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Variable Power $650 Budget

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Optics GrassHopper
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    Posted: March/11/2008 at 20:50
I've got a Rock River Varmint 20" with NM 2-stage trigger and PRS stock, and am looking for a scope for it.   This rifle will be mostly used on the bench for target ranges from 100-400 yards, with the possibility of also trying farther distances. 

I'm looking to purchase a variable power scope that would be flexible enough at these distances, but still come within my budget of $600 (more or less).  I need enough power to be able to shoot for as much accuracy as I can.

My initial choices are:
- Bushnell 6-24x50 Elite 4200 30mm (with exposed turrets) $570
- Millet LRS-1 (6-24x56 35mm) $450-500

I really like the reputation and quality of the Super Sniper scopes, so I may consider a 16x.  When is their variable coming out?  It may be a no-brainer for me.

What would you recommend and why?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/12/2008 at 01:19
The two choices you have are both very good and should work well for you.

Generally, I seldom use magnifications above 16x or so, even from the bench, so I would suggest looking at some 4-16x scopes or similar:

Nikon Monarch 4-16x50 or 5-20x50
Bushnell Elite 4200 4-16x50
Sightron S2 Big Sky 4.5-14x44SS or 4-16x42AO or 6.5-20x50SS or 6-24x42
Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44 or 6.5-20x50

Since you are shooting from the becnh and AR rifles are pretty friendly to large objective lenses, I would probably recommend going with a 50mm or greater objective lens in one of the configurations above.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/12/2008 at 01:42
The two choices you have are both very good and should work well for you.

Generally, I seldom use magnifications above 16x or so, even from the bench, so I would suggest looking at some 4-16x scopes or similar:

Nikon Monarch 4-16x50 or 5-20x50
Bushnell Elite 4200 4-16x50
Sightron S2 Big Sky 4.5-14x44SS or 4-16x42AO or 6.5-20x50SS or 6-24x42
Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44 or 6.5-20x50

Since you are shooting from the becnh and AR rifles are pretty friendly to large objective lenses, I would probably recommend going with a 50mm or greater objective lens in one of the configurations above.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cyborg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/12/2008 at 06:10
Look at the new 6500 series elites as well. You can also find some screaming deals on the sample list.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Second Amend Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/12/2008 at 19:22
Does anyone think I should just go with the SS 16x42 and be done with it?  Or am I limiting myself here without the flexibility a variable scope offers?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dolphin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/12/2008 at 19:49
I would go with the variable.  Your choice of the Bushnell up to 24x is not a bad choice if you want to shoot beyond 400 yards.  It is a quality scope and the optical quality at 24x should be good, even though I have never had the opportunity to look through that particular scope.  One thing to remember, it is better to have more magnification with your initial purchase than less, if that is important, as you will find yourself wanting another scope in the future if you feel you are short changed.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Second Amend Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/12/2008 at 21:01
Originally posted by Dolphin Dolphin wrote:

I would go with the variable.  Your choice of the Bushnell up to 24x is not a bad choice if you want to shoot beyond 400 yards.  It is a quality scope and the optical quality at 24x should be good, even though I have never had the opportunity to look through that particular scope.  One thing to remember, it is better to have more magnification with your initial purchase than less, if that is important, as you will find yourself wanting another scope in the future if you feel you are short changed.


This is my logic as well, though I have to keep in mind that one scope can't do it all.
I like the Millet LRS-1 on paper, but I wonder where it would fare on the recent chart Chris put up.  If it has the optics of LX-III or 4200, and is built like a SS, then I'd consider it.  But who wouldn't?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote trigger29 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/13/2008 at 06:36
http://www.swfa.com/pc-9792-259-zeiss-3-9x50-conquest-rifle-scope.aspx
May be another one to look at. I don't know if thats enough magnification for you, but the reticle really lends itself to long range shooting, and should be pretty good optically as well.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dolphin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/13/2008 at 07:24
I would stick with the Elite 4200 over any Millet product.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Second Amend Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/13/2008 at 11:03
Originally posted by Dolphin Dolphin wrote:

I would stick with the Elite 4200 over any Millet product.


It may be the obvious choice, but what are your reasons?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/13/2008 at 12:14
Ior 4-14x50

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/13/2008 at 12:27
Holy smokes 24x is way to much for 400 yard shooting.  I guess if you want to see the grains of the paper it will work.  10x works great for out to 1000+. 
Over magnification can be a bad thing.  I had a 24x IOR and never used it above 14x for actual shooting, they start getting dark because the exit pupil gets small and you start to loose the quality of the image you are seeing.  I think a scope with 16x is plenty for virtually any type of long range shooting. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dolphin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/13/2008 at 17:01
Originally posted by Second Amend Second Amend wrote:

Originally posted by Dolphin Dolphin wrote:

I would stick with the Elite 4200 over any Millet product.


It may be the obvious choice, but what are your reasons?
 I have never owned a Millet product, but my primary reason is based on the responses that I have heard on the OT and the failure rate.  Now that being said, I have also heard that they have made improvements.  I have peered through a Millet at our local gun shop and it was optically clean.  But, other than that, I cannot tell you first hand anymore.  I own an Elite 4200 and it is a great scope.  All other, or for the most part, owners of the 4200s feel the same way.  Thus my reasoning.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 3_tens Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/13/2008 at 17:38
Here is a Kahles that is doing good for me. It is slightly over your budget.  Anyway a budget is nothing more than a target. Something to shoot at.

Edited by 3_tens - March/13/2008 at 18:59
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Second Amend Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/13/2008 at 21:30
Originally posted by Urimaginaryfrnd Urimaginaryfrnd wrote:

Ior 4-14x50


For under $650? Link?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Second Amend Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/13/2008 at 22:18
Originally posted by Dolphin Dolphin wrote:

Originally posted by Second Amend Second Amend wrote:

Originally posted by Dolphin Dolphin wrote:

I would stick with the Elite 4200 over any Millet product.


It may be the obvious choice, but what are your reasons?
 I have never owned a Millet product, but my primary reason is based on the responses that I have heard on the OT and the failure rate.  Now that being said, I have also heard that they have made improvements.  I have peered through a Millet at our local gun shop and it was optically clean.  But, other than that, I cannot tell you first hand anymore.  I own an Elite 4200 and it is a great scope.  All other, or for the most part, owners of the 4200s feel the same way.  Thus my reasoning.


Fair enough. Points taken, and thanks.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Second Amend Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/13/2008 at 23:37
One of my range buddies swears by IOR.

I'm looking at the 4-14x50 Tactical 30mm scope that sells for around $1K.  I can probably stretch my budget a little if I think it's worth the extra money over the 4200.

What do you think of Mil-dot vs MP-8?
Exposed turrets vs non-exposed?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote trigger29 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/14/2008 at 07:14
http://www.swfa.com/pc-9798-259-zeiss-45-14x50-conquest-rifle-scope.aspx    
Rapid-z 800 4.5-14x44 Conquest
 
Kahles Helia CL Multizero $599
Both would be an improvement over the 4200. I have the Zeiss on a .270 WSM and almost cried at the thought of spending so much for a scope, but have never looked back since I got it. Just love it. Going to buy a Multizero now.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Second Amend Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/14/2008 at 21:23
Great choices you guy are providing.

My budget is now $1K, since it'll be  4-6 weeks before my rifle is ready.
I'm seriously considering the Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x50.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/14/2008 at 21:37
I would go with the IOR, the MP8 blows away the mildot reticle.  
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

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