I'm looking for a scope with light weight, tall turrets and a 30mm tube. Money is a bit tight so I'm looking at spending around $500 at most until I can afford a nice Nightforce. I'd prefer a variable power up to 24x. I've looked at a few Millets, Vortexes, Valdada, Bushnell, and others. I've used a Hawke Eclipse before and while it was a great scope, it's a bit too heavy. Any help or suggestions are appreciated.
Help with a Budget F-class scope.
- Thread starter M4Builder
- Start date
Sightron SIII 8)
Completely agree on the T36. I have one on a Rem700 243. The picture is very fine under
even low light and I use Burris Signature rings to give it a bit of elevation boost, but again
no variable power. Only shoot to 300yds. so don't know how it looks at long range. I have
the 10X SWFA SS on my M1A. I'm pretty much sold on fixed power, less to screw up and I'd
rather not pay for an option I don't need. I use a Nikon 4.5>14 on a Savage 10 that's been
sitting at 14X since the day I mounted it.
When convinced I'm outshouting those scopes I'll move up to Nightforce quality glass.
even low light and I use Burris Signature rings to give it a bit of elevation boost, but again
no variable power. Only shoot to 300yds. so don't know how it looks at long range. I have
the 10X SWFA SS on my M1A. I'm pretty much sold on fixed power, less to screw up and I'd
rather not pay for an option I don't need. I use a Nikon 4.5>14 on a Savage 10 that's been
sitting at 14X since the day I mounted it.
When convinced I'm outshouting those scopes I'll move up to Nightforce quality glass.
Look for a used 6-24 viper PST. I bought a new SFP model for $675 a few months ago. Also see used sightron s111 6-24s going for around $650 on the forum from time to time.
I guess I'll finally mention it. I shoot MR F-class (600y) with a Barska 6-24 42AO Varmint. It was $80 with a spotting scope 
Having it, I've found all I ever needed to know about:
Dialing out Parallax by moving my cheek weld (or the importance of a consistent cheek weld)
Clear optics and how to spot them. I can't shoot well at 24x as the image is too hazy, but 20x is fine.
The importance of a FINE cross-hair, I actually shoot with bulls-eye located 1-mil up and 1-mil right.
How great having Mil-dots are for wind reading. Not that these are accurate to measure distance, but they work great at visual Kentucky windage.
That said, my $300 Millet is now like a Ferrari and I love it, but I still use my Barska until I can afford a proper upgrade.
-Mac
Having it, I've found all I ever needed to know about:
Dialing out Parallax by moving my cheek weld (or the importance of a consistent cheek weld)
Clear optics and how to spot them. I can't shoot well at 24x as the image is too hazy, but 20x is fine.
The importance of a FINE cross-hair, I actually shoot with bulls-eye located 1-mil up and 1-mil right.
How great having Mil-dots are for wind reading. Not that these are accurate to measure distance, but they work great at visual Kentucky windage.
That said, my $300 Millet is now like a Ferrari and I love it, but I still use my Barska until I can afford a proper upgrade.
-Mac
I'm currently asking the same question as the OP. I started shooting F-class with the philosophy of "I'll shoot what I own." but I think my old 12x Buris just isn't cutting it. I simply don't have ~$1600 for a NF scope. The Weaver T36 looks like a good choice under $500. The specs say it has ~41.9 MOA of adjustment. If that means ± 41.9 MOA it should be OK for even .223 or .308 at 1000 but if it's ± 20.95 MOA, that would be cutting it kinda close and the base elevation (ramp) would need to be carefully adjusted.mao0720 said:
Could get a 20 MOA base and burris signature zee rings. This set up should have plenty of adjustment and could shoot 100 yards all the way out to 1k
Weaver T-24. It has been rock solid for several years. I've moved up to better glass with NF & March, but the Weaver never let me down.
the t36 is a great scope as long as you don't news a reticle for range estimation. get a moa rail mount if you need more elevation. I wouldn't get a millet. the turrets are terrible. if you need to constantly change from niners range to another you will hate it. I have 2 vortex and love them. you can also find leupold Scopes on here for that price range.
I started shooting 600 and 1000 yd BR with a Sightron SII 6-24. I now use a N-F 12-42 BR scope, but I WILL NOT sell the old Sightron as it is a GOOD scope and will put it on the new practice gun I am building.
It is a 1" scope, but I don't know why you are opposed to that, especially in your price range. You could probably find a good SII on ebay and if there is a problem, there is a lifetime guaranty.
If you find one for your price, the SII Big Sky is a bit better.
I also used Burris Signature ZEE mounts with 0.020 offset rings. I also use them on my N-F as they work super!
It is a 1" scope, but I don't know why you are opposed to that, especially in your price range. You could probably find a good SII on ebay and if there is a problem, there is a lifetime guaranty.
If you find one for your price, the SII Big Sky is a bit better.
I also used Burris Signature ZEE mounts with 0.020 offset rings. I also use them on my N-F as they work super!
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