Long range varmint scope choice

[284winner]

Wanting to equip a new long range gun(22-250 Ackley w/80 elds) with a scope for shooting ground hogs and coyotes at ranges out to 1000 yards +/-. I have several 4.5-14, 6-20, 6-24 etc. None with higher magnification. Curious for mostly small critters at the longest ranges what others find to be their best choice scopes. Power wise. I have my mind set on a few choices of manufacturer. I have great success on chucks to 600-900 yards with lower 4.5-14 power scopes. Quality of glass helps when powers are lower. Just curious what seems to be the choice for many of you guys that shoot little stuff at the longest targets.

 

[VaRandy]

Put a BULLZ_EYE PRO on your6x24 and go get em.. Tommy Mc..

What the heck is a Bullz-Eye Pro?

 

[Phil]

I`d look at the Nightforce 8-32 NSX with the MOAR reticle.

I have always been one of those..... if you don`t need it, turn it down, kind of guy`s with the magnification.

I have Zeiss 6-20 VHR scopes all the way to Nightforce Competition 15-55 scopes on my varmint guns.

 

[VaRandy]

Wanting to equip a new long range gun(22-250 Ackley w/80 elds) with a scope for shooting ground hogs and coyotes at ranges out to 1000 yards +/-. I have several 4.5-14, 6-20, 6-24 etc. None with higher magnification. Curious for mostly small critters at the longest ranges what others find to be their best choice scopes. Power wise. I have my mind set on a few choices of manufacturer. I have great success on chucks to 600-900 yards with lower 4.5-14 power scopes. Quality of glass helps when powers are lower. Just curious what seems to be the choice for many of you guys that shoot little stuff at the longest targets.

i actually am shooting varmints out to 1500 and soon 2k and use the NF ATACR but that is my main use of my rifles. If you really don't exceed 1000, there are good options around $2500 but you are out of bargain priced, partly because of glass quality, but more so the mechanics of the click mechanism MUST be first class, UP, DOW,UP, etc. and usually quick.

 

[DogBuster]

I like Vortex PST's on my dog guns....6-24

almost always scope is set at 14-16x......all you need

mirage is always a problem with summer dogs

 

[rkittine]

I have a NF 8x32 on my Wood Chuck gun, but in the summer never have it set much above 24 power for the mirage issues. In my younger years a 20x Unertle did the trick. I always like the look of them.

Bob

 

[284winner]

What the heck is a Bullz-Eye Pro?

Google it. Not sold on it but if someone could give me their experience, I'd look into it further

 

[284winner]

I like Vortex PST's on my dog guns....6-24

almost always scope is set at 14-16x......all you need

mirage is always a problem with summer dogs

Yes mirage is a challenge but I'm speaking of clarity in general and reticle coverage for small critters at over half mile distances.

 

[waterfwlr]

Nightforce velocity 1000

 

[sawcarver]

I have shot Prairie dogs a long way out there with a 6-24 Vortex PST and a Burris 8-40 XTRII. You probably already know this but pay attention to reticle subtentions. A .25 MOA reticle covers up a fair amount of an animal at 1k and beyond

 

[R.Morehouse]

March 2.5-25x52 SFP 120moa elevation 96moa windage. Some nice reticle options......

 

[6MMsteve]

I have a NF 8x32 on my Wood Chuck gun, but in the summer never have it set much above 24 power for the mirage issues. In my younger years a 20x Unertle did the trick. I always like the look of them.

Bob

that be what I had, clear like water. Unertl is the original hog scope, 2 people spotting for each other is one hell of a time

 

[LarryDScott]

Either a 8-32 or a 10-50 SIII Sightron.
Great scopes and you wont break the bank.
Lifetime warranty. LDS

 

[284winner]

Either a 8-32 or a 10-50 SIII Sightron.
Great scopes and you wont break the bank.
Lifetime warranty. LDS

Both those scopes are on my "to check out " list.

 

[357Mag]

284Winner -

Howdy !

As regards the " optical booster ". These work for some folks eyeballs, but not so well for others.

I bought a Gene Davis 2X optical booster for my 36X Weaver, since scopes like NF, high-buck Leupolds; March; and so forth ( right now ) are too $$$ for me.

Scope boosting / magnification math apparently is not as linear as one my expect. I have read that my 36X boosted to something like 52X.

My groundhog scope progression went from initial use of a 2.5 - 8, then to a 12X, a 24X, a 16X,
a 6.5-20, a 36X; and to my current boosted T-36.

I've moved out West and the new varmint would be PD. For a PD trip, I'd probably have to try the 36X, and take off the booster if mirage became unmanageable.

I'd really like to up-gun to perhaps the March 10 - 80X, and have in essence a built-in "spotting scope" capability. And maybe at least check-out a Bushnell " Sniper " series.

But for me right now.... the boosted 36X works ( target work ).


With regards,
357Mag

 

[slm9s]

+1 for Sightron SIII

 

[rcparker1]

One big thing often overlooked is get a scope that has the same reticle as turrets. Pick what your use to and make sure they are the same. Many long range shooters prefer ffp as it works better for reticle holds. Tracking and repeatable movent is the most critical though

 

[MrMajestic]

I'm with Larry. I have an 8-32X Sightron and a 12-42x NF and prefer the 1/4" clicks on the Sightron afield. JMHO and the dissatisfaction of a bunch of Groundhogs

 

[VaRandy]

that be what I had, clear like water. Unertl is the original hog scope, 2 people spotting for each other is one hell of a time

I finally sold my Unertl Varmint 20 last year after MANY year s as the original owner. It took a lot of groundhogs but the extra fine reticules was hard to find on the critter (you have to follow it in from the side). I know the new owner was GLAD to get it.

 

[ttfreestyle]

The boosters work well if you follow their instructions to determine which one is best for your vision. I use one on a 36 weaver and it helps but for varmints I would look hard at the sightrons, they can be had fairly cheap used. Good luck.