Gun build - Scope help PLEASE

[teampete]

Hey everyone, I have learned so much from all of you guys on this forum. I am just getting into long range hunting. I just found out today I got drawn for late rifle bull in AZ. I imagine the shot to be anywhere from 400 to 1000 yards. Last year I had the tag and shot a bull at 500 yards but could have shot some other bulls from further ranges. Therfore, I am building a new rifle for long range shots (1000 yds). I have ordered the Savage LRH in 7mm Rem Mag. I really love this caliber and hope this gun is a shooter.

Now I need help with the scope choice and reticle. I can get a brand new Zeiss Conquest 6 -20 x 50 with target turrets for 700 dollars. Right now this is the scope I am leaning towards. I am also considering the Vortex PST or higher end leupold. I can get the viper PST 6-24 for 650 dollars. What is difference between the ciper pst FFP and the regular vortex? Few questions. How do the zeiss or vortex scopes track? Will the scope be able to adjust to 1000 yards with custom turrets? Which reticle would be the best for long range hunting and the use of a custom turret? Would I be better off just using the target turrets that come with the gun? I know this is a lot of questions but I need the help. For 700 dollars is there a better scope? Also is there any chance I can find a better scope in this price range. Also what base and rings so I need for long range. Price doesnt really matter because I know base and rings are very important.

Thanks in advance guys. I really appreciate all your help.

[pyroducksx3]

to be honest if you are expecting shots at elk over 700 yards the 7 rem mag really isnt the best choice, sorry. For scopes you really have to define what you want. MOA adjustment, ballistic reticle type, price range things like that. Nightforce is always a go to scope for these long range shots becasue of its reliability in adjustments. Ziess are nice but I like MOA adjustments and Im pretty sure zeiss are IPHY, if you get custom turrets it doesnt much matter though. For bases I like nightforce, seekins, EGW in that order and rings tie between nightforce ultralights, seekins and then I guess warne and tally. Some other scopes to look at are the vortex scopes and nikon monarch, thier monarch x looks pretty good. I think leupold makes great products but they are priced pretty high for what you get but other s love them so go to a shop and start looking and see what you like. I was really impreseed with the value of the vortex viper.

[teampete]

Should I go with 300 win mag? For the scope I dont know what i want. I am new at this. Im in the 700 dollar range but I usually can get items cheaper than street price. I want a scope that will be dependable, clear and easy to adjust with either a custom turret or tactical/target turrets? I really need help in understanding all the different terms involvoed with a scope and what I need to potentially shoot animals at 1000 yards.

[pyroducksx3]

300 win mag would be a better choice if you are looking at specifically shooting elk past 700 yards but play around with ballistic programs and see what kind of energy you get I think even the 300 win mag comes up a little short for elk at 1000

[pyroducksx3]

Im sure others will chime in though. I am a big 7 rem mag supporter but I limit elk to around 650, with the bullets I use. I am not a big berger fan, if I set up specifically for only long range hunts then yes berger but I dont and Im not sure where my shots will be so I go will go with the accubond or scirocco II. I choose the 7 becasue I like the similiar balistics it gets to the 30 cal with lighter bullets which means less recoil. I also however primarily hunt deer so the energy level requirements are different. If I wanted want elk past 800 Im going with a 338 RUM, lapua, or edge, inside 800 the 300 / 338 win mags are probably fine but Im speaking theoretically as I have no expierence with elk and long range hunting. But like I said Im sure others will soon be giving better advice and with expierence to back it up

[WildRose]

Originally Posted by teampete

Should I go with 300 win mag? For the scope I dont know what i want. I am new at this. Im in the 700 dollar range but I usually can get items cheaper than street price. I want a scope that will be dependable, clear and easy to adjust with either a custom turret or tactical/target turrets? I really need help in understanding all the different terms involvoed with a scope and what I need to potentially shoot animals at 1000 yards.

If you really expect to be shooting an Elk at between 800-1000yds, I'd build either a 7mm STW or a .338 RUM or .338 Lapua.

You're going to have a real hard time putting enough energy behind the 7mm Rmag to get a solid kill at that range, it's even a stretch with the 7UM or 7mm STW in anything below the 162gr.

You will likely do far better with the .338's due to the higher weight/bc.

Scope wise there's a super nice Leupold Mark 4 4.5-15x50 IR on the classified section of this site right now for 900.00.

The conquest however will work for you.

You definitely do need to get out and do some shooting at least at 50yd increments between 500-1000yds under varying weather conditions with your new rig before heading out hunting with it.

Shooting out to 600yds with any of the high velocity calibers doesn't take much skill, practice, or expertise. When you get beyond 600yds though, you're in another realm completely.

Only a handful of shooters are actually capable of consistently placing a shot in the "kill zone" at ranges beyond that even with the nicest custom rigs and none of them became that proficient with one or two boxes of shells and an afternoon of practice.

Remember this isn't just a target, it's a live game animal and we have a responsibility as hunters to ensure we are taking responsible shots that we are capable of making.

Otherwise we're taking a very significant risk of simply wounding game and leaving it for the coyotes and that's a waste of a very precious resource.

Honestly it's very rare that one cannot using just basic stalking techniques work into at least within 600yds of most game animals under most circumstances.

[teampete]

Well I may have to limit my elk hunt to 800 yards then??? The only calibers I can get are 7mm or 300 win mag. Deer and other az game can be out to 1000 yards I guess. So is there really much difference in the 300 vs 7mm then for probable distance to kill an elk. I do plan on using berger vlds if that helps any