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Posted: 1/21/2010 3:59:24 PM EDT
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Hiya Folks,
I'm looking to outfit my new 50 when it arrives soon. I've had a lot of good advice given in the past regarding scopes and had a few models picked out. However, one area I don't believe I asked about was magnification. My eyes aren't the best so I've always thought to get the highest magnification possible. However, I also know that mirage defeats high magnification at some point and range. For 1k yds or so (target shooting primarily), what sort of magnification would you recommend I top out at (remember: not great eyes!)? Cheers, cc |
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I'm considering the Vortex PST 6-24 x 50. It's a new offering so unproven but from what I've read so far, it has some very nice features (ie. FFP for one, Mil/Mil or MOA/MOA knobs/reticles) and they've demonstrated a very good level of customer service. I just don't know if 24x will be enough to see those itty bitty targets at 1000!
Cheers, cc |
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The biggest issue with scopes on 50BMG rifles is their ability to handle the recoil. You can’t just put any scope on them. Known good performances are Leupold, US Optics, Nightforce, and for the budget conscious, Super Sniper.
Vortex are US designed but made China. I’ve not used the scope you’re looking at but I have one of their red dot sights and I’d say that overall quality is essentially mediocre - not bad, but not great either. I’d be surprised if it would be capable of a long life on a 50BMG rifle. Not sure what you’re looking to pay for the Vortex, but with an MSRP of $850, you’re very close to Leupold territory and well into the Super Sniper price range. Just something to consider. |
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I'm certainly not married to this scope. That being said, I did contact them about the BMG recoil question and they replied they've been testing it on a Barret for several months with no issues. Only time will tell of course. And regarding made in China, it's not so much that it's made there, it's how it's made there. Some companies purposely build cheap crap there and others have some pretty outstanding items produced there. At this point, the scope is new and unproven and I won't be buying for another few months. Hopefully by then I'll have a bit more information regarding it to compare with the other offerings. Oh, and it has 65 MOA adjustment (elev and windage).
Back to my question though, do you think the 22x or 24x is enough for poor eyes or should I be looking at the 32x versions of scopes out there (and yes, I understand Mirage may make some of these higher powers irrelevant). Cheers, cc |
| I don't own a 50 but I do own 5 of the Burris line of 8x32 power scopes... my eyesight is not so hot either.. have worn glasses since the 4th grade. I have been in prairie dog fields when the heat off the prairie has made mirage bad enough that 32 was too much power to see clearly. some days 24 was all that could be used.. For a thousand yards I would have to have at least 32power preferably more depending on the size of the target...bad eyes.... |
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For a dedicated match scope, I think a variable with a max of 32x is about ideal. If you get good, a 42x is easier to use to read mirage but you give up some elevation and windage adjustment.
On a hot afternoon, don't plan to use over 25x. In a nice cool morning, you can sometimes dial up to 42x. At 1000 yards, with a good scope like an NXS, you can quarter the 3" x 3" white aiming point with an NXS at 22x. So, if I were to pick a match-only scope today, it would be a NF Benchrest 8-32x56mm for $1200 (around $1K used). You trade off some elevation but get better mirage reading capacity. If I wanted a dual use match & field scope, it would be NF NXS 5.5-22x56 or a Leupold Mk 4 6.5-20x50mm. I like the 5.5-22 due to the extra elevation for field use and 22x is plenty of magnification. Everything with rifles is a tradeoff. You have to weigh your options and make your own decision. -David Edgewood, NM |
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In my opinion, one of, if not the the most critical thing in choosing a scope is the quality of the glass. S&B, USO and NF have some of the clearest glass available, but you have to pay for it. My eyesight is far less than perfect, but magnification has far less impact on how I see targets at longer ranges than does the focus and parallax adjustment. I typically set my scope somewhere between 15X and 20X at 1K yrds, then compensate for my eyesight with the focus and parallax. Once thats taken care of, and everything is clear, I can then zoom in if I wish.
For long range shooting, I agree that the amount elevation adjustment is an important consideration. My point being, if you want it all, clear glass, rugged reliability, allot of magnification, quality focus and parallax adjustments, and mass amounts of elevation and windage adjustments, your choices become few. I opted for a USO 5-25x58mm and IMO it was worth every penny. |
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This is my Burris scope on 32x the target is a regulation FCSA target at 1000 yds. ETA link to full size pic http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c392/imtheflash/weapons/FCSA%20world%20shoot%202009/STA72252-1.jpg  |
| nightforce 5.5-22x56mm. unbelievable eye relief and the clearest, brightest scope i have ever used. the price is high, but you are getting what you pay for. about $1500 was the cost of this one. no problems on my M99. not like my springfield armory that has been sent back at least 2 times–– on an m1a! |
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I put a Nightforce 8-32 NXS Scope on my Bohica 50 and I'm impressed with it's performance. I've always been a high end Leupold & Burris scope owner with the exception of a Springfield 4-14 X 56 3rd generation scope that came with my AR-10T. The Nightforce beats all the other scopes hand down. Of course it cost more then my others. My Leupold are not as high end as the Nightforce. If your going to go with the Nightforce go ahead and get the Nightforce rings for it. They are great.
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Thanks folks. I thought I had responded before after IMTHEFLASH's post but evidently not. That is exacly what I was looking for regarding magnification. I was not looking for manufacturer recommendations per se, but more what sort of magnification I should be looking for. With these eyes, it appears I should be going as high as I can without sacrificing movement within the scope. I appreciate the help!
Cheers, cc |
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