Scope recommendation; .308 R700

[Kwikvette]

Let's get to the meat and potatoes;

R700 AAC-SD in a KRG X-Ray Chassis
20" threaded barrel chambered in .308

Will use to punch paper/steel at 100-200 often

Will use to punch steel at 500+ once every 2 months or so

Would like to have a scope I can use for a long time

I'm still in the beginning stages of long range precision. I still need to hand load but have done fine with factory match ammo. I'm no expert, but I know the basics and am sure my confidence will grow as I learn more in time.

I mention this because I'm not sure with what type of reticle I should look at?

Also, I have no experience with an FFP scope so I don't know if I should consider it?

PS I should mention I want to spend between $800-1,200.

[HK Dave]

The Leupold is old technology that can't compete, and the Viper PST, while a perfectly serviceable scope, is not in the same league with the NF or SWFA.

I would choose between the Nightforce SHV and SWFA HD. Between the two, choose the reticle you prefer and go for it.

My guess is the Nightforce knobs will be easier to operate than the SWFA... however the SWFA glass will probably be slightly superior to the SHV. I say this because according to one reviewer, the SHV glass is pretty close to that of the original Nightforce 3.5-15 F1 and the SWFA slightly edges it out in glass quality.

[ElvenSoul]

Burris XTR

http://theopticzone.com/product/burris-xtr-ii-3-15x50-ffp-g2b-mil-dot-matte-201030/

[Kwikvette]

I forgot to mention if none of the above suffice, I'm open to hear recommendations.

I only threw out the MK4 because on my multiple searches, the MK4 was thrown in the mix on various forums such as Sniper's Hide, etc.

As for reticle, I don't know if I should get one with mils/etc. if I'll be shooting at known distances. Otherwise my choice would be a simple cross-hair type.

[Best sale]

ACOG 6X48..... can't go wrong with that.

[Kwikvette]

Burris XTR
http://theopticzone.com/product/burr...-matte-201030/

No experience with Burris scopes at all; only played with their Fastfire and that's it. I'm not giving them credit I know, but I don't think of Burris when I think nice scope.

Bushnell elite tactical 3.5-21 with G2 reticle. I have one for sale in the EE.

I'll read up on it.

ACOG 6X48..... can't go wrong with that.

Already have a TA31 and TA33; they sit on my AR's.

I'm looking for a precision scope with variable zoom. Thanks though, didn't know Trijicon made a 6x.

I have an accupoint as well but I don't think the scope has much elevation to really get me out far, precisely. It sits on my Saiga

[HK Dave]

The reticle on the bushie is great. They track well.

It's only real short coming when compared to the nf or Swfa will be the glass.

I've looked through them, they leave much to be desired. (I should note however that I'm a glass snob and mostly run s&b so my view might be a bit skewed)

[JMP]

Will use to punch paper/steel at 100-200 often

Will use to punch steel at 500+ once every 2 months or so

Would like to have a scope I can use for a long time

I'm still in the beginning stages of long range precision. I still need to hand load but have done fine with factory match ammo. I'm no expert, but I know the basics and am sure my confidence will grow as I learn more in time.

I mention this because I'm not sure with what type of reticle I should look at?

Also, I have no experience with an FFP scope so I don't know if I should consider it?

PS I should mention I want to spend between $800-1,200.

You want a first focal plane scope with variable zoom (5-20x works). Also, I'd go with milliradian knobs (and reticle) since that gives you more options as it's pretty standard on all but US target shooting.

Once you get that, you mostly care about the mechanics and reliable tracking. Paying ~$1k gets you into a good range of starter scopes that aren't going to fall apart. Having good glass is a benefit, but you cannot shoot a .308 that far so you do not need to get carried away.

Of the choices you listed, I'd pick the SWFA 5-20x50 HD. The reticle is a bit big and thick, the turrets are mushy, and the tensions on things like the parallax adjustment are too tight. Other than that, the quality is good for the price, the glass in particular, and it is easy to use.

For a 308 with a short barrel, I like the idea of going with a 30mm tube and 50mm objective like the SWFA or PST since it saves weight and is really all that is needed.

Even though the PST is a bit played out and probably over-priced given what's now available, it has a lot of features, is extremely user friendly, and it is light--very light. It's about as light as I'd go without worrying that the scope is going to fall apart.

The Bushnells are also a good recommendation as is the link that someone posted above to the 4-16 steiner.

If you increase your budget, you can add a lot of interesting contenders. Most of the time you want to buy as much scope as you can afford as they last a long time and can be a one-time purchase if you choose wisely.

[FMJBT]

Another vote for the Burris XTR II. For a 20" 308 I'd opt for either the 2-10X42 or 3-15X50 version with SCR reticle. I've run both versions for about a year now and have found them to be extremely robust and reliable with excellent glass and turrets.

Another option worth looking into would be the smaller Bushnell Elite Tactical 3-12X44 with G2DMR reticle. I've run one of these for several years on an SPR build, and like the XTR II scopes t has been dead reliable. The G2DMR reticle really makes it an easy and intuitive scope to use for mid to long distance shooting. You don't have to dial anything once you have the rifle zeroed, just hold on the appropriate hash mark of the reticle and shoot.

[HK Dave]

I forgot to mention, by nf shv, I'm talking the new ffp version.

I personally will never again buy any sfp scope that magnifies beyond 10x

[Kwikvette]

What say you?

http://www.opticsplanet.com/nightforce-shv-4-14x50mm-f1-riflescope.html?_iv_code=NF-RS-SHV41450-C557

[Thanatos2203]

Another vote the for the Burris XTR II, there is definitely quality there. I have the 5-25x50 with the SCR reticle which makes adjusting for longer ranges super simple. First time out with it and shot everywhere from 200-1000yards with no trouble. Knobs are tactile, its Mil/Mil FFP and you can get it illuminated if you shoot at night like I do. Mine was $1105 from Liberty Optics.

[Mute]

I would go with a Burris XTR II of some kind in this price range.

[ElvenSoul]

If you just shoot bench occasionally

Well save some money with a Nikon Monarch and custom turrets

Buy from Kenton and get there 2 knobs for 1 deal

http://kentonindustries.com/riflescopes/nikon-monarch

You can have 2 loads for 1 scope

[Kwikvette]

Wow didn't expect so many recommendations for the Burris XTR; I'll check out optics planet and see what they have to offer.