What scope for Competition

[7mmmag]

I am going to start shooting some short range benchrest and currently shoot some long range now . So I have been looking for a short range scope and currently use Nightforce on all my long-range and rifles and really like the 15-55 Comp scopes but I would like a lighter scope . I know Nightforce used to make a fixed power light weight scope and have seen several come up for sale but they sell as soon as they come up .

So from what I have seen Sightron , March , old Weavers are in the light rifles choices . I would like some thoughts on magnification as well for them 45X or more and is 55X enough for 1000 yd , I usually have mine turned down a little to fight mirage anyway .

I would like to hear what y'all would like to see in both long and short range scopes if new ones would be made for the benchrest competition ?

 

[Larry Koch]

March 48x short range benchrest

 

[slm9s]

IOR Valdada made a great one also.

 

[jackieschmidt]

March 48x High Master.

 

[NF1E]

March. May be heavier, but no better optic at any range right down to 50 yds. Whatta Hobby!

 

[Brad.Johnson]

For ARA 22LR bench rest shooting I, and many others I shoot with, use a Sightron 10x50 and it gives me everything that I need to be competitive.

Brad

 

[Thud]

Don’t forget te weaver 36x. I think it’s the best for the buck. I prefer the older ones.

 

[Websurfer]

Short range benchrest: Leupold 40x or 45x; or March (various models) are my favorites. Valdada, Weaver and Leupold 36x have their fans, too

 

[7mmmag]

if you were going to build the perfect scope what would it be , one short and one long range ? I have looked at the ones y'all have mentioned . is there anything you would change to make them better?

 

[Boilermaker]

if you were going to build the perfect scope what would it be , one short and one long range ? I have looked at the ones y'all have mentioned . is there anything you would change to make them better?

The main issue with a short range scope is weight. If your plan is to build a LV rifle, you are limited to 10.5 lb. That’s why you see different scopes mentioned for short range. You need a scope that weighs around 20 oz.

In my experience the March 48x is hard to beat. I have used it from 100-300 yards.

Here are some weights of scopes I have owned:
Sightron SIII- 19.5 oz
Leupold Competition 40x- 20 oz
March Highmaster 48x- 22 oz

 

[HTSmith]

If value is a concern the Sightron is it. IME better optics than the Weaver and solid adjustments. It won't hold you back.

 

[SeabeeKen]

My sightron went back to sightron twice and they had to go thru 5 scopes to find a good one without crooked crosshairs. Ill never touch another. I went to Athlon and never looked back. They are more clear than my NF scopes and track just as well

 

[Shooter13]

One thing for sure you need to ask yourself is "What reticle do I like" this will help lead you to the "right" scope. I shoot SRBR and use the NF comp (C513 reticle). On my heavy gun I'm using the NF BR model (C107). My March has the MTR-2 reticle.