Opinions Wanted...

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version

   Hi guys, it's Real Dumb Question time.  I'll throw several into one thread here.
Backstory:  I'm a BR50 rimfire shooter, getting into longer range hunting (.243 win) for coyote and bigger game.  I need a scope.

1.  What zoom ranges will one want to be shooting out to 500, 800, or 1000 yards at nothing smaller than a coyote or fox.  I'd like variable power here, I believe...

2.  What are the better options in mid to low end price range (under $350).  I don't want to play the "cheap" game of hit or miss (ha ha) quality.  As I have posted elsewhere, I shoot 50M matches with a Barska that is fantastic, but I'm well aware that my example is likely a statistical outlier.

3.  I am more than willing to sacrifice a bit of clarity for better mechanical accuracy and reliability.  

4.  Low light is a factor as well (dawn and dusk shooting).  

Thanks so much guys, I've enjoyed my first few hours on this forum!

Drew

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version
DrewsShootingSports Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/04/2009 Location: OP Kansas Online Status: Offline Posts: 17	Quote Reply Topic: Opinions Wanted... Posted: November/04/2009 at 13:06
	Hi guys, it's Real Dumb Question time. I'll throw several into one thread here. Backstory: I'm a BR50 rimfire shooter, getting into longer range hunting (.243 win) for coyote and bigger game. I need a scope. 1. What zoom ranges will one want to be shooting out to 500, 800, or 1000 yards at nothing smaller than a coyote or fox. I'd like variable power here, I believe... 2. What are the better options in mid to low end price range (under $350). I don't want to play the "cheap" game of hit or miss (ha ha) quality. As I have posted elsewhere, I shoot 50M matches with a Barska that is fantastic, but I'm well aware that my example is likely a statistical outlier. 3. I am more than willing to sacrifice a bit of clarity for better mechanical accuracy and reliability. 4. Low light is a factor as well (dawn and dusk shooting). Thanks so much guys, I've enjoyed my first few hours on this forum! Drew

DrewsShootingSports Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/04/2009 Location: OP Kansas Online Status: Offline Posts: 17	Quote Reply Posted: November/04/2009 at 13:38
	I just did some looking, and am wondering what Millett Buck Gold scopes are like, as they seem to have good features for the money. Anyone experienced with Millett?

Rancid Coolaid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Master Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 2677	Quote Reply Posted: November/04/2009 at 13:53
	What is your budget?
	To a hammer, everything is a nail

DrewsShootingSports Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/04/2009 Location: OP Kansas Online Status: Offline Posts: 17	Quote Reply Posted: November/04/2009 at 14:24
	Looking to keep it under $350, $250 is better. Obviously this is limiting... However, I'm not competing in 6mm BR here... Drew

biggreen747 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics GrassHopper Joined: October/16/2009 Location: Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 39	Quote Reply Posted: November/04/2009 at 15:11
	Take a look at the Leupold VXI 4-12x40, Nikon Buckmasters 4.5-14x40, and Burris Fullfield II 4.5-14x42.. They are all descent scopes in your price range but my first choice would be the Burris because it is built like a tank, then the Nikon, followed by the VXI. 800-1000 yds is a stretch unless you have spent a-lot of time and ammo shooting at those ranges. Any of these scopes would be more than suitable to 600 yds.
	We measure it with a micrometer, mark it with a crayon, and cut it with a chainsaw.

biggreen747 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics GrassHopper Joined: October/16/2009 Location: Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 39	Quote Reply Posted: November/04/2009 at 15:14
	The Burris and the Nikon will both give you parallax adjustment as well.
	We measure it with a micrometer, mark it with a crayon, and cut it with a chainsaw.

DrewsShootingSports Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/04/2009 Location: OP Kansas Online Status: Offline Posts: 17	Quote Reply Posted: November/04/2009 at 15:31
	Curiosity has bested me: What power of magnification do you guys use to shoot 1000yds?

Urimaginaryfrnd Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Jedi Knight Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Online Status: Offline Posts: 5879	Quote Reply Posted: November/04/2009 at 16:11
	Drew shooting 1000 yds isnt as easy as it might sound. Everything comes into play at that distance. You should be able to use a fixed 10x scope and at 1000 yds the target would look like open sights at 100 yds. One of the bigest issues though is the extreme internal adjustment needed in a scope to have enough adjustment to dial in that kind of correction. If you are serious about this there really is only one answer in that price range and that is Super Sniper which is sold only by SWFA. http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-Scopes-C1719.aspx Since low light is a concern I would suggest staying with the 10x scope as that will provide a 4.2mm exit eye pupil which should be useable. 7mm exit eye pupil being ideal in low light but you simply wont be getting there in this budget. All of the variable scopes that have enough internal adjustment are much more expensive. As you become more interested in shooting long range you will eventually want a much more expensive scope like a Premier, S&B, Heinsoldt, U.S. Optics, Nightforce because the optic will make a difference in your level of success. As for caliber you are thinking .243 and I strongly recommend you consider a 7mm08 or a 260 Rem instead because it is a better long range cartridge with better balistic coeffecient and not that much more recoil. You need to plug in the balistic info in a balistic calculator and see for yourself. http://www.biggameinfo.com/BalCalc.aspx http://www.jbmballistics.com/~jbm/cgi-bin/jbmtraj_drift-5.0.cgi Edited by Urimaginaryfrnd - November/04/2009 at 16:14
	>>>=============> OT's Least Politically Correct

DrewsShootingSports Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/04/2009 Location: OP Kansas Online Status: Offline Posts: 17	Quote Reply Posted: November/04/2009 at 16:25
	Imaginary: Thanks for the advice! I have decided on .243 due to the flexibility of the cartridge (I can make some loads with lighter bullets and preserve coyote hides, or load some heavier projectiles to get it downrange). I don't even currently have a place to shoot 1000yds, but I was curious. It is my estimation that the longest shots I may get will realistically be 800 yds or less. I understand that a lot comes into effect at long range, and of course I will enjoy an "excuse" to get some hours of good work in! I obviously am looking for the best of all worlds (you know, that does exist, right? No? Ohhh...)! I think I'm pretty set on the .243 (a lot of world class 6mm 1000 yd shooters out there!). Does the SS scope have some sort of "return to zero" function for elevation/windage adjustments? Thanks again!

supertool73 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: January/03/2008 Location: Utah Online Status: Offline Posts: 3725	Quote Reply Posted: November/04/2009 at 16:31
	What rifle are you getting? Based on the barrel and twist rate, that will play a big role in reaching 1000 yards with the .243. Certainly doable, but you will want to shoot the heavier 105 and 107 grain bullets. Most factory .243s do not have a fast enough twist rate to stabilize those heavy bullets. They are more set up for the 70 to 90 grain ranges. It is really hard to get a barrel that will shoot the whole range of bullets offered well. You almost have to choose one end of the spectrum or the other. Yes the SS does have resettable to zero turrets. They are good scopes.
	Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack. "A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."

DrewsShootingSports Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/04/2009 Location: OP Kansas Online Status: Offline Posts: 17	Quote Reply Posted: November/04/2009 at 16:48
	I'm going to go with one of the Savages, as I am very comfortable with their quality (and I am a dealer). I think they're using 1:9.25 rifling, but I would probably buy a different barrel if I were serious about 1000 yds anyhow. I'm not sure what twist is needed to stabilize the heavier 107 or so bullets (like a Match King). Do you?

supertool73 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: January/03/2008 Location: Utah Online Status: Offline Posts: 3725	Quote Reply Posted: November/04/2009 at 16:54
	Optimally your going to want a 1-8" to stabilize those bullets. But it is always possible they may shoot good in the 9.25. That one should shoot up to 100s good. They say that the 105s and 107s are another animal though. They don't shoot worth crap in either of the .243s my dad and I have. 100 are pretty good, but that is pushing it. Realistically though, for the varmint hunting you are wanting to do, that is a fantastic choice and the 75 to 90 grain bullets will easily shoot way way out there.
	Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack. "A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."