22 BR SCOPE SEARCH NIGHTMARE

[TheGoatMumbler]

I've got my old Anschutz 54 Match, scope rail on the way, now I need a scope for BR and long distance. Here's my dilemma.

I really like my Sightron SIII 6x24x50 on my 6.5 Creed. I'd like to have that MOA 2 reticle, FFP, but a bit more magnification. (getting older and 22 LR makes a tiny hole). Paying $1K is fine, $2K is not. I'm terrified to buy a dedicated BR scope with a fine crosshair or fine dot. The MOA 2 reticle has a pretty fine dot and I can use it on other rifles if need be. Been searching till my eyes bleed. Am I just being a little twit to stay stuck on FFP and +24 power or is there something out there I'm missing?

 

[jpx2rk]

Try a Weaver 36x fixed or Sightron 36x, FCH or FCH with dot. Only $400 or so now.

 

[TrxR]

Im just curious but why FFP?

 

[TrxR]

I use a weaver t36 on my 22 bench gun , their are plenty out on the used market but they are not being made anymore.

Would like to try a Sightron 45x myself.

 

[fotohunt]

This is what I use https://www.swfa.com/athlon-4-5-30x56-ares-etr-34mm-riflescope-1.html . If there is too much mirage due to heat, I can alway turn it down.

-Darrell

 

[TheGoatMumbler]

Im just curious but why FFP?

My other scopes are FFP is the only reason. I'm leaning towards another Sightron SFP though.

 

[CJ6]

Contact Dusty Stevens on here he has a couple 36 power IOR Valdada's that should work for you.

 

[doclu60]

TheGoatMumble,
Well, you got some replies, but none of them asked for more information and more information is needed for an educated reply. Please define your objectives. You say BR and long distance. BR can mean a lot of different things to different people. To me, RFBR means 50yd/meters, as I shoot the 2 major sanctioning bodies in RFBR. To others, it may mean something totally different as far as range goes. Long distance could be a wide variable in range as well, depending on who you are talking to, or those that will give advice.

I'll go out on a limb here and say that unless you are shooting different ranges in one of the action games that are so popular now, which many consider, in part, long distance, you don't want a FFP scope. The extremely large size of the reticle on higher powers defeats precision shooting on small scoring zones of some targets. FFP scopes are best used for determining hold over for varying distances when several distances are encountered during the course of fire in a single match. For benchrest at a single distance, perhaps two, a SFP would be preferred. Especially if the target has scoring rings and you're not just shooting steel.

The post about getting a variable is solid. I have a Sightron 45X fixed. I need it because of weight restrictions on one of my rifles, and it's light for the power it's got. It also sucks in warm humid air at times when mirage becomes an issue, even at 50yds. All my other competition scopes are variables. As mentioned already here, you can turn them down when you have to when things get 'fuzzy'.

In your price range, a nice used Vortex Golden Eagle may be the ticket. 15-60 X 52 and the ECR-1 reticle is excellent. Floating dot for precision work and hash marks below horizontal hair for hold over. You will see these scopes sold in the used market for around your 1K budget almost always. I have had 2 of them, both purchased used, and still have one. Lifetime warranty, no matter who bought them first, and decent glass for the money. Plus, wide power range for multiple uses. I like the reticle described above so much both of my NF 15-55 X 52 Competitions have the same type reticle. Hope this helps.

Scott

 

[TheGoatMumbler]

TheGoatMumble,
Well, you got some replies, but none of them asked for more information and more information is needed for an educated reply. Please define your objectives. You say BR and long distance. BR can mean a lot of different things to different people. To me, RFBR means 50yd/meters, as I shoot the 2 major sanctioning bodies in RFBR. To others, it may mean something totally different as far as range goes. Long distance could be a wide variable in range as well, depending on who you are talking to, or those that will give advice.

I'll go out on a limb here and say that unless you are shooting different ranges in one of the action games that are so popular now, which many consider, in part, long distance, you don't want a FFP scope. The extremely large size of the reticle on higher powers defeats precision shooting on small scoring zones of some targets. FFP scopes are best used for determining hold over for varying distances when several distances are encountered during the course of fire in a single match. For benchrest at a single distance, perhaps two, a SFP would be preferred. Especially if the target has scoring rings and you're not just shooting steel.

The post about getting a variable is solid. I have a Sightron 45X fixed. I need it because of weight restrictions on one of my rifles, and it's light for the power it's got. It also sucks in warm humid air at times when mirage becomes an issue, even at 50yds. All my other competition scopes are variables. As mentioned already here, you can turn them down when you have to when things get 'fuzzy'.

In your price range, a nice used Vortex Golden Eagle may be the ticket. 15-60 X 52 and the ECR-1 reticle is excellent. Floating dot for precision work and hash marks below horizontal hair for hold over. You will see these scopes sold in the used market for around your 1K budget almost always. I have had 2 of them, both purchased used, and still have one. Lifetime warranty, no matter who bought them first, and decent glass for the money. Plus, wide power range for multiple uses. I like the reticle described above so much both of my NF 15-55 X 52 Competitions have the same type reticle. Hope this helps.

Scott

Good info Scott. Thanks.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

The advantage of a FFP is ranging targets at unknown distances, as the sub tension values remain constant at all magnification levels. The downside is the reticle gets magnified and harder to aim small.

 

[VLNBYR]

You're making an anthill into a mountain. You have a nice Sightron but want more power. You get the Sightron Slll 10x50. Nice used ones here $750/$800.

 

[rebs]

I have a sightron 8-32 on my remington 541 and a sightron 10-50 on my Tikka T3x varmint in 223. I am very happy with both setups. I bought both scopes from Lancexxx on this site for excellent prices.
If you decide on sightron check with him for pricing

 

[NateHaler]

Nightmare? Hardly. (I know nightmares... ) What you're describing is merely a situation, easily remedied!

First, forget FFP. The only reason to ever think you should have that is if your primary concern is ranging objects at unknown distances and thus you need your reticle to subtend the same dimensions at every magnification. How often will you do that? Never. Forget FFP. Leave that for the PRS heroes and tactical wannabees. And twits!

Second, what is 'long range' for your .22 RF? Will you be shooting, say, to 300y? With a trajectory mentioned in The Wizard of Oz? Magnification isn't as important as elevation adjustment, maybe, if that's the case. If you're shooting at 300y, and your scope is a 10x, that is like shooting at a target that's just 30y away with your naked eyes. Not too tough. If you choose 20x, now your target is merely 15y away to the naked eye. But if your bullet drops a gazillion inches at that distance, then you'll need to compensate by dialing in elevation and/or using your reticle to compensate.

Third, size and weight. Some of these PRS heroes are using scopes/mounts that weigh nearly 3 POUNDS combined. Forget that, you're shooting a .22 RF. Size accordingly. Balance, and overall weight (maybe your competition stipulates max weight) are important concerns.

In summary, get a scope with the reticle in the Second Focal Plane, with enough magnification and internal elevation adjustment (or reticle holdover capability) that won't be too huge and heavy for your setup.

 

[TheGoatMumbler]

All good info here and thanks for the input. I ended up with a new Sightron #25173 8-32x56 SFP $949.00. It has 70 MOA which should work out well. In checking my DOPE from my CZ457 at 300yds with SV ammo I dialed up 46MOA so getting further out with this scope should be no prob. It also has the MOA 2 reticle that has a pretty fine center dot for benchrest but still gives me some hash marks for holdovers if I need it or this scope ends up on another rifle. I have the same Sightron reticle in another scope and it works great for me.

 

[NateHaler]

Well done sir! I'm hoping to try that ELR (for .22LR) myself in the near future.

 

[wkdickinson]

My other scopes are FFP is the only reason. I'm leaning towards another Sightron SFP though.

I have a Sightron SIII 8-32x56 MOAR-2 SFP on one of my F-class rifles and like it really well. I particularly like the reticle. I also think they are one of the best values out there. To my eyes the quality of the glass compares very well to my Nightforce NXS (3X $) and is better than my Vortex GE (2X $).

I also have an older Weaver T36 with a "fine crosshair" reticle. I've shot it a lot on my Anschutz 1413 Super Match at 50 yds. and it worked great. It is a good scope, not of the same caliber as the Sightron, but for the money ($375 used) very OK. If you go that route, something to look for, is the ability to focus down to 50 ft. for indoor shooting. Mine does, but I have talked to guys with newer ones, apparently, that don't focus that close.

Sorry, I missed the post where you said you already bought one - good for you!

 

[th82457]

Just another note, you may want to consider a DIP products 25 MOA rail for your 457. That will definitely help on any long range elevation concerns with standard velocity .22lr ammo. The Sightron you bought is an excellant scope.

 

[bobm]

I used an RWS droop airgun mount on my 457. It has .025 slope built in to correct for break barrel airgun barrel alignment. I cut out material, and relocated a screw so I can reach in and single load. No problem reaching 300 Y/M but I am close to the max elevation adjustment on this Leupold.

RWS 1" Lock Down Scope Mount - Droop Compensated

 

[CharlieNC]

I love my Sightron scopes, including the optical quality for longer ranges. If you're paper target shooting, I will echo the Weaver T36 is tough to beat as it provides great small aim capability and you can see your impacts at 100yd. From previous centerefire experience it is a bit too much magnification at 300yd when the mirage is high. For my 50-100yd target shooting it is fully acceptable in all regards vs my other higher priced scopes.

 

[jps2486]

I've got my old Anschutz 54 Match, scope rail on the way, now I need a scope for BR and long distance. Here's my dilemma.

I really like my Sightron SIII 6x24x50 on my 6.5 Creed. I'd like to have that MOA 2 reticle, FFP, but a bit more magnification. (getting older and 22 LR makes a tiny hole). Paying $1K is fine, $2K is not. I'm terrified to buy a dedicated BR scope with a fine crosshair or fine dot. The MOA 2 reticle has a pretty fine dot and I can use it on other rifles if need be. Been searching till my eyes bleed. Am I just being a little twit to stay stuck on FFP and +24 power or is there something out there I'm missing?

If you like your Sightron SIII 6-24, you will love the 10-50. I have three mounted on my competition rimfires and air rifles. I just scored my fourth on Dvor with the MOA-2 reticle for $699; a rare deal. It's going on my soon to arrive Vudoo Apparition.