Varmint/Benchrest scope

[Mfitz717]

What are some good recommendations for a varmint/Benchrest scope? Adjustable power, side focus preferred. Up until a year ago I thought leupold was the way to go but after getting a NightForce comp and vortex golden eagle as well as using a sightron I’m not so sure. Would like to keep budget under 1500 if possible.

 

[jghoghunter]

Matt this is Jesse from Mifflin. I don't know what you're using it for but look for a Sightron S3 10 to 50 used should be well within your price range that you have listed.

 

[Ranger188]

Even a used NF comp is slightly more than your budget.
But add $200-300 and you can find a used one here.
Sightron S3 is a good scope. Sometimes you can run across
a good deal on the better SVED Sightron.
I would personally stay away from the Vortex GE

 

[Mfitz717]

Matt this is Jesse from Mifflin. I don't know what you're using it for but look for a Sightron S3 10 to 50 used should be well within your price range that you have listed.

Thank you Jesse. I got a gun with a 6mm rem ackley and 25-06 ackley barrels. It may show up at a ghs if I can get a scope for it soon and get a decent load worked up. I’m itching for shoots to start

 

[Mfitz717]

I

Even a used NF comp is slightly more than your budget.
But add $200-300 and you can find a used one here.
Sightron S3 is a good scope. Sometimes you can run across
a good deal on the better SVED Sightron.
I would personally stay away from the Vortex GE

currently have a nf comp and ge on different guns, haven’t looked through the ge too much yet. The ge came on the gun.
What problems have you had with the GEs?

 

[Ranger188]

I like the GE reticle. If you don't use it over 40x, not too bad of a scope.
The view gets darker than others above 40x.
One of mine, the reticle shifted. Sent back and they did fix it.
Just lost confidence in them after that.
The NF comp. is the standard by which others are judged.
Bright and multiple reticles to fit your shooting needs.
Their are others but they start to get pricey above your budget
and don't have a dollar to dollar return.
The Sightron SVSSED is a great scope, just limited on reticles and 50x
Never heard a bad thing about them. You can find a used one in the $1700-1800 range
used here once in awhile.
One for sale for $1650 right now.

 

[Kittitas George]

As I posted a few days go, don't turn your nose up at a mid 1960s Bausch & Lomb Discoverer 15x to 60x. I've been using one for that long. I can see 20 and 17 caliber holes in the targets. I don't shoot at super long range. But for under $200 it may work out to be a good value for you. Find one to try!!

 

[powderbrake]

For varmint, I found that you need to stay around 8X or lower to find the varmint in the scope, after you have found him with binoculars. A NF Comp at 15X does not have the field of view needed to find that varmint. I have been using The NF NXS 8-32, and it is perfect. I bought a NXS 12-42, took it on one hunt, then traded it for another NXS 8-32. The 12-42X didn't have the field of view I needed for varmints.

 

[dbingen]

I have a half dozen or so Leupold VX III 6.5x20 with target dot reticles. I like them a lot for colony varmints. Probably a little low powered for bench rest but you can see 17 caliber holes easily at 100 yards. The reticle is easy to see during the day.

 

[Mfitz717]

I have a half dozen or so Leupold VX III 6.5x20 with target dot reticles. I like them a lot for colony varmints. Probably a little low powered for bench rest but you can see 17 caliber holes easily at 100 yards. The reticle is easy to see during the day.

They are good scopes, I have one or two. The one I have has a premier reticle, I just wish it had target turrets.

 

[dbingen]

They are good scopes, I have one or two. The one I have has a premier reticle, I just wish it had target turrets.

I rarely adjust my zero in the field. Most shots are less than 300 yards and I adjust for windage by educated guess, noting point of impact and adjust accordingly. Some of my scopes have target turrets and some don’t.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

I feel leupold has fallen behind. Only reason I would get one is to save weight on a hunting gun.

I would consider Athlon. I have 3 tract toric and had a razor LHT. I think my midas tac and ares btr gen 2 are both better than the razor at less than half the price. The 1500 dollar tract scopes are better, but I don't know if its worth the price. Infact, my one tract was defective had to go back. That model isnt as clear as the other at 1100 yards. The 30mm I could clearly see the impacts in the plate, but the other 34mm ELR scope it was hard to see them. I got it more for internal adjustment or I would probably sell it due to lousy image. The 34mm is about like the athlons. I feel like it doesn't have enough diopter adjustment which prevents getting the parallax perfect. Might be better now that I got LASIK. Haven't had it out since then. I would give the Athlon benchrest scope a try. Forget the model name. If your are going to compete and be serious about it, well then look what the top couple shooters like speedy are using and pony up the cash! My only competitor is me, so diminishing returns isn't really worth it after the 1200-1500ish price range.

 

[std7mag]

What kind of magnification and reticle are you looking for?

I have a Sightron STAC 4-20X50 with the MOA-2 reticle that I really like.
Along with the SIII 10-50X60 LRTD that I bought used for $750.

Both decent, bright optics with smooth, reliable controls.

 

[ISS]

SIII in 8-32 or even a 10-50...