One and done varmint scope?

[lancexxx]

P.M sent

 

[searcher]

I have Nightforce on half of my varmint rigs and Sightron on the other half. About 6 of each in various, higher power models. I would advise anyone getting together a serious varmint rig to go with a Sighton III as one of few scopes that truly are great scopes for the money and can run against the likes of Nighforce and high-end leupolds whereby the shooter does not feel short-changed. I rotate between mine all day and I never feel at a disadvantage when I lift one with the Sightron. I do believe the Nightforce is a better made, more beefy scope, a bit better resolution and more useable on the high-end of the magnification - but that seems to all matter very little in real-world application. I like the 50X upper range capability - but most field conditions limit practical use to 30X. I figured I'd get the model that goes up to 30X because of this - but that was a mistake. Better to use the 50X and dial down. The 50X has better everything than the 30 max. In 15 years of heavy field use, I've yet to break any of them. More than I can say about other brands I've used. While you like to "hold over", once you start utilizing the scope to full value, shooting to the maximum potential of your rig, you will likely be a convert to using dial up. Once you are shooting past 400 yards with varmint bullets, I think the hold-over method is at a huge disadvantage on the small targets, having done it both ways. I converted to dial-up about 15 years ago and never going back unless my targets are all within 400 yards - for which hold over is much quicker. I really like the dot reticles.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Pick one of these. No problem.

VX-3i LRP Rifle Scope | Leupold

We’ve been making world-class optics that bear our family name for over 100 years. We honor that legacy every day as we design, machine and assemble…

www.leupold.com

 

[sw282]

Smoken Joe of the forum schooled me on reticles for prairie dogs awhile back. l have a couple of 223Rem varmint guns. Both VX3 6.5-20, 30mm tubes with Fine Duplex and VHA reticles. Fine Duplex is KING of the hill for prairie dogs. Too many extra lines in a VHA reticle. When shooting prairie dog towns MULTIPLE targets are all over the place. ABOVE and BELOW the crosshairs, LEFT and RIGHT too. l don't need extra clutter

 

[ohlongarm]

I have Nightforce on half of my varmint rigs and Sightron on the other half. About 6 of each in various, higher power models. I would advise anyone getting together a serious varmint rig to go with a Sighton III as one of few scopes that truly are great scopes for the money and can run against the likes of Nighforce and high-end leupolds whereby the shooter does not feel short-changed. I rotate between mine all day and I never feel at a disadvantage when I lift one with the Sightron. I do believe the Nightforce is a better made, more beefy scope, a bit better resolution and more useable on the high-end of the magnification - but that seems to all matter very little in real-world application. I like the 50X upper range capability - but most field conditions limit practical use to 30X. I figured I'd get the model that goes up to 30X because of this - but that was a mistake. Better to use the 50X and dial down. The 50X has better everything than the 30 max. In 15 years of heavy field use, I've yet to break any of them. More than I can say about other brands I've used. While you like to "hold over", once you start utilizing the scope to full value, shooting to the maximum potential of your rig, you will likely be a convert to using dial up. Once you are shooting past 400 yards with varmint bullets, I think the hold-over method is at a huge disadvantage on the small targets, having done it both ways. I converted to dial-up about 15 years ago and never going back unless my targets are all within 400 yards - for which hold over is much quicker. I really like the dot reticles.

What focal plane do you like , I'm shooting 400 yards maximum usually 200 to 300.I'm entertaining a Sightron in the 24X range.I like the dot but need illuminated. I've only used first focal plane in the past.

 

[searcher]

What focal plane do you like , I'm shooting 400 yards maximum usually 200 to 300.I'm entertaining a Sightron in the 24X range.I like the dot but need illuminated. I've only used first focal plane in the past.

I have the Sightron III 10x50x60 models with small dot. Since I mostly found myself mostly using them at 30X, I bought one of their models that go up to 30X. Big mistake. If you like the 24x model - you would love the 10x50x60. They are all good scopes, but I feel pretty sure the glass on the larger scope is a bit better - and the larger objective is nice, too - not to mention the 1/8 MOA clicks. It is long and bit heavy to use on a walking varmint - but I don't walk. I take the bullet to them. Ha. I think a lot of guys get hung up on the first and second focal plane debate. if you have a good scope and use it mostly at just a few settings - it matters not. I always make up my drop sheets by actually shooting the rifle at a certain range on the actual setting I expect to use most often. For me - that is about 28X on the 10x50 power setting. If one finds that they have substantial creep between power bands - say between 15 and 30 - they can simply make another range card at a reduced setting - like 15x and so on. It has been a long time since I have owned a scope that would creep enough to not be able to hit a squirrel-sized target at 400 yards when running from 15X to 30X. I'd probably get rid of it if it did. Going out past 400 is where varmint shooting becomes challenging on the small critters when using varmint-weight bullets in the smaller calibers. The big scopes really help, and the 1/8 MOA click settings are a HUGE help. Using the 1/4 clicks are hell on a day when temps change a lot, and you are shooting way out there. Kind of need to be a Kentucky windage expert. Be sure to get high or extra high rings or blocks and 20 MOA is better.

 

[gzig5]

Update:
Initial impressions.
I ordered the Sightron PLR 10-50x60 scope at about the last possible minute on Dec 31, the last day of the sale from member lancexxx. He got the order in and I received it on the Jan 6. Superb service and and easy transaction with him. I've only been able to look out the windows and through the open doors at the neighbors houses, but I'm really pleased with the scope so far. It is a BIG BOY. I have it mounted on a Kodiak action in Kelbly high rings and I have have ~0.040-0.060"" clearance between the objective and the heavy Krieger barrel. The image is bright and flat throughout the range. I like the MOA-2 reticle so far and the illumination of the dot is good. Nice how it turns off in between each increment so you can get where you like and just turn it on/off instead of cranking 3/4 of the way around the dial like a volume knob. The parallax focus on the side adjusts nice and smooth. The clicks on the windage and elevation are positive but not too firm. The proof will be in the shooting but I'm thinking I'm really going to like this thing.

A mirage band is going to be tough with the minimal clearance to the barrel. Are there light tubes I can attach to the screw on shade or something? I've got a couple ideas but no sense reinventing the wheel if I can find something reasonably priced.

 

[AckleymanII]

Jepp2 advice is right on the money, two scopes. I shot ground squirrels all over N. Ca, and N. Nevada. 225 yards is a long shot. So, the older 6.5x20 Leupold Vari X III with target knobs is more than plenty, so are the Weaver 6.5x24 with target knobs and save some money. 8x32 Sightron III would be an excellent choice. Pentax 6x24 with target knobs, and the older Burris 6x24 Signature with the light collector and target knobs all are less expensive scopes and leave room for a top drawer F class scope.

On ground squirrels, you need some field of view as you may have 12 in the scope at one time...get'em all!

 

[urbanrifleman]

These are just my opinions, so like some other things, everyone has one and they all stink.

I would use 2 different scopes for your 2 intended purposes. Why?

For the past several years I have spent a month each year shooting prairie dogs. Don't repeat the mistakes I made. My first PD hunt I took these:
AR with a 3-9 scope on it, Sako 223 with a Leupold 6.5-20 Duplex, and 22-250 with a Leupold 36X scope on it.
The 3-9 is insufficient magnification, the 6.5-20 was good for magnification but the Duplex reticle gave no specific holds for wind once I got past the fine portion into the wider portion of the reticle. The 36x was worthless for finding the dogs I had spotted in an alfalfa field. Field of view too small.

So I started PD hunting seriously. Went with Leupold VX-3 had some 6.5-20 and 8-25 powers, most with varmint hunter reticle. The VH reticle just isn't what I needed. Depending on how hot it is when you shoot and how hot you get your barrel, the 25x may not be useful to you. The windage marks are too wide and the elevation system isn't what I'm looking for.

So now all my PD rifles wear the Vortex Viper HS LR 6-24x50mm scopes that are FFP with XLR reticle. The years I stayed for the full month I shot over 5K dogs each year. So I spend a lot of time looking through glass. I found that a first focal plane scope is a necessity so when you change power, you use the same windage holds. With the heat and mirage I don't see a 36 power scope being reasonable.

The NF 12-42 Bench rest scope is a nice scope, I have 2 of them. But the front objective parallax adjustment will drive you crazy on a PD hunt. Works great for a fixed range target.

I hunt mid May to mid June. Wind is typically 10 mph every day, sometimes more. So I don't have a lot of issues with mirage and barrel heat. I know for a 200 yard shot crosswind with a 20 Practical, my wind drift is 3 MOA. So I just hold on my 3 MOA reticle tick and another dog goes to PD heaven. Here is what it looks like and where I hold.
View attachment 1301081

I use the nearly identical Leupold Lrp FFP with the 60 Moa reticle.

Once you go FFP with a doping reticle you will never go back.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Pick one of these. No problem.

VX-3i LRP Rifle Scope | Leupold

We’ve been making world-class optics that bear our family name for over 100 years. We honor that legacy every day as we design, machine and assemble…

www.leupold.com

Yup this is mine!!

VX-3i LRP 6.5-20x50 Side Focus FFP Impact-60 MOA

If you're looking for a little extra magnification for your long-range shooting setup, the VX®-3i LRP (Long Range Precision) 6.5-20x50mm won't disappoint. For hunters, shooters, and precision rifle competitors, the VX®-3i LRP eliminates the element of chance from long-range shooting.

www.leupold.com

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Yup this is mine!!

VX-3i LRP 6.5-20x50 Side Focus FFP Impact-60 MOA

If you're looking for a little extra magnification for your long-range shooting setup, the VX®-3i LRP (Long Range Precision) 6.5-20x50mm won't disappoint. For hunters, shooters, and precision rifle competitors, the VX®-3i LRP eliminates the element of chance from long-range shooting.

www.leupold.com

Seen them on sale at a huge savings recently. Of course i didnt buy from them due to the boycott but they are available for price match elsewhere when these sales happen

 

[urbanrifleman]

Seen them on sale at a huge savings recently. Of course i didnt buy from them due to the boycott but they are available for price match elsewhere when these sales happen
View attachment 1306529

Optics planet knocked off nearly $250 each of the 4 I bought at 4 different times.

It was pretty crazy. All I had to do was ask.