scope advice

[dbaird]

I am considering a Nightforse NXS 5.5-22x50 or 8.5-32x56 for use on an older Remington 700 BDL (wood stock) in .243. Any suggestions-shots max at about 350 400 yards. Thanks for the advice.

 

[potatoe]

If you have the money go for it, nightforce are great scopes. The power is largely your own preference. I personally like the higher power for my varmint guns some of the other guys only want up to about 25x but I like my 32. What are you going to be using it for?

 

[joshb]

I'm a firm believer in the Higher power. It's there, if you need it. I got a NF 8-32, a few years ago. Nice scope, but I put my NF 12-42 on the gun I'm using alot. Now , for hunting, it depends on what and where. It also depends on how old you are😳.

 

[Tommie]

What are you planning to use the rig for? Makes a big difference in optics decisions.

 

[bheadboy]

if you are looking for 300-400 yd, sounds like you are after the little beasties, pd! etc

if so, the experience I have is the mag above 20 is a waste of time as mirage will drive you crazy, most of those folks I know who go pd, for the 300-400 yd never use higher than 20 and will back off to the 12-14x area in the heat of the day.

a good Leopold 6.5x20 50mm works great.

B ob

 

[wboggs]

What are you hunting, varmints or deer/elk? Where are you hunting? The devil is in the details.
Bill

 

[tenring]

if so, the experience I have is the mag above 20 is a waste of time as mirage will drive you crazy, most of those folks I know who go pd, for the 300-400 yd never use higher than 20 and will back off to the 12-14x area in the heat of the day.

a good Leopold 6.5x20 50mm works great.

B ob

Bob, you nailed it. Exactly my choice for groundhogs. Have several Leupold 6.5-20 scopes and luv em. Also, scope power higher than 20X is nearly useless in the field. If you are trying to find vermin at say 200 or 300 yds., the higher power and reduced field of view makes it near impossible to do so.

 

[Nomad47]

Well, I guess I'm in the minority on this subject.

I really like my Sightron 10-50x60 for groundhog hunting. I very very seldom wish I had less than 10x but I frequently find myself cranking up to 50x to see if that is a groundhog's head or just a tuft of dead grass out at 500 yards or beyond.

 

[potatoe]

I'm with Nomad on this one (sorry tenring) I have never had a problem picking up hogs with a 40+ power scope. I'm not sure how bad mirage can get elsewhere but here in southern PA I've never had to go below 20x, and I'd be pi$$ed if all I had was 20x for groundhogs. Like Nomad said, it makes it easy to pick apart the landscape or suspected targets with the higher power as well as seeing just enough of them for the shot, plus if you're used to scopes then picking up the target becomes easy once you get used to it in the field - you can always dial it down but you can't see them blink out there with a 20x

 

[Webster]

Sounds like a very high priced scope for shooting varmints under 400 yards with a factory rifle and barrel. The scope cost almost twice what the rifle cost. Go for it if you don't mind the cost. I would put the money in a lesser priced scope and spend the rest on a custom barrel in 6BR, 22BR or 6 Dasher. A competition scope won't make up for the accuracy of a factory barrel A 243 is very hard on barrels. I have a Rem 700 BDL 6BR and it still shoots groups in the .3 to .4" range after 2900 rounds.
A few times a year I may shoot a group in the 0.090" to 0.150" range. It's a hunting rifle not a comp rifle.
5.5-22X50 $1959
8.5-32X56 $2092

 

[joshb]

I agree, Nomad. You can use 8 power or 10 or 12 to start, but it's really nice to just dial up if ya want to. Exactly the point of my post, too. Lot's of different "hunting scenario's" to consider. From deep woods deer to mountain goat. A guy could get a couple nice Sightrons for the cost of a NF. I like my Sightron 8-32. Good scope for the money. I also have a few Weaver T36s, but I wouldn't hunt with them. I have a few Nikons in 4-16, 4-18, 5-20. Pretty good for hunting various game. I DO remember my first NF. That was a special day in my book. That's the 12-42. Maybe someday I'll have a March or Schmidt and Bender, though I don't think I'll ever bend over that far. Maybe if I win the lottery. If I did, I'd never buy one in low power.

 

[SmokinJoe]

I shoot PD's in that general range + a little more sometime, and IMO wouldn't get too carried away with high power. For the money it would be hard to beat a Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20X50 or a Burris Black Diamond in either 24 or 32 flavor. The Zeiss is a real pleasant surprise in mirage. I shoot Leupolds mostly & a lot of them are the 6.5-20X40 EFR target scopes, which also make great varmint scopes, also a few Leupold LR in either 6.5-20X50 or 8.5-25X50, and I sincerely believe I can see better in mirage with the Zeiss than any of the others. You can pick up an excellent Zeiss or Burriss , as mentioned, for about $650 if you are a patient shopper. BTW, I have had a NF 12-42 BR scope , as well as a March, so I am familiar with their capabilities also.

 

[Big Mc]

I have a Nightforce 8x32x56 and a 12x42 along with a sightron 8x32 and 10x50x60 . All good. If you get a Sightron , you save the money for your next trip. Just my two cents.. Tommy Mc..

 

[noload]

Look on this site. Nice scope just got listed.
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3883234.0