High power rifle scopes...

[redneck2]

I'm looking for something for 1,000 + yards and small targets (prarie dogs)

I was thinking of maybe 8x32-44 Burris, but I've been advised that at these ranges, more maginfication would be a benefit

the only thing I've found so far is a Nightforce 12x42x56 (?) and it's about $1,000 vs $450 for the Burris. Can't find anything for Leo's, B& L, etc.

any other options?? TIA

 

[Steve Smith]

I've never tried to use a riflescope at 1K yards, but from my experience with spotting scopes, it would seem that mirage would be very very heavy. The mirage is magnified with higher power, of course.

 

[Bottom Gun]

I have a 6-24 scope but very seldom use it set at more than 18X for the reasons Steve mentioned.

 

[redneck2]

Yeah, that was my first concern...

high power would only be used at first light

once the sun and wind come up, mirage is the limiting factor

thanks

 

[trapshooter]

This is one area where it's generally acknowledged that money=quality. Power costs more as well. Personally, I'd get the most magnification I could afford, for what you want to do. Mirage is always an issue, but that's what makes it hard, thus fun.

You can use the Burris, but how long will it last? Nightforce is good, as are Leupold, Swarovski, Kahles. There are a few others. All cost a ton. For a reason.

Also, the mount is as important as the glass. Get it done right. Buy good mounts/rings, and get everything put on properly. If you need to pay someone to do it, so be it. At 1K+ yards, it's the only way.

 

[El Rojo]

I like my Leupold 6.5-20x50mm Long Range Target 30mm scope for shooting 800, 900, and 1000 yard matches. I don't think the mirage is a big problem at 20x. I know a friend that just bought a custom 6.5x284 and he had a Nightforce 45x put on it. I can't wait to see what the mirage is like on it. From what I have been told try not to get too high unless you are shooting fairly close from a bench. I highly recommend that Leupold. So much, go check it out at their website. http://www.leupold.com/products/products_highlights.asp In the all scopes box, scroll down until you find Vari X-III 6.5-20x50mm Long Range Target.

 

[Fed168]

My father has a 6.5x20 Leupold that he had boosted to 18x40 by Premier Reticle. You sure can see everything, but you also notice any slight movement you make.

 

[jacks308]

It may be worthwhile to contact some of those who shoot in CBA compitition . Their ten ring is the size of a dime and they hit it real regular in all kinds of weather with scopes up to about 32 power .

Jack

 

[Gewehr98]

That mirage starts showing up really quickly at 1K matches.

I had to dial back down to 12-14x at a couple matches I attended in the heat of the Sacramento summer. We ended up using a handheld pyrometer to watch our barrel temperatures, and pace ourselves accordingly.

 

[redneck2]

I understand...

that mirage can be a real problem

so how do the BR boys that use straight 36X's handle it??

Also, I have a number of scopes...B&L, Leo's, and Burris. I want decent quality...just seems to be a real limited market. My 22-250 has a 4x16 B&L 4000. At 16x, I can't imagine even coming close to seeing a 10" target at 1/2 a mile

Just trying to learn...thanks

 

[BHP9]

Originally posted by Steve Smith
I've never tried to use a riflescope at 1K yards, but from my experience with spotting scopes, it would seem that mirage would be very very heavy. The mirage is magnified with higher power, of course.

Mirage is always there wether you see it or not and it is far better to see it and be aware of it than not to see it and ignore it.

The same philosphy can be used when people say that I cannot use a high power scope because when shooting offhand the gun moves to much. It is simply showing them that they are in dire need of more training.

I have heard of more than one unhappy owner of Night Force Scopes. I have read more than one article about problems with Night Force scopes expecially in regards to tracking.

]I would go with a Leupold Scope they are simply one of the very best money can buy.[/

 

[Gordon]

I got a Unertl 20x programmer on my 1000yd bench gun. I dont think you could hit a varmit past 800 yds on any day with anything regularly enough to not be luck.

 

[redneck2]

Well, OK

heck yeah, it's luck. Don't expect 1st round hits. But then again, shooting over and over again with a 223 or 22-250 from 300 yards gets boring. I'll probably take more than 1 round

I have no problem with Leo's quality, nor Burris (I think they're highly under-rated and a good value and quality for the $)

I also have your same concerns about Nightforce. We have two customers at the shop that had new Nightforce. Both broke rather quickly from recoil. At this point, I'm not sold on them

so, back to the question...who else makes a variable in the 40x range, or are there none???

Fed168...thanks for the reply...maybe that's the route I'll have to go. Any idea how they bump it by 2x over?? Seems like you'd have to start replacing glass. Thought maybe I could start out that high without going thru something like the Premier route, but maybe that's the only option.


For anyone that has a 32X...can you see a 12" animal at 1,000 yards????

thanks again for the help

 

[Steve Smith]

BHP9, I don't think its the same thing as looking through a scope when shooting offhand. The mirage actually moves the image around and distorts it. I know from experience that you can shoot at what you THINK is your desired POI and you could be quite a bit off, just because of the mirage. I'll talk to some F-Class shooters and see what they say about this.

 

[armabill]

Good scopes aren't cheap. Getting good optics and power together is not easy.

Also did you consider a fixed power scope? You can get better optics with less money on fixed powers.

 

[redneck2]

Looks like...

the only options are Nightforce and the Premier Reticles upgrade

Fed168..I went to the Premier website. I'll call them and get a catalog next week (part of their's isn't working).

Premier is probably the way I'll go, with the Leo scope..thanks again

 

[Skullboy]

Leupold makes a Vari-X III 8.5 X 25 - 50mm Long Range target Scope.Up here in Canada it is going for around $1500.00 Cdn. Here is the link to the scope on the leupold website.
http://www.leupold.com/products/products_highlights.asp
HTH.

SKBY.