optics advice?

[pilot613]

Hi Yall,

I just bought a Remington 700 sps heavy barreled action in 308.
This is my first bolt action rifle and would like help in selecting the best bang for buck optic. I would like to be able to see the steel at 500 yards+. I was looking at the primary arm and Leupold variable scopes.

All input is appreciated

[baih777]

How much you willing to spend ?

[pilot613]

550 for the scope, I need to also need to budget the rail, rings, stock, and ammo.

[FishnHunt]

imo
on the budget but good glass.

https://www.natchezss.com/nikon-monarch-5-rifle-scope-3-15x42mm-ed-sf-nikoplex-w-xr-turret.html

but if you really want to dial a lot you need to step up

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

[Tac driver]

Buy once cry once!!! But seriously look at leupold, vortex, bushnell, and the EE market here. Is $550 your budget for base rings and ammo or just the scope?

[pilot613]

~550 for the scope and the rings. If a really good deal is to be had a bit more i would consider it, so its not a hard 550.

[TMB 1]

https://www.amazon.com/Leupold-120615-Adjustable-Objective-Scope/dp/B00SBPMJAK/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1506883934&sr=8-12&keywords=leupold+cds+scope

https://www.amazon.com/Leupold-VX-3i-4-5-14x40mm-Matte-Wind-Plex/dp/B018YKOX0A/ref=pd_sbs_200_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B018YKOX0A&pd_rd_r=2SRFKXS4BBHD5GEFQM4R&pd_rd_w=nzgI0&pd_rd_wg=lwo79&psc=1&refRID=2SRFKXS4BBHD5GEFQM4R

https://www.amazon.com/Nikon-PROSTAFF-Riflescope-Black-3-5-14x40/dp/B00BAHWQ7M/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1506884311&sr=1-4&keywords=nikon+rifle+scope

[BMWguy206]

Pilot613,

I had a budget of around $600 for scope, base, and rings. I ended up buying a Nightforce 20moa steel scope base and Nightforce UltraLight low rings from CS Tactical. For the scope, I ended up getting a SWFA 10x42 scope during their Labor Day sale. This will be mounted on my first bolt-action rifle which is a Bergara HMR in 6.5.

[pilot613]

BMWguy206, can you post the link to the nightforce, and how do you like SWFA scope?

[Tac driver]

Was going to say swfa also

[Tac driver]

They have fixed 10,12,16, and 20 power for $299 free shipping.

[BMWguy206]

BMWguy206, can you post the link to the nightforce, and how do you like SWFA scope?

I bought the Nightforce steel scope base and rings from CS Tactical
https://www.cstactical.com/ but the website appears to be down at the moment. You can send a private message to CSTactical for pricing, other options for your setup, and ask for Calguns pricing. Other scope base and ring options you can select from Warne, Seekins, and Evolution Gun Works.

I honestly haven't had the time yet to mount the SWFA scope on my Bergara HMR as I have been slammed with work. I picked the SWFA because of the low cost and its high praised reviews on YouTube videos.

[pilot613]

what are the differences between fixed and variable?

[Tac driver]

Fixed means you can not adjust the magnification of the scope at all. For instance a fixed 10 will always be at 10 power. A variable let's say 3-9 can be adjusted anywhere from 3 to 9 x magnification of what the normal eye can see.

When looking at purchasing a scope a.....

10x42 would indicate fixed. 10 being the magnification and 42 being the objective lens size (muzzle end) in millimeters.

3-10x42 would be a variable. Mag range of 3 to 10 with a 42mm objective.

Fixed scopes are typically cheaper or close in price with better glass quality.

Scope ring heights start coming into play once you get into the bigger objectives past 50mm

Hope this all helps.

[Tac driver]

Variable is nice for covering a large area (large field of view) if your scanning for a target or game. Simply turn the scope down to the lowest power setting find the target then zoom in while looking through the scope. It can be somewhat dificult if you don't have a lot of time behind higher powered glass to acquire and get on target.

All of my scopes are variable. All of my scopes never leave the highest mag setting.