20, 30, or 40 MOA scope base?

[Retvet09]

I'm putting together another rifle in 264 Winchester Magnum with a 26" barrel. The scope I'm going to put on it will have 32 Mils total elevation. With a 100 yard zero (hopefully) I want to be able to get as much up adjustment back as possible. I'm hoping I'll be able to get the accuracy I want from the 147 grain ELD-M somewhere between 2900 and 3100 fps. I would like to try the 150 grain + class bullets but the barrel I went with is an 8 twist. Having said that, what MOA scope base should I go with? Thank you!

 

[Zero333]

20 moa base is enough because if you end up with only 18 mils of usable elevation you'll still have enough to a mile.

If you know for sure you'll be shooting 2,000 yards+, then 40 moa would be better.

 

[SageRatSafaris]

I'm not an optical engineer, but here's my though process anyway. Pick a base that allows you to zero at 100, but also so that most of your shooting is dialed roughly into the mechanical center (where the best optical quality is). If this is primarily a mile gun, a 40 MOA base probably makes sense.

 

[bluestreakrem]

I'm not an optical engineer, but here's my though process anyway. Pick a base that allows you to zero at 100, but also so that most of your shooting is dialed roughly into the mechanical center (where the best optical quality is). If this is primarily a mile gun, a 40 MOA base probably makes sense.

Bingo!
He nailed it in less words than I would have.

 

[JFrank]

I'm putting together another rifle in 264 Winchester Magnum with a 26" barrel. The scope I'm going to put on it will have 32 Mils total elevation. With a 100 yard zero (hopefully) I want to be able to get as much up adjustment back as possible. I'm hoping I'll be able to get the accuracy I want from the 147 grain ELD-M somewhere between 2900 and 3100 fps. I would like to try the 150 grain + class bullets but the barrel I went with is an 8 twist. Having said that, what MOA scope base should I go with? Thank you!

How far do you plan on shootin?

 

[Sniper338]

I use 30 as a norm. Never needed more yet.

 

[Retvet09]

Thank you for the replies. Yes the goal of this rifle is to easily reach a mile. If I end up being able to push it further that's just a bonus. Applied Ballistics says I should be able to hit 2K (before the bullet goes transonic) with 147gr ELD-M under local conditions. Granted that's not actually shooting but shows the possibility.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I wonder what kind of zero you will have with your scope and a 40 moa base. Curiosity has me.

 

[Mr.Knowit all]

I'm not an optical engineer, but here's my though process anyway. Pick a base that allows you to zero at 100, but also so that most of your shooting is dialed roughly into the mechanical center (where the best optical quality is). If this is primarily a mile gun, a 40 MOA base probably makes sense.

I completely agree. However make sure your scope has the internal elevation to handle a 40 MOA rail.