Question about new optics for the 6XC

[Kingfisher]

Alright, folks have an optics dilemma of sorts.

As some of you may know, I recently built a new toy in 6XC. I’ve been overwhelmingly pleased with the results so far. The only thing I’d like to change about the rig is the optics. Currently I’ve got a Leupold VX3 LRT 8.5-25x50 on it. Great scope, tracks great, no issues with it really at all except that it’s a standard fine crosshair reticle, and Leupold doesn’t really have any custom reticle options for it. I’ve got a 338 that needs a scope anyway, and I’d like to put the VX3 on the 338 and put new optics on the 6XC. My preference is for a scope with an MOA reticle for holdover on windage/elevation but I’m torn between two different scopes.

Purpose of the gun is for 1000 yard shooting for fun, and some light duty F-class work. Mostly informal stuff. Just so everyone knows what the goal is.

I originally had my mind set on a Sightron 10-50x60 based on what I’ve read here and elsewhere. Seems like it’d be a perfect fit for the 6XC. However, after some discussion with a buddy, I’ve also been giving a lot of thought to the Vortex VIPER PST 6-24 FFP. Question is, how much should I get hung up on the FFP w/ lower magnification vs. the Sightron SFP with higher magnification? If I’m using the reticle for holdover, in the real world what am I giving up when shooting a SFP scope vs. FFP scope?

Any thoughts/opinions on the two options? Any other advice? The Vortex is right at the max of my price range.

 

[Nomad47]

I have the SIII 10-50x60 scopes on both of my 6XCs. I shoot steel, paper, and varmints from 100 to 1200 yards but I don't do 'holdover', I crank turrets. I sometimes hold off for wind but I use the size of the target as a gauge since my reticle is the fine crosshair with 1/8 MOA dot.

 

[confuzed]

I have two sightron SIII in 8-32 one with cross hairs and the dot and one with the 2 MOA reticle witch is what I prefer I also have a 8.5-25 leupold LRT 1/4 MOA dot and am going to change it to the TMR reticle which might be a thought for your scope ether way I think will work for what your doing!

 

[Outrider27]

In my limited experiene with these reticles, I've found that the only thing FFP gives me is the ability to range at any power, which isn't a big advantage unless you shoot a lot at targets of known size and unknown ranges while the batteries are dead on your laser rangefinder. The downside of FFP is that the crosshairs and dots keep getting wider in relation to the target size as you dial power up (and to counter this, may be of narrow enough width that some people have difficulty seeing them at lower powers). I'm extremely happy with the performance of my two SFP Sightrons (SIII 6-24 and 8-32) and their reticles, which don't grow in width as I dial up the power. If I were in situations with unknown ranges and and no laser rangefinder with great regularity, I would consider an FFP scope because of its greater capability as a ranging device; since I'm not, it's not a necessary feature, and my SFP scopes do fine for my purposes.
Quality FFP scopes are great optics, but, depending on your use scenario, the extra expense may not offer anything you will need or use. Only you can determine that.

 

[Kingfisher]

I have two sightron SIII in 8-32 one with cross hairs and the dot and one with the 2 MOA reticle witch is what I prefer I also have a 8.5-25 leupold LRT 1/4 MOA dot and am going to change it to the TMR reticle which might be a thought for your scope ether way I think will work for what your doing!

All good info. Considering what the new rig was built for, I figured it deserved a new scope plus I like the VX3 on the other gun (custom 338/378) that it's going to once it comes off the 6XC. Unfortunately I guess I hadn't done my pricing homework on the 10-50x60. With the MOA reticle those babies are well up over $1k. More than I realized. I have seen them for sale by a few individuals for prices in the $850-$950 range. That's a number I could swallow, unfortunately I can find anything like that now. Everything is $1200-$1300. The Vortex falls at the right pricepoint, so the decision may be made on that alone unless I can nail down someone with a 10-50x60 with the MOA reticle that I can snag for sub-$1k.

 

[stinnett1981]

I have a Bushnell Elite Tactical 6-24x50 30mm tube FFP illuminated mil-dot reticle scope. The only disadvantage is that the reticle gets thick when cranked up to 24 power, but thats just how it is...The reticle will almost cover a dime at 100 yards! Its not a good fit for benchrest, F class etc etc etc. Dont get me wrong, I can still shoot tight groups with it and so on. It is great to use for informal shooting and I like it for open field hunting too. I put the FFP to use. I use it for hold over and ranging distances. You would be surprised how accurately you can range distances. With practice you can do it quick too. Yes you have to know the height of the target or something next to the target to range that exact distance. With a good educated guess of a targets height you can be fairly accurate. The best thing about it is...its FUN! I like to put up a bunch of different types of target (paper, steel gongs, clay birds and golf balls) at all different distances from 100 yards out to 600+ yards. Crank it up to 24 power and start shooting!

 

[Kingfisher]

Well, after thinking about it over the weekend I made a decision and decided to go with the Viper. I saw Baer's list of NF scopes that he was closing out and thought I had found a NF Benchrest with the right reticle, then I realized that my Excel window had puked and the quantity column was off. Alas, the NF was not in the cards. With the price of the Sightron, plus some comments about it's clarity and such over 40x, that pointed me back to the Vortex. I emailed SWFA and they were able to cut me a deal so that I could buy it in state and not take a big hit on the sales tax. With any luck, it'll be here within the week. I'll try to post feedback, pics, etc. once it's all mounted up. Meanwhile, I appreciate you guys taking the time to provide some feedback and insight.