Scope needs for Basic rifle / Precision rifle courses

[AS45-70]

Part one :

I want to take a couple of classes and i need a scope. I am not sure what optic is gonna suit my needs for say Basic then Precision rifle classes. I have only purchased one scope and that was many many years ago, i still have it and maybe its fine for what i want to do, i just dont know. It is a Leupold and all i can tell from it is that its variable 24x. I tried to google the model # but nothing at all comes up(U281695), all i know is that its variable 24 power. Think this is ok, or shall i get a highier quality scope...i would be willing to spend 700-800 at the most.

Part 2:

I have a Rem 700p, the scope i mentioned above is mounted to this rifle, but i also have an M1A loaded. Which rifle would be best suited for the basic / precision classes. What scope will i need and which rifle would i be best suited in mounting it.

what do you think?

the Rem 700P is stock the M1A has a new stock on order.

[Jicko]

Rem700P

PS. U281695 <- is your SERIAL NUMBER!!! Call up Leupold and ask them what scope is that, they can tell you.

PPS. 24x would already be way too much.

[Fjold]

Leupold made the 8.5x25 variable which if you leave it cranked down to 8.5 power will work. It will just be a little more difficult to locate your target due to the small field of view. That is more of a varmint/target scope but it will work. The quality is fine.

[AS45-70]

Would i be better off getting a more suitable scope and moving this vari 24x to my AR varmint ?

[Fjold]

Would i be better off getting a more suitable scope and moving this vari 24x to my AR varmint ?

Depending upon the course of fire, I would say something in the 4x12, 4.5x14 or 4x16 would probably work better. The 4X would give you a wider field of view for target aquisition but then you could crank it up to high power for longer range shooting. I would get one with finger adjustable elevation turrets (target turrets) you don't want to have to dig a coin out every time that you need to adjust elevation.

[Jicko]

Go figure out which scope do you have first.

What reticle does it have? Most "tactical/precision" shooters these days go with mil-dot or some kind of milling/ranging reticle.

8-24x would work if it is a front focal plane(FFP), then you can use its "ranging" reticle. I doubt yours is, so, even if yours have a mil-dot, it is most likely to not be FFP.

I think what you may really do is to contact whoever is putting together the course, and tell him what's your equipement is and see what do they thing about it.

[AS45-70]

Yeah i will find out about what my scope actually is.

Its Duplex and i dont even know what FFP is. I bought it 15yrs ago, maybe even longer.

[rksimple]

For a precision rifle class, it will most likely be required that you have a ranging reticle of some sort. A variable in the range of 4-18x would be great.

First focal plane means that the reticle changes in size as the magnification is changed. The reticle is always calibrated at any power. On most scopes (second focal plane) the reticle is only calibrated at one power setting.

What class are you planning on taking? Here's a write up of the PR2 class I took at Tiger Valley. Where ever you go, it'll be fun!

[PistolPete75]

definitely your 700p. leupolds are typically set at the highest power for milling. at 25x, you wouldn't want to use it for hold over/ hold under shots. scope would be fine for now, but you might want to invest in a different scope down the road. ffp if you can afford it, if not there are plenty are good scopes that would would work well. definitely get a 1 piece mount, and some type of beafy tactical rings like badger.

[Mute]

In your stated price range, I'd look for a used tactical model Leupold or maybe an IOR for a little more.

[AS45-70]

according to Leupold its:

1/4 target adjustments with AO.
fixed 24 power

That surprises me, i have no idea why i even bought it. I only used for some bench rest and i don't think i ever shot it past 400 yards, mostly around 200yrds. Even more reason for me to ask about what i need, i don't want to waste hard earned money on another stupid purchase.

[hntnnut]

Unless your required to have a variable, I would look at a fixed power lupy mark 4 in 10x


Richard

[AngelDecoys]

Mount and rings from DD.Ross - 24 MOA mount and 30mm rings

Scope from Leupold - http://www.leupold.com/tactical/products/scopes/

get the USMC mildots (footballs) as opposed to the US Army mildots (circles) and get the 1/4 MOA turrets as opposed to the 1 MOA turrets.

When your ready for a few classes, look up Scotty Reitz

http://www.internationaltactical.com/index.asp

There are others, but he is excellent.

[mehfisto]

What courses are you taking? Got a link?

[AS45-70]

I wanna start with the basics, i rarely take my rifles out because it is a pita to find a place to go. I paid for them so i would like to shoot them more . One of the members here has the classes, i don't know when his next one is gonna be. I am sure he will post for interested parties when he has the time for another class.