Easiest learning curve scope?

[Texas7866]

What would you consider the easiest precision rifle scope to learn from? Or does it make no difference?

Razor G3 6-36
Minox ZP5
Element Theos
Zeiss LRP S5

 

[nm.otter]

SWFA fixed MQ -- pick your magnification.

 

[Rolando]

When I first got into hand loading and precision shooting 12 years ago, the SWFA fixed 10x was a very popular option and the one I chose. It was fine to learn on and tracked well.

 

[betelgeuse]

I used an SWFA fixed 12x. I would recommend the 10x. I shot the best groups I have ever had with that 12x.

I still use it to check against other scopes looking for problems.

 

[RockAndSage]

What would you consider the easiest precision rifle scope to learn from? Or does it make no difference?

Razor G3 6-36
Minox ZP5
Element Theos
Zeiss LRP S5

What are you putting it on, and what exactly do you want to do with it, when mentioning precision rifle?

 

[Texas7866]

What are you putting it on, and what exactly do you want to do with it, when mentioning precision rifle?

I'm putting it on Tikka t3x Ace Target 6.5 Creedmoor. I want to be able to hit anywhere from 300 yards to eventually 1 mile.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

The SWFA fixed power scopes are great. I have a bunch of them, including one 10x and two 12x ones I just took off of rifles I sold. Those would easily get you out to 1000 or 1200 yards without any issues. My longest available range is ~970 and they work fine on it. If you are interested, feel free to PM me.

 

[Texas7866]

The SWFA fixed power scopes are great. I have a bunch of them, including one 10x and two 12x ones I just took off of rifles I sold. Those would easily get you out to 1000 or 1200 yards without any issues. My longest available range is ~970 and they work fine on it. If you are interested, feel free to PM me.

At one point does one start to consider the 5-25, 6-36 scopes? What is the use case for them?

 

[alexnelon]

At one point does one start to consider the 5-25, 6-36 scopes? What is the use case for them?

The use case for >16x magnification is shooting 28 lb rifles chambered in anemic cartridges that don't move when you pull the trigger.

 

[Texas7866]

The use case for >16x magnification is shooting 28 lb rifles chambered in anemic cartridges that don't move when you pull the trigger.

The ace target weighs 10 lbs. Would you say anything over 16x is just a colossal waste of money and serves no purpose for my use case?

 

[Stache Attack]

Magnification doesn’t determine price but typically adds weight. I’d say keep it under 20. I haven’t shot an animal over 12 in years. Most of the time between 6 and 10 out to 500 ish yards

 

[Texas7866]

Magnification doesn’t determine price but typically adds weight. I’d say keep it under 20. I haven’t shot an animal over 12 in years. Most of the time between 6 and 10 out to 500 ish yards

Even with a variable mag scope and a can, I'll be at around 12-13lbs max.

I was under the impression that if I want to hit out to a mile eventually, I would need at least 90MOA total elevation (for 6.5 CM) so a mag of around 25x at the top end would definitely be necessary. Based on my limited understanding, I don't think a fixed Mag would accomplish that.

 

[alexnelon]

The ace target weighs 10 lbs. Would you say anything over 16x is just a colossal waste of money and serves no purpose for my use case?

It's more subjective than that, but I certainly wouldn't take any of those scopes hunting with me.

If all you're doing is ringing steel, you can do whatever you feel like but even shooting competitions I can't remember a time when I went over 10x

I just wouldn't do the buy once cry once thing before shooting a little bit to figure out what you like and don't like.

 

[Stache Attack]

I think a learning curve budget scope is different than a 1 mile scope.

 

[Scoutfan]

I would also recommend the swfa 10x. I consider the variable powers more versatile for hunting.
For the price point I don't think you can do better.
By the time you could need more then you should know exactly what else you want.

 

[BRTreedogs]

You don’t know what you don’t know.

Swfa scopes are inexpensive and reliable, and hold there value decent.

Buy one and put it on the gun and go shoot and learn some stuff.

After getting some experience, upgrade scopes and put the swfa on a backup gun or sell it for $100 loss

 

[Marbles]

Even with a variable mag scope and a can, I'll be at around 12-13lbs max.

I was under the impression that if I want to hit out to a mile eventually, I would need at least 90MOA total elevation (for 6.5 CM) so a mag of around 25x at the top end would definitely be necessary. Based on my limited understanding, I don't think a fixed Mag would accomplish that.

Magnification and available MOA of elevation are not related in any way. Magnification helps your eyes see things clearly, and is largely over rated in my opinion (which is worth what you are paying for it).

My 3-9 has 30 mil (103 MOA of internal adjustment and is sitting on a 20 MOA rail, so I can dial up approximately 70 MOA.

My 2.5-15 has 100 MOA of internal adjustment and is also on a 20 MOA rail, so approximately 70 MOA of available adjustment.

The Razor you list has 120 MOA of internal elevation adjustment, so on a 20 MOA rail will give you about 80 MOA of available adjustment.

All 3, with a 40 MOA rail will get you in the neighborhood of 90 MOA of available adjustment.

A 34 mm tube scope is likely to have more internal adjustment range.

 

[TaperPin]

If you’re a paper puncher the higher magnifications can take the place of a spotting scope to see how your group is progressing. In pure accuracy competitions scopes are typically in the higher magnifications, but that’s quite different from a hunting rifle.

There have been accuracy tests floating around shot at different magnifications and accuracy does improve going from 4x to 6x, but really flattens out after that with very little improvement. 6x is good for well under 1/2 MOA and hunter class in benchrest with fine reticles in 6x scopes regularly turned up 1/8 MOA groups.

For decades a fixed 10x made its way onto sniper rifles for good reason - it’s enough for distance and not too much closer in.

A fixed 12x is my favorite coyote/plinking/every day range scope. Plenty to see and ring normal size plates at all distances, and a wide enough field of view to come onto target quickly.

However you have to be able to see little targets to have any chance of hitting them. A dedicated small varmint gun really benefits from magnification at or above 20x when we’re often looking for little beady eyes just barely poking up out of the hole or picking out a tan body against tan dirt 3 football fields or more away. For that use, a 12x runs out of gas fairly quickly.

For silhouette rifles shot standing where the targets are somewhat small and the shooter is focusing all their attention on getting shots off based on reticle position and movement over the target, it can be shoot with 12x, but 20x or above in calm wind does produce slightly better scores.

 

[Texas7866]

I think a learning curve budget scope is different than a 1 mile scope.

I know it will definitely take some time for me to hit out to a mile.

On my thermal, I'm fairly comfortable hitting hog at 200 yards but I know that's absolutely night and day when hitting out to 500 let alone a mile.

I was thinking more on the lines of buy once cry once when I mentioned those scopes but now y'all have me thinking...

 

[RockAndSage]

I know it will definitely take some time for me to hit out to a mile.

On my thermal, I'm fairly comfortable hitting hog at 200 yards but I know that's absolutely night and day when hitting out to 500 let alone a mile.

I was thinking more on the lines of buy once cry once when I mentioned those scopes but now y'all have me thinking...

You can buy an awful lot of practice ammo, for the cost differences between a SWFA and a Zeiss or a Minox.