Anyone using a dedicated load dev scope?

[jzeblaz]

Thinking of getting a scope setup for load development only, fixed 12x, 16x, (20x?) or 3-15x. Getting a little tough to resolve 6x with fine detail. Figured I see how you guys do it.

 

[Ruggedsportsman]

https://amzn.to/4jqsz70

Yes this one. 32x zoom is clutch when it comes to shooting groups

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I have a pair of fixed 12x scopes for sale on the classifieds. For a long time, I kept one of them in rings so I could easily put it on a new rifle and quickly assess accuracy. If they don’t sell, that’s how I intend to use them going forward. It’s a great option, but at the moment I can’t justify having them sit around as I am lowering the number of rifles I own, not increasing it.

 

[Gstew1930]

Hard F no. First you dont need the zoom you think you do but second. Work up a load. take off the scope, add a new scope then go re zero? hard pass

 

[MuleyFever]

The only time I used a different sight was with a ML that I had to use irons to hunt with. Put a scope on it for load testing. I never even considered having to swap scopes when doing rifle load development.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Getting a little tough to resolve 6x with fine detail. Figured I see how you guys do it.

Try a different aim point like a big X for instance so you can like up your crosshairs without covering the majority of the aim point.

 

[gbflyer]

I have an old Japan 1” bushnell tactical mildot that I have shuffled around for years. It goes to 15x. I don’t even know what model it is. It has been nothing but reliable for this purpose. I’ve used it to diagnose bad…ehem…Leupolds on several occasions. I don’t carry or abuse it otherwise.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[WeiserBucks]

A high mag scope makes sense for shooting tiny groups with a rifle capable of repeatable tiny groups. Most hunting rifles don't fall into that category.

 

[The Guide]

I have my Maven's in UM rings and use them to verify accuracy potential and to shoot groups with new rifles or to troubleshoot poor shooting rifles. I have rails on most of my rifles and just swap scopes between whatever one I want to shoot for the day. I figured having $5k into 4 good solid scopes and rings was better than having over $5k in potentially sus scopes and rings.

I don't find it difficult to rezero a scope with a known good load and a solidly repeatable mounting system. Given that, I'm not going to swap scopes just because I wanted to try a new load. If I have a known good scope, I'll shoot whatever is on it.

Jay

 

[doverpack12]

Yeah I keep a proven scope or 2 around. They are usually the first to go on something new, go through accuracy confirmation and load development. Sometimes they live there a year or two.
One is a 4.5-14 Burris Fullfield II that I bought here in 2015 or so. It’s lived most its life with me on a rifle in a vehicle that drives rough roads, been through a rollover that broke the bolt handle, always held zero.
The other is a Tract Toric 3-15 or SWFA 20x
They are also handy when I think a scope has failed or a rifle is acting strange. Mine, friends or family.
Once I know I’ve found a load then I worry about finding a permanent scope.

 

[MHWASH]

I bought a SWFA 10x for this very reason. Should have bought a 12 or 16 instead.

 

[TxLite]

Hard F no. First you dont need the zoom you think you do but second. Work up a load. take off the scope, add a new scope then go re zero? hard pass

I’ve switched scopes on rifles with developed loads and not seen any ill effects besides needing another hour drive each way to go zero the new one. Just my experience

 

[Gstew1930]

I’ve switched scopes on rifles with developed loads and not seen any ill effects besides needing another hour drive each way to go zero the new one. Just my experience

I guess the point im trying to make is why?

 

[TxLite]

I guess the point im trying to make is why?

In my case I was just changing setups

In this case I think he’s just wanting to verify he has the best load possible before putting on his scope that he intends to hunt with

 

[Gstew1930]

In my case I was just changing setups

In this case I think he’s just wanting to verify he has the best load possible before putting on his scope that he intends to hunt with

I may be thinking of this the wrong way. if i cant shoot the gun they way i intend to hunt with it, what good does it do me if it shoots good in another configuration? Also i think for the most part groups get worse when you add alot of magnification

 

[HuntHarder]

When shooting for small groups, I much prefer 12× on up. If you like the simplicity of a fixed lower power for hunting, but want more power for load dev, I see no issue. It's nothing to swap scopes out and re-zero.

 

[Wrench]

When I was building rifles I kept a zeiss victory 6-24 in pic rings just to proof rifles. It was always accurate and optically it was more than adequate. I have seen a lot of deviation in scopes over the years and having a known quantity is important.

To this day I keep a few proven scopes on the shelf just incase I have a rifle that unexpectedly does something unexplainable.

 

[huntnful]

Go for it. And see for yourself if it’s worth the potential difference it makes.

 

[mtnbound]

Thinking of getting a scope setup for load development only, fixed 12x, 16x, (20x?) or 3-15x. Getting a little tough to resolve 6x with fine detail. Figured I see how you guys do it.

I use my Maven spotting scope to look at the targets when I'm doing LD, but I really don't need to do that, as I always harvest my target and record the load info on it along with time, date, temp, wind, velocity, etc. I typically measure the group size and related parameters afterward, back at the loading bench. I keep these targets for future reference.
I feel that swapping the scope around on the rifle while developing a load just introduces more error into the process. Am I missing something here?

 

[Harvey_NW]

I don't do this, but if I were to I would highly suggest getting a center dot reticle like the ones in the Trijicon Credo or Tenmile. I have pretty good eyesight and my 4-16's are fine, but the extra mag in the 3-18 Tenmile wouldn't hurt. Contrary to others preference, I like a bit more zoom and the super precise POA for group shooting.