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Scope for SAI M21 Tactical .308

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08Cayenne View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 08Cayenne Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Scope for SAI M21 Tactical .308
    Posted: December/23/2009 at 21:35
Sorry for another "what scope?" thread but I am truly optics illiterate.
My budget is about $1500, I would be shooting mainly at 300 to 1000 yards, benched, just punching holes in paper.  I will be using a Sadlak titanium mount, and hopefully medium rings.  I was thinking about a variable in the range of about 5-20 X 50.  I've always liked Leupolds but I'm willing to try something different.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
I currently have a Loaded M1a with a SS 10x that I am using out to 300 yards.
 
Thanks
Frank
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diggler1833 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote diggler1833 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/23/2009 at 21:46
Nightforce, or IOR SH Edition come quickly to mind.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/23/2009 at 21:56
us optics
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/23/2009 at 23:24
I have been pleased with my Nightforce 5.5-22x50.

Another good choice would be the Trijicon 5-20x50.

http://swfa.com/Trijicon-5-20x50-Accu-Point-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P12884.aspx

The Vortex Razor 5-20x50 would be an excellent choice but it is just under $2k.

http://swfa.com/Vortex-5-20x50-Razor-HD-35mm-Rifle-Scope-P42755.aspx
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote diggler1833 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/24/2009 at 06:46
US Optics is great, but you will only be able to afford a fixed power in that budget.  A well-equipped variable is going to run you over $2K, new and at least $1800 for a used one.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/24/2009 at 09:36
There is a USO SN3 (3.2-17x44) headed to the Sample List, it was mine and it would be a perfect fit. 
 
Within your budget, I'd look to Nightforce, IOR, or - for purely paper punching, a Sightron S3 6-24X.  The Sightron is not a tactical scope, but it would be great on your gun: good glass, good features, and lots of money left over for ammo.
 
If it has to be a tactical scope, good options are Nightforce 3-15X or 5.5-22X, IOR 4-14X or 3-18X, or Trijicon Accupoint 5-20X. 
 
My opinion of Leupold is that there are always better scopes for equal money and many times for less money.  It's not that Leupold is "bad", it's just that many scope makers have surpassed them.
 
Option is the SS 10X HD, better glass, better turrets, and the fixed 10X is adequate for 1000-yard shots (though, for me, not ideal.)
 
 
Good luck.  You are in a good spot for budget, you can get a nice scope for $1500 - or less.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike McDonald Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/24/2009 at 10:48

One thing you may wish to concider is that you're scoping a 1 moa rifle in real life. It's 1/4 moa all day in the internet but eventually you're going to the range Big Smile   You can invest too much in optics, to your ultimate disappointment.

2nd thing I'd mention is too heavy a scope on that M21.  You're dealing with a mount that requires stabilization on both ends, and one end is only a pressure point.  While I've drop tested a Sadlak several times on concrete to no ill effect, it is possible to place too heavy an object on top of it and have recoil inertia loosen things up and change the zero.
I run an SS-3x9 on mine and have no issues with 1000 yard shooting/hitting.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 08Cayenne Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/28/2009 at 20:32
Won't claim 0.25" but I will claim 0.75" the top group, the bottom group was 1.5".  It likes the lighter gr match ammo.  First time out with the rifle, benched at 100 yards with the iron sights.
 
 
Originally posted by Mike McDonald Mike McDonald wrote:

One thing you may wish to concider is that you're scoping a 1 moa rifle in real life. It's 1/4 moa all day in the internet but eventually you're going to the range Big Smile   You can invest too much in optics, to your ultimate disappointment.

2nd thing I'd mention is too heavy a scope on that M21.  You're dealing with a mount that requires stabilization on both ends, and one end is only a pressure point.  While I've drop tested a Sadlak several times on concrete to no ill effect, it is possible to place too heavy an object on top of it and have recoil inertia loosen things up and change the zero.
I run an SS-3x9 on mine and have no issues with 1000 yard shooting/hitting.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote casd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/28/2009 at 21:27
Im looking to do about the same thing with a semi auto and having a little trouble deciding between the trijicon 6-20x50 for $750 or the NF 5.5-22x56 for $1500.. Big price difference but don't know if its worth it.. I have a few NF and love em but have no experience with the Trijicon.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/29/2009 at 00:33
The Trijicon  Accupoint  5-20x50 only has 50 moa of internal adjustment.  As for the Leupold Mk4  their 4.5-14x40 and 50 both have 100 moa of internal adjustment  the higher powers have quite a bit less.  The Nightforce also has about 110 moa of adjustment and is a fine choice.  The M1a is brutal on optics  mine has a 1.5x Trijicon compact ACOG but  I can only wish the group was that nice.  I think a fixed power scope would be the best choice like the Super Sniper  10x HD or the U.S. Optics  fixed power 17x  but all things considered I think my first pick would be a Nightforce 3.5-15 x 50 if you can possibly afford it.

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08Cayenne View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 08Cayenne Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/22/2011 at 18:42
Finally got it scoped this morning.
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/22/2011 at 18:56
Originally posted by 08Cayenne 08Cayenne wrote:

Finally got it scoped this morning.
 

DUDE....thats so cool! 
Love
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08Cayenne View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 08Cayenne Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/26/2011 at 21:38
Finally got to the range to do some serious shooting. Great day 70 degrees and dead calm. Had the range to myself most of the morning. Today was the first time to dial in the new Night Force NXS on the M21. The SAI M21 is out of the box bone stock except for the Sadlak bolt on goodies. Sadlak titanium mount Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x56 with NF rings.

I was shooting at 150 yards, benched,only using the bipod. I started with Q3130 and was getting about 2" MOA. I switched to FGMM 168 gr and as you would expect the groups tightened up considerably. After getting her nice and hot I switched to 175 gr FGMM and the groups tightened up even further. I have not measured yet but around slightly under 1 MOA is my guess. I've never really noticed before but the hotter the rifle got the more consistent the groups got. I thought it would be just the opposite.  I just love the trigger, slight pull back and you can feel the trigger set in your cheek. Just breathe on it and it breaks. Shot 160 rounds and not a single glitch.

At 150 yards I still have 44 MOA of elevation left, should be fine for shooting at 1000 yards, I'm taking a long range shooting class this summer and want to use this rifle. The NF scope is very nice and easy to operate.

This is a full box, (20 rounds) of 175 gr FGMM at 150 yards with the bipod. A few flyers, probably me, but it grouped pretty good.
 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote stork23raz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/27/2011 at 09:05
Originally posted by 08Cayenne 08Cayenne wrote:

Finally got it scoped this morning.
 
 
Now that is a CLASSY, SEXY rifle. I hope you have a great time with her, and I will tell you now I am extremely jealous.
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

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