Bench scope

[mesaman]

Hi guys: need some input on a good scope for punching paper, my budget is 1k. Prefer exposed turrets and non China thanks to all

 

[Anchorite]

You didn’t say at what range you’ll be punching paper? I used to shoot 200 yard benchrest back in the early 90s with a 36x Leupold, to give you some idea of the magnification for that range at the time.
There appear to be a lot of good quality options out there, and I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss foreign optics anymore. YMMV.

 

[GHinNH]

My plan was to have one of these by this spring to swap out my current Athlon, but you know what happened to the mice's plans...

One of the very few that upfront specify glass which is invaluable to me. I want to know exactly what I'm buying besides a bunch of pretty words and "promises".

 

[Laphroaig]

punching paper

That's a pretty broad topic. Some more details will get you better recommendations.

 

[Walkalong]

My plan was to have one of these by this spring

Great scope, but not what I would choose to strictly shoot groups with. Hopefully the OP will give us a better idea about what kind of paper punching they want to do.

 

[mesaman]

OK here's more info, I have a bench I built on my porch and will be shooting at portable targets starting at 125 yds out to 500 yds using 223,243,270,and 30 06. I need to know what scope would be good, budget is 1k thanks

 

[lightman]

You see used Nightforce 12-42 target scopes for around $1000-$1200. Would be a great choice. Good glass, 1/8th inch clicks.

 

[Nature Boy]

You see used Nightforce 12-42 target scopes for around $1000-$1200. Would be a great choice. Good glass, 1/8th inch clicks.

I second this. Best target scope for the money IMHO.

 

[GHinNH]

Great scope, but not what I would choose to strictly shoot groups with. Hopefully the OP will give us a better idea about what kind of paper punching they want to do.

Nice setup. I need a bolt again, somehow my meager collection transformed to all semi's, well except for my O/U.

 

[kmw1954]

OK here's more info, I have a bench I built on my porch and will be shooting at portable targets starting at 125 yds out to 500 yds using 223,243,270,and 30 06. I need to know what scope would be good, budget is 1k thanks

So now you have provided distance and calibers but not the target size. Are these going to be 1/2moa size targets? MOA size? larger?

I shoot a league that we are shooting .5 to 1 MOA sizes targets from 100 to 300 yards. A 1.5" X Ring dot isn't that large at 300yds. Reticle plays a big part as well.

 

[mesaman]

Using 1" squares @125 yards 2" circles @ 300

 

[kmw1954]

Using 1" squares @125 yards 2" circles @ 300

Basically shooting the same then. I was shooting with a 8-34X56 1/10 MRAD FFP scope then switched to a 6-24X56 .25MOA FFP and still wasn't happy. I am now shooting with an Athlon Argos 10-40X56 1/8MOA SFP scope and I am seeing 223 holes in paper targets at 300yds.



This is a target we shot this year. It is a 4" circle shot at 300yds with a Savage Model 12 223 with a 26" barrel. Any shots into the green did not count.

 

[TonyAngel]

Man, with a 1k budget, there are lots of choices. I know this might be considered old school now, but I recently found myself looking for a scope for reaching out to 800 and I landed on a vortex PST. It's still a good bang for the buck. They're a bit heavy for what they are and the zero stop is a bit of a PITA to set, but the glass is good, as are the turrets.

 

[JFrank]

You may find a Nightforce 12-42 at that price, you could certainly find a Sightron 10-50 x60 or Sightron 8-32 x56 all three are excellent and all are available in 1/8 clicks, the next step up at $1200 street price (2nd hand) would be Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60x52 .

 

[Walkalong]

vortex PST

Make sure it's a Gen II

 

[TonyAngel]

Make sure it's a Gen II

Good catch. They've been out so long that I don't distinguish.