Scope selection

[Chase723]

Usually these 'What should I get' threads go way off the rails and I see this one is headed there now. You do already see a trend and NightForce will get recommended 5 to 1 over everything else and for a good reason. See if there is a reticle you like and run with the NF. NX8 if you intend to carry it alot hunting, ATACR if weight is not a concern. Either way, you should be under 3K and still have budget left for powder and primers. They also re-sell well so if you want to move into a bouji, pinky out, Alpha 1 scope if you stick with the LR shooting, they are pretty painless to re-sell.

I would say the 4-16x42 and 7-35 ATACRs are unquestionably alpha. I've owned all the alpha scopes except a TT (but have looked through several and owned 3 Minox ZP5s) and no doubt those 2 ATACRs are alpha.

 

[Quintus]

I would say the 4-16x42 and 7-35 ATACRs are unquestionably alpha. I've owned all the alpha scopes except a TT (but have looked through several and owned 3 Minox ZP5s) and no doubt those 2 ATACRs are alpha.

But definitely not pinky out, bouji. All the ATACRs are work-a-day alpha...IMHO.

 

[Benellijake]

Go take the course first. Use their rifle and scope. Use a few of them.
You won't need to ask an internet forum afterwards. You'll know what you like, what you need.

That's an excellent idea. Thanks

 

[Benellijake]

I would say the 4-16x42 and 7-35 ATACRs are unquestionably alpha. I've owned all the alpha scopes except a TT (but have looked through several and owned 3 Minox ZP5s) and no doubt those 2 ATACRs are alpha.

I hear good things about the ATACR. I'll look into them

 

[Benellijake]

Optics visuals are very subjective.....the true "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Everyone's eyes see the world differently, have own preferences. Invest the time and effort into finding actual scopes in the actual wild...not stores...to look through at different times of the day, lighting conditions. Local gun clubs, friends, shooting events are great places to do that. Other shooters are commonly very eager to help others, but be prepared as most shooters are strong in their opinions of what they bought. Be your own judge, it's your money. Beyond the visuals, adjustment precision, repeatability, consistency, tactical feel and range of adjustment are critical to successful long range shooting. There are many niceties and gimmicks available which may or probably don't actually deliver better performance on target.....again, it's your money. In your price range, there are many brands that will deliver those critical attributes.....NF, Leupold, top end Vortex (Razor HD), NCO, Tangent Theta, and others which I have no personal experience with. Depending on how you will actually use the system.....pack all day, shoot once......stationary own the whole **** place overwatch....will determine the importance of weight attribute. You don't want to put at 40+oz scope on a 5lb Barrett Fieldcraft mountain rifle, but it doesn't matter on a 14lb Barrett MRAD MK22. You can rush out and plunk your money down for others' suggested optic. But, it's the hunt rather than the kill that puts the long term satisfaction in the trophy. Starting out, one typically doesn't appreciate what they don't know, should ask. That can be expensive. Take your time, enjoy the learning curve along the journey. As we always said in the Harley world..."It's the journey, not the destination."

Another critical point to ponder in your journey is....anyone can dial the drop, but the wind separates the shooters from the trigger tuggers. I see "shooters" drop big bucks on the latest, greatest gear and don't understand why they cannot hit their target at distance. Wind is fickle, variable, constantly changing.... even while the round is in flight. You have to learn both the art and the science of wind. Emilo Praselch is one of the absolute premier wind whispers ever. Catch a seminar with him. God gives us wind flags in this beautiful world. Learn what they are telling the shooter, only then will you realize the value in the hardware you drop your money on. Enjoy the journey, it's a great ride.

You definitely mentioned things I need to consider. I want a great shooting rifle to keep from now until I call it a day. I will take a shooting class and go from there. I have some good builds in the safe. I'm looking at Remington 7MM or a 6.5x284.

I really do appreciate you taking the time to fill me in and consider the little things that are big things.

Thanks Again

John

 

[lancetkenyon]

I didn't like the eye box on that Schmidt...at all. Do you ?

I have one. I don't have a problem with it at all.
I also have a full size S&B PMII 3-20×50 MTC/LT and a 5-20×50US that are fine.

 

[Mike Matteson]

Hello Hunters



I'm retiring and would like to get into long range shooting, 1000 yds at most. I load ammo and hunt but have never shot long distance. I have no clue as what scope to get. There are so many options and just as many preferences. I'm not wealthy, however I do believe in getting something good. Buy once cry once makes sense.

Please tell me what has worked for you and what you suggest.



Thanks again



John

Thay still allow firearms in Colo? At the rate they are going, they won't be, allow any hunting there in the next few years.

 

[Benellijake]

Thay still allow firearms in Colo? At the rate they are going, they won't be, allow any hunting there in the next few years.

It's a shame. It's an amazing state with amazing hunting and fishing opportunities. I'm moving when wife retires to a predominate red state.

 

[Chase723]

But definitely not pinky out, bouji. All the ATACRs are work-a-day alpha...IMHO.

Blue collar alpha no question. Lol. That said they still aren't cheap. Lol. The mil/LE etc and used pricing makes them much more approachable. Regular civilian pricing makes it a little tougher.

 

[Benellijake]

John,

Congrats on your retirement. I, too, am working on my second retirement. I retired from the USAF in 2007, and my goal is retire from civil service in 04/2027, unless they **** me off, then it would be sooner.

It has been at least two decades since I first explored the 1KY range. Transitioning from 400Y to 1000Y does not happen overnight—it takes practice, practice, practice. At the time, I worked on what I had and just added 20 MOA cant for most of my rifles. This forced me to re-establish better shooting fundamentals and a better reloading process to achieve it. What scopes do you have now? It might just surprise you that what you have in your inventory is a good starter kit.

A $3K budget will give you plenty of choices, and the LRH community has already started you on the right track. Good luck with your retirement and scope choice.

Ed

Ed

Thanks for responding. I'll do more research on the recommendations. It's my retirement gift.

 

[Benellijake]

Optics visuals are very subjective.....the true "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Everyone's eyes see the world differently, have own preferences. Invest the time and effort into finding actual scopes in the actual wild...not stores...to look through at different times of the day, lighting conditions. Local gun clubs, friends, shooting events are great places to do that. Other shooters are commonly very eager to help others, but be prepared as most shooters are strong in their opinions of what they bought. Be your own judge, it's your money. Beyond the visuals, adjustment precision, repeatability, consistency, tactical feel and range of adjustment are critical to successful long range shooting. There are many niceties and gimmicks available which may or probably don't actually deliver better performance on target.....again, it's your money. In your price range, there are many brands that will deliver those critical attributes.....NF, Leupold, top end Vortex (Razor HD), NCO, Tangent Theta, and others which I have no personal experience with. Depending on how you will actually use the system.....pack all day, shoot once......stationary own the whole **** place overwatch....will determine the importance of weight attribute. You don't want to put at 40+oz scope on a 5lb Barrett Fieldcraft mountain rifle, but it doesn't matter on a 14lb Barrett MRAD MK22. You can rush out and plunk your money down for others' suggested optic. But, it's the hunt rather than the kill that puts the long term satisfaction in the trophy. Starting out, one typically doesn't appreciate what they don't know, should ask. That can be expensive. Take your time, enjoy the learning curve along the journey. As we always said in the Harley world..."It's the journey, not the destination."

Another critical point to ponder in your journey is....anyone can dial the drop, but the wind separates the shooters from the trigger tuggers. I see "shooters" drop big bucks on the latest, greatest gear and don't understand why they cannot hit their target at distance. Wind is fickle, variable, constantly changing.... even while the round is in flight. You have to learn both the art and the science of wind. Emilo Praselch is one of the absolute premier wind whispers ever. Catch a seminar with him. God gives us wind flags in this beautiful world. Learn what they are telling the shooter, only then will you realize the value in the hardware you drop your money on. Enjoy the journey, it's a great ride.

I decided to go NF ATACR. I can get it at a great price on Expert voice. Thanks again for taking the time to advise me.

John

 

[FEENIX]

Ed

Thanks for responding. I'll do more research on the recommendations. It's my retirement gift.

That's a different story. Good luck and enjoy retirement.

 

[Pro2A]

I decided to go NF ATACR. I can get it at a great price on Expert voice. Thanks again for taking the time to advise me.

John

NF always a great choice. Enjoy!!!

 

[Benellijake]

Optics visuals are very subjective.....the true "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Everyone's eyes see the world differently, have own preferences. Invest the time and effort into finding actual scopes in the actual wild...not stores...to look through at different times of the day, lighting conditions. Local gun clubs, friends, shooting events are great places to do that. Other shooters are commonly very eager to help others, but be prepared as most shooters are strong in their opinions of what they bought. Be your own judge, it's your money. Beyond the visuals, adjustment precision, repeatability, consistency, tactical feel and range of adjustment are critical to successful long range shooting. There are many niceties and gimmicks available which may or probably don't actually deliver better performance on target.....again, it's your money. In your price range, there are many brands that will deliver those critical attributes.....NF, Leupold, top end Vortex (Razor HD), NCO, Tangent Theta, and others which I have no personal experience with. Depending on how you will actually use the system.....pack all day, shoot once......stationary own the whole **** place overwatch....will determine the importance of weight attribute. You don't want to put at 40+oz scope on a 5lb Barrett Fieldcraft mountain rifle, but it doesn't matter on a 14lb Barrett MRAD MK22. You can rush out and plunk your money down for others' suggested optic. But, it's the hunt rather than the kill that puts the long term satisfaction in the trophy. Starting out, one typically doesn't appreciate what they don't know, should ask. That can be expensive. Take your time, enjoy the learning curve along the journey. As we always said in the Harley world..."It's the journey, not the destination."

Another critical point to ponder in your journey is....anyone can dial the drop, but the wind separates the shooters from the trigger tuggers. I see "shooters" drop big bucks on the latest, greatest gear and don't understand why they cannot hit their target at distance. Wind is fickle, variable, constantly changing.... even while the round is in flight. You have to learn both the art and the science of wind. Emilo Praselch is one of the absolute premier wind whispers ever. Catch a seminar with him. God gives us wind flags in this beautiful world. Learn what they are telling the shooter, only then will you realize the value in the hardware you drop your money on. Enjoy the journey, it's a great ride.

You mentioned some great things in your reply. You talked about the hunt and not the kill. I could agree more. I remember being young and scraping up the money to go hunting let alone buying a scope. It was the hunt and the friends that I remember. Thanks again.