Advice on Scope Welcomed

[Monteria]

I'll note a couple things without making any suggestions.

We are all pretty good at spending each other's $ around here... yours included.

Scopes on shooting forums are often a "keeping up with the Jones's affair".

MANY of us employ "more scope than we actually need" at some point, often times just because we have them. Sometimes for some perceived benefit.

Any scope should fit its intended purpose.

Too many features that you don't need always end up manifesting as detriment to something you do.

Features always cost $, but the point of diminishing returns comes early.

Warranty is designed to make us financially whole. It will never make up for lost opportunity.

The use of warranty in this game is failure.

Ultimately, a scope is an aiming device. I personally dont need to see the snot dripping off an ungulates nose to effectively harvest it. Glass is often overrated.

The #1 most important feature is 100% reliability!

 

[ShtrRdy]

The OP question didn't ask about light weight scopes.

The OP said that they would be carrying it. That typically means they might want to be careful in choosing accessories that weigh more than necessary.

 

[nksmfamjp]

The OP said that they would be carrying it. That typically means they might want to be careful in choosing accessories that weigh more than necessary.

Also mentioned she might be around 93lbs. I'm guessing that is smaller than most here.

 

[hesse]

What are you looking to do . How far are you trying to shoot. Being that he is a new shooter something like a Zeiss a Swarovski higher and Leopold with a standard reticle or a simple range radical in it maybe a way better place to start than trying to figure out the complexity of a nightforce that type of tactical scope to begin with especially if it's for hunting. The best thing I can tell you is find a shop that carries a bunch of the high-end stuff and go look through it and ask questions figure out what your minds I likes the best

 

[Lee7588]

The OP said that they would be carrying it. That typically means they might want to be careful in choosing accessories that weigh more than necessary.

Maybe 12-15 oz lighter is something for a person packing into the back country to consider. But 12-15 oz heavier may be good for recoil mitigation.

 

[Lee7588]

What are you looking to do . How far are you trying to shoot. Being that he is a new shooter something like a Zeiss a Swarovski higher and Leopold with a standard reticle or a simple range radical in it maybe a way better place to start than trying to figure out the complexity of a nightforce that type of tactical scope to begin with especially if it's for hunting. The best thing I can tell you is find a shop that carries a bunch of the high-end stuff and go look through it and ask questions figure out what your minds I likes the best

I agree, but want to note that high end doesn't necessarily mean expensive. Scopes like vortex vipers, Zeiss conquest, some Leupold, etc are solid quality without the high price tag.

 

[The Oregonian]

You can find better prices than 2200. Yep. I'm seriously considering selling my ATACR and switching to a leupold. Their customer service is second to none. That does a lot for me.

I had a failure on something that should have never failed and it happened while I was in the blind. Luckily it was on my Leupold binos and not on a scope. Customer service was great - they upgraded my binos when they replaced them immediately, but that failure pushed me away. I know it is a sample size of one but it was enough for me.

I have had similar, positive customer experiences with other companies as well - great customer service is not unique to Leupold.

 

[Darryle]

Purpose?

Go read each of the OPs post here, not just this thread and pay specific attention to every detail offered. The 60rds fired with no optic mounted on the CA 7prc is a little worrisome not knowing why or what type of downrange system was used as a backstop.

I am not saying it's not a 100% legit request, but it is literally a dream scenario for anyone, especially for someone who switch professions with absolutely no outdoor, shooting or hunting experience and a too good to be true scenario.

My recommendation is she attend a multi-day long range school, one that teaches her how to properly judge wind, use her reticle for ranging, how to properly set up her rifle, how to use the data to extrapolate her dial, proper technique/form and then start to picking out an optic based off of the knowledge she gained in the classroom.

I would hate to see someone spend that amount of money only to be disappointed in the reticle or their ability to properly use the reticle

Just my 2 cents

 

[Small Lady]

I would stay away from the larger cartridges for now. Recoil or "kick" can cause long term shooting technique issues. His size helps him but the experience he has is the difference. Many boys and young men developed problems early on from shooting larger cartridges so don't be discouraged. Most firearms instructors know it's better to start with the lower recoiling rifles and work your way up. If you 7 PRC has a muzzle brake or if the recoil doesn't bother you then great. Otherwise a 6.5 creedmoor or even 6mm creedmoor would serve you well as a training rifle. I'd say if you could swing it a Nightforce NXS scope or even SHV would be fine. And use the rest of the money to get some good training. That training will help in all areas of your new found hobby. And from the sounds of it the training will be invaluable on the ranch. My 2 cents from the peanut gallery.

It does have a muzzle brake, and I find the recoil very acceptable. I began with a 22, then 30-30, before buying my own 7mm prc. In between I shot many other calibers, some were intimidating, such as the 300 and 338, both of which have too much recoil. My boss loves his 338, it is his first choice, and it works for him, and his experience level and sheer strength. He is built like a tank himself, one strong man is he.

 

[Small Lady]

I prefer a lower magnification scope but the 5.5-22X range is very popular these days. Here's a link for a scope and rangefinder that will get you around the $5000 mark. You might even ask for a combo discount

Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x56 .250 MoA MOAR-T -C507

At Precision Optics we are dedicated to bringing you the very best products and services at reasonable prices, so that you can spend less time looking for a deal, and more time dealing with what is really important: doing what you love.

www.precisionoptics.net

This one put's you over your budget. https://www.precisionoptics.net/Sig_Kilo_10K_ABS_HD_10x42_SOK10K11_p/sok10k11.htm

This one keeps you in budget https://binocularscanada.com/products/productDetail.aspx?pid=LRF302

Both have a ballistics program that gives you your elevation and windage adjustments for your scope for those long range shots.

Those are some pricey range finder binoculars.

I was looking at a monocular Leica range finder, $805.

 

[Small Lady]

As others have mentioned, at some point it really comes down to your eye and personal judgement/preference. I walked down a line of someone who had a Leupold Mk5, TT, Vortex Razor Gen III, ZCO, and maybe a Kahles (I don't quite remember) all mounted to a board so you could test all of them. They all had great and exceptionally useable glass, and you really start splitting hairs over the minute and subtle differences in the glass quality. The problem is everything else on the scope is also a factor. For me, the Kahles have the best controls especially with the left side parallax but have the reputation for being fragile and a bit over priced. Vortex is stupid heavy and I don't like the process for zeroing the turrets but has a great warranty. NF ATACR is way over rated and I find the rotating eye pieces to be a lazy design holdover from the NXS and frustrating while using lens caps in addition to their reticles being unintuitive. Leupold has had reported tracking issues since forever. Brand loyalty and tribalism also plays a role as people try to justify whatever it is they have personally spent money on. At some point there is also the question of diminishing returns, is the TT really $2k better than a Vortex? Only you as the end user can decide that for yourself, and both will show you what you need to put holes in with great clarity.

The moral of this story is that each brand has its strengths and weaknesses, and there are a lot of other great brands out there besides the few "top tier" brands being constantly regurgitated here. I am partial to Element Optics and the Theos is one of the best combination of glass quality, weight, user friends controls/turrets, magnification, and reticle designs that I have found. It fits my personal needs and requirements and I also paid $2150 US for it as opposed to $5k. I would say there aren't any great range finding scopes on the market so I would factor a quality rangefinder into your budget as well since guns are addicting and chances are you will buy another one in the future so a handheld RF will be more universal. Revic, Sig, Leica, Vortex all make great rangefinders.

Good luck and enjoy!

Good advice, and the Leica monocular range finder I've borrowed a few times seems ideal, and fits in my jacket pocket. After reading, and talking to people who have more experience with scopes, i may choose to start at a lover magnification also, say 3 to 15.
Nightforce, Vortex, and Leupold, seem to get mentioned a lot as good choices, and they seem to run around the $2000 area, plus or minus a few hundred dollars.
And you're right, some people seem to end up with a large collection of rifles. Although I doubt that I will ever have many, maybe someday I would buy something a bit smaller caliber, and if not thrilled with my scope choice then, could put it on wherever future rifle i may get, and upgrade the 7mm scope at that time.

Something half way between a 30-30 and 7mm prc is a future possibility.
Definitely not looking for anything more than I have, but also never see myself as a hoarder who has a dozen plus.

 

[Small Lady]

Kind of an odd request?

I to felt that, so put him on ignore.
Has that stalker or thief sort of vibe to me, neither of which is good.
Next it will be, so brand of gun safe, does it have a backdoor default way to get into it?

Put 2 on ignore already, don't need that in my life, peace and quiet is key.

 

[Small Lady]

Go read each of the OPs post here, not just this thread and pay specific attention to every detail offered. The 60rds fired with no optic mounted on the CA 7prc is a little worrisome not knowing why or what type of downrange system was used as a backstop.

I am not saying it's not a 100% legit request, but it is literally a dream scenario for anyone, especially for someone who switch professions with absolutely no outdoor, shooting or hunting experience and a too good to be true scenario.

My recommendation is she attend a multi-day long range school, one that teaches her how to properly judge wind, use her reticle for ranging, how to properly set up her rifle, how to use the data to extrapolate her dial, proper technique/form and then start to picking out an optic based off of the knowledge she gained in the classroom.

I would hate to see someone spend that amount of money only to be disappointed in the reticle or their ability to properly use the reticle

Just my 2 cents

The backdrop if you want to call it that, was a hill.
And it was recommended to put 3 boxes through it, as a break in. Because I was taking advice from people who know about shooting, so why should I doubt them.

Moving north, getting away from the Vancouver area has been a blessing. People in central BC are generally speaking good, hard working individuals.
They don't drive around alone in their cars wearing a mask, which is commonplace in Vancouver. People don't worry about their car brand, nails being manicured weekly, designer clothing, or other superficial city things.
They will though judge you on how hard you work, whining, being a snowflake, or worried about a spec of dirt on your vehicle. Meet a multi millionaire who lives up here, and you'll never know it. Likely drives a dirty F150 or Ram, wears Kirkland jeans, and a dirty ball cap. In Vancouver those who have nothing but debt, pretend to have money, worry about a spec of dirt on their lexus or Mercedes, and wouldn't even shop for clothes at a Costco.
But they are not sure how to pay their credit card debt off, while pretending.
My boss has money, but never flaunts it. Drives an usually dirty 9 year old F150, and could not care less what the label on his clothing says, or that it has a stain.
So yes, I call this freedom, same with not working any longer in the corrupt government health care system.
Amen!

 

[Small Lady]

The OP question didn't ask about light weight scopes.

And I'm not terribly concerned about it.
Not planning to walk 50 kilometers a day carrying it.
But am fit, and in good shape, that being said, neither my horse, nor ATV much care about the scopes weight.