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Optics Decision for New Rem 700 5R in .300 WM

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justaredneck53 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote justaredneck53 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Optics Decision for New Rem 700 5R in .300 WM
    Posted: July/17/2013 at 11:00
First of all, I apologize for starting a new thread. I am certain that if I looked hard enough, I would find an appropriate answer to my question. I just don't have the time to go through the 1,000s of previous posts for my answer! I picked this forum over all others (I have friends in high places that have checked up on all you guys...) and have come to the conclusion that, although there will be no lack of (different) opinion, I will be provided with enough accurate, timely, efficient information to make the decision I seek from you (i.e., there is more knowledge here than elsewhere).

I digress. My three adult children and three granddaughters bought Papa Chris a sweet Rem 700 5R Stainless in .300 Win Mag for my 60th birthday. They knew to let me make the optics decision but, with the aforementioned as a starting point (and a life-long sufferer of buyers remorse), I am struggling with what to put on it.

The following are the givens:

1. I plan to use it to shoot, at most, 1000 yards steel at the local range (bench)
2. I plan to hand load for it
3. I do not want to spend more than $2,600
4. I am interested in the "sniper" genre but can't imagine shooting it in anything but a bench situation (do they even have "Old fart sniper competition" ?) Having said that, I want to take the rifle to its limits and be able to shoot it in all situations.
5.You are probably going to ask how important the "ooh & aah" factor is: zero! I believe people look at your target not your scope (or just scre_ 'em... )!

I am excited about this gun but I STILL want to own a .338 Lapua but can not justify the $10,000 my "dream gun" will cost. I could win the lottery but they say that I have to buy a ticket !

Oh, I am putting a muzzle brake on it: brands, models?

I have considered just buying that new SWFA 10X42 for $699.99 and be done with it (and have lots of cash left over) because I am serious about #5 above.

IDEAS, COMMENTS, QUESTIONS ????????

Thanks, gents!


Papa Chris
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cheaptrick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/17/2013 at 11:30
Welcome to Optics Talk and thank your "friends in high places" for their confidence in this forums membership.
If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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Sparky View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/17/2013 at 15:16
The Kahles would be very high on my list or save some money and get the SS 5-20

http://swfa.com/Kahles-3-12x50-Competition-K-312-II-34mm-Riflescope-P60702.aspx

http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-HD-5-20x50-Tactical-30mm-Riflescope-P51653.aspx
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FireEMT5 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/17/2013 at 19:11
Start by reading here - http://opticsthoughts.com/?page_id=145
ILya is a highly respected member here and has probably forgotten more about optics than most of us will ever know.
 
FWIW - I have a SS 5-20 which I love.  It's the nicest scope I've ever owned and a great value for the money.
 
Something to keep in the back of your mind - SS and Vortex scopes have arguably the best warranties in the business........ no B.S., if it breaks they fix or replace it.
 
I recently had the pleasure of shooting a buddies gun with a Steiner tactical 4-16x50 up top.  The Steiner is a big heavy beast, but boy oh boy what a joy to look through.  While it was a super sweet scope, I would personally not say it was over $1000.00 better for my uses.  This gun is set up and used as a true sniper rifle........and he appreciates the marginal benefits the extra coin spent provides.
 
On the other hand, for the steel shooting and hunting I do, the SS 5-20 is all the scope I need and leaves me with over $1000 left to buy more reloading components!!!!
 
Good luck on your quest and welcome to Optics Talk
 
Might I also suggest you look into a set of Aadmount triple lug rings for your new rig.  You can pay more, but you won't find better - http://www.aadmount.com/TLRings/TLRings.html
Jon A. is also a member here and his rings are second to none.  Properly used, your scope is not going to move in these rings.  I have 2 sets myself.  The low rings work with the SS 5-20 on a heavy barrel Savage .308 riding on a Seekins 20 MOA rail.
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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/23/2013 at 12:04
A lot depends on what magnification range you want.

If you want something that tops out at 20x or so, I like the 5-20x50 SS and 5-20x50 Vortex Razor.

Both are fairly big scopes, but they both match the rifle and the cartridge well.  The SS is a little more affordable, but both are within your price range. 

If you can live without reticle illumination, the non-illuminated SS 5-20x50 for $1300 is probably the best deal going.

That having been said, since both are in your price range, give some thought to which reticle you prefer.  If you like to holdover for wind and elevation, Vortex' EBR-2B reticle has a lot to recommend itself.  Razor HD also has a zero stop.

The SS, on the other hand, in addition to lower price has a very clean and easy to use Mil-Quad (easily one of my favourite reticles out there) and a 30mm tube which gives you more mounting options.

If you prefer a lower magnification range, your options open up a little and there is a lot more to look at at a variety of price ranges.

Best bang for the buck is the SWFA SS 3-15x42.  It is a much more compact option, but it works well, has long eye relief and is very flexible.

On the other end of the spectrum are the two scopes that run around $2300 each: Steiner Tactical 4-16x50 and Premier Light Tactical 3-15x50.  Steiner is much bigger and heavier.  Both are  very good optically and when I tested them I did not run into any mechanical problems.

Steiner has 10mrad per turn knobs, while Premier has 6 mrad per turn knobs.  I also like Steiner illumination a little more.

Premier is a lot lighter and more compact and if you talk about lightweight tactical scopes, I think this is the best currently in existence.  

However, if you are willing to put up with more weight, Steiner is very nice.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/23/2013 at 17:27
I've owned several high-end scopes, including the Premier LT 3-15, which optically is fantastic (and in other ways). However, I've gone with the SS 3-15 now. Part of that is being more comfortable banging a scope around in the field that costs a lot less. But it's still a fine scope. If you need more magnification, I'd still stick with a variable...so much shooting is done at shorter ranges and mirage is an issue. The SS 5-20 or similar would be good choices.
Reaction time is a factor...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/23/2013 at 22:05
http://www.samplelist.com/Zeiss-4-16x56-Tactical-Hensoldt-Rifle-Scope-DEMO-B-P64282.aspx
Zeiss 4-16x56 Tactical Hensoldt Rifle Scope DEMO-B

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Zeiss 4-16x56 Tactical Hensoldt Rifle Scope DEMO-B

Stock # - SPL18085
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Kickboxer View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/24/2013 at 07:04
Originally posted by koshkin koshkin wrote:

A lot depends on what magnification range you want.

If you want something that tops out at 20x or so, I like the 5-20x50 SS and 5-20x50 Vortex Razor.

Both are fairly big scopes, but they both match the rifle and the cartridge well.  The SS is a little more affordable, but both are within your price range. 

If you can live without reticle illumination, the non-illuminated SS 5-20x50 for $1300 is probably the best deal going.

That having been said, since both are in your price range, give some thought to which reticle you prefer.  If you like to holdover for wind and elevation, Vortex' EBR-2B reticle has a lot to recommend itself.  Razor HD also has a zero stop.

The SS, on the other hand, in addition to lower price has a very clean and easy to use Mil-Quad (easily one of my favourite reticles out there) and a 30mm tube which gives you more mounting options.

If you prefer a lower magnification range, your options open up a little and there is a lot more to look at at a variety of price ranges.

Best bang for the buck is the SWFA SS 3-15x42.  It is a much more compact option, but it works well, has long eye relief and is very flexible.

On the other end of the spectrum are the two scopes that run around $2300 each: Steiner Tactical 4-16x50 and Premier Light Tactical 3-15x50.  Steiner is much bigger and heavier.  Both are  very good optically and when I tested them I did not run into any mechanical problems.

Steiner has 10mrad per turn knobs, while Premier has 6 mrad per turn knobs.  I also like Steiner illumination a little more.

Premier is a lot lighter and more compact and if you talk about lightweight tactical scopes, I think this is the best currently in existence.  

However, if you are willing to put up with more weight, Steiner is very nice.

ILya
Don't forget about the March Tactical 3-24x42.  I have the illuminated FMA-1 reticle with MOA adjustments.  Love it.  I still like the Hensoldt better, but the March has a lot going for it.  The 4 illumination settings are well thought out/engineered and well executed.  Though I prefer variable adjustment, the 4 settings are the best I have seen.  The elevation adjustment is close to US Optics EREK with 25MOA/turn and I have always preferred MOA/MOA scopes.  I have it mounted in a Near Alphamount on a Near rail.  I was going to use the Aadland rings, but they were sold out too far in the future for my purposes.  I needed to shoot with it "NOW".  I love the Near Alphamount, but it IS a chunk of change.  Have not been able to shoot with it much, yet, but have great plans for it.  Currently mounted on a Winchester M70 Laredo in 7mmSTW... and it may just stay there.  Almost a perfect scope for that caliber.  It will probably be my primary hunting rig this year... with 458 WinMag for backup. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ccoker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/24/2013 at 08:51
Khales K312 3-12x50 is a fantastic scope
Glass is great, it isn't too heavy or big to hunt with.
I have no issue shooting at 1k with it and find the bigger field of view very helpful to see impacts and call my own shots.

www.TacticalGunReview.com

Pro Staff - Silencer Shop

http://tacticalgunreview.com

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote stickbow46 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/24/2013 at 16:58
Welcome to the OT! Speaking of being 60[Happy Birthday]I'm almost 67.I have a 5R SS mil spec in .308,I have several high end scopes only because I wear bifocals & can't see the 308 holes at 300yds without using a spotting scope.I use a S&B Zenith for hunting & a Steiner tactical for bench,if only have the coin for one scope I would go with the Zeiss Hensoldt,has the best easy on the eye box in the business.
 
$2600 puts you into a very confuseing world as there are way to many great choices.All the above mentioned scopes are as described by very knowledgable people.Check out as many of the high end scopes as you can.In any event stay with the best glass you can afford & keep reading.
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