New Varmint/Target rifle what size scope

[notahd]

I've got this 220 Swift AI in the works. I've used a Hart barrel 1.250 at breach .975 at muzzle and 26" finished overall with a 1-9" twist. I've used a FN action (SPR) Winchester Mod 70 pre 64. I've put all this into a Richard's Micro Bench rest stock. Now I'm stuck on what scope to use. I've got a good deal on a Weaver 35 X 40 AO scope that a friend bought and wants to get rid of. Is this to large? The price is right. I haven't seen the scope but it could be in my hands when he comes back home around christmas. I will also be using this rifle for target shooting.

[tulku]

If you're taking Target / BenchRest Competition , 36X or higher is what the big boys use . If you're into informal Target Shooting and Varmints as I am , and you live where it's Humid , a 36X will drive you nuts in the Summer . For Testing Loads at 100 Yards when it's hot and humid , I use mostly something around 15x to 20X . I know the Pa. Benchresters use 50X at 1000 yards in Summer . How they can shoot thru the heat waves ..... I'll never know .

[Buano]

When you say "Varmint/Target rifle", you need to clarify. For some this means 100-300 yards & to others it means 1,000 yards — or more.

I grew up shooting woodchucks in Western NY where shots could be anything from 25 yards to 5 or 600 yards although most seemed to be 75-150 yards. For those ranges I carried either a 4-12 or a 6.6-20. For a heavy barreled varmint rifle I believe the 6.5-20 was ideal AT THE RANGES I WAS SHOOTING. For a lightweight carry rifle I used the 4-12 power. I could have used more magnification for a few shots but I would have had trouble with close shots where I would have more magnification than was practical.

I believe the 35x scope you are considering would be OK for long-distance work but totally impractical inside 300 yards.

[johnnyk]

notahd,
The 35X scope is great for certain shooting disciplines but varmint shooting isn't one of them. It would be great for looking at the moon's craters but when that sun is blazing around 100 degs those heat waves are gonna mess you up.
I have 6.5-20's on three of my rifles (.243, .25-06 & 6.5-284) and they give me the flexibility I need for hunting and target shooting. Low-light shooting; 6.5X - gathers more light as legal shooting comes and goes, 12X - matches my bino's when I decide to shoot an animal and 20X; all the magnification I need for long range hunting, LR target shooting and load development at 100yds. (My fourth rifle, a .300WinMag, wears a 6-18)
Side note:
When doing load development it's important to me to be able to clearly see a 1/2 - 3/4" dot or circle at 100yds. I want to know exactly where my crosshairs are at when the sear breaks. My point of aim has to be the same every shot.
I've done load development for other guys with 3X9's on their deer rifles. To me that's like walking in grandma's back bedroom, in pitch dark, feeling for the light switch/chain in the middle of the room!
Bottom line: if you can't see it - you can't hit it. JohnnyK.

[notahd]

Originally Posted by Buano

When you say "Varmint/Target rifle", you need to clarify. For some this means 100-300 yards & to others it means 1,000 yards — or more.

I grew up shooting woodchucks in Western NY where shots could be anything from 25 yards to 5 or 600 yards although most seemed to be 75-150 yards. For those ranges I carried either a 4-12 or a 6.6-20. For a heavy barreled varmint rifle I believe the 6.5-20 was ideal AT THE RANGES I WAS SHOOTING. For a lightweight carry rifle I used the 4-12 power. I could have used more magnification for a few shots but I would have had trouble with close shots where I would have more magnification than was practical.

I believe the 35x scope you are considering would be OK for long-distance work but totally impractical inside 300 yards.

I'm looking at the 400-700 yard shots on varmints. Now if I take it to the range and go shooting at the 200-400 yard I want to know where my bullets are hitting. On my other rifles that I have for varmints is a Remington 700 22-250 bull barrel with a Ospray 10-40X50 and a Ruger 77 Mark II 204 heavy barrel with a Ospray 10-40X50 on it. They both work well and have a side focus. Both of these guns I shoot 100 to 400 yards and have no problems. Knock them dead every time. This is one of the reasons I'm putting this 220 Swift AI together for is the LONG range reach out and touch me shots if you can. I also have a Ruger 22 Hornet with a heavy barrel with a 10-40X50 Barska on it that I have been working up different loads for and it seams to be working well. The only problem with this is that to get it to group a dime at 200-250 yards I have to have the rounds OAL so long that they won't fit in the rotary mag and have to be fead single. Now this way It will put 10 rounds in a dime at 250 yards all the time.

[notahd]

Originally Posted by tulku

If you're taking Target / BenchRest Competition , 36X or higher is what the big boys use . If you're into informal Target Shooting and Varmints as I am , and you live where it's Humid , a 36X will drive you nuts in the Summer . For Testing Loads at 100 Yards when it's hot and humid , I use mostly something around 15x to 20X . I know the Pa. Benchresters use 50X at 1000 yards in Summer . How they can shoot thru the heat waves ..... I'll never know .

After giving this some more thought and reading other forms I believe I might go with a Bushnell 4200 Elite in a 8-32 X 40 AO. After looking around I found one at $550.00 I think it is in the ball park.

[tulku]

Notahd , The Bushnell Opitics are very good ( elevation Range is pretty Limited ....some folks buy a 20 degree Base to get to Long Range ) ) , but before you spring for one , scroll down to this Sites " Long Range Scopes and Other Optics " , and read the thread " Bushnell Warranty Crap " . Not saying it should change your mind , but it is interesting reading . Good Luck in your Scope search .