I have no idea what scope to get.

bryceh12321 · February 4, 2009, 07:20 PM

I have a Ruger 300 Win. Mag. I'm going to be shooting from very long ranges, at both paper and game. I was looking at the SWFA Super Sniper series. I like the idea of a fixed power Mil-Dot, but just am not sure.

What are your recommendations? Under $700 please. Thanks alot.

ronl · February 4, 2009, 07:52 PM

I have the SS 10x42 on my M1A and I really like it. Accurate and tough. Anything over 30 yards is no problem with the fixed power. Don't think you'll do much better for the money.

thinkingman · February 4, 2009, 08:56 PM

There are many that think Leupold is the answer to all of life's questions.

sthrnfryedyankee · February 4, 2009, 08:59 PM

Nikon Monarch 6-24x50 or the Nikon Monarch 4-16x50 (Non tactical) save the difference and buy more ammo. Both are around $500+-

I am putting my Nikon 4-16x50 (non tac) on my 308 and a 6-24x50 on my new gun that I am building

If you are going to shooting VERY long distance go for the Nikon Monarch 8-32x50

taylorce1 · February 4, 2009, 09:10 PM

Well what kind of ranges are we talking about here? 2-300 yards or 400+ yards or are you wanting to perform some of those shots from the "Beyond Belief" web site? Remember you get what you pay for a lot of times with optics.

A fixed power like you are talking about usually comes in 10 power or higher. 10 power sucks if you are trying to do a snap shot on a close target. That is why most hunters like a variable scope, leave it on the lowest power and then when you set up for the shot if you have time you adjust the power up.

If you really want to look at optics for long range shooting read some of Zak Smith's posts here on this forum.

Big Caliber · February 4, 2009, 11:55 PM

I have only seen reviews but if you opt for the SWFA Super Sniper, get the 10x model. Many of those who bought the higher mgnification scopes wound up exchanging them for the 10x. I like the Nikon Monarchs. Bushnell makes some decent scopes, the 4200 series. Leupolds are over-rated for my $$$.

noyes · February 5, 2009, 02:59 AM

1x at 100yds makes target look as tho it is 100yds away

2x at 200yds makes target look as tho it is 100yds away

3x at 300yds makes target look as tho it is 100yds away

etc.

Over 10x will also magnify your body & or hand movement. You will notice the scope shaking more the higher the magnification becomes.

36x until you lean how to control your body, It will magnify your shaking that much more.

Than you will also have more distortion from heat waves off the ground with higher magnification.

lipadj46 · February 5, 2009, 03:11 AM

The Super Sniper 10X is a very good choice especially if this is (I assume) your first target scope. If you are going to do a lot of target work I would suggest getting the model with side focus. If you want a nice variable look at this:

426242P Bushnell 6-24x40 Elite 4200 Rifle Scope
Matte
12x Mil-Dot
1"
Rainguard
Side Focus
$529.95

Here is another really good choice:

SIIB41642MD New Sightron 4-16x42 SII Big Sky Riflescope
$50.00 Mail in Rebate (expires 12/31/2009)
Matte
Mil-Dot
1"
Adjustable Objective
Target Knobs
$564.95

With the Bushnell you may need to use a canted base to shoot out to 1000 yds (I'm not sure how much internal adjustment it has), but that is a very common thing.

thinkingman · February 5, 2009, 06:59 PM

I would like to to demo one of the 6X erector scopes for an all round deal.
here is an example...http://www.swfa.com/pc-12405-2172-bu...fle-scope.aspx
A Nikon Monarch, Sightron or Bushnell 4200 Elite would also be on my list.

Art Eatman · February 5, 2009, 08:48 PM

I've done a lot of hunting, and a little shooting at my 500-yard range. I don't want any scope with more than 4X on the low end for hunting. Not enough field of view to suit me. 3X is even better.

I've found that 10X is plenty good at 500 yards. I can hold one MOA without difficulty.

jabo052 · February 5, 2009, 09:29 PM

I have a Browning A-Bolt Medallion in .325 WSM that I bought for a hunting trip out West. I mounted a Leupold VX-III 3.5x10x50 on top. I paid around $500 for the scope and it will handle as far a shot as I'm comfortable taking(300-500 yds, depending on conditions).

Edit: Looking at Cabela's, where I bought the scope, I actually paid just over $600. Mine was a little more expensive than same scope with the duplex rectile because I got the Boone and Crockett rectile. That's still under your $700 price point.

jabo052 · February 5, 2009, 09:30 PM

I also add that I completely agree with Art Eatman.

blacksky · February 5, 2009, 10:50 PM

Bushnell Elite 4200

http://www.google.com/products?hl=en...-8&sa=N&tab=wf

Review

http://www.chuckhawks.com/bushnell_elite4200_scopes.htm

stlcardinalfan · February 6, 2009, 04:51 AM

Yea, what Art said! Exactly how far are you shooting? I need a number. Then I can more accurately answer you.

February 4, 2009, 07:20 PM	#1
bryceh12321 Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2008 Posts: 136	I have no idea what scope to get. I have a Ruger 300 Win. Mag. I'm going to be shooting from very long ranges, at both paper and game. I was looking at the SWFA Super Sniper series. I like the idea of a fixed power Mil-Dot, but just am not sure. What are your recommendations? Under $700 please. Thanks alot.

February 5, 2009, 09:29 PM	#11
jabo052 Member Join Date: February 5, 2009 Location: N of Atlanta Posts: 16	I have a Browning A-Bolt Medallion in .325 WSM that I bought for a hunting trip out West. I mounted a Leupold VX-III 3.5x10x50 on top. I paid around $500 for the scope and it will handle as far a shot as I'm comfortable taking(300-500 yds, depending on conditions). Edit: Looking at Cabela's, where I bought the scope, I actually paid just over $600. Mine was a little more expensive than same scope with the duplex rectile because I got the Boone and Crockett rectile. That's still under your $700 price point. Last edited by jabo052; February 5, 2009 at 09:47 PM.

February 5, 2009, 10:50 PM	#13
blacksky Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2008 Location: OH Posts: 741	I have no idea what scope to get. Bushnell Elite 4200 http://www.google.com/products?hl=en...-8&sa=N&tab=wf Review http://www.chuckhawks.com/bushnell_elite4200_scopes.htm

February 4, 2009, 07:52 PM	#2
ronl Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Posts: 1,125	I have the SS 10x42 on my M1A and I really like it. Accurate and tough. Anything over 30 yards is no problem with the fixed power. Don't think you'll do much better for the money.

February 4, 2009, 08:56 PM	#3
thinkingman Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2008 Location: western WA Posts: 691	There are many that think Leupold is the answer to all of life's questions.

February 4, 2009, 08:59 PM	#4
sthrnfryedyankee Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2005 Location: SC Posts: 393	Nikon Monarch 6-24x50 or the Nikon Monarch 4-16x50 (Non tactical) save the difference and buy more ammo. Both are around $500+- I am putting my Nikon 4-16x50 (non tac) on my 308 and a 6-24x50 on my new gun that I am building If you are going to shooting VERY long distance go for the Nikon Monarch 8-32x50

February 4, 2009, 09:10 PM	#5
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,494	Well what kind of ranges are we talking about here? 2-300 yards or 400+ yards or are you wanting to perform some of those shots from the "Beyond Belief" web site? Remember you get what you pay for a lot of times with optics. A fixed power like you are talking about usually comes in 10 power or higher. 10 power sucks if you are trying to do a snap shot on a close target. That is why most hunters like a variable scope, leave it on the lowest power and then when you set up for the shot if you have time you adjust the power up. If you really want to look at optics for long range shooting read some of Zak Smith's posts here on this forum.

February 4, 2009, 11:55 PM	#6
Big Caliber Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2006 Location: S. CA Posts: 421	I have only seen reviews but if you opt for the SWFA Super Sniper, get the 10x model. Many of those who bought the higher mgnification scopes wound up exchanging them for the 10x. I like the Nikon Monarchs. Bushnell makes some decent scopes, the 4200 series. Leupolds are over-rated for my $$$.

February 5, 2009, 02:59 AM	#7
noyes Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2008 Posts: 1,037	1x at 100yds makes target look as tho it is 100yds away 2x at 200yds makes target look as tho it is 100yds away 3x at 300yds makes target look as tho it is 100yds away etc. Over 10x will also magnify your body & or hand movement. You will notice the scope shaking more the higher the magnification becomes. 36x until you lean how to control your body, It will magnify your shaking that much more. Than you will also have more distortion from heat waves off the ground with higher magnification.

February 5, 2009, 03:11 AM	#8
lipadj46 Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2009 Posts: 494	The Super Sniper 10X is a very good choice especially if this is (I assume) your first target scope. If you are going to do a lot of target work I would suggest getting the model with side focus. If you want a nice variable look at this: 426242P Bushnell 6-24x40 Elite 4200 Rifle Scope Matte 12x Mil-Dot 1" Rainguard Side Focus $529.95 Here is another really good choice: SIIB41642MD New Sightron 4-16x42 SII Big Sky Riflescope $50.00 Mail in Rebate (expires 12/31/2009) Matte Mil-Dot 1" Adjustable Objective Target Knobs $564.95 With the Bushnell you may need to use a canted base to shoot out to 1000 yds (I'm not sure how much internal adjustment it has), but that is a very common thing.

February 5, 2009, 06:59 PM	#9
thinkingman Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2008 Location: western WA Posts: 691	I would like to to demo one of the 6X erector scopes for an all round deal. here is an example...http://www.swfa.com/pc-12405-2172-bu...fle-scope.aspx A Nikon Monarch, Sightron or Bushnell 4200 Elite would also be on my list.

February 5, 2009, 08:48 PM	#10
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	I've done a lot of hunting, and a little shooting at my 500-yard range. I don't want any scope with more than 4X on the low end for hunting. Not enough field of view to suit me. 3X is even better. I've found that 10X is plenty good at 500 yards. I can hold one MOA without difficulty.

February 5, 2009, 09:30 PM	#12
jabo052 Member Join Date: February 5, 2009 Location: N of Atlanta Posts: 16	I also add that I completely agree with Art Eatman.

February 6, 2009, 04:51 AM	#14
stlcardinalfan Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2008 Location: Metro East St. Louis Posts: 176	Yea, what Art said! Exactly how far are you shooting? I need a number. Then I can more accurately answer you.