Best Benchrest Scope for $800?

[Bagelthief]

Hey all, I would like a quality scope for 1000 yards and under. I would be punching paper (hopefully just once, and the rest of the bullets just funnel right through the same hole!!).

I have 800 to spend for the scope alone. I was looking at Sightron, but their reticules suck!

I dont care if its mil or MOA, just so long as the turrets match the reticule. I would like it to be variable, with a max between 15-18x.

Thanks guys!!

[Pthfndr]

The 1000 yard bench rest shooters typically use a variable scope with 25x to 42x magnification at the upper end, with 1/8 moa adjustment. MILS are too coarse for competitive bench rest. Many of them will use a fine duplex reticle or a target dot so matching the knobs to reticle doesn't matter.

I suggest you read the bench rest forums http://benchrest.com/forums/

[Bagelthief]

Do you have any scope suggestions?

[Pthfndr]

Do you have any scope suggestions?

For $800 or less?

Sightron, Leupold, Weaver T series. I've seen more Weavers than Loopys.

I don't shoot BR myself, just know a lot people that do.

Keep in mind that BR is a completely different sport than tactical type shooting. So the scope that works best for one is generally not suited for the other.

And don't forget the bench rest. If you are serious you need a serious rest. No bipod for 600-1000 yard BR.

Something like this: it's only $850

http://www.brunoshooters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BSS&Product_Code=FARLEY

[AC Gould]

You need to answer a few questions...

1) Are you planning to shoot competitively? If so an $800.00 scope ain't gonna win you a prize. Serious BRers use NightForce or Loopys.

2) Is the rifle up to the task? A great scope won't make a crummy rifle shoot any better.

3) Are you re-loading skills and equipment up to the task? The best rifle and scope won't cover for poor loading quality or components.


If you are just interested in informal BR shooting, I would look at a Weaver T-36 ...not a bad scope for around $380. Another option would be to check flea-bay for the older american Weaver t-series scopes(T-20, T-25 or T-30). Fine cross hairs with a 1/8 min dot is the way to go. And a really good rest is essential. Get a subscription to Precision Shooting and read up a bit.

[Bagelthief]

No. Not shooting competitively. Unless you count me and my buddy's vying for the right to talk smack...I would like to get into real competitions some day, but right now I don't think the best scope, gun, and ammo would even place me. I just want decent equipment so when I see ugly opened up groups, I know its me that needs to improve, not the equipment.

The rifle is going to be very good. Not the best, but definitely up there. Geissele 2 stage and White Oak Armament barrel on an AR platform.

I havent bought all the reloading equipment yet. But I will have a Forester B3 single stage, and Redding micro-seating competition dies, among other precisions reloading tools, before the month is over. The skill wont be there at first, but im young and semi-intelligent, so I think that skill set will grow along with my precision shooting skills.

I know the .223 wont go out to 1000, but I want a decent scope that I can mount on the next gun I get (which will be able to go that far).

That's a good idea about the magazine. I think I will pick one up today at Barnes&Nobel...

[FLIGHT762]

Take a look over at these sites. There's a lot of information there to answer your question. Look in the "Optics"sections.

http://www.snipercentral.com/forums/

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php

The WOTAC gen 2 scopes have gotten good reviews. Vortex is coming out with a PSL in their Viper line which will be within your budget, but they won't hit the market for another couple of months.

[IrishPirate]

for $800 you can get a good scope and probably have $$$ left over. There are more expensive ones too, but $800 is plenty $$$ to get yourself a good 1K yard scope. Leopold is what i'd suggest if you're not going to be shooting competetively (and if you are i'd raise the amount of $$$ you have to buy a competition scope.)

[AC Gould]

Scopes, etc.

...
That's a good idea about the magazine. I think I will pick one up today at Barnes&Nobel...

I don't think you will find it on any news-stands...maybe a good gunshop, but not likely at a bookstore. Try online @ http://www.precisionshooting.com/

The primary concern in a BR scope is repeatability..i.e. you move the scope up 6 clicks and it goes there...you move it down 6 clicks and it goes to exactly where you were before. Not all scopes are good at this. As for a variable scope , you might also look at the Nikon Monarch series. Very good glass and moderately priced for what you get. Weaver T series with Micro-Trac are good @ repeatability, optics are pretty good for the price. I use Weaver a T-6 on my light class 22BR rifle and a T-36 on the heavy/unlimited 22BR 40X with good results.

Another thing that will help you in BR shooting is learning to read the wind...
Invest in or make some good wind flags. Learning to read the wind will improve your shooting more that most anything else. I've been shooting competitively for almost 40 years, and I still don't think I've mastered reading the wind! My $.02

[Bagelthief]

Iv been hearing a lot about Vortex lately. I really like their new PST 4-16x50. It has features equal to Nightforce and other quality scopes for half the price (FFP, illuminated reticule, 30mm one piece body, zero stop, mil/mil). So far this is the best I could find in my price range, Anyone have any opinions on this scope?

[AC Gould]

Vortex makes a good scope. The Viper line is made in Japan by the same manufacturer as are many of those sold under the Weaver, Nikon Monarch and B&L Elite names. Other Vortex scopes are made in the Phillipines, as are some of the lower end Loopys. The cheap Vortex crossfire line is made in China.

Rule of thumb is Japan=$400+ , Phillipine=$200-400, China=$50-200

[Bagelthief]

Yea, I heard Vortex makes some of their scopes in Japan, and others in the Philippines. I've heard from someone else in a different forum that the PST line gets its lens from Japan, but is assembled in the Philippines. So just to be clear the Viper PST's are assembled in Japan?

The Vortex scope I'm looking at retails for 700-850.

[AC Gould]

Yea, I heard Vortex makes some of their scopes in Japan, and others in the Philippines. I've heard from someone else in a different forum that the PST line gets its lens from Japan, but is assembled in the Philippines. So just to be clear the Viper PST's are assembled in Japan?

The Vortex scope I'm looking at retails for 700-850.

Vortex like most of the scope companies in the business today does NOT make anything. They buy products from a handful of manufacturers in Asia, sometimes even made to their own specs. The best glass comes from Japan and even the Germans buy it for their scopes. Leupold has used Japanese glass for years and assembled scopes in the US and the Phillipines. Assembly costs in the Philipines is a lot less than Japanese labor costs. Finished products are about equal.
This is not true of Chinese stuff at this time, but their products are improving quickly over what was sold a few years back.

As for the Viper PST, I don't know, but I don't think it matters much whether it's assembled in Japan or the Phillipines. It's gonna have Jap glass at that price point.

[Bagelthief]

Interesting...Thanks very much everyone for the help, especially you AC!