NXS 5.5x22 or 8x32 ???

[Broz]

OK guys I need some help. I am faced with a terrable decision to make here. I just aquired a new 8-32 x 56 NP-R2 NXS. I have never used the 8x32 but I have a few 5.5x22's. This would go on my 17lb .338 Lapua Mag. which now has a 5.5-22x50 on it. I will need to change rings (50mm to 56mm) and probably the base too as right now I am just a few moa up from bottom with the current base and I will be going from 100 moa scope to a 65 moa.

This rifle will be used for extreme long shots. I have taken game twice at over 1100 yards already and done just fine with 22 power.

Is it worth the change?

Will I miss the loss of 35 moa? (I have shot this rifle to 2100 yards but only a couple times it took mid 80's moa) I will have to find a good 35 moa base or custom mill one so I get the full 65 moa up the 8-32 has to get me to a mile.

What about mirrage? I have never had a problem at 22x will 32x be usable or will I have to crank it down to get rid of mirrage?

Anybody been this route??

What you say?

Here is the rifle.

Thanks! Jeff

[Buffalobob]

I assume you will be holding over with the reticle (or under depending on which way you go with the base). For the really longer distances say 1300 yards and on I like the 32X. I do not know if I would like it enough to keep it if I was forced to the reticule a lot. That is a step in the process of shooting which to me is potential confusion. I did it once and I worried about whether the magnification ring was calibrated correctly such that my math would work out correctly ie 32/22. I had never field checked the reticle to see if it subtends correctly.

[Broz]

Bob, I will cant the scope so it will be dialed all the way down (or close) when zeroed at 200. Then dial up for every shot and use a dead on cross hair hold. Just like I do now. But the very best I can hope for would be to get 65 moa up from the 200 yard zero. That will get me to roughly 1760 yds with this rifle.

Jeff

[Chas1]

Is it worth it? If on occassion your going to shoot really far then I'd be inclined to say no. On the otherhand if more frequently than not then I'd say yes.

[Buffalobob]

Jeff

What I am trying to say is that with a 200 ayrd zero you can use a combination of the dial and the holdover to get to 2K+ yards

After you dial it "nearly" all the way up you can use the reticle in holdover fashion and then get another 20 MOA if set on 22X or more if you dial up to 32 X and use the ratio of 32/22 (1.45 ratio gives 2.9 MOA per hash mark) to determine the MOA between the hash marks. I have done it that way once. I do not like to do that because if you do not get the magnification exactly right then you do not have an accurate calculation. Also I had never field checked the reticle to see if it was accurate

At 32X the total MOA on the reticle from top to bottom is 43.6. Add that to the dial and you have over 100 MOA.


Just to make a little funny, sell the rile and get a 7AM and put it under the scope. You will have plenty of dial to get to 2K

[Broz]

Ok Bob, got it. So what about mirrage at 32X is it an issue?

Jeff

[Buffalobob]

You will have to talk to Boss Hoss or Goodgrouper. I do not shoot in the middle of the day with that scope set like that enough to know. GG uses Lueppys though.

Kirby and Shawn would know also.