Need Help Picking a Scope

[jhj32883]

Hello,

I know next to nothing about scopes.

I am in the market for 2 maybe 3 scopes.

One is going to go on a 6.8 SPC AR. I will be hunting hogs and paper targets with it. I have not hunted hogs before, but my understanding is that they will be within 150 yards (if not significantly closer). What power scope should I be looking for? Also, I would like to spend approximately $400 or less on it or up to $500 if the difference in quality between the two price ranges is vastly different.

The other is going to go on a 308 AR that will be used to punch paper targets. I would like to get into long range shooting so I was figuring a variable scope with a max of 20X or 24X. My price range would be $600-$700 or cheaper if I could get away with it.

The possible third scope would be for a Remington 700 in 308 that will be used to punch paper targets also for long range shooting. My price range would be similar to the above.

I only need rings for the AR's correct? For the Remington 700 I would need rings and a base, correct? Do you guys have any budget minded suggestions on the rings and the base that would still be of good quality?

I'm basically looking for the most bang for my buck on all the above.

Thanks for taking time to read and respond to my post.

Regards,
Jay

[scotty99]

Jay, you're going to get a lot of lectures on not skimping on glass, and everything needs a Nightforce scope in Seekins or Badger rings. Regardless, know there are great options within your price range.

For the AR, look for a 1-4. I have a Burris MTAC that I can't say enough good things about, but it has a BDC reticle calibrated for .223, so I'm not sure how useful it will be with the 6.8. There are lots of other options in 1-4s, some good ones even below your budget. On an AR, I like to mount a scope on a removable base so I can more easily use irons when I want. Good ones can be had in the $50 to $75 range.

For the .308s, take a look at the Hawke brand. I took a chance on one while trying to build a sub $1000 long range paper puncher on a 700 SPS varmint, and I have been very pleased. The 6-20 runs about $450. I shot it side by side with a Zeiss of the same magnification (but about triple the price) and I can tell you except at 20x, there was little visible difference between them. It has held zero perfectly, and the turret adjustments have proven to be very accurate.

On the 700, save yourself some trouble later and install a 20 MOA rail right off the bat. This provides extra elevation adjustment when you want to reach out there. As for rings, check out the Weaver Tactical series. Very reasonable and high quality.

Mostly, remember all this stuff tends to have good resale value, so don't be afraid to experiment a little.

[HK Dave]

If you found a $450 scope to be the same in glass as a Zeiss, you weren't looking close enough.

No disrespect, but that's the simple truth.

The only way I see that being even remotely possible is if your Hawke was a front focus model.

What model Hawke do you have? Is it the Sidewinder?

To the OP: Go take a close look at the SWFA 3-9x42mm.

[FMJBT]

Since the optic requirements are the same between your semi auto and bolt action 308's, why not use the same scope for both rifles? You could mount it in a QD mount that would allow you to swap between rifles with minimal or no loss of zero (You'd have to remember the settings for both rifles though). This would effectively allow you to double your budget for that scope as you'd only be buying one instead of two. At around $1400 I would suggest taking a look at the Bushnell 3.5-21X50 HDMR with either the G2DMR or Horus H-59 reticles. You can find those for around $1200 if you look around. The extra money could go towards a high quality 34mm QD mount from someone like LaRue or American Defense.

Swapping scopes between a bolt gun and AR platform can be difficult because of the vastly different ergonomics. The bolt gun will require a low or medium height ring without forward offset, while the AR will need a slight forward offset mounting with either a high or extra high ring setup. An easy way to make this work is to run an extended riser on the AR that will raise the ring height while also providing a forward extesion for mounting the scope further forward. You can even find risers with a built in 20 MOA slope, similar to 20 MOA bases sold for bolt action rifles. Having the same 20 MOA slope between the two rifles would minimize the amount of adjustments needed to zero between the two rifles.

[lewdogg21]

Midway has surface blemed burris fullfield II's for $149 right now. 3x9x40. Great for hunting and you wont feel as bad the.first time you scratch it, fall on it, or drop the.riflerifle. Ignore the extra periods, i hate my phones keyboard.

Spend mord on your hunting binos than scope since you should use.them a lot more.

[LCU1670]

I have and like the SWFA SS. My last precision rifle course, 1/4 of the class was using them.

[Siberian23]

If you don't mind a fixed 10x the bushnell elite can be had for $199 including a mount. Might be a good option for the .308 ar, then leave you more for your .308 bolt action? Maybe a vortex strike fire with a 3x magnifier for your 6.8? I saw a package online for $169 for the strike fire magnifier and mounts for both.

Then you have quite a bit of money left for a nicer scope on your .308 bolt action, I have heard a lot of good about the egw 20 moa base and some Burris xtreme rings.

[sholling]

The cheapest good reliable glass for your hog hunter would be a Weaver V3 1-3x20. It's a good quality scope on sale at Natchez for $145, have SWFA price match and pick up the lens caps bundle ($15) Burris QD P.E.P.R. for another $90 and you're good to go for around $260.

Another good option with a bit better scope is a Nikon Monarch 2-8x32 ($240) in the same mount as above for a total of $346 with the lens cap bundle.

Review: Weaver Classic V Scopes
Article: Scopes For Boar Hunting

I'm not a long range shooter so I'll pass on suggesting a scope but what I would bot do is share a scope between rifles because that means rezeroing each time you switch. Dedicate a top notch scope to a single rifle and then save up for another top notch scope for the next.

[1911ShooterPhil]

On a couple of my AR's, I put these scopes...

Here's one:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/725900/leatherwood-hi-lux-cmr-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-1-4x-24mm-illuminated-green-cmr-ballistic-reticle-matte

...in a set of ARMS #22 HIGH rings...

http://www.mountsplus.com/AR-15_Accessories/AR-15_Scope_Rings/ARMS-22.html

The low power magnification is good for close up and the 4x magnification is good out to 100-150yds with ease. Plus, best part, it has locking windage and elevation turrets and red and green illumination for low light shooting conditions.

Here two:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/186660/millett-tactical-dms-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-1-4x-24mm-illuminated-circle-dot-reticle-matte?cm_vc=subv1725900

This is also a great 1-4x scope I highly recommend. I really like the "dot in a donut" reticle because it is quick to put on target. The turrets aren't quick finger adjustable like the Leatherwood CMR, but sometimes that's good, because it is lower profile and less likely to get banged around during field use. I mounted that scope with a forward cant using this mount...

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/613338/american-defense-recon-quick-release-extended-scope-mount-picatinny-style-with-30mm-rings-ar-15-flattop-matte

American Defense makes great mounts...but they are pricey!

Regarding the Remington 700 bolt action .308 WIN:
As a young Marine infantry scout (not Scout Sniper), when I was being introduced to distance shooting by our company snipers, my fellow scouts and I were instructed with 10x scopes for 7.62 NATO rifles. I know, the 10x is not as sexy as other scopes out there, but they are durable as no other and the math is simpler if you are using a 1/10 MIL scope. Not something you may be concerned with, but if you really want to get into distance shooting, it will be easier to learn how to use well, but that's just my opinion.

This is a very good scope that I put on my FN PBR...

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/950843/bushnell-elite-3200-tactical-rifle-scope-10x-40mm-1-10-mil-adjustments-mil-dot-reticle-matte

It's not an expensive scope, but it is a Bushnell Elite 3200 series, so it's no slouch either. Don't overlook a good 10x scope. Here's another neat one (I don't have, but my shooting partner highly recommends...)

http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-10x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P53712.aspx

Both are MIL not MOA. So, if you are learning to use MOA, stick to an MOA scope. If you are learning to use MIL, these are great options for you.

For a Remington 700 SA, you may want to check out these mounts:

http://www.brownells.com/optics-mounting/scope-bases/rifle-bases/standard-moa-scope-bases-prod18358.aspx

http://www.brownells.com/optics-mounting/scope-bases/rifle-bases/maximized-scope-rail-prod1391.aspx

http://www.brownells.com/optics-mounting/scope-bases/rifle-bases/nightforce-tapered-picatinny-bases-prod18834.aspx

Here are some good scope rings to consider...

http://www.brownells.com/optics-mounting/scope-rings-amp-mount-sets/scope-rings/picatinny-scope-rings-prod17198.aspx

http://www.brownells.com/optics-mounting/scope-rings-amp-mount-sets/scope-rings/tsr-tsr-w-rings-prod17361.aspx

I hope these recommendations help. Cheers! --1911ShooterPhil

[jhj32883]

Alright, I've done a little more research and I was hoping to get your opinions on the optic for my 6.8 AR.

I'm leaning towards a lower power variable scope (1x-4x), RDS with magnifier or a magnified ACOG (clearly not Trijicon).

What are your thoughts? Also, any suggestions on specific models/manufacturers would be very helpful.

Thanks,
Jay

[FMJBT]

I'd go with a low power variable for the 6.8. Something like the Burris 1-4X scopes or Leatherwood CMR 1-4X. I run a CMR on a 16" 5.56 rifle, and have been really happy with it's performance. The reticle is a bit light for close range (<50 yards) stuff, but excels at mid range and low light shooting. The illumination is geared more towards low light shooting than daylight visibility, which could be a good or bad thing depending on your intended use.

[scotty99]

Just my opinion, but I'm not an ACOG fan. They don't as well close up as a red dot and they don't work as well far away as a scope. The RDS with magnifier would likely be my choice if I needed to quickly be able to engage targets at widely varying distances, but for what we mortals mostly use our ARs for (expensive hole punch), I've found the 1-4s to be preferable.

[jhj32883]

Ok, so I think I've settled on a 1-4x variable power scope for my 6.8 SPC which will be used to hunt hogs and killer paper targets.

I've looked specifically at the Burris MTAC 1-4x as I've read some good things. Any other suggestions on another low power variable scope? I looked at the Leupold line but there are like 5,000 different models. Also, I'm looking for an illuminated reticle/fire dot/etc.

Any specific suggestions that I can research?

I feel like I've done hours and hours and hours of research and my head's about to explode.

[jhj32883]

Also I've noticed that most of the scopes I've looked at appear to be specifically for 5.56. Are there any optics made for 6.8 SPC, or does this not matter? If I do go with a 5.56 scope will the scope be able to take the extra recoil? I guess I could simply adjust for greater bullet drop for the marks/dots in the reticle.