Scope for Western Rifle in the $1000 Range?

[Steve O]

Why in the world do you need all that jazz to shoot 500 yards? You shouldn’t need to dial with a 300 WSM at 500. Sight in 2-3” high at 100 and figure out where you hit with the top of the bottom duplex at 500 and keep it simple…

Or get some type of BDC reticle.

 

[BCD]

Have you considered the Sightron S-TAC FFP 3-16x42 Zero Stop - Mil-Hash-2 #26017
The S-TAC 3-16x42 FFP employs an illuminated Mil-Hash reticle for intermediate range applications where a smaller optic is needed. The MH-2 reticle has an illuminated crosshair with hash marks in 1/2 mil increments. The FFP model also utilizes an easy to set Zero-stop mechanism with.1 Mil clicks for tactical applications. The scope offers 20.4 MRAD of elevations adjustments for even the longest shots. A unique flip-up lever is built into the power ring for easy adjustments of cold days.

• Tactical Turrets
• Easy to set Zero Stop
• Zact-7 Revecoat Multicoating for excellent light transmission
• Exclusive ExacTrack Windage and Elevation adjustment system
• First Focal Plane Reticle
  The reticle size changes with magnification setting. Reticle values remain constant in relation to your target.

That scope does look nice! At that price point I would wonder about tracking reliability.

 

[BCD]

Why in the world do you need all that jazz to shoot 500 yards? You shouldn’t need to dial with a 300 WSM at 500. Sight in 2-3” high at 100 and figure out where you hit with the top of the bottom duplex at 500 and keep it simple…

Or get some type of BDC reticle.

I will practice out to twice that far. I also much prefer the precision of dialing to the guessing with a BDC reticle. Which BDC scope do you recommend?

Thanks

 

[antlerz]

That scope does look nice! At that price point I would wonder about tracking reliability.

Curious also about the reliability. Have the 6-24-SIII and it passes the test.

 

[BjornF16]

Curious also about the reliability. Have the 6-24-SIII and it passes the test.

What test, specifically, does it pass?

 

[Steve O]

I will practice out to twice that far. I also much prefer the precision of dialing to the guessing with a BDC reticle. Which BDC scope do you recommend?

Thanks

That makes good sense. I never trust dialing, and I want to be able to shoot without the extra step of dialing if necessary. I just use Leupold’s B&C reticle. Works well for me.

 

[antlerz]

What test, specifically, does it pass?

Gets used for 1000yd+ targets for 308. Positive clicks. Return to 0. Calibration to MOA is good.

 

[BjornF16]

Gets used for 1000yd+ targets for 308. Positive clicks. Return to 0. Calibration to MOA is good.

So not dropped tested for durability (maintain zero)…

Would be great candidate for Form’s evaluation

 

[antlerz]

So not dropped tested for durability (maintain zero)…

Would be great candidate for Form’s evaluation

Absolutely! - good candidate.

 

[BCD]

That makes good sense. I never trust dialing, and I want to be able to shoot without the extra step of dialing if necessary. I just use Leupold’s B&C reticle. Works well for me.

Iv'e heard nothing but good things about that reticle. I feel more comfortable dialing but maybe should spend more time with a BDC scope considering all the tracking failures you hear about....

 

[525xcw]

Check out Red Hawk Rifles, they have some good deals on good demo scopes.

 

[tcpip95]

Look at the Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 HTMR. The only thing it doesn’t have is illumination. It is a CDS scope so you just zero it and then use the CDS system and pull the trigger.

 

[BCD]

I’ve been looking hard at the Zeiss V4’s to upgrade one of mine. There are better options but you just don’t see much bad about them. You can also run across a decent deal depending on the reticle and illumination you’re after

Do the V4's come in MRAD? I'm only seeing MOA. Maybe I'm missing something...

 

[TN2shot07]

Do the V4's come in MRAD? I'm only seeing MOA. Maybe I'm missing something...

That’s my bad, the v4’s don’t. You’d have to step up in their line and it’ll be out of that price point

 

[Rifles And More]

I'm gonna go outside the box here - Swaro Z whatever with the BRH reticle. Really it's just a MIL reticle with a wind tree.

Capped adjustments, easy use out to farther than your bullet will perform, great optics. Get your load dialed in and make a cheat sheet. With 1/2 MIL divisions, you could hold to 1/4 MIL on the glass along with windage.

It checks a lot of your requirements.

 

[BjornF16]

I'm gonna go outside the box here - Swaro Z whatever with the BRH reticle. Really it's just a MIL reticle with a wind tree.

Capped adjustments, easy use out to farther than your bullet will perform, great optics. Get your load dialed in and make a cheat sheet. With 1/2 MIL divisions, you could hold to 1/4 MIL on the glass along with windage.

It checks a lot of your requirements.

Except reliability/durability

 

[Rifles And More]

Except reliability/durability

Please expand...

 

[BjornF16]

Known for failures to keep zero, return to zero

Help me scope my mountain rifle

You are building a lightweight mountain rifle and trying to put target/precision rifle magnification on it. You're right, I am. But I also don't believe it cant be done. The Zeiss and Swaro both accomplish this just fine, and I'm sure the March would too, I just haven't mounted it up yet...

www.rokslide.com

 

[BjornF16]

Unfortunately, same with the Zeiss V4

Vortex Razor HD LHT 4.5-22x50mm Q&A

Surprising on the drop test and disappointing. Curious if its a scope specific issue? My wife dropped my LHT SFP on some rocks about 20 minutes before I shot my bull at 575 yards. It hit hard and dinged the gun pretty good. Maybe I got lucky…or maybe you got unlucky. Did you say you had...

www.rokslide.com

 

[Rifles And More]

Ahhh, 'Scope Jesus' says it's bad. You've never actually had one though...

It's a scope I wouldn't dial with and that was not my recommendation. Just offering something different. Best of luck to the OP it's a list that may be hard to fill - everything is a compromise.

Snarky Edit - Form is a fountain of knowledge. I have taken his recommendation on scopes and scope mounting. I've been pleased by both. Sometimes though, I like to try and test things myself, for my use. I occasionally find something that works for me that was tested by me. I found it nice not to run dials and just use the glass. I've had no zero and durability issues. YMMV....