Low Priced Long Range Scopes by Ian McMurchy

[Savagebien]

thought i'd chime in, this article helped me decide on my scope for longer range stuff. i got the 3200 10x40 its been awesome! been shoooting 200, 300, 385, and 500 meters. dial for any one back down back up all good. i wanted to c how much room i had to adjust up and i have 34 moa up from my 100 yard zero! i think thats enough to get to 1000 yards with my .243 win. or i think haven't tried yet. but the scope is a winner for the money!

[nicholtj]

First post to this site, two questions:
1. Suggestions on an affordable scope to mount on a Savage 111 in 7mm RUM?
2. Comments on the 7mm RUM itself? I was recently on another site and it was getting trashed pretty hard.

I bought three of the Savage 111s in 7mm RUM; one for me and one for each of my sons. At $275 each, NIB, I couldn't pass it up. I'm not a reloader yet, but am looking for a used Rockchucker in good shape (I read the new ones are made in China and the quality has really declined). At $64.00/box, reloading will quickly pay off. I don't want to spend a fortune on a scope, am a "bang for the buck" guy (excuse the pun). I would to push the 500yd envelope. How much magnification do I need to pull that off? Thanks all for the input and recommendations.

[nicholtj]

First post to this site, two questions:
1. Suggestions on an affordable scope to mount on a Savage 111 in 7mm RUM?
2. Comments on the 7mm RUM itself? I was recently on another site and it was getting trashed pretty hard.

I bought three of the Savage 111s in 7mm RUM; one for me and one for each of my sons. At $275 each, NIB, I couldn't pass it up. I'm not a reloader yet, but am looking for a used Rockchucker in good shape (I read the new ones are made in China and the quality has really declined). At $64.00/box, reloading will quickly pay off. I don't want to spend a fortune on a scope, am a "bang for the buck" guy (excuse the pun). I would to push the 500yd envelope. How much magnification do I need to pull that off? Thanks all for the input and recommendations.

[dogdinger]

if you will read the article Ian wrote on this subject, it will answer all your questions i think. go to the first post on here and click on it......where did you find a deal like that on a savage? i would be interested in one...AJ

[nicholtj]

Thanks for the reply. I read the article and then checked out the Bushnell referenced in the article at SWFA. Looks like what I need, but 10x seemed a bit less than what I thought I might need. I bought the rifles at Larry's Guns in Huntsville, AL. I bought one of them last year. Then, I was in his shop a couple weeks ago looking for a Savage in .243 with a AccuTrigger. He didn't have any, but had the Marlins with their version of the AccuTrigger, but I didn't know anything about them, so passed. I asked Larry if he had anything in a 7mm Mag, but all he had was the Marlin. I mentioned to Larry I had bought the 7mm RUM from him a year ago and that I sure wished he had some of those left. He said "I've got four left in the back, two synthetic and two wood". I bought the two wood stocks he had left. I'm not sure if he still has the two synthetic stocks left, but you could look up the number and give him a call. I figured it was too good a deal to pass up. Larry said he bought the last ones Savage had a year ago. I guess they didn't sell because of the rumors that you only get 50 shots out of a barrel, that the caliber is going away because it never caught on, the "you don't need that much power", or the popularity of the short mags, or all the above. Regardless, I couldn't let it go. Good luck, let me know if pick one up from Larry's. I don't know if there's a better deal anywhere. I bought into the Savage line without REALLY knowing a lot about them, other than I read a lot of reviews about how accurate they are out of the box. I know they're a high end rifle, but I'm all about the "mostest for the leastest", and I think my cheap little Savage will hold its own against the Rems, Winnys, Brownies and just about anything else out there. Wadda ya think....

[bookworm]

Hi Ian and others....

I've read through the article and post and have a couple questions regarding fixed versus variable power. My hunting experience has given me opportunities from 50yds out to 600+ (which I have not taken). I'm a bit nervous in considering a fixed power scope.

In the scopes mentioned in the article, do you have any concerns wtih their equivalent varable power scopes? In terms of repeatability, clarity, reliability, etc...what should I be aware of when comparing fixed and variable power? I know that price is more, but I'm wondering if there are other things I should consider.

It seems like you get a lot for your money with fixed power, but I'm still nervous. I have a Leupold Vari-X II 3x9 right now and I've thought that if I want to stretch my shots out to 600-800yds I would need something with higher mag, so I was looking at a variable power that goes up to the 14X to 20X range on the high end.

Price is an issue, but I'm not constrained to the $200 range. Having said that, I cannot spend the $1000+ it would take to get a Nightforce or high end Leupold, etc. I would be happy to get something for under $500 if it meets my needs.

Also, since the article was written over a year ago I wonder how the market lalndscape and offerings has changed.

Sorry for all the question - I was going to try and be concise. Thanks for any thoughts or advice.

[coyotelatrans]

I have a bushnell elite 3200 5-15X with turrets and a mil dot on a .243 I love this scope! It is great and I got it for under 300.00 new!