Medium to Long Range Bolt Gun Optics

[BlindRacer]

I'm building my first bolt gun, and am very new to the scope world. I've been researching for months on what I should get.

It's a .308 and I'll be shooting 100-200 yards regularly, and 300-500 when I get the opportunity, and would like to have it capable for 700-1000 if I ever get the chance.

Targets will be non-moving, paper/steal/clay/whatever.

I would like to keep the price around $300 (I know it's super low for this kind of optic, but I don't have money for the good stuff)

I would also like it to be matching turrets/reticles. mil/mil or moa/moa.


I've found a company called Wonders Optics or Wotac, which seems like a good scope that fits my requirements.

I'm thinking of either the 12x fixed mil/mil (accurate at 12x)
or
the 4-14x variable moa & mil/moa (mil accurate at 9x, and moa accurate at 10x)


I would love to know what you think, and also if there's any other suggestions. Do you think a 12x fixed is good for non-moving targets from 100-500 yards? I'll never be hunting with this gun, so I wouldn't use the lower end of the 4-14x ever.

[Vacaville]

You can get the Nikon Buckmaster 4.5 - 14X for around $270 on Amazon.com. I picked one up a few months back for my .223 small game rifle with the BDC reticle. Very bright with great resolution.

[Black Majik]

Bushnell 3200 10x

[brando]

You might want to save some money so that you have a larger budget because what you're talking about is the most common mistake made by shooters new to precision bolt guns. You don't need an S&B or USO, but cheap optics are cheap for a reason and in the precision game you need optics that are durable, track well, lack optical distortion and have the needed features.

When you're starting out the last thing you want is something that starts to fail early and just frustrates you. I had a Redfield many years ago that did just that - after a while I couldn't figure out why I was always missing the target by a hair until I discovered the reticle had loosened. Another time I bought crap rings that loosened on me in the middle of a competition costing me the entire weekend.

You're spot on about having matching reticle/turret units. I usually suggest mils because the math's easier (think metric vs imperial). Zero stops are nice but not necessary. Illuminated reticles fall into the same category, but are really only useful at dawn/dusk shoots. The bottom line is you get what you pay for. Yes, you can go cheap and there's nothing wrong with that but there are two instances where a good quality scope is ideal: when your life depends on it and when you are first starting out.

A good scope will outlast your rifle and when you think about it, your rifle can shoot like a friggin' laser but will be useless with a dodgey scope.

[sk8804]

You can get the Nikon Buckmaster 4.5 - 14X for around $270 on Amazon.com. I picked one up a few months back for my .223 small game rifle with the BDC reticle. Very bright with great resolution.

I love this scope i have one on my .243 and I can shoot squirrels all day long at 300 yards.

[huckberry668]

I recently bought a used Millett TRS that's surprisingly good. even compared to my Leupold Mark 4 ERT. yes there are some quality differences you can 'feel' like the turrets, finish and the lighted recticle but it tracked perfect and held zero just like the Mk4.

Nikon's are pretty good too. A buddy of mine used a 1" tube mildot with side focus atop a Savage 10FP for a long range precision rifle class. he was the only one in his class hitting the 800-yard target consistantly. More expensive scopes are nice to work with but doesn't necessarily 'help' you shoot better.

[BlindRacer]

Thanks for all the info and suggestions.

Only thing I'm still unsure about, is if I should get a fixed power around 10, 12, or 16x. Or if I should get a variable power.

If you guys were building this gun...never hunting, and only shooting non moving targets, would you consider a fixed scope?

I'm thinking simplicity for learning, if I were to get a fixed, then there's less to break, clearer glass, measurements of reticle will always be on, cheaper. Am I thinking along the right lines? Like I said, this will be my first scope, so I don't know if I'm right, this is just from what I've been researching.

[Vacaville]

The only problem I see with a fixed scope would be the inability to focus in and have a wide enough field of view at close range. If you are only going to be shooting it at distances over 50 - 75 yards or so (depending on the magnification), you will probably be alright. Some people on the forum are very happy with a fixed scope, and you can usually get higher quality for your dollar when compared to variable.

[BlindRacer]

The only problem I see with a fixed scope would be the inability to focus in and have a wide enough field of view at close range. If you are only going to be shooting it at distances over 50 - 75 yards or so (depending on the magnification), you will probably be alright. Some people on the forum are very happy with a fixed scope, and you can usually get higher quality for your dollar when compared to variable.

I don't plan to shoot anything less than 100 yards. It's a 26" heavy barreled .308. I bought it specifically for longer range... minimum 100 to zero, then averaging 2-400, and on up to 1k if I ever get to a range that has that distance.

If I want to shoot sub 100 yards, then I'll get something different, and probably with a 1-4x scope or something.

[BlindRacer]

Oh, and, this gun will be purely for fun, so I'll never have stressful situations where I have to acquire a target super fast. I'll be able to take my time. Go through my notes, adjust the scope, and wait till I have the perfect shot. I want to learn the basics with this thing, and don't want unnecessary issues getting in my way.

[huckberry668]

Fix power scopes are simplier to work with but variable power scopes are always preferred in most situations. You'll always run into field of view issue with high magnification or not enough magnification on fix power scopes.

[Cowboy T]

The Nikon Buckmaster has already been addressed, and I've also heard others speak well of them.

My scope is a Redfield Revolution 3-9 variable power with their "Accu-Range" (like BDC) reticle. This, too, is a good scope for what you're talking about. Basically, they're Leupold VX-1's for less money, and with all the warranty. They also make a 4-12 power if you want a little more magnification.

[khw9mm]

OP, I have a WOTAC for sale, check my sig line.

Otherwise, if your budget allows for a little more room you can try a Vortex PST or Bushnell Elite which is on sale at Midway.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/default.aspx?productnumber=262045

[CSACANNONEER]

Buy a cheaper rifle and put the difference towards better optics.

[pontiacpratt]

My Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44MM is been good glass on my R700 SPS-V. I got it for around $350.