.416/.50 cal optics what do you use?

[Ochoboy$9]

Im looking at purchasing a new rifle .416/.50out of state only and I know a good scope cost good money id like to be in the 2-3K range but will spend more if need be. Im also thinking about the BORS system but that would limit me to the Leupold,Nightforce or S&B. What are your thoughts? Looking for a 2k yard scope.
Thanks

[MJB]

Tagged

[JMP]

For the longest possible ranges, I put the new Hensoldt 3.5-26 FF well ahead of any other scope on the market. The downside is the price is well above your budget. After that, most of the scopes in the $3k range will work pretty well as there are some good offerings. I'd go with a basic Schmidt 5-25x56 PMII with P4 fine reticle if 26 mil elevation travel works for you. These are in the low $3ks. Some other 34mm scopes just let the erector run further. One thing with Schmidt is that they won't allow you to dial outside of the good area of picture so it's restricted to 26 as they will not allow for the possibility of distortion. Some scopes of similar geometry will allow you more click value. Even though this isn't giving you an optimal picture, it is still nice to have when you run out of elevation. The scopes that do this would be the Nightforce F1 or the Vortex Gen 2 in your price range.

At $3k, you are at a price point where all your choices will hold a zero and be durable so a lot will simply come down to preference.

[Hairball]

JMHO, don't go with the BORS as there are better ballistic apps out there that are more accurate. I have a model 99 in 416 and an EDM in 50. For the M99 I am using a Vortex Razor HD 4.5-27x56 and for the 50 I am using a US Optics ER-25 5-25x. I do run a S&B on a 338 Lapua and that is a great optic as well; however, these optics are pushing the top end of your budget. As far as retail goes, Vortex is sitting at 3,200 and US Optics at 3,200 and the S&B is over 4k. Granted, these are MSRP but you will have to shop around. Back in the day you could keep the same scope for the life of the rifle and in contemporary shooting circles, most want the latest and greatest so keep an eye out in the classifieds and pick up a nice used scope. You will get more for your money if you have the time and patience to find the right one.

[Ochoboy$9]

well if I dont go with the BORS ill have an extra $1300 to put toward a scope

[Ochoboy$9]

Also what do you guys think of this ballistics calc w/ built in kestrel?

[Ochoboy$9]

Sorry forgot the link here it is http://horusvision.com/horus_kestrel.php

[Hairball]

I have read good things about both the kestrel with ATrag and the Kestrel with Applied Ballistics. I run a separate program aside from my Kestrel because I like to see information on a larger screen but I'm old and set in my ways. If you don't already have one, the one item you will need is a LRF and these days they are not cheap. Using a scope to make range calls short of 1000 yards may be doable but if you are taking shots from 2-3K, you really have no room for error in a distance call or you will be "walking" in shots all day trying to hit the target. As the Terrapin LRF have all but vanished from the market (unless you can score a nice used one), you are looking at a good 3k and above for a reliable one. The long-range game can be rather cost prohibitive.

[JMP]

well if I dont go with the BORS ill have an extra $1300 to put toward a scope

Also what do you guys think of this ballistics calc w/ built in kestrel?

Get the Kestrel 4500NV with applied ballistics. It will give you the most return for the dollar of any piece of equipment and it'll work across all your rifles as it has plenty of profiles you can program.

I'd say part of it is how far you want to shoot the rifle. If you are looking to stay inside of 2,000 yards, almost any of the 5-25x scopes like a Schmidt, TT, etc. are fine. If you want to push the limits, think about saving for the Hensoldt 3.5-26 FF as it currently sits in a league of its own for ELR clarity and elevation travel. The only potential downside of a Hensoldt is that the turrets are European so they might move in the opposite direction if you are used to CCW dials.

Keep in mind, brands like Schmidt have about 25 choices in options and they are all in the same scope (5-25x PMII). The options can drive up the price over $1,000. I like the basic black model with the P4F reticle and this can be had in the low $3ks.

Then, also save money for a rangefinder if you are shooting to extreme distances that are not known. The only rangefinders worth beans are the Vectronix rangefinders, and Vectronix left the civilian supply chain last year so if you want to pick up one, now is the only time as there are still a few units around.

[Killer Bee]

mmmm, loves me some bors..


back in '04 when I bought my M82A1 from Impact, salesman actually warned me about some of the more expensive scope comebacks and recommended this IOR..



over 10 years later, still very solid and accurate.. and while it hasn't been abused, it's been handled quite a bit and traveled cross country a couple of times..

check out this whole series of videos featuring my Barrett..



good luck in your search for good optics to handle the heavy recoil rounds..

there's a ton of choices, post up some pics when you make your decision..

[JMP]

Killer Bee, it looks like you have a long range set up. Since your location says Westminster, would you be interested in coming out to a UR match that starts at 2,100 yards. We are looking for more folks with capable rifles that want to come up. It's only a few hours east.

[Killer Bee]

Killer Bee, it looks like you have a long range set up. Since your location says Westminster, would you be interested in coming out to a UR match that starts at 2,100 yards. We are looking for more folks with capable rifles that want to come up. It's only a few hours east.

you're probably teasing me like CSA does because of my clunky semi-auto or non precision as he refers to it..

and that MRAD was my buddy's loaner from Barrett.. that thing is SaWeet! same buddy just finished getting my rifle factory serviced from the awesome folks at Barrett.. great company..

it would be difficult for me to get out that far for a shooting trip these days.. Mrs. Bee and I have full time professions and two young kids that's already pressing our schedule limits..

in the future I'd like to get out to some measured long distance shooting just to see how I'd do..

a few years ago a young granddaughter and her friend were shooting with us from the rifle pit in alpha at eagles nest and they hit the small pig on the 600 yard line [probably 475-500 from where we were] EVERY single time they fired.. first time they had ever been shooting if I recall.. we all just stared at one another.. and suddenly, none of the fellas wanted to shoot LOL..

we've ranged a few things over a thousand in the desert and blasted them.. those square five gallon buckets full of water are fun targets for long range hit reports biggest problem is getting someone to go back and forth that far..

still a long way from 2k but thanks anyways..

[stilly]

LoL. That video has a happy ending.

[JMP]

you're probably teasing me like CSA does because of my clunky semi-auto or non precision as he refers to it..

and that MRAD was my buddy's loaner from Barrett.. that thing is SaWeet! same buddy just finished getting my rifle factory serviced from the awesome folks at Barrett.. great company..

it would be difficult for me to get out that far for a shooting trip these days.. Mrs. Bee and I have full time professions and two young kids that's already pressing our schedule limits..

in the future I'd like to get out to some measured long distance shooting just to see how I'd do..

a few years ago a young granddaughter and her friend were shooting with us from the rifle pit in alpha at eagles nest and they hit the small pig on the 600 yard line [probably 475-500 from where we were] EVERY single time they fired.. first time they had ever been shooting if I recall.. we all just stared at one another.. and suddenly, none of the fellas wanted to shoot LOL..

we've ranged a few things over a thousand in the desert and blasted them.. those square five gallon buckets full of water are fun targets for long range hit reports biggest problem is getting someone to go back and forth that far..

still a long way from 2k but thanks anyways..

Killer Bee, no teasing. This gives you an Avenue where targets are pre-set and has hit indicators. The worst thing that can happen is you make no hits (which sometimes happens to everyone). They are on 37" gongs. Oct 18 is the next date. It's a quick a.m. Informal match, plenty of time to take Mrs. Killer Bee to the outlets later.

[Divernhunter]

I use Nightforce NXS 5.5X22X56 NP-R2 scopes on both of my 50bmg rifles. No complaints here.