.308 Savage Scope Advice

[Kwikvette]

Ok guy's, took your recommendation and bought an SWFA 10x for my AR15 as posted in my other thread.

I'm here for recommendation number 2; I need a decent scope for 400-600 yards.

This purchase won't happen as quickly as the other one did as I have an extra Acog I'm selling to help fund this purchase. Looking to spend about $1,500....or less

Rifle is a Savage 11/111 long action chambered in .308. Barrel is a medium contour at 20" with a 1:10 twist. Has the stock accutrigger set to 2-ish lbs and will sit in an MDT Tac21 chassis.

Let's hear it!

[T. O'Heir]

Need a decent scope for what purpose out to 600?
Your Savage 11/111 long action is a hunting rifle. Think 3x to 9X, 2.5x to 8x, etc.

[Kwikvette]

And here I thought I was being thorough; at work

It'll be used for punching paper and metal so illumination is not necessary.

[Jimro]

With that price range you can get some top of the line glass or solid economy choices, for example a 200 dollar Bushnell Elite 3200 10x40 or a 1,500 US Optics ST10.

If you are looking at target shooting, consider the Leupold VX3 LR model, or Bushnell Elite 6-24x50.

Jimro

[4runnerman]

If you are going to punch paper at 600 also, I picked up a 8 x32-44 Muller for $240.00. That is what I have on my Savage 308. Good glass, tracks real nice. I am just not a fan of the 44m OBJ. Also in the $900.00 range the Sightron is a awesome scope. Great glass, tracking is spot on and true. I have always been one for as much power as I can get. It is very easy to dial it back to 8 power for up close shots and you still have the ability to crank to 32 power to punch pop cans and such at 600 yards or more.
I now want to get into the Nightforce 15 x 55. Just having a hard time choking the price tag down.

[ripnbst]

You could get the SWFA 5-20x 50. Or Vortex Viper HST, or Used Nightforce, or Bushnell XRS, or Burris XTR II, Leupold LR-T series, Sightron's higher end stuff, the list goes on. Those are a few I'd consider.

[Kwikvette]

Appreciate the input guys even if the recommendations are far and wide!

I should add; weight isn't an issue. I won't take this rifle hunting so if it's a little on the heavier side that's perfectly fine.

One question I'd like to add is what kind of reticle/etc. should one get for this rifle and the type of use it'll see? My eyes aren't what they used to be so I'm sure I'll enjoy a little more zoom than most others.

[4runnerman]

Target Crosshairs would be my Vote. I agree on the weight issue. It is a trivial point. If 5 oz of extra weight makes it to heavy-Pull one bullet out of the rifle

[stagpanther]

I'm guessing you got the SWFA fixed mag mil-mil scope for your AR? The obvious question to me is why not then get the SWFA 16x or better for your 308?

[Kwikvette]

@4runnerman My thoughts exactly, 1 round less from the loaded 10-round mag should offset the weight difference

@stagpanther Because I want the versatility of a variable scope due to shooting at different distances. I'm not sure how good SWFA's variable line-up is considering I only own 1 SWFA fixed scope on an AR.

Only other variable scope I have experience with is a Leupold VX2 that's on my other Savage but it's a little on the low end IMO.

[wpsdlrg]

"400 to 600 yards"..... not an easy prospect with a hunting rifle. Doable, but not easy. Depending on your eyesight and ability, a 3-9x scope, or even a 4-12x probably won't do, for truly accurate target shooting anyway. If you are like most people, you'll need a good bit more magnification. Essentially, a "target scope", vs. a "hunting" or "tactical" scope.

There are lots of possibilities. I use a Weaver T-36 myself, with fine crosshairs and a 1/8 th MOA dot, for distances beyond 300 yards. However, by no means will I claim that this is the best choice. It happens to work for me, that's all.

For the budget you (the OP) have quoted, you can obtain a truly excellent scope. So, I simply implore you to not underestimate your actual needs in this respect, especially if you do want real precision at 400 - 600 yards. In other words, you need lots of magnification, in addition to high quality. I'd recommend that you go no less than about 24x, for real precision at 600 yards.

[Kwikvette]

@wpsdlrg I'm looking to keep the range at no more than 400 yards for the most part, it's just one of those things where if I want to go further I'm able to.

My eyes aren't what they used to be even at 30yo lol so I'd definitely like to get as much quality magnification as I can.

What I'm going to do is zero and test out my fixed 10x and see where that puts me. From there I'll have a better idea of the limiting factors the 10x exhibits and what to focus on.



One potential candidate was the Viper PST 6-24x50 but I'm still keeping my options open. I've read plenty of good things about the SWFA 5-20x50 as well.

[wpsdlrg]

Well, a 10x will put you in the ballpark at 400 yards.....but only barely so. That amount of magnification simply won't get it at 600 yards, if the target is smaller than a deer. A lot depends on what you expect - or what you define as "accuracy". Bear in mind that shots on game (or two-legged targets) at 400 yards or more are a completely different thing than TARGET shooting at those distances. Hunting and "tactical" accuracy are far less demanding than long range TARGET shooting.

For example, my bench rest buddies and I use circular targets of 6" diameter from 200 to at least 500 yards. The "10 ring" is a bit less than 1.5" in diameter. We also shoot steel at those distances. The target holes (with steel flappers that flip open when hit) are 2.5" in diameter.

One of my .308 rifles (NOT my bench rest rifle with the T-36 scope) wears a 4 - 12x scope. I find 12x to be very usable at 200 yards. At 300, on the target sizes mentioned above, it becomes marginal at best. At 400 yards, it really doesn't do at all. So, that particular rifle is restricted to about 300 yards, maximum. If I still was a hunter (I haven't hunted for about 5 years), the rifle with the 4-12x scope would be my choice. But, not for any serious target shooting.

I mention all of this only to provide real-world examples. Please don't be offended - this is not intended as a lecture or admonishment. What you do regarding a scope is entirely your business. But, I do think that you will be disappointed with 10x at 400 yards, depending on the targets you use.

"Just sayin'".......as they say.

[603Country]

For about $1000 or less, you can get a Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 FFP (which I have) or the 6-24 version. I've had mine for a couple of years now, and I'm really fond of it. Tracks great, glass is good, and I like the MRAD reticle. Only minor gripe is that I wish the illuminated reticle could be dialed down in brightness another click or two.

Shot the last three pigs, all running at a pretty good clip, at 80 yards with the scope set on 8 power. The point being that I feel that the scope is easy to use.

[4runnerman]

Going ith what wpsdlrg said. I have a sightron 8-32 x 56 on my Target rifle. My 600 yard target is a 1/2 inch circle. Not saying that I hit it, but it gives me very small target to shoot at which in the end gives you smaller groups. Also as he say's a 10x is just not going to cut it very well at that range.

[Kwikvette]

Making this post short as I'm christmas shopping for my fiancé.

I agree with what you're all saying about the disappointment for 400+yards with only 10x. I'm actually going to the range to zero a leupold vx2 on a different rifle and so I thought I'd take a rifle and scope I already own to see how it performs.

I'll be aiming at 12" steel if I'm going over 400 yards.

Appreciate all the advice!

Edit: I forgot to add I'll have more time to think about a scope. While grabbing some ammo at my LGS I happened to accidently buy an Inox 92FS lol

[4runnerman]

Kwikvette- The Rifle Pic, what is it?. Sureeeeeee Looks Sweet. I envy you now.

[Kwikvette]

4runnerman, it's a Savage 111 long-action in an MDT Tac21 chassis.

I threw on the SWFA 10x42 scope and got it sighted in today so that its ready for the 200-400 yard range.

Off topic, the Leupold on my short-action really surprised me; lots of light transmission, clarity from 3x to 9x, and very light for what it is!

[tynman]

From what I have learned is for longer range you want to look into second focal point so you dont have to sight in the scope to one distance. You can zero it in at 100 yards and then zoom the radical to how ever long you want to shoot you would just have to compensate for bullet drop. I went with the vortex razor hd 5-20x50 and I love it. Now that black friday and cyber Mon is coming you might be able to get it for a great price too...

Scope
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/...0-mrad-turrets

First ver second focal plane
http://www.vortexoptics.com/video/fi...nd_focal_plane

And good luck.

[MarkCO]

Burris XTRII. Great glass, feature rich, great price. I have both the 2-10 (On the 6.5PCC Precision AR15) and the 4-20 (On both Precision bolt guns). I might opt for the 3-15 for a .308 bolt gun.