LAST request for scope advice, PROMISE

[DartonJager]

Well after so many people here shared with me great and informative information and even pictures I THOUGHT I had made up my mind and was going to buy a FFP SWFA 3-15x42 SS MIL-Quad.

Then as fate would have it I ran into a fellow member of my rifle club who does more long range shooting and hunting in one year than I will likely do the rest of my life. And wouldn't you know it we got to talking about long range optics primarily for use for a hunting application more than any other instance of use.

I described the scope I was planning on buying and although he agreed the SWFA 3-15x42 SS is a great scope for the money IHHO, for a purely hunting application at ranges from 50 at or below 600 yards I would be better served with a equal quality SFP BDC type scope that also allows for adjustment for wind, elevation and AO.

He made this recommendation after he asked and I told him #1-I plan on only ever using the same load for the rifle to hunt everything with it #2-I plan on using a LRF to confirm range for all shots that require trajectory adjustment#3-I didn't plan on using the scopes detent system to determine range to the target only as hold over or off points #4-I would the vast majority of the time have the scope on it's maximum setting to make any shot over 200 yards so a SFP scope shouldn't affect my POI and #5-I had no plans on doing any serious long range competitive or otherwise shooting until my present comitments to raising my children allow me the time and the $$$ to do so.

Based on these answers to his questions he then strongly recommended I buy a scope that I can also buy a set of laser etched scope caps that are set to predetermined elevation adjustments for what ever distance intervals I want and that would serve me better for MY STYLE of hunting than would a scope with detents as range estimating and as aiming points for various bullet drops based on my cartridges known performance out to 600 yards.

This is advice coming from a guy who during this conversations showed me videos from his phone of him shooting targets from 800 beyond 1K-YDS and varmints and prairie dogs at over 500 yards so I took his advice as coming from a man who knows what of he speaks.

So for the last time I promise I need some additional impartial advice on which scope will serve me best for use in MY STYLE of hunting and only at best occasional long range target shooting only to confirm bullet POI and build my marksmanship skills again out to 600 yards maximum, and then only if I'm able to become proficient to 600. I'm reasonably confident I cam make 500 because I can do 400 now with ease and a non adjusting scope.

Thanks to help clear up my (it would seem self inflicted) confusion on scope choice.

Regards
DJager/Art.

 

[mildot1960]

Well in that case all you need is a fixed 10 power, That will take you out well past 1k if you set it up right. If you want one scope for all things then a FFP 3-9 or a 2.5 - 10 will do the deed,

I shot my 30-06 out to 1500 yds using a fixed 10 power scope, If you are wanting to put together a Rifle for putting meat on the table you don't need much more scope than that,

Heck the USMC and the Army did not put anything bigger on the 2 Best Sniper Rifles ever made, So I think If you can't hit it with one of them then a person should take up needle point, Lol.

hope that helps.

John.

 

[FearNoWind]

Just do it:

Vortex Razor HD LH 3-15 x 42
HSR-4 Recticle (MOA)

and move on

 

[eklarsen]

I agree with your buddy based on what you described as your preferences and needs.

 

[DartonJager]

I agree with your buddy based on what you described as your preferences and needs.

I feel the same way. Just found a Luepold VX-3i 4.5-14x40mm with a 30mm tube, W/duplex reticle, side focus parallax, and BDC for $499.99 W/free S&H.
Thanks for the input everyone.

 

[FEENIX]

Well after so many people here shared with me great and informative information and even pictures I THOUGHT I had made up my mind and was going to buy a FFP SWFA 3-15x42 SS MIL-Quad.

Then as fate would have it I ran into a fellow member of my rifle club who does more long range shooting and hunting in one year than I will likely do the rest of my life. And wouldn't you know it we got to talking about long range optics primarily for use for a hunting application more than any other instance of use.

I described the scope I was planning on buying and although he agreed the SWFA 3-15x42 SS is a great scope for the money IHHO, for a purely hunting application at ranges from 50 at or below 600 yards I would be better served with a equal quality SFP BDC type scope that also allows for adjustment for wind, elevation and AO.

He made this recommendation after he asked and I told him #1-I plan on only ever using the same load for the rifle to hunt everything with it #2-I plan on using a LRF to confirm range for all shots that require trajectory adjustment#3-I didn't plan on using the scopes detent system to determine range to the target only as hold over or off points #4-I would the vast majority of the time have the scope on it's maximum setting to make any shot over 200 yards so a SFP scope shouldn't affect my POI and #5-I had no plans on doing any serious long range competitive or otherwise shooting until my present comitments to raising my children allow me the time and the $$$ to do so.

Based on these answers to his questions he then strongly recommended I buy a scope that I can also buy a set of laser etched scope caps that are set to predetermined elevation adjustments for what ever distance intervals I want and that would serve me better for MY STYLE of hunting than would a scope with detents as range estimating and as aiming points for various bullet drops based on my cartridges known performance out to 600 yards.

This is advice coming from a guy who during this conversations showed me videos from his phone of him shooting targets from 800 beyond 1K-YDS and varmints and prairie dogs at over 500 yards so I took his advice as coming from a man who knows what of he speaks.

So for the last time I promise I need some additional impartial advice on which scope will serve me best for use in MY STYLE of hunting and only at best occasional long range target shooting only to confirm bullet POI and build my marksmanship skills again out to 600 yards maximum, and then only if I'm able to become proficient to 600. I'm reasonably confident I cam make 500 because I can do 400 now with ease and a non adjusting scope.

Thanks to help clear up my (it would seem self inflicted) confusion on scope choice.

Regards
DJager/Art.

Art,

As you already know the SWFA 3-15x42 is a lot of scope for the money ...

[ame]https://youtu.be/9fe4l_CAthI?t=1502[/ame]

the HDs are even better. I have the 5-20x50 HD on my .300 WSM and they are great. The SFP vs FFP (most of my scopes are SFP but 2 of the last 3 purchases were FFPs - no problem transitioning) boils down to end-user's personal preference and application(s), the same is true with the magnification as our eye sights are not created equal. IMHO, I'd rather have the higher magnification and don't need it than the other way around.

Having said that, you might want to consider the the Burris Veracity 4-20x50 FFP. I paid $629 discounted 3 years ago or so and my buddy got one last year for just a little over $600 (on sale + rebate). I have this scope on my .270 AI. Last year, I picked a target at 936 yards for the my son and I had it cranked to 20X, he turned it down to 6x and hit the target with no problem ... I wish I had his eye sight. gun)

Good luck!

Ed

 

[el matador]

I feel the same way. Just found a Luepold VX-3i 4.5-14x40mm with a 30mm tube, W/duplex reticle, side focus parallax, and BDC for $499.99 W/free S&H.
Thanks for the input everyone.

For your style of shooting this is a great scope. In hunting situations, especially under 400-500 yards, you typically want to get a shot off without wasting much time. With the CDS turret customized to your rifle all you have to do is range, dial, and shoot. No consulting a drop chart or ballistic calculator. If there's significant wind I'll look at my chart and "hold" for windage adjustment. If you change rifles or loads you can always have another turret made or just revert to the standard turret with MOA markings. I mostly use the Leupold CDS scopes for my hunting rifles and have been very happy with them.

If there's room on the turret I like to have MOA marks on the bottom, and one revolution of yardage marks above. This way I can quickly dial for ranges up to ~600 yards but I also have the ability to use my ballistic app for longer range shots. At these ranges the atmospheric conditions have a greater effect so I like using the calculator.

 

[DartonJager]

Thanks so very much for yet again, great and thoughtful advice. The reason I am limiting my shots to HOPEFULLY 600 yards, is on my last elk trip to Wyoming my partner and I found an excellent naturally occurring shooting range complete with cannon proof back stop. We shot from 200-700 LRF confirmed yards.

I was very surprised and quite pleased how well I did to 400 yards, at 500 I knew I would need to up my skills but still shot not all that bad for a beginner using a most basic non-adjustable scope, but once we tried 600 then 700 (didn't even try 800) it was late morning the sun was up and wind had began to pick up accordingly. It was then I was humbled in the extreme when we both saw first hand just how much the wind affected our shots and the realization how difficult shots beyond 500 yards REALLY and TRULY are and to attempt such shots on the game animals I cherish and respect deeply requires a skill set considerably beyond what I possessed then and now. I am reasonably confident I can if equipped with a proper scope and put in the range time needed, push my effective range on deer sized game to 600 yards, but on a much tougher animal like a Bull Elk I would be hard pressed to go beyond 500 unless conditions were text book perfect.

That shooting session I described above was quite the eye opener for me, now granted I know a good deal more now about what it takes in abilities and equipment to shoot beyond 400 yards, but it left a lasting impression on me of just how much I would have to increase my marksmanship skills to be able to make what most here would consider medium range shots on deer and elk and I consider my personal maximum long range shots on animals.

But It also really put the long range shooting hook in me and I have GREATLY desired ever since to see just how good I can become. I know once I start I wont stop until my abilities tell me I've reached the limits of my skill set.

 

[DartonJager]

Well after dozens upon dozens of hours of research and no small amount of help from the superb sources of information, AKA members here, I took the plunge and bought a scope. Ordered it on line from Ebay. She's a Leupold VX-3i 3.5x14x40mm 30mm tube BCD with side focus and Leupold Wind Plex reticle.

Paid $519 TMD. Plan on using Talley light weight rings to attach it to my Tikka. It was a VERY difficult decision between it and the SWFA 3-15x42, but the main reason I chose the leupold was I simply don't wish to use a scope to actually range to the target (that's what I have a SIG Tango 2000 LRF for) I personally feel I my style of hunting would be much better served with ranging and animal, adjusting the scope accordingly, and shooting.

I am a most extreme believer in the KISS method, and to me the Leupold BDC system strikes me as about as simple and Arthur-proof as can be had.

It's going to be a few weeks before I can get to the only range near my home where I can shoot beyond 300 yards, and I have yet to develop my go to load for my Tikka and then order my custom dials from leupold, so it's going to be a while before I post my experience with the new scope and rifle combo.

Thanks again for all the gracious and expert advice, be well all,
DJager/Arthur.

 

[redbullitt]

I would always opt for the milling style reticle... Not matched turrets for me. I like to be able to change loads, and change my hunting area conditions as needed lol.

If you marry your scope turret to a specific load at a specific elevation and pressure etc then that can be a real handicap for obvious reasons. Having a normal mil or MOA reticle and adjustments will allow you to use holdovers with any load you choose and in any condition. At the very least, what if you decide to sell the rifle or the scope?

I like the SWFA you mentioned initially... HANDS DOWN.

Vortex PST is worth a look too.

Just my .02.

Just saw after posting you went with a scope. I am sure that one will do what you need! Range report ASAP.