Long range scope recommendations

[deerhunter61]

Guys,

I'm finally going to go ahead and get my custom rifle built and I'm going to need a good long range scope. I know it's not a lot of money but I'm already going to spend around 2k for the rifle and I simply don't have the $$$ to spend for a scope. So I'm looking for one in the 1k range that will perform. So what's out there that will work? I love my Zeiss Conquests but have been told these do not track well and for the money I can do better so what is better?

Thanks,

Mel

 

[taliv]

what are you going to do with it?

plinking at steel? f-class? sniper matches?

 

[Walkalong]

In that price range I am real happy with my Sightron SIII 8X32 Mil Dot. Very clear, plenty of adjustment with a 20MOA rail to get to 1000 yards, tracks well. It's not going to compete with the big boys that cost 2K and up, but it is nice and will work for the limited use it will see with me.

If you are going to run around the country shooting long range all the time, I am sure the high dollar scopes are worth it and will hold up better adjusting them from yardage to yardage etc all the time.

If you are just going to set up and shoot one distance all the time, most any clear scope will do.

 

[MtnCreek]

Depending on what you're looking for, Bushnell Elite 4200 and Vortex Viper PST are right at your price point.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Mel, as said already it really depends on what you intend to use it for.

Also, what's your definition of long range? Some people define long range as 300 yards, some 5-600, and some don't think long range starts until 800 yards - the NRA's competitive definition of the term.

 

[deerhunter61]

Guys,

Forgive me for not providing more info. It will sit atop a 6.5 creedmoor and will be a multitasker. Hunting out to 4-500 yards and target practice out to 1,000 yards. If I can practice enough and become good enough perhaps hunting out to 600 yards for hogs and yotes. Frankly I want to see how good I can be at extreme distance.

 

[otrman]

Frankly I want to see how good I can be at extreme distance

Requires good glass, esp if you will be spending significant time looking thru it. If you can go a little higher than your 1K budget check out the US Optics ST-10 TPAL MSRP is 1215.00 and you might be able to find used one on ebay for less. Also check out IOR Valdada, they have 10x and 16x both under 1100.00 new.

 

[jerkface11]

You won't be disappointed with a sightron SIII. The fixed power ones with a mildot reticle are very nice.

 

[cowtownup]

okay, I'm envious... I've shot a friends 6.5 CM with a Vortex 6-24x50 PST and it was NICE...

 

[taliv]

In that price range bushnell hdmr

 

[The_Next_Generation]

Honestly, I've compared my $300 SWFA 12x42 Mil/Mil with the mil-quad reticle to other higher-dollar scopes and it doesn't do too bad. So far durability has been great (lots of bumping around in the clear-cuts) and the CS from SWFA is fantastic.

That said, I am envious of the shooters who have the higher-end scopes (USO st-10, IOR Valdada, etc) as the glass seems to be just a bit more clear than my SWFA. The owners all seem to be VERY happy with them. Since you have the money to spend, I would try and look through/handle as many of those scopes as possible then decide what you like best (although that can be hard to do in today's age of internet-based sales). Try and go to your next local match and talk to the shooters there to see if they'll let you check out their optics.

Another great resource (if you haven't heard of it already) is the forum on snipershide.com. The folks over there really know their stuff and have provided useful insight on previous purchases of mine (to include that SWFA SS 12x42).

Let us know what you go with and how you like it!

 

[C-grunt]

I had a Viper PST that was a fantastic scope for that price range. Though at that price point I would save just a little more and get a Nightforce. You can get a lightly used one for about 1200 bucks.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

For the money you probably can't buy better than the Sightron III 8-32X56 scope. For under $1000 that's a good one. A sleeper in the scope world is the Falcon Menace scopes. You get a lot of glass for ~$500. Bushnell 4.5-30X50 Elite 6500 scopes are also very good choices and within your budget.

Leupold tactical scopes are very good but they are 2x and 3x you budget.

 

[MtnCreek]

Another great resource (if you haven't heard of it already) is the forum on snipershide.com. The folks over there really know their stuff and have provided useful insight on previous purchases of mine (to include that SWFA SS 12x42).

There's a lot of equip centric folks there that buy something, mount it and decide they need something different. I've bought a couple of $1k to $1.3k scopes for really great deals on their sale section. As with anything used, be mindful.

 

[chaser_2332]

Bushnell DMR like taliv said can't be beat for around 1k