Brand New at Long Range Shooting

sheepdog1988

New Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2011
Messages
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Hello everyone,
As you can see from the title I am what some might refer to as a noob. I've been shooting for a few years now, but never further than 600 meters. I got a Remington 700 SPS in .308. So I had a few questions?

What's a good scope for 1000+ m, for around $1000? I was thinking a Leupold MK4.

How do I learn how factors are effecting my bullet, i.e. humidity, temp, pressure, and wind? Do I just sit out with a note pad and a thermometer, shoot, and figure it out?

Thanks
 
Hello everyone,
As you can see from the title I am what some might refer to as a noob. I've been shooting for a few years now, but never further than 600 meters. I got a Remington 700 SPS in .308. So I had a few questions?

What's a good scope for 1000+ m, for around $1000? I was thinking a Leupold MK4.

How do I learn how factors are effecting my bullet, i.e. humidity, temp, pressure, and wind? Do I just sit out with a note pad and a thermometer, shoot, and figure it out?

Thanks
As far as scopes go there are a plethora of them out there that will do fine out to 1000yds in that price range.

How much magnification you need is dependent upon your own skill level and the size of the target.

The Mark 4 4.5-14x50 or 6-20 will certainly get you there. You can find both used in very good condition at or below that price. Frequently you can the former at between 750-900 if you watch Ebay and the classifieds here and at Sniper's Hide.

Choice of reticule matters too. I do not like duplex reticules and certainly not heavy duplex. I do like a mildot or tactical milling reticule along with the conquest Rapid z reticules.

Most long range hunters here seem to prefer a target dot or fine crosshair, but I find both too easy to lose in low light and/or heavy cover.

The conquest's can be had in the same magnification ranges as above around 800.00-900.00 at the same sources.

Another great scope are the old Mark 1's in fixed 16x but they are rare and harder to find and usually priced around 900-1,100.00.

As for how to learn about all those factors that apply, read, read, read, study, study, study, shoot, take notes, shoot, take notes, shoot and take notes.

Ballistic computers and weather stations can solve problems for you but they can't make you understand why all of the variables matter or how much. Basically they give you data, you plug it in, and dope your scope according to what the program spits out. For a relative novice shooter the technology is a godsend but again, it doesn't really teach you anything or help your understanding.

Welcome and good luck.
 
That Mark 4 has been an awesome optic for me. The one I have is equipped with the M1 Turrets as well as mil dots. In my unqualified opinion it is a very well rounded scope for precision as well as hunting. At 4.5 magnification you can track a running animal, and with the mils I wont always have to dial in the drop. For example, at five hundred yards I could dial in 7 MOA or just hold 2 mils high. Only issue with mils and variable power scopes is you usually need to have the magnification cranked all the way up for them to work properly.
 
I have used several leupolds, to me they are not as clear as the Viper PSTs, sightron SIIIs, or the nightforces, to me they are on par with a nikon monarch gold. Even with the bs I've heard before about high power scopes I will still suggest the 6-24x50 vortex viper pst or the 8-32x56 sightron SIII both for around 750-800, with that quality of glass starting with 6 or 8x doesn't effect anything, I had a 8-32x56 nightforce on my 257wby for 2 years, hunted woods 100yrds and closer and fields at just over 700. I did put a 6.5-20x50 conquest on the 257 last year because it looks good on. The laminate stainless because I bought the silver one, but the main reason is the nightforce was moved to a 6.5x284. Although as stated its a matter of preference, but I am a fan of the mildot, nightforce np-r1 or np-r2, and the sightron moa, they work great for ranging and not having to dial up if you know how much holdover you need.
 
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