Advice for $1000 scope

[cat64]

I know that perhaps this question has been asked many a times...but here it goes again. I have a $1000 budget to spend on a tactical scope. It will sit on a .308 single shot target rifle with a Shilen bull barrel and a McMillan A4 stock. I will shoot the rifle anywhere from 100 to 1000 yards mostly prone from a bipod. I mostly shoot targets and I do not hunt. I am interested in a scope with good glass, tactical exposed turrets, MOA reticle, larger magnification, and an objective of at least 50 mm. I have done some research and thus far number one on my list is the new Burris XTR 8-40X50. I am asking the guys on the forum for advice with pertinent explanations. Thank you.

 

[R.Morehouse]

Sightron S-III 8-32x56 with the LRMOA reticle is a good choice. I have one on my 300RUM and the scope has preformed perfectly. Best bang for your buck in the price range by far in my opinion......Rick

 

[cat64]

How about the 10-50x60 with the same reticle? Do they have exposed turrets? Are they FFP or SFP?

 

[snakepit]

Go to www.info.sightron.com then go to riflescopes. Also give them a call, they have been very helpful on the telephone. The SSIII models are probably what you want. They have both exposed and covered turrents and one model in FFP. I have two 10-50X60 scopes and they work great. I purchased mine from Optics Planet.

 

[sparky123321]

+++ on the Sightron SIII 10-50x60mm

Good customer service as well. My brother's buddy dropped his scope while getting it ready to ship out to another state for him. Damaged the reticle. Sightron said it was going to take a little while to repair because the part needed was out of stock. They ended up just sending him a brand new scope.

 

[cat64]

Got the new XTR 8-40X50 to the range today and tried it at different distances and magnification powers (didn't install it on a rifle yet). Well, I am totally not sure if I should keep this scope or send it back. The glass is ok but not too sharp/clear at higher magnification (the downfall was I had as comparison on the bench my NF Competition which has superb picture). Also, to me, the reticle becomes WAY large at x40. Liked all the rest....turrets, illumination, size, weight, FFP concept, "look", zero stop, etc. decision time in a few days.

 

[Romulus]

Vortex Viper PST FFP is hard to beat but the scope market is more accessible than ever at that price point with other options listed.

 

[jlow]

I don’t know…

As you mentioned in the other thread, Vortex scopes has a history of going down and the question to me is no matter how well they stand behind their scope, I need the scope to work when it is needed and at least to me, good CS does not overcome this. I wonder if their Razor series scopes have a better history?

 

[nmjwolf]

+++ on the Sightron SIII 10-50x60mm

Good customer service as well. My brother's buddy dropped his scope while getting it ready to ship out to another state for him. Damaged the reticle. Sightron said it was going to take a little while to repair because the part needed was out of stock. They ended up just sending him a brand new scope.

I agree great customer service and their scopes are great.

 

[Ringostar]

I have a Viper PST 6-24 and S111 10-50. My opinion is that the Sightron is clearer. I also prefer the higher power. In high mirage. I still haven't had to drop below 40 power. I shoot know distance, so do not want FFP. The reticle lines get to big, and distracting at high magnification.

 

[Wjesswheel]

I have the burris you are talking about. I reviewed it on optics planet with 5 stars. I was looking at an NGS with similar specs. I can see bullet holes at 600 yds which I like. I boxed tested it it right on the money.. Shot it against a bushnell elite 32x, nf 25x . The optics all were very similar the nf might have been slightly better at the edges of the glass and the bushnell slightly worse in my opinion. It is zeroed at 220 yds and with just reticle holdover I can shoot out to 750. This weekend I plan on zeroing it at 600 and should be able to get out to 1000 with no elevation clicks.

I am a new shooter not real experienced but I love it. It has always returned to zero.there is talk of them having mushy clicks but I actually find them a little stiff. I will tell you that there is quite a bit of brand loyalty if guys have shot one brand they tend to tell you there brand is great and the others are lacking. I could have bought a march if I wanted actually was set on a valdada. People will tell you the reticle is busy, it's actually very simple far far from complicated. If I had a lot of extra time to actually shoot as much as I wanted I probably would have went with a higher priced scope or a higher priced scop if I was shooting competiton, but I am not.

I have tracked every shot, last week I put 15 in a row on 12 inch steel at 750, I shoot 3 shot groups and some of the take up the whole 12 inches but some of the are in the 4 or 5 inch group. It is most certain a lot more capable of goog groups right now then iam. When I get down to 8 or 10 inched next year at 1000 maybe I will shell out $1000.00 to $3000.00 more for a comp scope. I love it and as of now think I got a bargain. I can also tell you some of them are going to start popping up at some major shoots with some very good shooter behind them. I spent a couple months deciding it was a lot of fun if your close to indiana your more then welcome to put a few rds thru it.

 

[Raythemanroe]

Nightforce BR would be the best investment since it sells used for almost new price.. Sightron SIII 10-50 would be the best bang for the buck..jmho



Ray

 

[dkhunt14]

The Sightron S111 is a great scope for the money. It is really clear glass and has been dependable. I would get the one with 1/8 minute clicks. I have a 8x32. The Nightforce you can't go wrong with. Warranty, resale and everything is top notch. The competition is as clear as anything I ever looked through but way out of your price range. Matt

 

[M95M]

I have been asking the same question. The Sightron III in 32x has 70 moa elevation, the 50x has 50 moa. For my needs in F class it will come down to sightron or NF. My older 5.5-22x NXS NF glass is tough to beat but they were $1299 back when i bought it.The OP said 100 to 1000 yds. That is a tall order for any scope. The only one i know for sure can handle it is the 16x fixed Mark 4. 140 MOA travel. Search for 2tuf4u. I think he still has one for less that $1000. You might have to have the reticle changed out but if you really need to spin from 100 - 1000 yards that is the only choice I am aware of.

Regards,

Ed

 

[dkhunt14]

You can use a 20 minute base and easily get on with 70 minutes. I have never needed more then 32x at 1000 yards. Most days you can't use all that because of mirage. Matt

 

[Raythemanroe]

You can use a 20 minute base and easily get on with 70 minutes. I have never needed more then 32x at 1000 yards. Most days you can't use all that because of mirage. Matt

Ya, but the price isn't much difference between a 32X SIII and a 50X SIII.


Ray

 

[Raythemanroe]

I have the burris you are talking about. I reviewed it on optics planet with 5 stars. I was looking at an NGS with similar specs. I can see bullet holes at 600 yds which I like. I boxed tested it it right on the money.. Shot it against a bushnell elite 32x, nf 25x . The optics all were very similar the nf might have been slightly better at the edges of the glass and the bushnell slightly worse in my opinion. It is zeroed at 220 yds and with just reticle holdover I can shoot out to 750. This weekend I plan on zeroing it at 600 and should be able to get out to 1000 with no elevation clicks.

I am a new shooter not real experienced but I love it. It has always returned to zero.there is talk of them having mushy clicks but I actually find them a little stiff. I will tell you that there is quite a bit of brand loyalty if guys have shot one brand they tend to tell you there brand is great and the others are lacking. I could have bought a march if I wanted actually was set on a valdada. People will tell you the reticle is busy, it's actually very simple far far from complicated. If I had a lot of extra time to actually shoot as much as I wanted I probably would have went with a higher priced scope or a higher priced scop if I was shooting competiton, but I am not.

I have tracked every shot, last week I put 15 in a row on 12 inch steel at 750, I shoot 3 shot groups and some of the take up the whole 12 inches but some of the are in the 4 or 5 inch group. It is most certain a lot more capable of goog groups right now then iam. When I get down to 8 or 10 inched next year at 1000 maybe I will shell out $1000.00 to $3000.00 more for a comp scope. I love it and as of now think I got a bargain. I can also tell you some of them are going to start popping up at some major shoots with some very good shooter behind them. I spent a couple months deciding it was a lot of fun if your close to indiana your more then welcome to put a few rds thru it.

I have a Burris Black Diamond 8-32x and the clicks are soft compared to the Sightron and my Leupold. I'm not really looking at it as brand loyalty but having played with them.. I'm sure not many have even tried the newer Burris scopes, I know I haven't but for the price I bet the NF BR model holds it value much better..


Ray

 

[dkhunt14]

Yes I agree but with the 50 Sightron you only have 50 minutes and that might be a problem depending on gun. I can easily split the patch at 1000 with a 25 power. Matt

 

[dkhunt14]

Also I am not brand loyal. I like a couple of different brands for a couple of different reasons. I have Nightforce Competitions, Nightforce NXS, Nightforce BR, Sightron S111, Leupold LRT , and Leupold Mark 4. All of them are good scopes. For the buck the Sightron wins. Matt

 

[Raythemanroe]

I cant complain about mine


Ray