Scope recommendations for Ruger American Gen 2

[Buzznrose]

I’ve been thinking and talking about getting an econo-accurate bolt rifle to start playing around learning to build good hand loads and shoot smaller groups than my typical semiautomatic blasters will do. I started a thread a while back on this asking for advice, and y’all delivered a lot of great ideas and suggestions. Thank you!

So after watching this video last week, I finally made up my mind. I sold a seasoned but rarely used (by me) 1971 Winchester M94 30-30 and am turning the proceeds into a Ruger American Gen 2 in .223

Ruger American Gen 2 Review: The new budget king

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youtu.be

I ordered the rifle from PSA for $599 ($680ish delivered to my FFL)

https://palmettostatearmory.com/ruger-american-gen-ii-20-10rd-223-rem-rifle-gray-splatter-46909.html

Now I need a scope and rings.

I have little idea how to use a scope beyond focusing them and what I know to be sighting one in. I want to learn how to do the “dope” thing. I want to learn how to adjust the scope for POA-POI. I want to learn how to do the math as well as use an app. And yes, I plan both self study and getting good training down the road. But I will begin with buying a scope that I can learn from as well as building loads. I’ve got some RMR 69 and 75 grain bullets, Federal Match primers, VVN140 powder, and gonna so some good prep with brass to start from.

So, the scope needs to be $700 or less…preferably $500ish. I’ll be shooting 500 yards or less (mostly 100-300. I am not set on a brand or magnification range. I think I want mil dot. I think I want FFP but am open to thoughts.

Suggestions would be appreciated.

ETA: this is my starter kit. I want decent quality, not competition grade gear. If this goes well and I develop a liking, my next setup will be the rifle I bring to a quality long range shooting school. But for now, this will get me a taste.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice.

 

[Varminterror]

I have little idea how to use a scope beyond focusing them and what I know to be sighting one in. I want to learn how to do the “dope” thing. I want to learn how to adjust the scope for POA-POI. I want to learn how to do the math as well as use an app. And yes, I plan both self study and getting good training down the road. But I will begin with buying a scope that I can learn from as well as building loads.

Shoot me a PM, if you like. We'll fast track you down this process. What you're wanting to do is really actually quite easy if you 1) don't try to fight your way through learning it alone, and 2) don't get distracted by folks who mean well but really haven't done it, and end up giving bad advice.

So, the scope needs to be $700 or less…preferably $500ish.

The Bushnell Match Pro ED seems to be about the best option in your price point, currently. A lot of folks like the Arken EP5 - I can't say I'm impressed, and I CAN say I hate their reticle. You would not be wrong with a Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56 or Venom 5-25x either. The Vortex Viper PST II or the Burris XTR II 5-25x's (both older gen scopes) would be better than all of these except the Bushnell.

I think I want mil dot. I think I want FFP but am open to thoughts.

Don't get a mil-dot reticle, but DO get something with a graduated reticle. Do get an FFP. Mil-dots were cool 25 years ago, but we've come a long way since then, and the dots actually present more of a problem than they solve, so riflescope makers really have abandoned the mil-dot reticle. You'd be buying something rather obscure and lower performance to pick a mil-dot scope (saying that as someone who cut my teeth in LR shooting with mil-dot reticles, admittedly, in mil/moa SFP's even - don't waste the time and trouble which I did).

this is my starter kit. I want decent quality, not competition grade gear.

I recently helped a new shooter do EXACTLY what you're doing with a Ruger American, but in 6.5 Creed. It's possible, feasible, even relatively well-known territory. He's even revamping his to be able to compete in PRS - so what you're describing CAN be and HAS been done. A good friend of mine I've shot with for years started his PRS competition journey with a top-loading American, even before the DBM models became available...

 

[Buzznrose]

VT,

This is the post I was looking for. Thanks!

I know I said “mil dot” but i meant to say “MRAD”…as in MRAD over MOA. Is that the path to take?

Looking at scopes. Got time on my hands and will wait for a deal. Also playing with ammo loads.

I’m 61, with decent not great eyes that need glasses for reading not distance. I want to learn this skill so I can pass it on to my grandkids. Challenging my brain is another benefit…

If this works out, my next one will probably be 6 or 6.5 CM

 

[Varminterror]

I know I said “mil dot” but i meant to say “MRAD”…as in MRAD over MOA. Is that the path to take?

Ah, gotcha - little confusion, but we're squared away.

Personally, I'd recommend mrad, but MOA works the same - they're both angular units of measure, just metric and US customary (M in MOA is "minutes," referring to 1/60th of a degree).

There are TWO groups of shooters which SHOULD shoot MOA based optics, which are 1) benchrest competitors and 2) F-class competitors. The native language of these sports is MOA, so folks doing these sports should speak it. If you're not shooting one of those two disciplines, then you have open choice between the unit systems.

MOST Americans learn to shoot using MOA, and it's by far the more common unit system, simply for the fact it's available, and Americans tend to like that 1moa = ~1" per hundred yards (IPHY). I recommend for long range "field shooting" largely because MRAD will let you work in smaller numbers, easier to remember, and will be faster to make adjustments, AND more field competition formats use MRAD, so more folks doing what you're doing will speak MRAD than MOA... But most of us do recognize it's only a factor of 3.44 to convert back and forth, just like converting inches to centimeters is only a factor of 2.54... For me, I it's much, much easier to remember and quickly recall ~1.5, 2, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 9, 10.5 to get me from 400 to 1300 with rough numbers in MRAD, rather than ~4.5, 6.75, 9.25, 12, 15.25, 18.5, 22.25, 26.5, 31.25, 36.5 in MOA... In theory, it should be the same to truncate to 4.5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 18.5, 22, 26.5, 31, 36.5 MOA, but for whatever reason, it just doesn't compute as quickly in my head and doesn't stick... MRAD is easier.

Neither is the wrong answer, however. But MRAD is the "righter" answer for me.

 

[LoonWulf]

I got nothing to add other than have fun!

 

[JmacD]

The Bushnell Match Pro ED seems to be about the best option in your price point, currently. A lot of folks like the Arken EP5 - I can't say I'm impressed, and I CAN say I hate their reticle. You would not be wrong with a Vortex Strike Eagle 5-25x56 or Venom 5-25x either. The Vortex Viper PST II or the Burris XTR II 5-25x's (both older gen scopes) would be better than all of these except the Bushnell.

Interesting… I gave this exact list to a guy the other day. Save the Arken, which I don’t care for. Either I’m learning something, or have good taste.


To the OP, I crossed/started crossing (haha) this bridge not long ago, and learned quickly there is so much more to learn. I personally have been happy with the Vortex viper PST 2, and FYI, midway did have them on a pretty good sale. I’m more interested seeing how it all works out for you, because I’m seriously enjoying “stretching the legs”.