Looking for scope recommendation for modest yardage benchrest use

[TommyTwoTone]

Hi Folks,

I am building a .223 rifle strictly for punching tight groups of holes in paper from a bench position. It's my first long gun. My local range is limited to 100 yards and a bit farther away there's another spot that opens a 200 yards range once a month. It's very unlikely I'll be shooting beyond 200 yards, if ever.

My budget is $1K or less. I've heard a lot of good feedback about the Sightron Siii 6-24 and 8-32 SFP models (which is what led me to this forum) as well the fixed power offerings from SWFA and Weaver. I know all are within my price range.

I'd prefer to skip having to buy a spotting scope to see my groupings. Given my objective, will I be happy with the Siii 6-24 or do I need the 8-32? (I really prefer to stick to a 50mm objective) Or should I just skip variable all together and get a Weaver or SWFA fixed?

The other question I have is with mil vs moa and reticles. My research has pointed me toward a mil/mil scope but I want a reticle I can use to assist getting my scope dialed in and facilitates holdovers. However, I'm not a huge fan of the mildot reticles (I wish Sightron offered a mil reticle like the Burris SCR). My understanding is that the field is pretty even between mil and moa scopes if the target is at a known distance and since I'm new to precision shooting the learning curve in using it will be there regardless. Assuming no one gives me a compelling reason to go with something other than Sightron should I go with MOA-2, MOA-H, or just stick it out with a mildot reticle?

Thanks in advance for the replies!

 

[R.Morehouse]

Within the budget you are looking at (Sightron) i would go with the Sightron 8-32x56. They really are a whole lot of bang for the buck. If you want to go higher end with a mil based ranging system i have a Kahkes 624I gen 2 with the MSR (Military Sniper Reticle) with rings i can get to you for 2K. Good luck with your decision......Sightron makes a fine scope.

Best Regards
Rick

 

[cocopuff]

I use nothing but a weaver T 36..It will do all you want and be good
for the 200 yard as well...Or a Sightron also 36 x..Both excellent
scopes for the money...And you wouldn't need any spotting scope...

 

[nakneker]

Either Sightron power range would be good for your intended purpose, great scopes at a decent price. As far as Mil or Moa, I personally don’t think it matters much. Pick one and learn it.

The 223 is a fun round for sure. That being said the 222 at 200 and under has set many a 100 and 200 records. It’s easy to load for and shoots a variety of loads well. Just another opinion.

 

[Jet]

I use nothing but a weaver T 36..It will do all you want and be good
for the 200 yard as well...Or a Sightron also 36 x..Both excellent
scopes for the money...And you wouldn't need any spotting scope...

If just shooting from a bench and on target paper you don't need a mildot or busy reticle. A target dot or fine cross hair is all you need. The two scopes above will meet your needs.

Good Shooting

Rich

 

[bsekf]

Ditto Jet! All the lines and dots just add confusion. A .125 dot covers a quarter inch at 200 yds. and fine crosshairs even less. Hard to shoot 2's and 3's when your crosshairs cover .5

 

[texasbilly]

If your shooting will be limited to 100-200yd benchrest, then you don't really need a variable power scope. A good 20x, 24x, or 36x scope will serve you well.

 

[Puzzaz01]

Always remember, when you build a rifle and say it'll only be for 1-200 yards and on paper....... You'll probably change your mind later on down the road and wish you would have done something different. So don't limit yourself with a fixed powered scope, go ahead and get something like a 6.5X20 leupold so later on when you go on say like a prairie dog hunt you won't be hunting all the place for that small target at 50 yards with that 36 power scope. That's just my 2 cents.

Darrin

 

[TommyTwoTone]

Thanks to everyone for their replies so far.

Regarding reticle choice, what would I use as a point of reference for estimating distance to properly adjust my dials if my POA is off when using a fine crosshair or target dot type reticle?

 

[cocopuff]

Thanks to everyone for their replies so far.

Regarding reticle choice, what would I use as a point of reference for estimating distance to properly adjust my dials if my POA is off when using a fine crosshair or target dot type reticle?

now your way over thinking things..for 100 to 200 it is not needed

 

[beemanjohn]

I own all three of the scopes you are looking at, so I'll chime in.
SWFA- A really great scope for the money. At $299 they are a real steal. They track as well as anything I have ever used, and I really like the design of the mil marks on it. If you go that way you want a moa and not a mil. The mil has way to large an adjustment per click. 1/10 mil at 100 yards is around .36".

Weaver T-36. Again, great for the money. Track real well and have 1/8" clicks. Which are nice for target shooting. Downside is they are a bit "dark". 36X with a 42mm lens = low light gathering. Also, the cross hairs are very fine. Hard to find on a darker target.

Sightron is a great scope. Much brighter than the others, but then it costs a bunch more and has a 56mm lens which gathers a lot more light. If you have the bucks I would go that way. If you want to stay low buck for now, buy which one you want to try, and if you want to change later on, sell it on E-bay or here on the selling forum.

 

[TommyTwoTone]

now your way over thinking things..for 100 to 200 it is not needed

What if shooting at 400 or 600 yards?

 

[JimPag]

I'm with cocopuff. A weaver T36 or sightron 36x is all you need. No mil-dot BS or anything like that. Just a fine crosshair or a crosshair and dot will do the trick. If you want to step it up a notch, Natchez has some of the 2nd generation Weaver 46x scopes for about 550 bucks which is a Hell of a deal.

 

[dkhunt14]

What if shooting at 400 or 600 yards?

A laser rangefinder. Much more accurate. Matt

 

[TommyTwoTone]

I'm with cocopuff. A weaver T36 or sightron 36x is all you need. No mil-dot BS or anything like that. Just a fine crosshair or a crosshair and dot will do the trick. If you want to step it up a notch, Natchez has some of the 2nd generation Weaver 46x scopes for about 550 bucks which is a Hell of a deal.

That is a helluva deal. Thanks for sharing.

I've also seen:

• Sightron s3 10-50x60 for $755
• Sightron s3 8-32x56 for $730
• Sightron s2 36x for $370
• Minox zx5i 5-25 for $830 (illuminated German #4 reticle)
• Weaver 36x Classic T for $450
• Steiner GS3 for about $800 (current promotion includes free rings).

You would choose the 46x Weaver XR over any of these for my application?

 

[JimPag]

That is a helluva deal. Thanks for sharing.

I've also seen:

• Sightron s3 10-50x60 for $755
• Sightron s3 8-32x56 for $730
• Sightron s2 36x for $370
• Minox zx5i 5-25 for $830 (illuminated German #4 reticle)
• Weaver 36x Classic T for $450
• Steiner GS3 for about $800 (current promotion includes free rings).

You would choose the 46x Weaver XR over any of these for my application?

I buy and sell BR equipment for something to do. I've been doing it since I started to compete in SR score since 2013. I've bought sold and used at least 50 scopes strictly BR scopes from Sighton, March, NF, B&L, Leupold, & Weaver. The Sightron 10-50's are a decent scope but when they are cranked up to 50, they loose their crispness. I've owned about 5 of the Sightron 36's. It's a decent scope, clearer with my vision than most of the Weaver T36's, and they track good. I was impressed with the 1st generation of Weaver XR46's. They were a good scope, sans the problem that started when Weaver put excess grease internally and droplets of oil started showing up on the inside of the lens. I've had a dozen or so of the basic Weaver T36's. The thing that I've noticed with those are clarity issues. I've had some that were clear and others not so. There is a guy who I shoot against up here in Maine that went thru 6 of them. All six had issues. I had 2 of the Weaver XR36's with the side focus parallax adj. Those IMO were better optically and function than the T36's. I'm going to order a 46X Weaver just to try it out. For the money you can't go wrong.

 

[LHSmith]

Thanks to everyone for their replies so far.

Regarding reticle choice, what would I use as a point of reference for estimating distance to properly adjust my dials if my POA is off when using a fine crosshair or target dot type reticle?

As you get involved in this discipline-short range BR, you will find that it will often be necessary to "hold-off" (aka Kentucky windage) your POA -point of aim during the course of the match aggregate due to ever changing atmospheric conditions so a simple reticle of fine CH or small dot will be best. Make or purchase at least 3 windflags (for 100 yards) and learn what they are telling you.......shooting without them is nothing more than just plinking away ammo. IMHO a fixed power of at least 35x is best.
BTW- Is Jenny's phone number still the same?

 

[TommyTwoTone]

I buy and sell BR equipment for something to do. I've been doing it since I started to compete in SR score since 2013. I've bought sold and used at least 50 scopes strictly BR scopes from Sighton, March, NF, B&L, Leupold, & Weaver. The Sightron 10-50's are a decent scope but when they are cranked up to 50, they loose their crispness. I've owned about 5 of the Sightron 36's. It's a decent scope, clearer with my vision than most of the Weaver T36's, and they track good. I was impressed with the 1st generation of Weaver XR46's. They were a good scope, sans the problem that started when Weaver put excess grease internally and droplets of oil started showing up on the inside of the lens. I've had a dozen or so of the basic Weaver T36's. The thing that I've noticed with those are clarity issues. I've had some that were clear and others not so. There is a guy who I shoot against up here in Maine that went thru 6 of them. All six had issues. I had 2 of the Weaver XR36's with the side focus. Those IMO were better optically and function than the T36's. I'm going to order a 46X Weaver just to try it out. For the money you can't go wrong.

You familiar with Minox and Steiner? They both make very high end scopes.

Regarding the Weaver XR's I've read a lot of feedback that AO focus control is superior to side focus. And isn't the glass the same as the Classic T's?

 

[LHSmith]

You familiar with Minox and Steiner? They both make very high end scopes.

Regarding the Weaver XR's I've read a lot of feedback that AO focus control is superior to side focus. And isn't the glass the same as the Classic T's?

Your optics in BR is solely to look at how close your bullet holes are together or where the bullet landed in relation to the 'X". The true color of the target paper is meaningless. You are confusing focus with parallax. You generally will set parallax prior to the first shot and it should remain parallax free and in-focus throughout the match. Side parallax vs. Objective bell really doesn't matter in this discipline.

 

[Richard Coody]

no question Nightforce BR 12-42. Solid scope with a good track record for holding POI. lots on the used market for $1000.