Long range scope choices

[Calplinker]

I'm thinking of getting a quality scope for long(ish) range shooting with a .308AR I have, or perhaps a bolt gun if I ever get enamored with one of them.

Local range where I do most of my shooting has a 200 and 600 yard pad.

Been doing some research and am considering one of these two:

http://www.amazon.com/Weaver-Tactical-Illuminated-Range-Scope/dp/B004NRXLN4/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_2

http://www.amazon.com/Weaver-Tactical-Scope-4-20x50-Reticle/dp/B002RGCIGO

They are basically the same, except one is 3-15 and the other 4-20. Both are FFP and have good reviews at Snipershide.

I'm also considering a Vortex Viper PST, FFP in 4-16X50 which is also available for about $800, which is about my limit (plus rings).

The older I get, the worse my eyes seem to be, so I'd rather error on the side of more magnification as long as the glass is good.

I currently run a Nikon Monarch 2.5-10 out to 200 yards and while the visual quality is excellent, I've been wishing it was FFP, had parallax adustment, and also that it had a bit more magnificaton.

Any thoughts or advice? $800 is about all I want to spend right now as I'm also going to buy a few other items and have a limited budget.

[Iloveguns]

Do you need to have FFP? If not look at the 6-24 PST in SFP. Will fall in your budget. You cant go wrong with a PST.

[Omega13device]

If you're shooting at known distances you don't *need* FFP.

[Calplinker]

FFP

If you're shooting at known distances you don't *need* FFP.

Makes sense, but I doubt I'll always be shooting at known distances. I've been wanting to do some desert shooting, etc..

[Switchbarrel]

Another option...

I'm thinking of getting a quality scope for long(ish) range shooting with a .308AR I have, or perhaps a bolt gun if I ever get enamored with one of them.

Local range where I do most of my shooting has a 200 and 600 yard pad.

The older I get, the worse my eyes seem to be, so I'd rather error on the side of more magnification as long as the glass is good.

I currently run a Nikon Monarch 2.5-10 out to 200 yards and while the visual quality is excellent, I've been wishing it was FFP, had parallax adustment, and also that it had a bit more magnificaton.

Any thoughts or advice? $800 is about all I want to spend right now as I'm also going to buy a few other items and have a limited budget.

Based on your desire for more magnification, another scope that fits well within your budget & magnification needs is the Sightron SIII series. I don't know about the FFP vs. SFP but, both the 6-24x and 8-32x would be good choices since the optics are excellent. Hoover's Gun Shop in PA has the best prices I've found so far ($810 for a 10-50x60).

-Rick

[ArmyMedicMoose]

Vortex Viper FFP

[Fjold]

The only time you will use FFP is for ranging at different powers.

Do you shoot unknown distances at known target sizes where you can't use the highest power on the scope to range with?

[brando]

Why such a high magnification for a .308WIN? I think people get the wrong impression about just how much magnification is necessary at certain distances. Increased magnification restricts the field of view, making it more difficult to get back on target and spot the splash. It also enhances mirage and optical distortion from environmental features. A max power of 12x or 15x is plenty fine to 1000 yards and I think ideal for a .308WIN. I use a 5-25x on a .338LM and rarely go above 20x, even at ranges beyond 1400 yards.

[ArmyMedicMoose]

I normally use 12-15 power for 1000yards