Scope Selection Advice

Hello all,

I am brand new to this forum. I have found a lot of great information so far, just poking around. 

I have a question that I am hoping some of you might be able to input upon. 

I am currently looking for a new scope for my Remington 700p .308. 

I am just getting introduced to the world of competitive bench rest shooting. 

I am interested in competing in two different events. 

The first, is the Hunter Class. My gun would be classified in the "factory" class. This competition is at 100 & 200 yards, and the maximum magnification allowed is 6x. However, you can used an adjustable power scope and just tape the scope on the 6x setting.

The second, is the 600 yard Bench rest competition. To the best of my knowledge, there is no magnification limit on this competition. 

Here is my conundrum :

I was almost dead set on the SWFA SS 10x42mm. I figured that this would be a good scope to use out to 600 yards, and the reviews I read were amazing. Especially for a scope that sells for $300.

However, if I purchase this scope I will not be able to compete with it in the Hunter Class, as it is not adjustable down to 6x.

That got me looking at these 3 scopes:

SWFA SS  3-9x42 Tactical Riflescope $599
http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-3-9x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P41044.aspx

BUSHNELL E4200 RIFLE SCOPE 6-24X40 MIL DOT MATTE 
Model: BS426242M

BUSHNELL ELITE 4200 Series 6-24 x 50mm Tactical Rifle Scope 426245T

Do you all think that if I went with the 3-9x SS scope, I would be at a major disadvantage only having 9x power, trying to shoot out to 600 yards?

What is the major difference between these two Bushnell scopes, besides being 40mm and 50mm, and costing almost $200 difference?

I have not read too many reviews on the Bushnell Elite 4200 Rifle scope. Does it compare to the Tactical SS? I have read incredible reviews on the SS...

Finally,

Would you maybe recommend me purchasing the SWFA SS 10x fixed power scope for $300, and also possibly purchasing a 6x Fixed power scope and switching between the two? If I did this, would I be able to use specific rings so that I could switch between the two fairly easily, or would I have to re-sight every time. 

If worse comes to worse, I might give up the 600 yard competition and just compete at 100 and 200 yards.

Any advice/opinions would be great. Thanks a bunch in advance. 

(Edited to remove links to competitors)

426245T
426245T
Bushnell Elite 4200 Series 6-24 x 50mm Tactical Rifle Scope 426245T

Bushnell Elite 4200 Series 6-24 x 50mm Tactical Rifle Scope 426245T

Edited by RifleDude - March/20/2010 at 00:14

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USN_Sam1385 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Apprentice Joined: March/19/2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 52	Post Options Post Reply Quote USN_Sam1385 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Scope Selection Advice Posted: March/19/2010 at 23:31
	Hello all, I am brand new to this forum. I have found a lot of great information so far, just poking around. I have a question that I am hoping some of you might be able to input upon. I am currently looking for a new scope for my Remington 700p .308. I am just getting introduced to the world of competitive bench rest shooting. I am interested in competing in two different events. The first, is the Hunter Class. My gun would be classified in the "factory" class. This competition is at 100 & 200 yards, and the maximum magnification allowed is 6x. However, you can used an adjustable power scope and just tape the scope on the 6x setting. The second, is the 600 yard Bench rest competition. To the best of my knowledge, there is no magnification limit on this competition. Here is my conundrum : I was almost dead set on the SWFA SS 10x42mm. I figured that this would be a good scope to use out to 600 yards, and the reviews I read were amazing. Especially for a scope that sells for $300. However, if I purchase this scope I will not be able to compete with it in the Hunter Class, as it is not adjustable down to 6x. That got me looking at these 3 scopes: SWFA SS 3-9x42 Tactical Riflescope $599 http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-3-9x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P41044.aspx BUSHNELL E4200 RIFLE SCOPE 6-24X40 MIL DOT MATTE Model: BS426242M BUSHNELL ELITE 4200 Series 6-24 x 50mm Tactical Rifle Scope 426245T Do you all think that if I went with the 3-9x SS scope, I would be at a major disadvantage only having 9x power, trying to shoot out to 600 yards? What is the major difference between these two Bushnell scopes, besides being 40mm and 50mm, and costing almost $200 difference? I have not read too many reviews on the Bushnell Elite 4200 Rifle scope. Does it compare to the Tactical SS? I have read incredible reviews on the SS... Finally, Would you maybe recommend me purchasing the SWFA SS 10x fixed power scope for $300, and also possibly purchasing a 6x Fixed power scope and switching between the two? If I did this, would I be able to use specific rings so that I could switch between the two fairly easily, or would I have to re-sight every time. If worse comes to worse, I might give up the 600 yard competition and just compete at 100 and 200 yards. Any advice/opinions would be great. Thanks a bunch in advance. (Edited to remove links to competitors) 426245T 426245T Bushnell Elite 4200 Series 6-24 x 50mm Tactical Rifle Scope 426245T Bushnell Elite 4200 Series 6-24 x 50mm Tactical Rifle Scope 426245T Edited by RifleDude - March/20/2010 at 00:14

RifleDude Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Jedi Master God of Fire Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 7696	Post Options Post Reply Quote RifleDude Report Post Quote Reply Posted: March/20/2010 at 00:35
	Sam, please read the forum rules you agreed to when you registered your account, specifically Rule #3. http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5473 This means that you cannot post links to SWFA's competitors. This site is owned by SWFA, an optics retail business, and it is bad form to use the site they provide for our use to redirect readers to their competitors' websites. As for your questions... I would use a fixed power 6X scope for Hunter Class BR, NOT a variable. For 600 yd BR, I would use a high magnification fixed power scope somewhere between 36X - 45X... up to 60X (in the case of March scopes). Or, if you want a variable for 600 yards, I would get a 12-42X56 Nightforce BR or NXS model. For both scopes, I would select a fine crosshair. It is best to NOT use a variable scope in most competitive BR shooting. First, you will have rifle weight limitations in most classes, so weight you don't have in your scope, you can have in your barrel, where it matters. Second, variables aren't as mechanically reliable at maintaining precise zero as fixed scopes. In fact, some BR shooters even glue or lock the erector assy in place in their fixed power scopes and use adjustable mounts instead. If you must have a variable scope, use it in your 600 yard BR, and pick a proven scope that has a good reputation of maintaining zero. March and Nightforce are the dominant scopes here.
	Ted You can tell a lot about a fellow's character by his way of eating jellybeans. -- Ronald Reagan

SVT_Tactical Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics God Sackscratch God "Furious Fingers" Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Online Status: Offline Posts: 10921	Post Options Post Reply Quote SVT_Tactical Report Post Quote Reply Posted: March/20/2010 at 07:26
	Keep in mind that there is a 6x SuperSniper fixed in the near, hopefully, future, we just dont' know when yet.............But we are all patiently waiting
	Bird Hunt Info and Vote

neilbilly Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Journeyman Joined: February/07/2010 Location: Sweeny TX Online Status: Online Posts: 570	Post Options Post Reply Quote neilbilly Report Post Quote Reply Posted: March/20/2010 at 10:53
	A lot of variable scopes will run out of adjustment before being able to sight in on 600 yards. The 3-9 SS should still be good when others aren't. You can still use your rig to hunt with the 3-9 SS "and shoot the 100 and 200 yard competitions with competitive gear" When you move out to 600 yards, that's where you'll start seeing rifle and scope combo's that will set you back as much as a decent used car. "might see if it's really something you enjoy before you go whole hog there, and the 3-9 will at least let you try it"
	If God didn't want me to play with it, he'd of made my arms shorter.