The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Hide > The Art of the Rifle: Bolt, Lever, and Pump Action

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old May 28, 2012, 06:25 PM   #26
mike7.62
Member
 
Join Date: May 25, 2012
Location: Down South
Posts: 95
Budget, Long range scope. Thats an oxymoron, You can't have both.
mike7.62 is offline  
Old May 28, 2012, 07:45 PM   #27
TheNatureBoy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 6, 2007
Posts: 1,204
If a $200.00 scope is all you can afford buy it until you can do better. Last October I purchased a Remington 700 5R/.308. I could not afford a $1500+ scope for it so I went with a $169 Osprey that I already had. Do I intend to upgrade? Yes I do. When October this year rolls around, and if the bottom doesn't fall out I will. I've had this same scope atop my 7mm Rem Mag Sendero for about 3 years and have put up some incredible groups out to 400 yards with both rifles. Glass is clear, turrets work, holds zero.... I've responded to posts similar to this one and have yet to have anyone send me a private message offering $$$ and I doubt you will. Do the best with what you have until you can do better
TheNatureBoy is offline  
Old May 28, 2012, 09:57 PM   #28
Te Anau
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 17, 2004
Location: Somewhere south of the No
Posts: 3,824
^^^ +1
__________________
"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." --American author Mark Twain (1835-1910)
Te Anau is offline  
Old May 28, 2012, 10:45 PM   #29
HDmac
Member
 
Join Date: May 23, 2012
Posts: 25
I didn't want to spend too much but I will probably end up getting the Vortex Viper.
HDmac is offline  
Old May 28, 2012, 11:41 PM   #30
taylorce1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 18, 2005
Location: On the Santa Fe Trail
Posts: 8,209
Quote:
It you do a little research,these are highly regarded.


http://www.midwayusa.com/product/168..._vc=S016746570
I bought that exact scope on special at Midway but with a duplex reticle. Unfortunately it was DOA and the bad part was I messed with it for almost a year before I realized it. I had an H&R Ultra Varmint in .204 Ruger and I couldn't get the rifle to pattern better than 3-4" groups with any weight bullet. I had a trigger job done, I used an O-ring to float the forearm, and tried about every other trick in the book from Greybeard Outdoors to get it to shoot. Finally after about a year of messing with things I slapped a 2-7 Vortex Viper on it and started shooting 1/2" groups at a 100 yards immeadiately. That is the second Simmons scope to bite the dust, and I won't buy another unless it comes on the rifle already.
__________________
NRA Life Member
taylorce1 is offline  
Old May 29, 2012, 04:46 AM   #31
TheNatureBoy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 6, 2007
Posts: 1,204
I'm leaning towards Vortex as well HDmac.
TheNatureBoy is offline  
Old May 29, 2012, 05:43 AM   #32
fext
Member
 
Join Date: May 15, 2012
Posts: 64
I'm afraid it's not really possible.
Buying good stuff usually saves trouble a money in the long terms. You higher expenses will be ammo, anyway.
I'd go for Harris bipod, it's not that expensive, and you will never be wrong with these.
The scope is another matter, these can really be expensive and there is a reason. But as a thumb rule, avoid anything made in China and try to look for the medium priced stuff usually made in Japan. You do need a quality scope and quality is expensive if you are not really lucky.

But what seems strange to me is to buy a $1200 rifle and put a $200 scope on it. I think that a $700 rifle with a $700 scope might work better...

Last edited by fext; May 29, 2012 at 06:27 AM.
fext is offline  
Old May 29, 2012, 07:47 AM   #33
madcratebuilder
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 2, 2007
Location: Northern Orygun
Posts: 4,923
You can spend all the money you want but it's nor going to make you a good marksmen necessarily. A few days ago I did some long range work with a local group of guys and watched a $400 bolt gun with a $400 Viper match a $4000 gas gun with a $2000 Nightforce. Shot for shot at 1080yds per laser range finder.
madcratebuilder is offline  
Old May 29, 2012, 08:49 AM   #34
tobnpr
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 1, 2010
Location: Tampa Bay
Posts: 4,556
Ditto for the Viper...
Have two of them and will buy more.

One thing to be SURE to look at, regardless of the manufacturer is the amount of internal elevation adjustment. For this reason, 30mm scopes are best.
Determine what your approximate bullet drop will be based on the load and maximum distance you will be shooting- and be sure the scope has enough adjustment to handle it. Even with a 20 minute base, many scopes won't get you past 600 yards.

Made that mistake once...
tobnpr is offline  
Old May 29, 2012, 10:54 AM   #35
Blackthunder
Member
 
Join Date: May 4, 2007
Posts: 44
let’s get down to reality

Quote:
Scope Requirements:
adjustable (somewhere in the range of 6-24 power, going to be shooting 500yrds+)
waterproof
durable
lower profile
clear
some sort of target reticule, mil-dot etc.
Makes breakfast, bakes cookies and does the dishes.
We want all want something that looks cool and that please our ego for as little money possible. But :
The things that make a scope expensive are:
The ability to zoom especially if it needs to zoom from a low magnification to a high one. Such as 6-24.
A large objective and tube diameter.

Generally speaking the greater magnification the larger an objective you would want.
These larger scopes also make your rifle heavier and sit higher on your rifle which can cause problems when you shoot at varying distances (hunting). A heavier scope is also more recoil sensitive and will need stronger mounts.
The reality is that you probably do not need such a powerful scope. Something that magnifies over 12x is nonsense for most target applications. For hunting this might be 6x.

If you want a quality scope that does not cost a lot, the way to go is fixed power. Like for like a variable scope will never be as sturdy as a fixed power scope.

Even if you were going to go for a variable power scope. A 2-7x32 might be all you need to hunt. I personally think that a 6x magnification is high for quick target acquisition, if you shoot off hand or at moving targets.

For target a 3-9x40 might be all that you need.

Most military / police snipers also do not use these huge scopes.
__________________
I am part of nature, therefore I hunt.

Last edited by Blackthunder; May 29, 2012 at 10:59 AM.
Blackthunder is offline  
Old May 29, 2012, 11:45 AM   #36
Jerry45
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 18, 2000
Location: Metairie, Louisiana
Posts: 890
You want a by-pod that swivels. That is, will allow you to cant the rifle from side to side to level it. Trust me on that.

As for as scopes. I have three Osprey 10-42x50. One was mounted on my 30-06 and held up well for 500 + rounds. I replaced it with a Nightforce because I wanted a GOOD scope on that particular rifle. I think enough of the Osprey that I don't want to sell it. The Osprey are nice scopes for the price, hold and return to zero, nice lighted adjustable radical lights red or green. They aren't as clear as a $2000.00 Night force and the Nightforce has better eye relief and more positive turret clicks but the Osprey really are nice scopes for cheep. As everyone has said though, don't expect to get from a cheep scope what you'll get from and top dollar one. I've tried several brands of cheep scopes and the Osprey is as good and most times better than any of the others in $200.00 to $300.00 range.

After having the chance to compare the Osprey 10-42X50 to my new Nightforce 8-32x56 I can truthfully say the Osprey is a lot of scope for the money. I don't feel like they're lacking all that much when I shoot my rifles that are still equipped with Ospreys. Do I like the Nightforce a lot better? Yep! But I also paid a LOT more for it but I won't be replacing the other Ospreys in the near future either.


They were $150.00 here http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=453841 but they're sold out. Don't know if they will be restocking.



$230.00 here. http://www.opticsplanet.net/osprey-1...104050imd.html

The Ospreys come equipped with high rings. If you should purchase one you'll probably want to get some medium height rings.

Good luck and have fun.

Jerry


Ps, for your viewing pleasure

06 with Osprey and Boyd's stock.



06 with Nightforce in Bell and Carson stock.

__________________
Guns are not dangerous! People are! RKBA!

Last edited by Jerry45; May 31, 2012 at 12:01 AM.
Jerry45 is offline  
Old May 29, 2012, 09:03 PM   #37
golfnutrlv
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 5, 2008
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 1,347
Quote:
You can spend all the money you want but it's nor going to make you a good marksmen necessarily. A few days ago I did some long range work with a local group of guys and watched a $400 bolt gun with a $400 Viper match a $4000 gas gun with a $2000 Nightforce. Shot for shot at 1080yds per laser range finder.
+1!!! THe shooter's ability is far more vital than the equipment. The best rifle/scope/ammunition combo will not make a shooter out of an incompetent.
__________________
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
VIGILIA PRETIUM LIBERTATIS
"The price of liberty is vigilance"
America is at an awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards.
golfnutrlv is offline  
Old May 30, 2012, 02:12 AM   #38
fext
Member
 
Join Date: May 15, 2012
Posts: 64
Quote:
The best rifle/scope/ammunition combo will not make a shooter out of an incompetent.
That's right. But we are talking the other way round I believe.
The scoped rifle is in fact not a rifle, but a system. Consisting of the rifle, scope, mount, ammo, and optionally a bipod. And as any other chain, this chain is as strong as it's weakest link.

So it's good to have the whole chain about evenly strong. If you buy an expensive rifle chambered for an unusual and expensive round, and put a cheap scope on it, the whole system will be shooting cheap. Plus, you will be shooting cheap while paying for expensive ammo and wearing out your expensive barrel.

So if I'm thinking a low cost scoped rifle, I'd divide the money I want to pay by 2 and the result is the rough price estimate for both rifle and scope+mount. If I need to save on something it would be rather the rifle, not the scope+mount. The rifle would be in an affordable and common caliber which can be easily reloaded (a lot of component available).
Also I might wait with the bipod for some time, and use cheap and good sandbags instead.
fext is offline  
Old May 30, 2012, 03:28 AM   #39
Clearwater82
Member
 
Join Date: May 30, 2012
Location: North West Canada
Posts: 21
Never go cheap on a scope especially since you spent quite a bit on the rifle.

I also have a savage 12 but in .308 Win. Mounted on top a Leupold 6.5-20x scope with Picatinny rail base and rings. It shoots just under half inch groups at 200 meters with 168gr Sierra Match King bullets.

If you still insist to go cheap then buy a fixed power scope such as 10x. I have used a 6x scope on another .308 for hunting. I can still manage to hit out to 350 meters from a rest with the 6x.
90% of the time, I don't need more than that. As you increase magnification, the eye relief will decrease. For .338 magnum I dial the power down to 4x.

Swivel bipod is much better than the fixed one. You can adjust for uneven terrain aside from the legs. Harris bipods are good ones.

Clearwater82 is offline  
Old June 1, 2012, 09:46 AM   #40
tobnpr
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 1, 2010
Location: Tampa Bay
Posts: 4,556
Lots of threads on scope quality and their relevance, a search will provide hours of reading.

For some, a "lower" end scope will suffice. Especially if you're shooting at known ranges, don't rely much on accurate tracking, and IF the scope holds zero well, there's no problem.

I have this "Midway" BSA scope on a long range 7mm.-08 and shoot it at 565 yards- it holds zero perfectly, and tracks "OK". The knobs are mushy, eye relief sucks, but it gets the job done. I bought it based on all the positive reviews and it works for the money.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/962...-reticle-matte

Bottom line is, buy as much scope as you can afford and you'll never be disappointed.
tobnpr is offline  
Reply

Tags
bipod , budget , savage , scope

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:07 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.09346 seconds with 11 queries