What is your dream scope for long range competition?

[jamesdmock]

After testing many scopes over the years, I have a dream scope that I have never used, but have read enough about it to covet those who have used it. Some of my favorites that I have tested are the 36X Valdada BR, the 42X NF BR, the 10x-60x March LR, the Sightron 10x-50X, the 10x-50X Kahles MOAK, and the Vortex Golden Eagle.

All of the above have been great scopes for 600 yard competition, but I would love to try a scope that I call the M.O.A.B.S. (mother of all big scopes). This is a BIG, Expensive scope, but for those that can afford the cost ($3695) and the weight (3#) it may be the ideal long-range scope. It is a 12x-52x by 56 mm scope on a 40 mm tube. It features superb Schott glass from Germany and has a unique parallax adjustment. Good shooting....James

 

[ShootDots]

I believe that many, if not most of these BIG scopes, from the major manufacturers (NightForce, March, Sightron, Vortex etc..), all make excellent quality glass and track well, along with most "holding" zero well. I shoot F-Open and for me the RETICLE is just as important as the glass and "rigidity" of the scope. I LOVE small, as in TINY dot reticles. My favorite reticle is the "no longer offered" NightForce CH3 reticle! If I could get the March or Kahles with the "old" NF CH3, in a variable from about 20 power to 50 or so, I would be in hog heaven!

 

[Gabe22BR]

My dream scope- one that calculates wind drift... Lol !!

I’ll stick with my March for now.

 

[CaptainMal]

No need to dream. If you get a good mechanical one the Nightforce 15-55 Competition is the brightest, largest eye box, most pleasant scope to look through. Some had mechanical issues so test what you buy and then enjoy. No need to spend thousands more for some foreign thing with no better optics than a Vortex and tight eye boxes.

Dreams come true for Nightforce Competition buyers all the time.

 

[270WinDude]

I was once well off financially. No longer the case at all. I’d be happy with anything, i’ve got a 100 dollar Walmart scope that makes anything past 100 a challenge. I used a sightron sIII last week that was a world of difference. My goal is to compete at 600 so have been dreaming about several lol. Lots of loyal nightforce shooters out there... regardless my next 2 toys will be an “expensive” scope and rests.

 

[Raythemanroe]

I hear Valdada is getting horrid service reviews, so

Ray

 

[retired]

i'll wait till all the current scopes have been tested and the results posted!

 

[Bart B.]

Does any zoom scope have zero reticle shift when changing power?

Shooting groups then comparing centers ain't precise enough to reveal a 1/8th MOA or less reticle shift.

 

[jamesdmock]

Does any zoom scope have zero reticle shift when changing power?

Shooting groups then comparing centers ain't precise enough to reveal a 1/8th MOA or less reticle shift.

This is the best way to check reticle movement.

 

[retired]

there is an entire thread here on scope checking and results.

This is the best way to check reticle movement.
View attachment 1054662 View attachment 1054663

 

[Bart B.]

This is the best way to check reticle movement.
View attachment 1054662 View attachment 1054663

I don't think one imperfect optical thing compared to another is a good idea if revealing the imperfections is the mission. What if both have the same amount in opposite directions then cancel each other out?

An optical collimator in the muzzle is much better. As is a bench collimator the scope mounts on. Do it at home and without ammo. They're easy to make.

 

[JimPag]

i'll wait till all the current scopes have been tested and the results posted!

People can test all the scopes they want, but in the end it's how is my scope that's on my rifle holding POI. I laugh when I hear people say the NF 15-55 comp doesn't hold POI. That's utter bullshit. Sure there are some that have problems but that's like saying all us wops are in the mafia. I've had nothing but good luck with my 2013 Comp winning a handful of 200 and 300 yard aggs including a 1st place finish at 200 at the Nationals in Johnstown in 16. I don't know crap about LD shooting but in SR score the 15-55 comp is becoming the most popular scope out there.

 

[ShootDots]

People can test all the scopes they want, but in the end it's how is my scope that's on my rifle holding POI. I laugh when I hear people say the NF 15-55 comp doesn't hold POI. That's utter bullshit. Sure there are some that have problems but that's like saying all us wops are in the mafia. I've had nothing but good luck with my 2013 Comp winning a handful of 200 and 300 yard aggs including a 1st place finish at 200 at the Nationals in Johnstown in 16. I don't know crap about LD shooting but in SR score the 15-55 comp is becoming the most popular scope out there.

I don't want to get into a shouting match with anyone. However, I had not one but two NF Competition models that broke on me. I know other friends of mine that had them and they broke too! I could never recommend that particular NF to anyone! I know in F-Open, you go down the firing line and NF BR models there, NXS there, Vortex, March etc.. BUT you might see one and maybe 2 Comps>>>that's it! I can not swear to this>> but I was told that even on the NF sponsored F-OPEN National Team, nobody will use a Comp model.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

i'll wait till all the current scopes have been tested and the results posted!

Which is in fact Only valid for those particular scopes. Nothing more, Nothing less. And just because it tested good last week doesn’t mean it can’t have a failure next week.. the scope tester is a good tool to check present conditions but it doesn’t mean that all the other same brand scopes are bad.

 

[JimPag]

I don't want to get into a shouting match with anyone. However, I had not one but two NF Competition models that broke on me. I know other friends of mine that had them and they broke too! I could never recommend that particular NF to anyone! I know in F-Open, you go down the firing line and NF BR models there, NXS there, Vortex, March etc.. BUT you might see one and maybe 2 Comps>>>that's it! I can not swear to this>> but I was told that even on the NF sponsored F-OPEN National Team, nobody will use a Comp model.

I know a fellow competitor who has a friend at NF that told him of a know problem they had with the 55 comp and was told that they had a fix for the problem. My friend had a brand new one fail on him the first time out. I know people have had problems with them. Look at Leupold and their 45 Comp. That thing has been giving BR shooters problem since it's inception and to this day. Like I said, not all Italians are with the mafia. Like I said before, they dominate in SR score. More and more shooters are switching over to them every season.

 

[Immike]

I had a NXS R1 that I wish hadn’t sold. Hash marks are easy to get used to and give you information.

 

[walker2713]

I'm looking forward to the availability of the new Sightron 45X45.....

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Well my dream scope would be something like, Kahles mechanics, Swaro glass in a 20-60x60. Best guts with best glass. Maybe it will come, I will be bugging them for sure!

 

[ebb]

I have an IOR/Valdata 6-24 that I've had for a while, the parallax knob moves and needs to be readjusted with every shot. It was replaced once and the second one is worse than the first. And you are right service is almost non existent. The tech that was there back when mine was replaced will lie right to your face. As far as a dream scope I want a US Optics 8 to 40 power with a fixed reticle (no adjustments) and a set of Ivey rings.

 

[Erud]

I’ll pass on all of that crap. A Warner #2 tracks every time.