What scope would you recommend for a long range rifle?

[Snowgun]

Ok, I shoot my 7mm pretty well, but i've always done it with this old 3X9 Leopold...

I want to up grade this year, but the options are killing me, and I honestly don't know that much about how the specs effect performance (and how it relates to price).

I think I have narrowed it down to a 4 ish by 16 (I'd consider going to 20 mag), and I think I want a big objective, like 50 (does this make a difference compared to a 44 or so?).

I think a 30mm tube is good, but does it make a difference?

I also want some sort of hold over reticule. I would just determine where they lined up according to my ballistics, cuz they probably don't make them for 7mm. I want something relatively simple, not some crazy ass christmas tree with 30 hashes.

What about coatings, gases, etc? What are some decent brands or models?

I'm looking at spending $3-500 I think, I am not gonna get some bad ass nightforce, but I don't want a POS either...

Any ideas?

[Spartan]

Ziess

[Snowgun]

As a follow up:

What are good places to acquire said scopes?

I like opticsplanet, but are there others?

[Snowgun]

Ziess

Why? Which one?

[JJ]

Weaver (an ATK company )

I have gotten good deals on optics from http://swfa.com/default.aspx before.

[Spartan]

Ziess

Why? Which one?

If you think Luepold need to be upgraded then upgrade.... Zeiss ( as Hensoldt) has been making military for nearly a century. High quality glass. I have a Conquest... crystal clear!
They make better than the conquest....

[gyrfalcon]

Weaver (an ATK company )

I have gotten good deals on optics from http://swfa.com/default.aspx before.

Weaver is not bad, Redfield is pretty good (aka: Leupold) and Nikon... Might also want to look at the Konus M30

[brado]

Schmidt Bender because they cost a lot of $

[RAGGED]

Weaver (an ATK company )

I have gotten good deals on optics from http://swfa.com/default.aspx before.

I would agree, Weaver makes some pretty good glass for the money, doesn't have the cheap feel of others in the sub $500 area. Weaver actually came to our firm looking for some design help on their “new scope”, but oddly they were dirt poor and we turned them down, was pretty excited when I heard they wanted a proposal


I wana know where you guys are getting 10-20X Zeiss and S&B for under $500 bucks!

[farmerj]

print something like this out and go shopping.

Pick the scope in your budget that gives you the best resolution.

[westhope]

With your limit of $500, I'd keep using the Leopold.

[farmerj]

I would also consider what your exit pupil is. There becomes a point going larger just doesn't matter.

Here's a neat calculator and some information to help explain it.
http://www.scopecalc.com/

Make sure you click on the "Calculate" button in the top left corner.


30mm tubes came about with the idea that it would give more adjustment. If you truly want to shoot long range, you will also want to consider getting a set of 10, 20 or even 30 MOA scope bases. It biases the scope to one side of the elevation control and allows you to dial it in for range.

[rugersol]

'Less it's a VXI, ya can't "upgrade" from a Leupold fer $500!

I've got a $1,000 Zeiss Conquest ... that's an "upgrade" ... it's also a 1in tube ... no problem!

If I understand yer question, yer lookin' to go bigger magnification?

This ... http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=746570 ... one's 6.5-20x50 ... on-sale right now (goes on/off-sale every other month 'er so) ... I own both the tru-plex and the mil-dot ... they're not as nice as my Zeiss ... but they're VERY close! I originally bought one fer my 10/22 ... now it's on my Sabre/JP AR ... no need to risk scratching the Zeiss ... hmmm, I should probly mount that on SOMETHING!

You probly wanna spend more 'n $110, though? When ya do, bring it over and we'll check it out SxS w/my Simmons and Zeiss!

[Snowgun]

yea, it's a VX-III, but it's low power and has a small objective.... Shooting 500yrds at dusk with a small objective 9 power BLOWS (I can still hit em tho, I just don't want to work so hard...)

I could bump up my price into the 600's, I like the look of some of those weavers...

What is the big difference between the $140 scope and something like a zeiss? In terms of what you can actually tell, not just sales specs. Will using something like Farmer's graphic there show the differences?


I just get most confused when i'm in the 3-400 dollar range and comparing to the 6-800 dollar range. Am I getting double my money's worth or am I just buying an expensive name + diamond encrusted lettering? I know the $1500 range is good stuff, I just need a metric that I can compare the mid range scopes with...

[farmerj]

Will using something like Farmer's graphic there show the differences?

I used a similar chart when I was shopping for dSLR lenses.

It will be night and day difference at times what you will see. The ability to see the finer lines in some of the better glass is incredible. It works for any optics that you might want to use.

And some of that big money stuff isn't as good as the more inexpensive stuff.

That's why I say use the chart and go shopping. You'll be amazed what you see.