Target scope

[Ksmirk]

Fella's the more I get into the load development I find myself wanting more magnification when working up loads, I shoot mainly on 9x or 10x and shoot what most would consider tactical so I don't have scopes over 14x and really don't need or like them. What I would like would be a scope I could put on while working up loads but I'd rather not spend a small fourtune on something I may use once or twice a year. Any idea on a good quality high power scope that would work for something like this application? Later,

Kirk

 

[jghoghunter]

used 36x power weaver or sightron

 

[clannagael]

Just curious, why not a spotting scope?

 

[Ksmirk]

Spotting scopes are great to see where you hit but kinda hard to mount on the rifle sorry I've been a smart ass all day! Later,

Kirk

 

[Travelor]

With your parameters, I would suggest a Leupold 4.5x14 scope such as this: http://www.leupold.com/tactical/products/scopes/mark-4-ert-riflescopes/mark-4-4-5-14x50mm-ert-m5-front-focal/

Personally, I like and own this one for my "tactical" 308: http://www.leupold.com/tactical/products/scopes/mark-4-lrt-riflescopes/mark-4-8-5-25x50mm-lrt-m1/ with the TMR reticle.

I find the availability of the higher magnification to be very desirable for longer shots and for working up or quality testing my ammo/rifle combo.

Remember - keep your head down, the wind in your face, and your powder dry.

George

 

[EdwinD]

for your "once or twice a year", use a SPOTTING SCOPE!

 

[fdshuster]

Kirk: Of my "mid-range" scopes, one of my favorite types is the Leupold & Zeiss 6.5-20x's. Plenty of magnification for longer distances, but you can always crank them down to 6,8, 10x or whatever is required. The higher magnification fixed power 24x and higher get to be a problem for me when trying to find & line up with a very small target at the longer distances. Field of view is just too small and limited. Find the groundhog at 10x and while keeping the reticle on target increase to maximum for a well placed shot. Shooting off the bench at a very small target at 4 & 500 yds., I line up the rifle, front rest and rear bag at 8 or 12x, then crankup the NF's to 32x or 42x for the shot(s).

 

[Tozguy]

We soon get over sticker shock. If you get a good reliable variable scope you will use it more than you think. Who wants to miss finding the 'sweet' load because the scope is off.

 

[Ksmirk]

Ok let's try this,

I have my scopes and they are 4.5-14 MOA/MOA that I use on my rifles. What I'm looking for is not a spotting scope already have one of those and it works great to see where the bullet hit, what I'm looking for is a scope that I can put on a rifle to work up loads with, it ain't gonna stay on the rifle just to work up loads since I already have the scopes that live on the rifles and a spotting scope to see where the bullet hits. A couple of you fella's hit the nail on the head and a thanks to you!

I guess I need to start looking for a 36x since I know 24x is ok but I work up my loads at 300 yards what's you thoughts on either straight fine X hair or go with a dot X hair? Later,

Kirk

 

[clannagael]

We soon get over sticker shock. If you get a good reliable variable scope you will use it more than you think. Who wants to miss finding the 'sweet' load because the scope is off.

Yeah. WE get over it. Our wives never do. ;D

 

[DOGCAPPER]

Use your same scope that is mounted on your rifle....
Buy a 4X slip on booster for < 100 bucks...
FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS!!!
They work..
A 4X boosts power 40%...

 

[placek59]

+ 100 bajillion to David's comment- and yes I said bajillion, and it's alot!!

anyway, like hoghunter, I think a weaver t36 or sightron 36x would be a good fit for your needs and can be had for 300ish used with a good warranty. I would go with a fine crosshair if possible. I have a T36 fch that has worked flawless for me, I also have a sightron sii 24x w' 1/8 dot. I think the sightron has better glass but I would rather have the fine crosshair on it. That's my .02 fwiw.

Oooohhh, a booster. Good idea, I have never used one, -Dogcapper posted while I was typing, but may be a cheaper alternative for you to try.

 

[Ksmirk]

A booster huh? never heard of one for a scope! bino's yep but never a scope. Where would a guy find out some information about these boosters? sounds interesting to say the least and might be a way out for me plus I'd not have to take a scope on and off. Later,

Kirk

 

[JRS]

BulzEyePro. Run a search and you'll find them.

 

[Ksmirk]

Interesting those boosters! still a little fuzzy about them but I get the general idea of what they do. Will a booster get you to 36X with a 14X scope? that is one of the things I really didn't understand or my brain cell didn't latch onto. Later,

Kirk

 

[LHSmith]

Kirk- their website leaves a lot to be desired, but in the testimonial page, Sam Hall claimed a 3x boosted his March from 60x to 78x, a 30% gain. Therefore, using their strongest booster would only increase your 14x to 19.6x (14 x 1.40= 19.6).
Also be forewarned the boosters increase the thickness of the crosshair.

 

[pfinney]

There is a lot of confusion over the boosters, so hopefully i can clear some of it up now.
If you have a X10 scope, then the booster will add its %, for example, if its a X3 booster (such as mine) then it will take the scope up 30%. BUT, this is only correct with a 10X. Its clever marketing from the creators to make you think it will add 30% to all mags, it wont. If you add it to a X60, then it will make it X63, nothing more.
The lenses are good, but they wont make your sight picture brighter, thats impossible. Some say that they help with reading mirage, some say they dont help. Basically, if you have a low mag scope and wish to boost it, they work really well. If you have a high mag, they do very little.
Such is my experience and mine sits in its little pouch rather than on the scope.

Frazzle

 

[Ksmirk]

Sounds like I'd just be better off going with a straight 36X scope and call it good, I'm simple and suck at math ;D thanks for the info guys! Later,

Kirk

 

[pfinney]

Rich

this topic has come up before on this forum, and thats what moved me to test the claims rather than go by 'gut feel'

I bought my X3 for my March 10-60X. Using it at X60, according to you, it should now be a 78X. So, i then looked at the image, and compared that to my March X at 80X. Not even close. I dialed the March X down until i got the same magnification through both scopes, and it turned out that it was JUST over 60X, which by looking at the dial was less than 65x but more than 60x, lets call it 63x.
You are of course correct that it does also enlarge the recticle but with a fine target rec, this doesnt really cause a problem. I actually bought mine as i wanted to test the claims that it IMPOROVES the sight picture and resolution. Of course, this doesnt happen. It is a cheaper way of giving your scopes a little more power (but a little less FOV), but thats all. Reading mirage with a scope like a March is not difficult anyway, and in my experience this booster doesnt help. Try the same test i did, im keen to see your results.

Frazzle

 

[bheadboy]

Ksmrik, I use the 6.5-20 luepold on 20 to work loads then crank down to shoot at 10-12 most of the time,

also you can go on gunbroker and look for a 24x luepold, 40m, they go cheep and are an early target version, very hi quality

Bob