Which Schmidt and Bender?

[Dcaven]

I currently shoot at 800 yards and hope to get to 1000 yards with time. Right now I am using a Leupold MK IV 3.5x10X. It is not really adequate for target shooting at 800 yards. I can see the X on an F target in ideal conditions but once it starts to warm up and I start getting any kind of mirage, I can't see it so I have to attach a 1" orange sticker to the target.

I'm interested in purchasing a Schmidt and Bender. I'm having trouble deciding on the magnification level. They offer a 4x 16X as well as a 5x25X. I think I can get either with the H59 reticle. I know the 25x would be better for shooting at the range but I'm concerned it will be too heavy for hunting. What is your opinion on a 16X for 1000 yard shooting? I'm interested to hear your thoughts. I don't want the rifle to only be a benchrest rifle but also need it to work for that purpose out to 1000 yards. Thanks.

 

[XTR]

None of them for an F-class rifle, unless you are getting the 50x target model, but it is a brick at close to 40oz which is why nobody runs one.

Pretty much all of the S&Bs are what I would call too heavy for a hunting rifle. They are great glass but I wouldn't put one on anything other than a "tactical" type shooting rig even if it were given to me, and there are a lot of guys running Vortex in the PRS game for less than ½ the price, and I'd seriously consider whether or not you like shooting through a fly swatter before you get an H59. Again, most of the tactical/PRS type shooters out there are using something much simpler. Something like the MSR or the P4F are much more popular than the Horus reticles.


Check out this site:

http://precisionrifleblog.com/

 

[Cujo]

I shot with a 5-25x56 with a P4 Fine reticle in FTR. It's a great scope but I switched to a March 5-40 and my scores went up. I like the floating dot. More magnification definitely helped me along with finer adjustments.

 

[Mr.Knowit all]

I shot with a 5-25x56 with a P4 Fine reticle in FTR. It's a great scope but I switched to a March 5-40 and my scores went up. I like the floating dot. More magnification definitely helped me along with finer adjustments.

Really?? Wow!!! I do not have a SB so I can't say but you are the only person I know of to leave them for a March (with all do respect) but I can see how the extra magnification would help in matches. I will have to look into that scope.
I never cared for the 2 year warranty with SB so never bought one.

I know the rules is 1x for every 100 yards but I don't agree with it. I like to have 1.5x (min.) for every 100 yards I shoot. So if you are going to shoot 1000 yards I would buy at least a 15x. JMO.

 

[XTR]

Really?? Wow!!! I do not have a SB so I can't say but you are the only person I know of to leave them for a March (with all do respect) but I can see how the extra magnification would help in matches. I will have to look into that scope.
I never cared for the 2 year warranty with SB so never bought one.

I know the rules is 1x for every 100 yards but I don't agree with it. I like to have 1.5x (min.) for every 100 yards I shoot. So if you are going to shoot 1000 yards I would buy at least a 15x. JMO.

There are a whole lot of F class shooters out there that can and do run anything they want on their rigs, and I think in 6 yrs I've seen one (1) single S&B on the line. It was a Aussie with a S&B 50x target scope. In general they are over weight, over priced, and the PMII line is under magnified.

As for your 1x per hundred, that's not a rule. That must have some from an old school military rule of thumb to get hits on man sized targets. Just shy of 100% of the line in an F class match, at any distance, is running 40x to 60x scopes.

 

[Deton8tor]

If you get any glass in 5x25x50 or 56mm it will be too heavy, other than maybe Vortex and Bushnell. Several PRS guys I know of run the Bushnell, some run the Kahles 6x24i very intuitive scope. The SB, NF Atac-R are fine scopes, I run NF's. That H59 scope is busy and it is somewhat crazy to learn. The NF is a cake walk, and I can see 1 mile at 25 power, But, that's why there are so many out there, so we can fuss over them!!

 

[Travelor]

You might want to look at the Weaver T-36. This scope is relatively light and inexpensive, and has worked very well for me out to 1000 yards.