.50cal optics

[open3gunner]

I am a new shooter for a .50cal, planning to shoot 1000 yds and beyond if possible. What kind of good scope and mounting rings do I need?

[aplinker]

NightForce seems to be the go-to for 50's.

You'll need serious rings. Badger makes some of the best.

[StraightShooter]

+1 for nightforce. I recently sold mine and it was very durable. They are expensive though so be prepared. Plan on spending around $1800 for scope, rings and base.

[CSACANNONEER]

I've got NXSes on both my 50s. But, there are other good options as well. Whatever you do DO NOT get an ATN! If you want to go cheap, try a Super Sniper otherwise, get a NXS or a MK4. Also, join the FCSA! If you're not doing anything April 18-20, feel free to bring your 50 and at least 60 rounds of ammo to a FCSA match in Reno. PM me for details.

[edittman1]

Is it because they have some kind of extended eye relief to deal with the recoil?

[elsolo]

It really matters what type of .50 you out it on.
My AR-50 has less recoil than many of the lighter rifles out there.
I am embarrassed to admit I have been running a $100 Simmons on my AR-50 for several years now, it hasn't gotten any worse from the abuse. The eye relief sucks, but I have never been nailed by it.

[50 Shooter]

Eye relief is another thing to consider when buying for a .50, you need at least 3" min. to be safe. Anything less and you stand the chance of getting scope eyed or someone else that trys out your .50 might get it.

We're shooting at Angeles Range on the 20th if you want to come out and take a look at some of the optics guys are running. I have a Nightforce on my AR-50 with Leupold Mk-IV rings, scope is still in place after all these years.

[Tony.]

US Optics, quality stuff, local (Brea), scope built to order, great people on top of it all.

[CSACANNONEER]

It really matters what type of .50 you out it on.
My AR-50 has less recoil than many of the lighter rifles out there.
I am embarrassed to admit I have been running a $100 Simmons on my AR-50 for several years now, it hasn't gotten any worse from the abuse. The eye relief sucks, but I have never been nailed by it.

It's true that AR50s have less percieved recoil than most other 50s. This is due to the muzzle brake being more efficient and pulling the gun forward as it directs the muzzle gases to the rear. This is the reason that 50s are hard on optics. Most scopes are designed to handle recoil but not the reverse recoil (if you will) that muzzle brakes create. This means that an AR50 is harder on scopes than a 50 with a less efficient MB and more precieved recoil. I happen to have NXSes on my AR50 and my ALS but, I know several people that have had good luck mounting cheap scopes on their 50s. With cheap scopes, it comes down to luck of the draw. You also need to remember that when you chose a scope for a 50, you need to think along the lines of how long until it fails not, if it will fail. ALL scopes can and have failed when mounted on 50s. Yes, even NXSes and US Optics. The difference is that these scopes last longer between failings and the companies stand behind their products and will usually fix them for free.

[rksimple]

It's true that AR50s have less percieved recoil than most other 50s. This is due to the muzzle brake being more efficient and pulling the gun forward as it directs the muzzle gases to the rear. This is the reason that 50s are hard on optics. Most scopes are designed to handle recoil but not the reverse recoil (if you will) that muzzle brakes create. This means that an AR50 is harder on scopes than a 50 with a less efficient MB and more precieved recoil. I happen to have NXSes on my AR50 and my ALS but, I know several people that have had good luck mounting cheap scopes on their 50s. With cheap scopes, it comes down to luck of the draw. You also need to remember that when you chose a scope for a 50, you need to think along the lines of how long until it fails not, if it will fail. ALL scopes can and have failed when mounted on 50s. Yes, even NXSes and US Optics. The difference is that these scopes last longer between failings and the companies stand behind their products and will usually fix them for free.

This is true. Haven't seen a USO or S&B fail, but hey, you rarely see those scopes anyway. Nightforce will be the best for the money. S&B if you just want the best.

[CSACANNONEER]

I've heard of a USO failing and literally falling apart at the FCSA World Championships a few years ago.

[rksimple]

I've heard of a USO failing and literally falling apart at the FCSA World Championships a few years ago.

Ouch. OK then, I haven't heard of a S&B failing...yet. I mean, with how many S&B's are out there on many miltary rifles in many different countries, I'm sure I would have heard something...

[CSACANNONEER]

Ouch. OK then, I haven't heard of a S&B failing...yet. I mean, with how many S&B's are out there on many miltary rifles in many different countries, I'm sure I would have heard something...

Yea, but I'd still go with a NXS. Not only is it more cost effective but, it has proven itself time and time again. I didn't see it at SHOT this year but, in '06, Nightforce had a NXS at their table that took a 7.62x39 round through it and our guy still used it for 3 days until he could come in and get it replaced. Even after being hit, it held zero and the only problem with it was that the magnification was stuck.

[rksimple]

Yea, but I'd still go with a NXS. Not only is it more cost effective but, it has proven itself time and time again. I didn't see it at SHOT this year but, in '06, Nightforce had a NXS at their table that took a 7.62x39 round through it and our guy still used it for 3 days until he could come in and get it replaced. Even after being hit, it held zero and the only problem with it was that the magnification was stuck.

And it was a bit blurry. I looked through it at SHOT. No doubt NF has the best bang for the buck, if you don't mind SFP. Once their FFP 3.5-15 hits the shelves, its going to be a winner. The S&B is just in a different class. The glass is simply amazing. Matched with a bombproof rep and FFP, it can't be beat. But is that worth an extra 1300 bucks? To me it was. If NF had FFP when I bought the S&B, I probably would have gone with the NF.

[CSACANNONEER]

I've never even looked through a S&B. What is yours mounted on?