I need a higher power scope.

[15Tango]

I was able to recently fire a rifle with a Nightforce that was something like 42X and it has a fine cross hair, it really opened my eyes to what my current 'bottleneck' is to shooting better. My scope's power isn't high enough and my cross hair is too thick.

I have a 6.5-20X50MM Sightron SII Big Sky on my 6.5, it has a Mil-dot reticle. I'm hitting a wall here with my ability to be able to pin point my aim with this scope because the power isn't exactly that high and the reticle cross hairs are covering up too much , I'm really only able to hold about 1/2 MOA, it completely covers up bullet holes and it's holding me back.

I've thought about getting one of those magnifiers for scopes but I've heard they not only magnify but they also make the cross hair bigger and you also lose some clarity. That doesn't seem like it'll be a good solution, although cheap.

Budget is an issue here so buying a $1000+ Nightforce isn't an option at this time. This scope will only be used for known distance F-Class so fixed power will work well and help it be more cost efficient. The best compromise between clarity, higher power and a fine cross hair while being within my budget is the Sightron SII Big Sky 36X 42MM, it's about $620 and Sightron has a $75 rebate on the Big Sky line right now.

Is there any other scope out there that would be better for my needs yet the same price or better than this Sightron 36X 42MM?

 

[Rust]

In that price range, the Sightrons are about the best choice. Another thing you might consider is checking around for a used Nightforce.

 

[RonAKA]

I would also consider the Weaver T36. Here are a couple of articles to look at. I believe Bausch & Lomb's scope line was bought by Bushnell, and they now call it the Elite. However, I don't think they make the 36X target scope any longer, although you may find it used. The first article is quite dated -- from 1996, and not sure about the second.

http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/may96high.html

http://www.6mmbr.com/optics.html

 

[FBecigneul]

You might consider calling Bill Ackerman at Optical Services Co. as he can bump a scope 60% in power and he can also change the reticle in most scopes. I'm not sure if he works on Sightron but he does on just about everything else.
575-589-3833
oscscope@aol.com
He is in New Mexico

 

[deadlyswift]

15Tango,
I would seriously consider holding off untill funds will allow for NF. If shooting F class you can make do very easily with 1/4 clicks, Imo 1/8 clicks would be better, but not a must have when shooting F class. I'm still ploting wheather I want to wait until NF comes out with the 1/8 clicks in the NXS or just go a head and get a BR model. I have a Mark 4 leupold 8x25x50 with the tmr rec. I do like this scope. How ever that scope was $1200 when I could have got the 12x42x56BR model for $1400. I have looked through a NXS 12x42x56, and the same with the BR model. The luppy doesn't hold a candle to the NF! BR or NXS. (Peacher) claims that the BR model has less glass, and is more clear. I for one don't exactly understand why it would be more clear? BUT! (Preacher) was right!! The BR model does seem to be more clear. Not a huge difference, but enough to wonder why to pay $400 more for the NXS? With that said I do Like the convenice of the side focus, and the tactical knobs, compared to the reaching all the way up to the bell to adjust foucus or trying to keep up with the knobs on the BR model. Guess it comes down to the convenice, and funds allowed? Me I look at things like this. NF is what I really want to go with. I can't have it now, so I will make due with what I got. Pinch my penny's until I can get the NF!!! Hopefuly before the first of the year. IMO you may not use 42X as much as u like, but it's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it! Maybe look at what you have, and what you must have right now? Can you make due with what you have until funds allow for something better, than just settleing on something that may or may not be just a little better than what you already have? My point being why not hold off untill you can get what you really want?
Mark

 

[bozo699]

Wayne,
I think Mark is spot on, I don't know how many times I have got in a hurry and bought somthing just a wee bit better than I allready had because I didn't have the funds. now I have two poor quaility items that cost about the same as the one good one I really wanted in the first place. I am pretty good about saving up and getting what I want now but my shelves are full of stuff I will never use again because I couldn't wait. Anyway for whatever it is worth thats my opinion also,from one Wayne to another
Wayne.

 

[Ron10x]

15Tango
I have the same scope as you, then I got a Zeiss Conquest. It was like going from regular TV to High Def - WOW. The world got clearer and brighter and the group size got smaller. My 2 cents worth

Ron

 

[Taildrag15X]

Weaver T-36 Target Crosshair with 1/8 moa DOT with the 4X multicoat slide on Bulz Eye Pro booster would be my choice in your shoes.

Nightforce is a great scope, but, weight is a factor in F/TR so I stayed with my 20-50X Leupold/Premier.

 

[FBecigneul]

Bozo699:
"my shelves are full of stuff I will never use again because I couldn't wait".

Could you send me a list of that unwanted stuff on your shelves? I'm in a buying mood.

 

[SS427]

Bozo699 - send me the same list. I have a Sinclair and Midsouth list that could fund a small nation. If I could save any money that would be great!

 

[bozo699]

Ok fella's I am @ the end of my work week,Tue. will be my sat. I will comprise a list @ that time, sounds fun
Wayne, I just read one of your other posts a few minutes ago ( not trying to hijack this one) but I have two pre-chargemaster rcbs disspensers and SCALES. I could send you one of the scales so you could play around with it to see if you were even interested in one,see how it compares to your 505 let me know.
Wayne.

 

[camac]

I will add one for consideration. We had Weaver, Leupold and Sightron fixed 36 power at the range the other day when the mirage was bad. The guys shooting them did far worse than normal and complained bitterly of the image. We lined up a sightron 10-50 * 60 and a Nightforce 8-32 on 25 power and the image quality on the last two made it look like you were shooting through shattered glass on the others. Save the penny's or trade up Wayne, A good variable scope is very valuable in F class. Not very day is the same. Somedays you will wish you had 40 power plus, others 20 will be better. Personally I like to shoot through the image at high power but occasionally I still back it down if it is that bad.

 

[15Tango]

Midway's $100 off and Sightron's $75 rebate brought the cost of the 36X SII Big Sky down to $450, my finances really didn't allow for a Nightforce so I went the route I was originally thinking on the Sightron.

I received it today and I've mounted it on the rifle and looked around the neighborhood with it and I'm amazed at what I can see at 36X vs 20X and the fine cross hair versus Mildot is phenomenal, it's just what I needed to step my accuracy up. I was looking at my neighbor's grill at 550 yards out and I can clearly read the 'Char-Broil' on the thing, no way I could do that with the other scope. The 6.5-20X50 SII's new home is on the wife's AR15 F-class rig. The scope that was on the AR15, a Nikon Buckmasters 6-18X is now on my .22 of all things! Yeah, 18X on a .22!

As some of you wisely mentioned and warned me about, the fixed power is the only thing scaring me because of mirage. Some day maybe I'll sell both my Sightrons or something and buy a Nightforce, until then I hope this thing tides me over.

Thanks for the suggestions,

Wayne