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Scope for a 6.8 SPC II tactical and hunting

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jurquhart View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jurquhart Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Scope for a 6.8 SPC II tactical and hunting
    Posted: April/04/2014 at 23:30
Hello,
 
I'm new to this forum but I understand some of the best optic guys are on here.  I'm looking to get a scope for my 6.8 SPC II upper.  I would like a scope that can handle some abuse, tactical, mil-dot, illuminated and can be used for hunting.  Since I am going to be using it for deer that seem to come out at the last second before the end of legal shooting time I'd like something that performs well in low light conditions and that has as close as or over 9x magnification.  I was thinking a 3-9x magnification but someone recommended the Vortex PST 4-16x to me.  I don't want too much magnification on the low end since it will also be used as any AR would and I don't want to lose the CQB ability.  I'm thinking of maybe adding a red dot as well if needed.
 
On my regular AR in 5.56 I plan on putting the SWFA SS HD 1-6x scope on it.  Any thoughts or feedback is appreciated I'm hoping to gain some insight and learn a thing or two from you guys.
 
Thanks
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jurquhart Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/04/2014 at 23:34
I hunt in NC so I will be shooting at 300-400yards max for hunting but I plan on learning to shoot steel too at longer ranges that's why I'd like something with a little more magnification than 6x
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/05/2014 at 00:08
Leupold vx-r patrol meets all your requirements.
Whats your budget?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jurquhart Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/05/2014 at 00:10
I'd like to keep it under a $1000 if possible although I don't know if that is realistic
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/05/2014 at 05:06
If you want CQB ability to be retained, consider getting a conventional scope with a micro red dot mounted on it.
For example, SWFA SS 3-9x42 with a Leupold Deltapoint.
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/05/2014 at 05:24

The tactical VX-R Patrol is indeed a worthy scope. Based upon your stated requirements, I would want a little more power on the top end, but it is easily good out to 1000 +.  I'm not a Leupold fan, and really not a 3-9 fan, but the Patrol is an acceptable option. 

Personally, I would drop the illumination requirement and get the SS 3-15.  It is an awesome scope and a REAL value.  I like IR scopes a lot, but have only encountered a few situations where I REALLY needed IR. 

Certainly, if you want IR really badly, get it... don't leave yourself wishing "if I had only gotten...".  I could forego it for "more power",  the guaranteed, all out toughness, and range of adjustment of the SS...

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jurquhart Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/05/2014 at 08:11
Thank you for the input Kickboxer.  I was really looking at the SS 3-15, I think that would be the better option.  I guess if I spent more time behind the scope the IR really wouldn't be a big deal.  I can count on two fingers the number of times that I really wish I had IR and I still made the shot anyways so I guess I didn't really need it.  I think you may be right and I'll just use he 1-6 illuminated on the 5.56
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/05/2014 at 11:51
I would also consider a trijicon accupoint. In Reality the 6.8 is not a long range round, so not having target turrets is not a big deal. I have a 1.5-6x40 on my 6.8 and i like it a lot. I would not feel comfortable shooting medium game past 300 yards with that caliber.

The 3-9x accupoint would be a great choice IMO.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jurquhart Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/05/2014 at 13:42
Supertool,
 
With the 3x9 accupoint are you able to set the red dot up on top like I've seen with ACOGs or do you set it up on an angle and tilt your rifle.  I'm still learning how to set up the ARs and haven't taken any tactical rifle courses yet although I plan on it.  I've primarily been hunting with a Savage Trophy Hunter .270 that I put a Nikon Monarch 4-16x BDC reticle on.
 
You mentioned that the you wouldn't be comfortable with shooting the 6.8 at game past 300 yards.  Is that because it loses energy or that it drops too much?  I don't have a problem shooting a regular .270 further than 400 yards but I know it is a bigger cartridge with more powder and a bolt action gun.
 
Thanks for the input everyone this is a great learning experience and I appreciate you rehashing things that have been discussed previously.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/05/2014 at 15:42
Just because of energy at that distance. Its not even comparable to a .270

You could set up a red dot either way. Just depends upon the mount.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/06/2014 at 22:14

The most definitive work I've seen on 6.8...

http://www.frfrogspad.com/68spc.htm


Is it a "great" long distance round... no, but neither is .308.

Is it an "acceptable" long distance round... clearly "yes". 

45-70 is not a "great" long distance round, yet it was successfully demonstrated to the Secretary of War at 3500 yards shooting a 6'x6' target with open sights.  Certainly acceptable in my book...

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jurquhart Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/07/2014 at 07:35
very good info about the 6.8 on that website.  I'll have to check out the 68forums.com too.  I was told that there was good reloading data there for the SPC II by the company building my upper.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ccoker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/07/2014 at 08:08
I have hunted with a 6.8 for the last 6 or so years..
I consider it a 300 and under gun and most of my kills are 250 or less with one.

I run a 1.5-6x42 SB on mine and have ran a BUNCH of scopes on them..

The Accupoint 3-9x40 mildot / green dot is a great one for the rifle as well.

It's not a high round count range gun, it's a hunting rig.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jurquhart Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/07/2014 at 08:15
thanks for the info.  Do you handload?  I was told you can get better ballistics and longer ranges by handloading if you have an SPC II upper and a heavy duty bolt.
 
I definitely do not plan on using this as a high round count range gun.  at at least $1 a round I couldn't afford that.  I imagine even reloading it would still be pricey compared to a 5.56.
 
Thanks everyone, I appreciate all the input on the optics and info on the 6.8.  It's great information for a newbie. 
 
For those that hunt, do you see value in an IR scope for getting those deer that come out at very last light or is it just that I need better glass than what I have on my hunting rifle?  I have a Nikon Monarch BDC reticle on my hunting rifle.
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ccoker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/07/2014 at 09:17
yes, I handload
I have been running the 95g Barnes TTSX over 29.5g of RL10x for years

But I recently started running the factory Hornady 120 SST load as it's loaded as hot as you can get with handloads

As for illuminated reticles, I don't find them neccassary for whitetails if you have good glass and a bold reticle, and I hunt to 30 minutes after sundown (legal stop time)

For black hogs I do like an illuminated reticle, just a small dot that is barely visible.

The Trijicon and VXR scopes both do a great job with their illumination system.

I don't think dials and mil dot reticles are needed for the 6.8 personally for hunting.
I run a 200 yard zero, +1.5 - 2" at 200 and 3" low at 250

Pic of my rifle from yesterday out doing some scouting for next weekend's hog hunt.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/07/2014 at 11:57
Originally posted by jurquhart jurquhart wrote:

For those that hunt, do you see value in an IR scope for getting those deer that come out at very last light or is it just that I need better glass than what I have on my hunting rifle?  I have a Nikon Monarch BDC reticle on my hunting rifle.
 
I do not have an IR and personally see no need for it as we can only hunt deer until 30 mins after sunset and that Monarch you have should get you well past that as long as you don't try to crank up the zoom too much!
 
IMO....  IR are more for night hunting.  I have a Kahles 3.5-10X50 and its reticle isn't the best for low light... but so far I haven't had any problems seeing it.  The reticle in the Zeiss 3-9x40 on my Son's rifle is much better... but like I said, I haven't had any problems.
take em!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/07/2014 at 12:20
I considered the Patrol, but find the SS line more appealing. I've been running a SS 3-15 on mine temporarily and consider that a little heavy for the rifle/ballistics. In other words, the SS 3-9 would match the range more than adequately and saves a bit of weight. If you need illum, the SS 1-6 would handle that well and still complement an AR length rifle with 6.8 ballistics.
Reaction time is a factor...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jurquhart Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/07/2014 at 21:03
Cooker that is a sweet setup you have.  I have heard good things about the Hornady 120g SST for the 6.8 as well as the barnes for handloading.  I use the Hornady SST in my .270 and I haven't had to track a deer more than 10 yards yet.  I'll have to see how the Nikon does on my hunting rifle this year.  I think the issue I had last year was when it was close to the end of hunting season Jan 01, it seemed like it had a haze in the scope at last light.  I think it had a bad seal and with the sudden drop in temps it would haze up.  I sent it in to Nikon and they replaced it.  I think I'm going to go with the the SWFA 3-15 for the 6.8 and the SWFA 1-6 for my 5.56.  I'm thinking mil-dot only because if I learn the system well I believe if you have an idea of the size of the target you can estimate distance.  I have a rangefinder but I'm just thinking redundancy in having a backup method of range estimation.  For hunting with a 200 yard zero I know it's not going to matter having the mil dot reticle but I'd like to learn long range shooting soon and I have a buddy that has a place to shoot out to 850 yards.  Just target shooting but I'm looking forward to learning.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Skylar McMahon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/07/2014 at 21:34
Originally posted by Kickboxer Kickboxer wrote:


The tactical VX-R Patrol is indeed a worthy scope. Based upon your stated requirements, I would want a little more power on the top end, but it is easily good out to 1000 +.  I'm not a Leupold fan, and really not a 3-9 fan, but the Patrol is an acceptable option. 

Personally, I would drop the illumination requirement and get the SS 3-15.  It is an awesome scope and a REAL value.  I like IR scopes a lot, but have only encountered a few situations where I REALLY needed IR. 

Certainly, if you want IR really badly, get it... don't leave yourself wishing "if I had only gotten...".  I could forego it for "more power",  the guaranteed, all out toughness, and range of adjustment of the SS...



I have to agree
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