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Help me choose scope for Prairie Dog gun

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ISUDogger View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: March/01/2006
Location: United States
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ISUDogger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Help me choose scope for Prairie Dog gun
    Posted: March/01/2006 at 23:49

Here's another new guy asking for advice...

 

I just bought a new Remington VSF .223 for prairie dogs.  I need to finalize my scope purchase, and I could use some advice.

 

I have been using my dad's Cooper .223 with a B&L 6-24 and will still use it as a second gun, but wanted my own precision gun.  I shoot dogs in SD and WY.  Typical range is 100-350 yards.  Of course I try the longer shots out to 450 yds, but I am not that good yet.

 

For my new set-up, I have previously considered Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24 with Mil dot, Nikon Monarch 6-20, Leupold vx-ii 6-18, and Burris FF2 and Sig Select in 6-20 or 6-24.  All of these are pretty nice, but I am not yet sure what to do.

 

Based on reading a ton of posts and looking through as many scopes as I can get my hands on, I am thinking about uping my budget to consider the Burris Black Diamond (4-16 or 6-24).  I don't want to feel the need to upgrade scopes in a couple of years because I saved a few pennies now.

 

I have decided that I like mil dot or ballistic plex reticles.  I always hold over the targets when they are beyond 200 yds (ex. hold two heads above and left edge...).  I have not used the turrets to adjust to different ranges - only to sight in at the range.  This is leading me to the Burris line with Ballistic Plex or Ballistic Mil Dot.

 

My current finalists are (all Ballistic Mil Dot):

Burris Sig Select 6-24 - ~$560

Burris Black Diamond 4-16 - ~$650

Burris Black Diamond 6-24 - ~$715 (I really don't want to spend this much, but will if it is the correct decision)

 

Here are my questions:

1)  I am getting nervous about the limited adjustment of the Burris Sig Select in 6-24.  Would it limit me if I sight in at 200 yds and use the Ballistic Mil Dot reticle for hold-over?  I don't think I will ever need to shoot beyond 500 yds with my .223.

 

2)  Is the Black Diamond worth the extra $100+ over the Sig Select with comparable reticles?  I kind of like the side paralax adjustment, and lots of people say that they are great scopes.

 

3)  Is 4-16 power enough for Prairie Dogs out to 450 yds?  I have been using a 6-24 B & L and it is nice when sighting in.  Will I wish I had the extra power?

 

4)  Am I missing anything?

 

5)  What bases and rings are best for a heavy gun like this?  I am currently leaning toward Burris Sig Select rings and two piece bases.  I don't have years of experience mounting scopes, so I don't know what is best.  I don't want to skimp, but I don't want to spend more than needed on mounting hardware.

 

Any advice is appreciated.  I want to finalize my decision so I can get this gun to the range and see what she can do.

 

Side note - the pics of chuckkilla's Remington VS with Nikon Monarch on page three are awesome.  That is a cool looking set-up.

 

(Sorry for any bad grammer or misspellings - its getting late and I need to get to bed...)

 

Thanks,

Sean



Edited by ISUDogger
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Dale Clifford View Drop Down
Optics Jedi Knight
Optics Jedi Knight


Joined: July/04/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 5087
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/02/2006 at 11:37

 16x is enough power, and the Burris rings are great. but I wouldn't get the ballistic plex or mil-dot for dog hunting. Any of the approx. 6 thru 20 will work.  A "heavy varmit" swift- Burl stock, Sako II action, Hart barrel 26" varmit barrel, 55 gr. HPBT sierra 3800 fps sub MOA. 6.5x20 Leo target, Multiplex, 1/8" center with 1/4" clicks.

 

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