New here, 300wm scope suggestion

[35WhelenAI]

With my Leupold VX3HD 3-9 CDS, it's zeroed at 100 yds, then can be dialed up as/if needed. However, I'm an MPBR user by habit so I can dial it up to 3" high at 100 yds and leave it.

In any case, 500 yds with a 180 gr TTSX at 8000' elevation is still moving at ~2250 fps, at 6000' elevation it's ~2200 fps. That gives 700 fps above their threshold if published velocities for the 180 gr TTSX factory load are achieved.

However, just drop down to the 168 TTSX gain velocity (bullet is essentially identical in BC to the 180 TTSX) and never look back. 175 LRX is an option, but has same expansion velocity as the 168 TTSX and not enough BC advantage to make up for the lower initial velocity.

Here's a table I found on another forum from Barnes with minimum expansion velocities.

Keep in mind, and before it gets brought up, that is typically for the tip to peel back, not full expansion. However, with 700 fps to spare based on what you've said, from my experience it's a non-issue for proper expansion at the ranges (impact velocities) you will engage game.

 

[Mojave]

Hornady does not recommend their own GMX or EX bullets below the prescribed velocity. The velocities on ELD bullets is crazy low.

 

[Archer2]

Best scope for under 500 yds is a S&B Klassik. I’d grab a 3-12x from europtic if I were you.

 

[Davyalabama]

I was just perusing 24hrcmpfire, they have a couple used swaros and even a diavari ready.

 

[DustyLB]

A scope for 1,000 yard shot on range and 500 in the field, plus you are currently running a swaro?

You already know the answer, buy another swaro with turrets and be done with it. You are looking through excellent glass and are used to it. The only other option would be the high end Zeiss, not the cheaper conquests (sorry conquest guys/gals) or an S&B. You know what your eyes like, I sure know what mine like, I have a diavari on one gun, my primary, and Z6's on three others. The only three that have cheaper glass are a .243, a 6mm Remington and a muzzle loader. (Guess which ones don't get used very much)

That's a lot of elevation on that 300wm, 23.5 for 500 and 210.5 for 1,000 by my ballistic chart for a 180gr. norma bondstrike. Have fun. by the way, I'm zeroed at 300, 3" high at 100. I'm not a long range shooter.

Would the z6 out z5 have enough elevation to read 1000?

 

[Griffmax36]

I like nightforce scopes because they have great turrets and are very durable.

I had leupolds, vortex, sig, Burris, swaro, etc. and sold them off.

Nightforce shv if you are on a budget.
Nightforce nxs 2.5-10x42 if you are concerned about weight. 10x is plenty on big game at 500 yards.
Nightforce nx8 4-32x50 if you don’t mind a few extra ounces and 4x on the low end but want a high top end for plinking.
I have no experience with the atacr yet. Too heavy for my needs.

$.02