What are some good recommendations for a varmint/Benchrest scope? Adjustable power, side focus preferred. Up until a year ago I thought leupold was the way to go but after getting a NightForce comp and vortex golden eagle as well as using a sightron I’m not so sure. Would like to keep budget under 1500 if possible.
Varmint/Benchrest scope
- Thread starter Mfitz717
- Start date
jghoghunter
Gold $$ Contributor
Matt this is Jesse from Mifflin. I don't know what you're using it for but look for a Sightron S3 10 to 50 used should be well within your price range that you have listed.
Thank you Jesse. I got a gun with a 6mm rem ackley and 25-06 ackley barrels. It may show up at a ghs if I can get a scope for it soon and get a decent load worked up. I’m itching for shoots to start
I
What problems have you had with the GEs?
currently have a nf comp and ge on different guns, haven’t looked through the ge too much yet. The ge came on the gun.
What problems have you had with the GEs?
Ranger188
Silver $$ Contributor
I like the GE reticle. If you don't use it over 40x, not too bad of a scope.
The view gets darker than others above 40x.
One of mine, the reticle shifted. Sent back and they did fix it.
Just lost confidence in them after that.
The NF comp. is the standard by which others are judged.
Bright and multiple reticles to fit your shooting needs.
Their are others but they start to get pricey above your budget
and don't have a dollar to dollar return.
The Sightron SVSSED is a great scope, just limited on reticles and 50x
Never heard a bad thing about them. You can find a used one in the $1700-1800 range
used here once in awhile.
One for sale for $1650 right now.
The view gets darker than others above 40x.
One of mine, the reticle shifted. Sent back and they did fix it.
Just lost confidence in them after that.
The NF comp. is the standard by which others are judged.
Bright and multiple reticles to fit your shooting needs.
Their are others but they start to get pricey above your budget
and don't have a dollar to dollar return.
The Sightron SVSSED is a great scope, just limited on reticles and 50x
Never heard a bad thing about them. You can find a used one in the $1700-1800 range
used here once in awhile.
One for sale for $1650 right now.
Last edited:
As I posted a few days go, don't turn your nose up at a mid 1960s Bausch & Lomb Discoverer 15x to 60x. I've been using one for that long. I can see 20 and 17 caliber holes in the targets. I don't shoot at super long range. But for under $200 it may work out to be a good value for you. Find one to try!!
powderbrake
Gold $$ Contributor
For varmint, I found that you need to stay around 8X or lower to find the varmint in the scope, after you have found him with binoculars. A NF Comp at 15X does not have the field of view needed to find that varmint. I have been using The NF NXS 8-32, and it is perfect. I bought a NXS 12-42, took it on one hunt, then traded it for another NXS 8-32. The 12-42X didn't have the field of view I needed for varmints.
They are good scopes, I have one or two. The one I have has a premier reticle, I just wish it had target turrets.
I rarely adjust my zero in the field. Most shots are less than 300 yards and I adjust for windage by educated guess, noting point of impact and adjust accordingly. Some of my scopes have target turrets and some don’t.
I feel leupold has fallen behind. Only reason I would get one is to save weight on a hunting gun.
I would consider Athlon. I have 3 tract toric and had a razor LHT. I think my midas tac and ares btr gen 2 are both better than the razor at less than half the price. The 1500 dollar tract scopes are better, but I don't know if its worth the price. Infact, my one tract was defective had to go back. That model isnt as clear as the other at 1100 yards. The 30mm I could clearly see the impacts in the plate, but the other 34mm ELR scope it was hard to see them. I got it more for internal adjustment or I would probably sell it due to lousy image. The 34mm is about like the athlons. I feel like it doesn't have enough diopter adjustment which prevents getting the parallax perfect. Might be better now that I got LASIK. Haven't had it out since then. I would give the Athlon benchrest scope a try. Forget the model name. If your are going to compete and be serious about it, well then look what the top couple shooters like speedy are using and pony up the cash! My only competitor is me, so diminishing returns isn't really worth it after the 1200-1500ish price range.
I would consider Athlon. I have 3 tract toric and had a razor LHT. I think my midas tac and ares btr gen 2 are both better than the razor at less than half the price. The 1500 dollar tract scopes are better, but I don't know if its worth the price. Infact, my one tract was defective had to go back. That model isnt as clear as the other at 1100 yards. The 30mm I could clearly see the impacts in the plate, but the other 34mm ELR scope it was hard to see them. I got it more for internal adjustment or I would probably sell it due to lousy image. The 34mm is about like the athlons. I feel like it doesn't have enough diopter adjustment which prevents getting the parallax perfect. Might be better now that I got LASIK. Haven't had it out since then. I would give the Athlon benchrest scope a try. Forget the model name. If your are going to compete and be serious about it, well then look what the top couple shooters like speedy are using and pony up the cash! My only competitor is me, so diminishing returns isn't really worth it after the 1200-1500ish price range.
4xforfun
Gold $$ Contributor
I have purchased a few NF NX8 4 - 32 in the last year. 90 MOA up sold me, and the optics KEEP me!! I sold my 8 - 32 x 56 NSX with only 60 MOA and 12 - 42 x 56 NSX with 40 MOA because I have steel targets with flash/bangs out to 1500, and can't get there with my smaller rounds like the Dashers and 6.5 x 47's.
Just my .02...now .05
Just my .02...now .05
Little above my budget currently unless I could find one used for a decent deal.
I’m thinking about a nf br possibly. Had my gun with a vortex ge out early this morning (was overcast), and as someone else pointed out it seemed dark. I will give it another chance tomorrow.
Mitzi -
Howdy !
Read what you said, and will offer these thoughts
Gotta ask, because you didn’t specifically say…..
How often do you adjust or dial-down from the upper end magnification ?
I shoot NE Indiana groundhog, oft times in abusively humid conditions.
My scope selection changes for my CF varmint rifles went from 2.5 X 8 B & L Balvar, 12X Leopold, 16X Leopold, 6.5 X 20 Leopold Vari X III, 24X Leupold; to a 36X B & L.
The 2 most recent scopes I bought for varminting were a Weaver T-36 classic that I put a
2X optical booster on, and finally a T-36XR that I put a 2.5X optical booster on.
Notice a trend, there ?
For my part, I bought the variables for their upper-end magnification ( which at the time would have been considered pretty hefty; by most ). * I asked you that initial question above, because ( for me ) my scope top end magnification just kept going up & up. *
Suprisingly… the oppressive Summer humidity here has not prevented me from shooting the boosted T-36s. These ARE my 2 varmint/target scopes. And, mirage also has not been a huge problem for me; at least….. not out to 1,200yd. I have been able to pan the area for groundhogs, fix their location; and execute kills in a timely manner.
I had been shooting groundhog w/ the rifle on a bag, for decades. Now have embraced shooting w/ the rifle on a tripod.
The T-36XR is the first scope I have had w/ side parallax adjustment. I love it !
The glass is clear and aberration free all the way out to the edge. The XR gave my compromised RT eye the ability to see detail like never before, which I found quite gratifying ! I bought my black T-36XR online from the Walmart website, for $660
5 yr ago; opting not to spend an extra $60 for a silver one. That’s a whole bunch of scope, for the price.
Now…. Optical boosters ain’t for everybody. They DO work, for my eyes/vision.
They are easy to put on….and take off, if not desired for use in certain circumstances.
With regards,
357Mag
hoz53
Gold $$ Contributor
i was going to suggest an NF br— if you dont want the power of 12x42 you can get the 8-32. seems they are in your price range. the NF br were my favorite scope before i got a comp
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.