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Help me choose scope for Prairie Dog gun |
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ISUDogger
Optics GrassHopper Joined: March/01/2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2 |
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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
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: July/04/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5087 |
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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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