$1000 Long Range Scope

creedmoorshooter21

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Jan 22, 2013
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I am doing some research on my first long range rig and i want to be able to get out to 1000 yards and maybe farther. My budget is about $1000 for scope and rings.
Thanks in advance, Devin
 
I'm a big fan of the Vortex Viper PST. you can get a 6-24X50 plus rings and still be under $1k

I do like the looks of those. They seem to be a quality scope and get great reviews. I know they are double my budget, but are Nightforce Scopes worth the extra cash?
 
I do like the looks of those. They seem to be a quality scope and get great reviews. I know they are double my budget, but are Nightforce Scopes worth the extra cash?

I can't answer that question for you, but for me, in the end, I went with the PST because, while I think there may be a NF in my future, at this point, the PST has everything I need and wanted, at half the price. NF are great scopes, but, to my eyes, I didn't lose much going with the PST, having looked through NF scopes before. If you want to save for it, a NF is an awesome scope. If you want a really good scope now, go with a PST, you won't regret it.
 
I can't answer that question for you, but for me, in the end, I went with the PST because, while I think there may be a NF in my future, at this point, the PST has everything I need and wanted, at half the price. NF are great scopes, but, to my eyes, I didn't lose much going with the PST, having looked through NF scopes before. If you want to save for it, a NF is an awesome scope. If you want a really good scope now, go with a PST, you won't regret it.

I really appreciate the advice and i'm very close to making my decision and im almost positive it will be the viper. I noticed that they do not have a traditional mil-dot reticle. Do they have a similar counter part? or should i just go with the MOA scope?
 
I really appreciate the advice and i'm very close to making my decision and im almost positive it will be the viper. I noticed that they do not have a traditional mil-dot reticle. Do they have a similar counter part? or should i just go with the MOA scope?

Do you know both MOA and Mil adjustments?
 
I really appreciate the advice and i'm very close to making my decision and im almost positive it will be the viper. I noticed that they do not have a traditional mil-dot reticle. Do they have a similar counter part? or should i just go with the MOA scope?

They have a MRAD version of the EBR-1 reticle. You can find it here

it's the same set up, but it's done in MRAD versus MOA, for people used to Mil-Dot
 
NF has awesome customer service. Ordered their ballistic software for PC and the retailer I bought it from had them mislabled and shipped the pocket PC version instead. The retailer told me to call NF and they sent me the correct version and a T-shirt with overnight shipping (didn't even ask for the faster shipping or shirt). Later got a box from the retailer to return the wrong version. Wish I could afford a NF or better yet a US Optics; using a Leupold custom shop vx-3 with m1 turrets and boone & crocket reticle for now (was like $800 at the time I got it, now they are $880). The Vortex Viper PST is a great option based on the couple I have used. Didn't buy one since I like to try and support USA made scopes.

If you can save enough for the NF before you "need" to use the rifle than I would go that route. Their scopes are made in the USA or Japan depending on model, you would have to call them if it mattered at all to you (great scopes either way).
 
I will recommend Leupold. I have 3, a VXI, II and III. Good warranty and they all track great for clicking up, though the VXI and II are hard to dial out paralax at long long ranges.

You have the same question about Night Force that I do... "worth the money"????

I know lots of people love Night Force so I hope I don't catch too much guff here...
I've not owned a Night Force but those I've handled seem to lose some clarity when using powers above 20 or 25x

My VXIII @ 25x is just fine and costs a good bit less... Food for thought...
 
First off - check out this site; it is a part of SWFA, and deals in trade-ins and sells scopes at a reduced price that are either used, or been demo'ed, which means that they are like new.
Quality optics and accessories from Leupold, Bushnell, Burris, Nikon and more!

I traded in an IOR 2-12x32 scope to them for a TA31HG ACOG. They listed the ACOG as "Demo-A", which is supposed to mean that it has been opened, but never mounted or used, and in like new condition... and when it arrived, it was exactly what it was supposed to be. Good place to deal with.

As for a good long range scope in the $1K range, check out the Trijicon Accupoint 5-20x50mm, 30mm tube, illuminated mil-dot. Trijicon uses excellent glass, great optical clarity and resolution, their scopes are tough as nails, and best of all, it NEVER needs batteries, and works night and day!

Another good brand to check into is IOR Valdada (Valdada is just the U.S. importer). IOR is a relatively small optics manufacturer in Romania, and makes lots of military scopes, and they buy their glass lenses from Schott Glasswerk in Germany, which means the glass is usually better than Leupold's top end, and is similar to Nightforce. The 3-18x model is extremely popular, but be aware, it has a 35mm maintube, which means ring and mounts are a little harder to find, and the scope is HUGE, and HEAVY. It becomes worth it when you can adjust zero to 1000 yards without having to use an inclined base.

If there's any way possible though, save up the extra cash and get yourself a Nightforce 3-15x50... They are outstanding! And in my opinion, the 3-15x magnification range is the most useful range out there... Works as well deer hunting at 50-100 yards as it does punching paper at 1200 yards.

Realistically, you can target shoot at 1000 with a 10x scope - and a 14/16x just makes it easy lol... 20-32x is just getting too much like a mini-telescope for me LOL... unless you are vised into a sturdy bench, the crosshairs are much too difficult to steady at 24x+ to be useful for anything but benchrest shooting, but, to each his own! Good luck!
 
I just wanted to throw my 2 cents in the middle of the ring and say go with the sightron iii 8-32x56!! That's what I have and love it!! I also got it with the mil dot! Scope, base, and burris Sig rings for under a grand!!!
 
You might find that a NF scope for long range hunting might be more affordable than you think. Call Butch's Reloading (1-888-960-2952), they have NXS 3.5x15x56 with the MOAR ret & 20"knob for 1299.99. I have been very happy with mine. Send me a note if you have any questions. Ed
 
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