Rifle Scope Recommendations

[mac019]

Hello,

I just bought a tikka t3x .223 rifle and am looking to mainly target shoot with this rifle and do some small game hunting. I have a max distance of 500yards. I am looking for the scope to be in the 400-800 dollar range. Any recommendations??? Any help would be great, being new to the rifle optic market and all these options is very overwhelming.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[lancetkenyon]

Scope requirements would help.

FFP or SFP?
MIL or MOA?
Illuminated reticle or no?
Tactical type knobs or capped turrets?
Weight?
Reticle type preference?

I would say an SWFA SS 3-15x42 myself. FFP, non-ill, MIL, good glass, great tracking, no frills workhorse.

 

[mac019]

I am new to rifle shooting and would like any advise. I have shot rifle barrel shot guns my entire life and am getting into long range shooting. I am looking for something that is easy to learn to use.
I am looking for BDC reticles.
Illuminated would be a plus but not a must.
With Tactical type knobs.

 

[Dr. Vette]

You can get a BDC along with a turret (tactical knob, as you call it).
However, I suspect you will quickly learn to prefer the turret.
If so, there are much better options with turrets than BDCs.

If you want to do both, or try both, look for a used Nikon.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I am new to rifle shooting and would like any advise. I have shot rifle barrel shot guns my entire life and am getting into long range shooting. I am looking for something that is easy to learn to use.
I am looking for BDC reticles.
Illuminated would be a plus but not a must.
With Tactical type knobs.

I'd jump into rifle shooting basics, before trying to jump into long range. Focus on how to reload proper ammo, work up groups at 100 yards, and then slowly work your way out from there. It's not an overnight success story, like the gun and ammo manufacturers want to make you believe. They want to make you think you can buy skills, which is totally false.

As for a good scopes on a tight budget, here is what i recommend...

https://www.swfa.com/vortex-4-16x44-viper-hs-t-30mm-rifle-scope.html

https://www.swfa.com/nikon-4-16x50-black-x1000-30mm-riflescope-4.html

https://www.swfa.com/swfa-ss-10x42m-tactical-30mm-riflescope-3.html

https://www.swfa.com/swfa-ss-3-15x42-tactical-rifle-scope-3.html

Good set of rings and rail to run...

https://www.swfa.com/seekins-precision-scope-30mm-rings.html

https://www.swfa.com/egw-hd-picatinny-rail-1-piece-scope-mount-78.html

 

[mac019]

I am considering all options at this point. Please give me a couple of scope options that you would recommend. I have read so many articles with different options and just looking to see what people are currently using. I plan on starting at 100 yards and once I get solid groupings work up in yardage from there.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I am considering all options at this point. Please give me a couple of scope options that you would recommend. I have read so many articles with different options and just looking to see what people are currently using. I plan on starting at 100 yards and once I get solid groupings work up in yardage from there.

To get you started, you need simplicity. Like shooting basics, learning muscle memory, learning how to reload precision ammo, learning how to read Mills, learning how to dial scopes, how to chronograph, how to make dope charts for your loads, what B.C. (Ballistic Coefficient) means and what it affects, etc... These are all basics that must be mastered before attempting to shoot long range.

I recommend the SWFA SS 10x42 MQ scope. It's a fixed 10 power scope with a nice Mil-Quad reticle, and target turrets. For the money, they are very high quality scopes...I have a few myself.

https://www.swfa.com/swfa-ss-10x42m-tactical-30mm-riflescope-3.html

Then these rings, and this rail...

https://www.swfa.com/seekins-precision-scope-30mm-rings.html

https://www.swfa.com/egw-hd-picatinny-rail-1-piece-scope-mount-78.html

 

[bowkill02]

I would strongly recommend that you consider mudrunners comments. He is giving you no bs advice. 500 yards looks a whole lot different through a scope than it does on the outdoor channel, and getting there can be a struggle sometime without a good basic foundation. I read your original post and uderstands you have shot a rifle before but what you are embarking on is apples to oranges. Nobody here means to insult you or discourage you I hope you understand that.
For me I would recommend a vortex viper PA. it comes with a bdc reticle and the ability to utilize the capped turret.

 

[mac019]

I appreciate all the comments and understand that I am embarking on a long journey that is why I wanted to get your opinions. I am not discouraged by any of your comments. If anything I am happy that you are all letting me know what I need to learn.

@Mudrunner Thank you for all the advice and will defiantly have more questions for you in the near future. Like what type of reloader should I look into buying?

 

[bowkill02]

Can't go wrong with your basic rockchucker

 

[MudRunner2005]

For learning the basics, single-stage everything is your best friend.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00T9YKW60/?tag=lrhmag19-20

Also, when you get ready to reload, I can point you to some good youtube videos that will go over the basics and why you need to do each step a certain way.

 

[bowkill02]

I would also recommend looking at www.ballisticstudies.com. Nathan foster has several detailed books to get you started from scratch. He outlines optics, chamberings, and all gear inbetween. He covers loading techniques and equipment. Really of wealth of knowledge even for experianced shooter's.

 

[weatherbee]

For the money, Meopta MeoPro. Nothing out there compares to glass quality at the price range
They are offered at.

 

[Canhunter35]

Buy a scope with a mil or Moa based reticle. You won't be hampered that way down the road.
I'd go for a sightron stac 4-20. Good tracking, simple reticle, and cheap for the quality.