looking for high quality first scope

[Ki6vsm]

Hmm. Well. For that Trijicon scope you can always adapt it to your rings with a set of quality sleeves:

https://www.larue.com/products/larue-tactical-ring-inserts-lt136/

[scotty99]

[FishnHunt]

All my hunting rifles have 3-9 or 2-10. I carry my rifle through woods or open areas on lowest setting in case something jumps out.
At 10 power, deer or elk is plenty big at to your comfort shooting distance.
No reason to go over 12x.

[kenl]

OP, I have a Trijicon 3-9x40 MOA Accupower on the Grendel. The rig is relatively new, but I like the scope. Nice glass, the turret feel positive, and it adjust to where I want it. Haven't tried anything over 300 yards yet, but both glass and rifle should be able to connect well past 600. Limiting factor is the adjustment range for anything beyond that, but I can always get a 20moa base if I want to try hitting something further away.

My hunting rifles wear a simple Leupold vx2 3-9x40. As an aside, I know a hunting family that are obsessed with fine light weight equipment. They also aren't afraid of long range shots, and they bring home a lot of meat. Most of their rifles wear Leupold vx5s, mostly in 2-7

Good luck on your project

[timbo399]

My hunting rifles wear a simple Leupold vx2 3-9x40. As an aside, I know a hunting family that are obsessed with fine light weight equipment. They also aren't afraid of long range shots, and they bring home a lot of meat. Most of their rifles wear Leupold vx5s, mostly in 2-7

Good luck on your project

Thanks for your input-- I did some research on the Leupold VX5HD w Firedot duplex reticle and looks very interesting . Main thing is -- it's simple (simple reticle for hunting applications), lightweight (16 oz) and glass seems to be high quality for the price.

I'm specifically looking at the Leupold VX5HD 2-10x42 that can be found for $800 on various sites. Will do more research but this so far seems like a great option for me. I'm not looking to get into super high end precision shooting- just more precision than my irons provide and have it mounted on my stock Rem 700 AAC for any future hunting.-- Coming from a guy who's never hunted before, but someday I plan to!!

Thank you for all the great suggestions!!!

[therealnickb]

Thanks for your input-- I did some research on the Leupold VX5HD w Firedot duplex reticle and looks very interesting . Main thing is -- it's simple (simple reticle for hunting applications), lightweight (16 oz) and glass seems to be high quality for the price.

I'm specifically looking at the Leupold VX5HD 2-10x42 that can be found for $800 on various sites. Will do more research but this so far seems like a great option for me. I'm not looking to get into super high end precision shooting- just more precision than my irons provide and have it mounted on my stock Rem 700 AAC for any future hunting.-- Coming from a guy who's never hunted before, but someday I plan to!!

Thank you for all the great suggestions!!!

Did you look at the nightforce SHV series?

[timbo399]

Did you look at the nightforce SHV series?

Yes I have-- that was one of the first scopes I narrowed it down to-- still on my list. I think the SHV looks like a great option. Specifically looked at NF SHV 4-16x FFP with MOAR reticle as well as the NF SHV 3-10x42 SFP MOAR reticle that is same price as the Leupold VX5HD (around $800-$850).

I'm not sure I need FFP for my applications for this rig-- Mounting on a simple Remington 700 AAC for plinking at range but primarily as a hunting rifle to have ready if I ever go on a hunt someday. Something different than the iron sights I've used on my AR's and M1A for past 10 years.

Will have to think about it some more.!! Thanks!!!

[therealnickb]

Yes I have-- that was one of the first scopes I narrowed it down to-- still on my list. I think the SHV looks like a great option. Specifically looked at NF SHV 4-16x FFP with MOAR reticle as well as the NF SHV 3-10x42 SFP MOAR reticle that is same price as the Leupold VX5HD (around $800-$850).

I'm not sure I need FFP for my applications for this rig-- Mounting on a simple Remington 700 AAC for plinking at range but primarily as a hunting rifle to have ready if I ever go on a hunt someday. Something different than the iron sights I've used on my AR's and M1A for past 10 years.

Will have to think about it some more.!! Thanks!!!

BE1D5C0A-6B23-4AAC-AB2D-1B112B58EFF0.jpg

10 rounds

[Ready4Launch]

I like this advice cuz it's near to the same boat I am in. I am getting the same gun you mentioned but in 6.5 and I have a good deal on the HST 6-24x50. Gun, glass, and some ammo for $1K!

[k1dude]

I'm not sure I need FFP for my applications for this rig

If you've never hunted before, I'll tell you a common mistake made with SFP scopes that even experienced hunters occasionally make.

You've lined up your shot on an antelope at 300 and slowed your breathing and steadied your aim. You slowly squeeze off your shot and ......... miss badly, seeing the dust kick up where your bullet hit as you watch the buck run off.

You keep going over the shot in your mind wondering how you could possibly have missed. Suddenly you realize your scope was at 5x where you put it while you were scanning, and you never zoomed it back to 12x where you sighted it in.

With a FFP, that would never happen because your hash marks mean the same thing no matter what magnification you're shooting at. Set and forget.

[timbo399]

If you've never hunted before, I'll tell you a common mistake made with SFP scopes that even experienced hunters occasionally make.

You've lined up your shot on an antelope at 300 and slowed your breathing and steadied your aim. You slowly squeeze off your shot and ......... miss badly, seeing the dust kick up where your bullet hit as you watch the buck run off.

You keep going over the shot in your mind wondering how you could possibly have missed. Suddenly you realize your scope was at 5x where you put it while you were scanning, and you never zoomed it back to 12x where you sighted it in.

With a FFP, that would never happen because your hash marks mean the same thing no matter what magnification you're shooting at. Set and forget.

That's very interesting point. I never even thought of that. I did realize that MOA hashmarks would be off on a SFP scope with it not fully dialed up but didn't think about the actual zero of the rifle changing. Not sure when hunting if I'd always want to be shooting on max magnification. Thanks for the input.

[tony270]

The difference is nominal ^^^^.

[Ewcmr2]

+1 for the VX-5. I have the 3-15 and live close by, if you want to look through it.

Also, I’ve never shot a deer on anything but 3x...(Pennsylvania woods don’t offer many long shots)

[FishnHunt]

I never hunt with my scope on max magnification.
Sight your gun in at 200 yards and you’ll be fine for majority of shot presented to you.
If leupold, Get a cds turret or Kenton makes them for other brands. Simple and It works

[timbo399]

Yes that's what I was thinking-- set my zero at 200 yards and that will cover my needs for majority of shots I would be taking w this rifle.-- which as mentioned is a Rem 700 AAC .308 I bought over 5 yrs ago been collecting dust in my safe while I shot my AR's and M1A all which just had iron sights.

I Have a Nightforce rail and Vortex precision rings bought years ago as well been just sitting in storage.

Pretty much have it narrowed down to Leupold VX5HD 2-10x42 w Firedot reticle or Nightforce SHV 3-10x42 w MOAR reticle. Both can be found for under $900. Just have to decide on which one of those two-- they're both SFP.

Thank you all for so many great suggestions and help.