Scope for a poor college kid?

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rennsport

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I am still in college and about as broke as a student can be. My rifle is a savage 11vt chambered in .308 which came out of the box with a 4-14x40 Bushnell. I shoot targets usually between 100 and 300yds, but 3 or 4 times a year I shoot around 600. Lately I have felt like the scope just doesn't have enough magnification. So I went shopping and found this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007QEUXSW?pc_redir=1399468429&robot_redir=1
My question are as follows, if anybody has advice it would be appreciated.
1) Okay, I have read extensively about how when it comes to scopes you get exactly what you pay for, however I still have to ask. I am I going to regret buying an inexpensive scope?
2) what would I have to spend to get a quality scope with these features? The illumination isn't important but I want mildot reticle, variable zoom up to at least 32, and AO.

Really i cant spend more than $300 but im open to all kinds of recommendations. Thanks ahead of time for any imput. I appreciate it.
 
An important thing to consider in a variable power is in which focal plane the reticle is on. First focal plane the crosshairs kinda zoom with the scope so your dots stay true at any magnification, otherwise you zoom and your reticle stays the same. So, standard scope setup is this, if your shooting 1 dot at 5 power and zoom up to 10 power to dial it in you cut your holdover by half and you are now shooting low. FFP scopes are the opposite. Dots look to be further apart but they aren't. Keep shooting 1 dot and keep hitting the target. Consider what reticle you want as well. For 5-600 your probable fine with most but if you go into long range 800+ you probably want a target reticle of some type, and at that point your looking at serious money. Look to vortex optics as your cheapest "good" scope for what your describing. Anything less and you may or may not be satisfied.

For 300 your pretty limited, but if you could wait and turn that 3 into a 5 your world opens up a lot.
 
I would look at older 10 power scopes, they were the sniper standard for years.

SWFA sells a Super Sniper which I like a lot, worth a look to see if they have something that fits your needs and budget.

Keep it as simple as possible, at the lower price range those extras means you're losing quality fast.
 
Swfa does make a good scope, but in a high power, fixed power it's not a hunting gun anymore because target aquisition gets tough quick. If it's strictly a target toy then yes, go that route or even an old weaver k10 (I have 3)
 
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A 14X scope is more than enough for 600 yards. Keep what you have for now until you can afford a better QUALITY scope. The Barska scopes are junk and a step down over what you have.

If you want to shoot long range you need clear sharp glass much more than more X's.

Something with dials or mil-dots would be more helpful. 9X is plenty, if your scope is sharp and clear. More X's won't make up for poor quality glass.

http://swfa.com/Burris-3-9x40-C4-Plus-Rifle-Scope-P68077.aspx

http://swfa.com/Leupold-3-9x40-Mark-AR-MOD-1-Riflescope-P60892.aspx
 
I agree with JMR that your problem sounds like optical clarity rather than magnification. If this is strictly a target rifle and not a hunting rifle the $235 Bushnell Elite fixed 10x40 is an excellent scope. Learn to dial windage and elevation and learn to make on the fly adjustments by computing the mils with that scope. When your skill gets to the point that you need more than the fixed 10x Elite you'll be ready to spend more money, and very likely know exactly what you want as well. Optics Planet is also a commercial supporter of THR and they offer our members an extra 5% off with coupon / discount code THRFORUM! , which is quite nice of them.
 
I'm sure you've heard it plenty of times before, but 'cheap' scopes are a gimmick. I've never use a cheapie that was to my satisfaction. The only exception to this rule are scopes for rimfire rifles. If you have an accurate target rifle putting a cheap scope on it is going to give you nothing but frustration. The scope you have on the rifle should be adequate for 600 yard shooting, unless you're a competition shooter of some sort.

Before everyone goes crazy about my next comment, I'll put write a short disclaimer. I know you aren't a military trained sniper. With that being said, 10x fixed magnification scopes have been working for them out to 1,000 yards for many years. Many people think that more magnification is better, that's not always the case. I'd say to train with what you have for the time being until you have the money to buy a REAL scope. Going the cheap route in the beginning usually leads to you spending even more money in the long run when you finally break down and buy the quality optic in the end.

Keep in mind that if you want the utmost accuracy out of a rifle, you have to spend the money. This includes not only a quality optic, but a quality mounting system. Top of the end mounts and rings might be more expensive than you think. People tend to spend top dollar on rifles, then screw the pooch by skimping on the optic. Others buy an expensive scope, then attach it to the rifle with a crappy mounting system. Most hunting rifles, even the cheaper ones are capable of better accuracy than your average shooter can even attain. Typical bolt action rifles are going to be capable of at least 1.5 MOA out of the box with factory ammo. If you're not shooting groups like that, there's no point in tricking out the rifle to begin with.

Once you've mastered your shooting fundamentals and are consistently achieving such accuracy, then perhaps it is time to upgrade. Just beware, shrinking those groups gets very addictive and pricey. Before you know it you'll need a new trigger, new barrel, new stock, new scope, new mounts and rings, new bipod and you might even get to where I'm at which is threading the barrel and suppressing it. These things get very costly.
 
I had that scope (or maybe the previous generation) on an AR I hastily threw together for a coyote and prairie dog hunting trip a couple years ago. It was fine out to 100 yards or so, and it wasn't the magnification that was the shortfall. I still have it, if you want it, but I'd feel like I was ripping you off, at nearly any price.

I've since replaced it with a Bushnell Elite Tactical and couldn't be happier. It's about as good a scope as I needed for that rifle. I think that 10x Bushnell is a really good suggestion. Alternately, I'd get the best glass I could find for the money.
 
The Bushnell Elite series are excellent scopes. I have a 5x15x50 AO, 3200 series. It was not cheap, but not a budget buster either. The optics are as sharp, if not sharper, than the 4 leupold's that reside next to it in the safe. It is big and heavy, but for a blind gun it is nice to have all that clarity, brightness and power.

My shots are not that long, (220 yards max) but I do like to accurately evaluate my deer. I have a heavy canopy of oaks on my place, so getting a clear look into that shady darkness has allowed me to see animals I might have not noticed otherwise.

When hunting feeders in Texas, having 10-15 deer feeding at the same time is typical. Having a scope to accurately pick the best animal and avoid doubles is important. It also helps these tired eyes shoot better and later.

I have mine mounted on a Savage Weather Warrior .308, Accustock/trigger. After some fiddling and investing in quality mounts, this rifle now shoots ragged one hole groups. I do not see well enough with my other glass to shoot that well with my other rifles, so it helps.
 
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As for the magnification, I don't see a need for a 32x at the distances you referenced. When hunting out passed 200, I leave mine at 5x for the widest field of view and for brightness. I do crank up the power for shooting paper from a bench, but even with my sorry eyes I think I could do what I needed too out past 400+With a 10 or 15x.

I have a buddy that competes in 1000 meter competitions, and I believe he uses a night force 20x.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone. I figured this was the response I would get. I'll probably save up for something better.
To clarify, my interest in the 40x is for plugging quarters at 200+. For anything under 150 I am satisfied with what I have but once I get out to 150 the crosshairs in my current scope cover anything smaller than a half dollar. I would like a scope which would zoom enough for me to put lead on an penny. I don't know if that is unrealistic but a man can dream can't he?
Once again I appreciate all the advice.
 
I do not have the credentials nor the ability in long range shooting that so many of our fellow forum members possess, so mine is just an opinion earned through some years of experience. I would use the least practicable magnification possible for whatever distance you are shooting. In my limited experience, greatly increased magnification is only usable by the very best shooters because every increase in magnification leads to an equal magnification of any extraneous movement you may be making. You don't move more but you sure notice your movement more and it's harder to work back to steady.Further, anyone who can shoot well can shoot well with a cheap Chinese 4x scope at 200 yards but as magnification goes up, the reward for quality (and price) goes up exponentially. In other words, your current scope at x14 is very likely better than a $300 scope at x20. But mine is just an opinion.
 
You also have mirage to contend with at higher magnification. You want to make sure you have a decent amount of "low end" to back off enough to see through the mirage.
 
You can get a Vortex Viper 6.5-20X44 with mildot reticle for $300. At 20X, the crosshair will subtend about .25" at 200 yards.
 
Instead of dragging your purchase down to meet the lowest common denominator, (ie: Poor college kid), raise your income to a level that would enable the acquisition of a good scope.

“There is scarcely anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse, and sell a little more cheaply. The person who buys on price alone is this man's lawful prey.”
― John Ruskin
 
if you're really broke, and I can relate, how about the simmons wtc at midway for 100 bucks. 6-20x50, great reviews, and some of the members here have and like them.
 
Rembrandt said:
Instead of dragging your purchase down to meet the lowest common denominator, (ie: Poor college kid), raise your income to a level that would enable the acquisition of a good scope
Click to expand...
I think that's why he's going to college. ;)
 
Instead of dragging your purchase down to meet the lowest common denominator, (ie: Poor college kid), raise your income to a level that would enable the acquisition of a good scope.
Click to expand...
I hear ya man!
Damn those people for being poor... :cuss:
 
There is a series of you tubes called "sniper 101" I have not seen them all, but the one on scopes (Mostly fixed 10 power) was very informative. He went from 150.00 to about 2500 and really schooled me, which isnt saying much!:)

Russellc
 
A 14X scope is more than enough for 600 yards
Click to expand...
This!
I have killed coyotes at over 500 yards with a 3-9x or 10x fixed power scope.

Once you get to 600 yards, 32x is totally unusable do to mirage shifting the target image in drifting heat waves & visible air currents.
Not to mention magnifying your heart beat, breathing, shakes, and wobbles 32 times!


IMO: 10x to 14x is all you can reliably use all the time at that range or further.

And a less expensive but higher quality 10x or 12x scope is a better scope then a cheaper 32x variable can ever be.

Then there is, divide 600 yards by 10x.
The answer is 60 yards apparent target distance through the scope.

You can probably throw a rock that far and hit a target most of the time!

rc
 
I have a Centerpoint scope that Wal-Mart sells for $60-70, but I doubt it will work for 600 yard shooting. 300 is probably pushing it at that price point. I would recommend saving up a little bit more to upgrade the stock Bushnell with a Bushnell Elite or Nikon. Both work pretty well on Savage rifles.
 
Cheap with clear glass? I was very surprise when I first used this scope.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/16...mm-adjustable-objective-mil-dot-reticle-matte

I swap it from AR to AR when I want to do some accuracy testing. I have no idea how it tracks, so far so good, but the glass for the dollar is very good.

It would be a great deal better scope than the Barska linked to.

The Bushnell Elite scope linked to is a good scope. They were replaced with the newer Elite series with side parallax adjustment, and then promptly discounted.

Always buy good glass before features, and buy until it hurts a little. :)
 
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