for $250. It goes for $450 on amazon so that's a pretty good deal. I'll keep browsing. Either way I'll look into the Weaver Super Slam and the Lucid L5 too. $500 isn't firm, I could go higher if needed. |
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I needed 1/8" adjustments. Mine is going on a Grendel and while 1/4" at 100 doesn't bother me I will be putting it out past 800 at times. When I go out to 1000 (optimistic) that would make each click 1/8"=1.25", 1/4"=2.5" and .1 mil=3.6".
Even at 300, which I shoot frequently, 1/4" MOA = 3/4" and that is too much movement. Granted groups are groups but I also change targets within one magazine so that makes a difference to me. |
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