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New member with some questions

Printed From: OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc.
Category: Scopes
Forum Name: Rifle Scopes
Forum Description: Centerfire long gun scopes
URL: http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=40960
Printed Date: March/28/2024 at 10:02
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Topic: New member with some questions
Posted By: Rob2010SS
Subject: New member with some questions
Date Posted: December/23/2014 at 05:56
Hey everyone.  I'm Rob and I'm new to the forum.  I hate to be the long winded new member but I have some questions that I figured this would be the best place to turn to.
 
I just purchased a Savage 110BA in .338 Lapua and I'm in need of a scope.  Obviously, I want a scope that will allow me to use the rifle to its fullest capacity.  However, being in Illinois I'm limited on my range choices and yardage choices.  So far, about 600 yards is the best I can find without having to drive 6 hours.  With that being said, I have a decent understanding of scopes and what means what but there are a couple things I'm still confused on, like tube diameter.  I'm looking at different scopes and I see a lot of 30mm tubes, some 34mm tubes and some 35mm tubes.  What difference does the tube diameter make?
 
 
This is a website I have been using to buy a lot of my reloading stuff and I started looking at the scopes here.  So here's my other dilemma...  I have heard that Nightforce scopes are one of the top contenders as far as scopes, and that's kind of what I would like.  If you look at the link, about 4 rows down is a Nightforce benchrest rifle scope, 30mm tube, 8-32 x 56mm for $1286.  Then look at the first row, there is a Nightforce BEAST rifle scope, 34mm tube, 5-25 x 56mm for $3298.  Now, again I'm a novice, but the first one seems like a much better scope just looking at the numbers, so why is there a $2000 difference between these two?
 
Knowing my limitations on ranges in the area and the max yardage I can go and shoot at being roughly 600 yards, does anyone have any suggestions on scopes?  Are the ones I have listed overkill considering my range limitations?  Would the one I listed above for $1286 be a suitable scope for this rifle?
 
Thanks for the help guys.  Sorry to be so long winded.
 
Rob
 



Replies:
Posted By: cheaptrick
Date Posted: December/23/2014 at 06:29
Firstly: Welcome to Optics Talk.

Secondly: You cannot post links to other optics vendors on this forum, as a part of your agreement when you signed on here. It's owned and operated by SWFA.

(After editing your post, I realized that you did link a product that SWFA doesn't sell, so technically, your within the confines of the OT Rules.) 
Mea culpa. 

I still think you provided enough information for The Hive here to give you expert advise, without the link. Good shooting.  

  
 


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If at first you don't secede...try..try again.


Posted By: Rob2010SS
Date Posted: December/23/2014 at 06:48

Thanks!

 
Well, if anyone wants to see the link of what I was comparing, let me know and I'll send the link in a private message then. 
 
Definitely don't want to get in trouble my first day...


Posted By: cheaptrick
Date Posted: December/23/2014 at 06:55
Rob, take time to peruse through some of the stickies that have been posted. These links have a lot of useful information, as well. 

Thank you for your cooperation.  


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If at first you don't secede...try..try again.


Posted By: BeltFed
Date Posted: December/23/2014 at 07:07
The biggest difference between tube diameters is the amount of adjustment your going to have in windage and elevation, and possibly the strength of the tube. If your shooting really long distances then you may need a lot of adjustment in your reticle. Just remember the larger tube diameter the heavier the scope, ans also remember these are just general rules so your results might varyBucky

I'm not that familiar with the different Nightforce scopes to tell you why one model might be more expensive than another, but it probably has to do with the quality of glass and other features, such as front focal plane vs. second focal plane reticles, type of reticles, and/or covered or adjustable turrets.

Don't forget to check out my signature line.


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Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.


Posted By: cheaptrick
Date Posted: December/23/2014 at 07:27
Well, here's my 2 cents. 

Your an admitted "novice". Even though you have a ultra long range weapon, I'd stick to a budget at or around $1000 for my first time at bat. 

The bells, whistles, zero stops, tube size, high magnification won't really help you until you get acclimated to your new rifle. You got a LOT going on right now. BEFORE spending a $hit pile of money on a scope, I think you need to figure out what you "need". 

Matter of fact, if I had that rig, I'd probably throw my trusty 10x SS on it and go to town.    


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If at first you don't secede...try..try again.


Posted By: BeltFed
Date Posted: December/23/2014 at 07:44
I was going to recommend either SWFA  3-15x42 or the SWFA 5-20x50 since 600yds is the range you'll be shooting at the most. Both will fit your needs at that distance and will probably be equal to or even a little better than the Nightforce for less money.

Other than punching holes in paper or banging steel plates, what is your intended use for your 338?


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Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: December/23/2014 at 07:49
http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-HD-5-20x50-Tactical-30mm-Riflescope-P51642.aspx - http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-HD-5-20x50-Tactical-30mm-Riflescope-P51642.aspx - With illumination
http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-HD-5-20x50-Tactical-30mm-Riflescope-P51653.aspx - http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-HD-5-20x50-Tactical-30mm-Riflescope-P51653.aspx  - without illumination
 
 
I'd pick one of these and slap it on there.  don't know that i'd recommend the illumination unless you'll ever be shooting it in low light.  The illumination is not day time usable. 
 
Slap this base on it -
http://swfa.com/Badger-Ordnance-Maximized-Scope-1-Piece-Rail-P73552.aspx - http://swfa.com/Badger-Ordnance-Maximized-Scope-1-Piece-Rail-P73552.aspx
and these rings -
http://swfa.com/Aadland-Dual-Lug-30mm-Rings-P64836.aspx - http://swfa.com/Aadland-Dual-Lug-30mm-Rings-P64836.aspx
 
and you're set. 
 
You need to get comfortable really with a gun and those distances.  The above SS without ill. would get my nod for you.  simple, reticle and turrets match, simple, durable, lifetime warranty.  You'll have about $1500 in it and you'll probably never need more but may after getting some trigger time in desire to have different features.


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"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln


Posted By: Rob2010SS
Date Posted: December/23/2014 at 08:05
To answer a couple of questions, my intended use for right now is target shooting, hopefully at one of these 600 yard ranges, paper punching, and I figured I'd try it out hunting.  I know it's heavy and probably very inconvenient to lug around but I figured I'd try it.  I have a 300 win mag that I use for hunting right now.
 
Right now on my 300 win mag, I have a Leupold 4-12 x 40 VXR I think it's called - has the red dot in the center of the reticle.  Would it be worth pulling that off and using that for now until I get used to the rifle?
 
Thank you all for the input.  Helps a lot.  The SS HD 5-20x50 looks pretty nice too, for 1500 bucks.  I may go with that in the future...


Posted By: BeltFed
Date Posted: December/23/2014 at 08:17
There is nothing wrong with swapping out the Leupold and putting it on the Savage if that's what you want to do. The down side would be loosing your zero on your 300 Win Mag, and maybe having to get different mounts, but you'll need those anyway.


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Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.


Posted By: Urimaginaryfrnd
Date Posted: December/23/2014 at 10:03
Honestly if all it is going to do is put holes in paper at 600+ I would go with a fixed 16x42 Super Sniper. Simply put that is a rifle you have to shoot off of a rest rather than quick off hand shots. Once you get some time behind it at $6 a shot you can decide if you want an expensive variable power scope. I think the correct scopes for that rifle would be no higher than 6x on the low end and no higher than 25x. Really 16 to 20x on the top end is plenty. I prefer Heinsoldt and US Optics to Nightforce. And I would probably select a Horus reticle with mil based adjustments if price was not a factor.

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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger


Posted By: supertool73
Date Posted: December/23/2014 at 10:09
Your VXR is not the right scope to use on your .338 Lapua.  While it is a good scope, it is a hunting scope.  It does not have tall exposed turrets you need for target shooting. 

I would suggest the same as the other guys have suggested.  Start with one of the fixed power SWFA SS scopes, or the SS 3-15 variable.  They are all very good scopes for the money.  Then once you decide what you want drop down the coin for a nicer scope if you need it.  If 600 yards is your limit a 32x scope is not needed IMO. 


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Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: December/23/2014 at 12:25
For general primer on rifle scopes, consider glancing through this:
http://opticsthoughts.com/?page_id=122 - http://opticsthoughts.com/?page_id=122

It is admittedly long, but there is some useful info there (I hope).

As far as scope recommendations go, the 338LM is a nice caliber and while 600yards is not going to challenge it a whole lot, you will have fun shooting.

To answer your questio on Nightforce: BEAST is a newer design with better optics, better mechanics, FFP reticle and a host of other improvements.  Higher magnification does not mean the scope is better.  If anything, unless you are a pretty experienced shooter, magnification is not your friend.  

I am not a huge believer in buying starter scopes unless you simply can't afford something appropriate for the caliber.

In your case, I would be looking at the earlier mentions SWFA SS 5-20x50.  I have tested one of them on my 338LM and thought it was an excellent fit.

There are other options to look at, but you sorta need to figure out how much you are willing to spend and go from there.

ILya



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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: Rob2010SS
Date Posted: December/23/2014 at 13:01
Thank you guys for the info.  That helps a lot.
 
Everything being said, I don't think I'll be removing the scope from my 300 win mag.  I think I'll look into the SWFA SS 5-20x50.  That has gotten some good recommendations from a lot of you guys.  I'm willing to spend the money for a good scope.  My worry is overspending on a scope when I don't need to.  I'd like to have a scope that will allow me to use the full potential of the gun, but I honestly don't see myself trying to shoot 1500+ yards anytime in the near future. 
 
 
Thanks again guys.  I appreciate it.


Posted By: Kickboxer
Date Posted: December/23/2014 at 14:06
I don't have a 5-20SS, yet, but it is simply a failing on my part… I've "handled" it and find it to be excellent for just about any application.  I will have one in the near future.  Maybe going on my AR10...

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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.

There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living


Posted By: Rancid Coolaid
Date Posted: December/23/2014 at 16:43
Yours is a long range gun, 100 yard shooting will become like commuting on busy streets in a Ferrari: that ain't what they do. Even at 600, it will be a challenge but not extremely so.

On scopes, the SS 5-20 has good adjustment, decent glass, an okay reticle, and a great company backing it. On the NightForce, don't look at the bench stuff, their NXS series are very durable, very reliable, reticle options are many, and they just flat work. Like Koshkin, I wouldn't point you toward a starter, but rather would point you toward a scope that you can grow into and use for many years.

Have you had any professional marksmanship instruction? What did you like about the 338 that the 300 did not give? Do you reload?

I've had a few SS5-20 and eventually sold them because I just don't like >20X scopes, I shoot best with a top end of 12-15X inside 1000 yards. The SS scopes have comparable glass, so that should be no concern.

Look at the NXS 3-15, I like those allot for what you plan to do.

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Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn.
Equality is something you whine about not being given.


Posted By: Rob2010SS
Date Posted: December/23/2014 at 16:58

Great feedback Rancid!

 
To answer your questions, no I have not had any professional instruction.  Long range shooting has just been something that I've wanted to start getting into, and buying the gun was the first step.  I have the gun so now I plan to look into classes, find the ranges in the area, and go from there.  I've got a few referrals from some co-workers that have taken the classes so I know where to look.
 
As far as the 338, I like the powerful calibers.  I enjoy shooting them and reloading them and seeing what I can get out of them.  In my head, I told myself the 338 was just the next one I needed to add to my collection.
 
Yes I do reload and I'm just about setup to reload this round.  Just waiting on the stuff to arrive.
 
Can I ask why you dislike >20x scopes?
 
Thanks again.  Love the feedback I'm getting.


Posted By: koshkin
Date Posted: December/23/2014 at 17:03
I largely agree with RC in that i do most of my distance shooting at comparatively moderate magnification (typically below 15x).

However, I like to have a little more magnification available in the scope since that allows me to read the conditions better.

Still, he is a better shot than I am, so you should pay attention to what he says.

ILya


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http://www.darklordofoptics.com - www.darklordofoptics.com
https://rumble.com/c/DLO - Rumble Video Channel


Posted By: Urimaginaryfrnd
Date Posted: December/23/2014 at 22:59
Next you should give serious thought to the reticle you select. Rancid has spent time owning all of the really nice tactical scopes. Too much magnification does several things, narrow the field of view, cause issues with mirage on hot days, make the scope larger,heavier, more costly, but what will drive you nuts is seeing how much your breathing etc wobble factor lets call it, shows with high power. My 1000Yd+ rifle has a 3.5-10 on it. I do have two of the SS 5-20x50 scopes and like them. My son has a Nightforce and its a nice scope. Pretty sure my next scope will be either a Heinsodt or a US Optics with a Horus reticle.

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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger


Posted By: Rancid Coolaid
Date Posted: December/24/2014 at 10:22
Things I don't like about most >20x scopes:

1. "Movement" in the reticle. Obviously, it does not move more than a 10X scope would, but you see it, and that is something to distract from what matters most.

2. Eye box is usually very tight, meaning your position behind the scope is critical. Good, consistent cheek weld is very important, but high mag scopes make it more difficult.

3. In general terms: the higher the power, the lower the field of view. And in the real world, things tend to move.


The SS is a good scope, and I ran mine in the 15X range mostly. At 20X, it took some thought to get perfectly behind. With NightForce NXS, it wasn't quite as tough, but the ones I have are SFP rather than FFP.

One big component of this conversation needs to be SFP vs FFP and that is a decision you really need to consider. Also, reticle type or design is important. I learned on a mil dot reticle and stuck with that for many years. Now, with the great Christmas tree reticles, I prefer that design now. They can be complicated, but allow shots to be taken at various ranges without spinning any turrets. I still dope turrets for some shots, but like the option.

I hope that helps.

-------------
Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn.
Equality is something you whine about not being given.



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