Scope for new rifle build?

[tiredfeet]

Hey guys, I am tailoring one of my rifles (7mm rem mag) for long range. I am fairly new to this long range shooting, so I am taking it slow. I have upgraded my stock, in the process of load development, but have been having trouble narrowing down a scope. I am not sure what magnification range I should be looking at, and have been having trouble narrowing it down. 4-16, 6-20, etc. Do I need a scope with 20x, 24x? Also getting bogged down with a lot of scope brands. I plan on shooting up to 1000 yds. I also don't want to break the bank. I plan on using this for all types of hunting and not just long range. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Also I don't know if I have introduced myself here before. I have been signed up here for a little while but never posted anything. There is always lots of good advice on here, and most other people have asked a similar question or have answered the one I was wanting to ask. I have been hunting all my life, from birds to big game, bow to rifle. I love it all. I don't get out as much as I would like but who does. Ok maybe a fortunate few do. So thanks for letting me be a part of this community.

 

[Calbuck]

I just purchased a Tikka T3 super lite in 7 mm mag. I chose the Vortex Viper HS LR in 4-16 x 44 and mounted it with Vortex precision matched rings on a 20 MOA rail. I haven't shot it past 100 yds yet, but while sighting in I can tell you I love the scope.

 

[mt100gr.]

I set up a Tikka Superlite in 7mm mag last winter for extended range. I went with the Vortex PST 4-16 x 50 FFP. I have shot out to 800+ yards so far and given my relative inexperience, am very pleased with it. I am working through some tracking tests/ trajectory validation right now and for where I am in the long range game, it serves me well. If I did it over, I think I would go with a SFP scope and likely opt for the 6-24x or similar. Mine is also on a 20moa rail and set in precision matched rings. And definitely add some kind of anti-cant indicator/device. It's amazing, on uneven terrain how much a bubble level helps keep your trajectory plumb. Good luck.

 

[afteamroper]

If you go with a 4-16x50 scope I have a Vortex Viper PST SFP never mounted I would make you a good deal on. It has MRAD reticle in it.

 

[StrutNut]

Interesting mt100gr. I was strongly looking at FFP Burris XTR II for a long range hunting but worried low light performance. I am now kind of back to the NightForce SHV 5-20. I wished I had a local retailer that handled several to see them. My shots will mostly be under 400 yds which is a range I am very comfortable in. I have areas I hunt where the shots can be significantly longer and plan to start heading out west when I can to hunt mulies and elk in a variety of areas so I want to slowly work my way to 600, 800 and eventually 1000 depending on range time and confidence in making the shot.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

The Burris are still hard to get at this time, and highly unlikely you'll see one under the counter of a LGS for some time. But I've heard a few trickled out late last week.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I personally wouldn't go with a Vortex. I have seen way too many of them fail, and wouldn't want to rely on one when taking that once in a lifetime shot. I know lots of guys will say it doesn't matter because of their warranty. But how does that help you in the field, when you miss an animal? Just last week my buddy sent his Vortex HS-T 4-16x44 in for warranty work. His Tikka (which normally shoots sub moa) was shooting 6" groups. After Vortex fixed the scope, and sent it back, he came over to shoot the rifle again. Same problem as before. The rifle was spreading bullets all over the paper like a shotgun. After that, we installed one of my Leupolds on it, and he was back to sub moa groups. Needless to say, he is now in the market for a new scope.

His use is pretty close to what the OP is planning, and I recommended that he go with a Leupold VX3, VX6, or Nightforce SHV. Any of the three will be a great match to his factory Tikka.

I've been testing the 4-14x56 Nightforce SHV on a custom .300 win mag, and I've been pretty impressed with it so far. Should have the article finished in the next couple weeks.

 

[tiredfeet]

Thanks for the input. I will have to go to the local shop and look at them a bit closer. I am leaning towards the higher power, 20x or so.

 

[mt100gr.]

Interesting mt100gr. I was strongly looking at FFP Burris XTR II for a long range hunting but worried low light performance. I am now kind of back to the NightForce SHV 5-20. I wished I had a local retailer that handled several to see them. My shots will mostly be under 400 yds which is a range I am very comfortable in. I have areas I hunt where the shots can be significantly longer and plan to start heading out west when I can to hunt mulies and elk in a variety of areas so I want to slowly work my way to 600, 800 and eventually 1000 depending on range time and confidence in making the shot.

I really like FFP for measuring targets and that everything is equal no matter the magnification, but at longer range I know a finer reticle would appear more precise. At 16x, the reticle covers quite a bit of target (I think the PST is .21 moa ) so it's covering about a quarter of a 1 moa target....and at distance you're going to be zoomed anyway so sfp would be at calibration. For 400-600 I do like FFP but when dryfirng, sighting on, measuring, shooting, etc at 800+ it seems like a really bold reticle.

 

[Justin Crossley]

The VX6 3-18x50 is pretty hard to beat for a factory rifle.

 

[wapitibob]

I wouldn't touch a leupold vx3. Been there as have all the LR guys I talk to. A PST is years ahead of a Leupy vx3 in the erector assy which is what matters if you're turning a dial. The cheapest scope Id buy is a pst, then an shv, then the nxs. If you must get a leupy have them put the dual springs in the erector assy.

 

[JustOneMoreShot]

I love my NightForce scopes. Yes they are really expensive but they flat work and work really well at long range and dialing.
I have and still use a few Leupold, Bushnell, Nikon etc scopes however there is night and day difference in the NF equipment.
The SHV is a good option for less weight if that is an important consideration or the NXS line is a good step up and worth every penny.

 

[IAHNTR]

What kind of budget are you working with? I would go with a used NF NXS in 5.5-22x50 with NPR1 reticle. They pop up often for sale and are tough as they get.

 

[Nogunjoe]

Not sure if this breaks the bank, but I would go with one of: Nightforce NXS 5.5x22 or Nightforce ATACR 25x, (F1) if you like. My opinion is that any less magnification impairs accuracy at longer range. I got rid of a 15x Nightforce as soon as I tried it next to the 22x.
I have an NXS 5.5x22x50 on a 6.5x284 that will maintain 1.5-2" groups at 800 yards. It is obviously enough optic and has a fine crosshair that helps accuracy. The relatively small size and weight of the scope is nice for carrying while hunting.
Also have an ATACR f1 on a 7LRM. The view of the target is obviously clearer than the NXS. Reticle is thicker. The f1 is nice for using reticle for windage at varying magnification which helps when mirage is bad. But the ATACR f1 will likely break the bank.
So, spend til it hurts to at least get the NXS. You will be happy when you can see precisely at 1000 yards.

 

[Sam Millard]

Not sure if this breaks the bank, but I would go with one of: Nightforce NXS 5.5x22 or Nightforce ATACR 25x, (F1) if you like. My opinion is that any less magnification impairs accuracy at longer range. I got rid of a 15x Nightforce as soon as I tried it next to the 22x.
I have an NXS 5.5x22x50 on a 6.5x284 that will maintain 1.5-2" groups at 800 yards. It is obviously enough optic and has a fine crosshair that helps accuracy. The relatively small size and weight of the scope is nice for carrying while hunting.
Also have an ATACR f1 on a 7LRM. The view of the target is obviously clearer than the NXS. Reticle is thicker. The f1 is nice for using reticle for windage at varying magnification which helps when mirage is bad. But the ATACR f1 will likely break the bank.
So, spend til it hurts to at least get the NXS. You will be happy when you can see precisely at 1000 yards.

This is good advice if the OP wants to shoot to 1000 yards!

 

[wapitibob]

NXS 22x with a moarT reticle.

 

[bhylton]

i know for the more experienced folks, having a straight MOA or MIL turret is the way to go. but for someone less familiar with it, and looking to spend a little less $, something like a Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x with a customized CDS turret might be an option. once i got my 300wsm load dialed in, the turret on mine has been spot on to its maximum range (700yds, limited to one turret revolution). i think they retail around $650. If you get a different scope down the road, you can get another turret made for a different rifle/ load for about 100$

 

[Nogunjoe]

If you are going to seriously shoot to 1000 yards accurately, I argue against the Leupold and the ballistic turret.
I have been told by very experience shooters that you likely will not get good lifetime performance from the Leupold due to inadequate internal metals in the turret. It will get worn and adjustments will not remain consistent over time. Note that I have many Leupold scopes on shorter range hunting rifles. Just not long range.

A ballistic turret is only accurate at the design parameters. It's like a broken clock. If you change air density or inclination or longitude or shooting direction, the turret will be wrong. So, It is going to be wrong and inaccurate almost all of the time. Why design a gun to be inaccurate??

Learn to use a ballistic calculator, rangefinder and kestrel. Otherwise, you will not shoot accurately and precisely at longer ranges. If you really want to shoot long range, learn these things. These tools and a .25 moa NF scope will allow you to adjust to within 1.3" of accuracy at 1000 yards. Then wind will be your nemesis.

 

[tiredfeet]

Thanks for all of your views, and a lot of good points to think about. I will have to look at my budget again, I might have to keep what I have and save up for something better than what I intended, like the NXS. Either way I am having fun building this rifle.

 

[GLB]

For out to 1000 15x will work fine. Good glass is the key. Look for a used Nightforce NXS 3-15-50.