Good beginner tactical scope

[cj1026]

So I want to get a good beginner tactical scope. I am not looking for top of the line just something that will get me out 600 - 800 yards, that I can learn the ins and outs of long range shooting. I also don't want to spend a lot.
So what do you guys suggest?

[5968]

Look in here: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=114503

[ChrisXD45T]

Off the top of my head, something on the cheap - http://www.swfa.com/pc-9244-2119-nik...iflescope.aspx
The BDC (bullet drop compensator) is a nice tactical feature.
Remember you don't need or want ridiculous magnification or a giant objective in a tactical scope.

[rksimple]

You don't really want a BDC for tactical work out to 800 yards. A mildot or comparable reticle is what you want. You also will want target knobs. Getting out to 800 is pushing it with a scope with 50 MOA or less total internal travel. An excellent scope for very little money is the Bushnell 3200 10x mildot. Glass is pretty good (you'll soon find that glass ISN'T the most important part of the scope), its reliable, and the adjustments are repeatable. It'll get you out to 800 easily without a sloped base, maybe even out to 1k depending on what and where you're shooting.

What are you looking to spend, dollar-wise?

[csmintel]

you risk of throwing away money and achieve little by defering to cheap scopes. Git something real.

[cj1026]

You don't really want a BDC for tactical work out to 800 yards. A mildot or comparable reticle is what you want. You also will want target knobs. Getting out to 800 is pushing it with a scope with 50 MOA or less total internal travel. An excellent scope for very little money is the Bushnell 3200 10x mildot. Glass is pretty good (you'll soon find that glass ISN'T the most important part of the scope), its reliable, and the adjustments are repeatable. It'll get you out to 800 easily without a sloped base, maybe even out to 1k depending on what and where you're shooting.

What are you looking to spend, dollar-wise?

Somewhere in the range of 2-300. What do you mean by sloped base?

[FMJBT]

A sloped base mounts the scope at a downward angle in relation to the bore. Common sizes are 15 and 20 moa, meaning that when mounted the centerline of the scope will be aiming at a point about 15 to 20" lower than what your barrel is aimed at. To get on target, you have to crank the scopes elevation knob down (moving the reticle upwards) to line it up with the bore. This is the opposite diection you would adjust for range compensation, so in effect it is adding another 15 to 20 moa of internal elevation to your scope, allowing you to adjust it further to reach longer ranges. Someone will probably be along shortly to translate all this into english.....

+1 for the Bushnell Elite 3200 10x40 Mil Dot.

[cj1026]

A sloped base mounts the scope at a downward angle in relation to the bore. Common sizes are 15 and 20 moa, meaning that when mounted the centerline of the scope will be aiming at a point about 15 to 20" lower than what your barrel is aimed at. To get on target, you have to crank the scopes elevation knob down to line it up with the bore. This is the opposite diection you would adjust for range compensation, so in effect it is adding another 15 to 20 moa of internal elevation to your scope, allowing you to adjust it further to reach longer ranges. Someone will probably be along shortly to translate all this into english.....

Actually that makes sense. Thanks

[Sydwaiz]

Look at Mueller TAC-2 scope. 3x-10x-44mm, mildot reticle, 95moa of internal elevation adjustment in a 1" tube. Read a review here: http://www.snipercentral.com/muellertac2.htm I have one on my wifes Remmy and I'm very impressed with it for the price. Nice bright, clear glass. It's no Nightforce scope but is a great beginner scope for my wife IMO. Once she outgrows this scope I'll probably stick it on one of my hunting rifles.

[rksimple]

Somewhere in the range of 2-300. What do you mean by sloped base?

In your price range, DEFINITLY get the 3200 10x. Spend the rest on ammo, or better yet, reloading equipment and components. It aint cheap. You won't be shooting milsurp to 800 yards...at least with any accuracy. Match ammo is a necessity and it comes at a premium.

In the end, practice, utilizing reliable equipment is going to make the difference between a hit and a miss. Not fancy scopes, reticles, barrels, etc. Its always about the nut behind the trigger.

[ChrisXD45T]

You don't really want a BDC for tactical work out to 800 yards. A mildot or comparable reticle is what you want. You also will want target knobs. Getting out to 800 is pushing it with a scope with 50 MOA or less total internal travel. An excellent scope for very little money is the Bushnell 3200 10x mildot. Glass is pretty good (you'll soon find that glass ISN'T the most important part of the scope), its reliable, and the adjustments are repeatable. It'll get you out to 800 easily without a sloped base, maybe even out to 1k depending on what and where you're shooting.

What are you looking to spend, dollar-wise?

True. I was thinking, for a beginner (like he said), it would be inexpensive and easier to use and learn on. Plus, the reality is, he's just going to be doing target shooting &/or hunting, not counter sniper work.
I do think that the bushnell is a great suggestion, I was going to recommend something in the 3200 or 4200 series as well, but I got sidetracked.

I personally use a 4200 elite 2.5-10x50 on my long range AR and it works great. But that one is out of his 2-300 dollar range.

[cj1026]

In your price range, DEFINITLY get the 3200 10x. Spend the rest on ammo, or better yet, reloading equipment and components. It aint cheap. You won't be shooting milsurp to 800 yards...at least with any accuracy. Match ammo is a necessity and it comes at a premium.

In the end, practice, utilizing reliable equipment is going to make the difference between a hit and a miss. Not fancy scopes, reticles, barrels, etc. Its always about the nut behind the trigger.

Thanks for the help. I reload all my rounds so this will just be another one for me to do. A little more involved for this I would guess.

[rksimple]

Plus, the reality is, he's just going to be doing target shooting &/or hunting, not counter sniper work.

This is true for most of us! Regardless, the mildot reticle is much more versatile and usable, for most all uses, than a BDC. It just takes a little memorizing dope and I think that scares some people off.

Some people take "target shooting" rather seriously. They pay lots of money to have rifles capable of some crazy accuracy and scopes that cost more than used cars! Even though we're on one way ranges, we still like to hit our target as much as possible.

[ChrisXD45T]

...the mildot reticle is much more versatile and usable, for most all uses, than a BDC...

That's why I prefer them as well. I just threw that out there, my thought was that a BDC would be very easy for a person who hasn't shot beyond 300 yards to learn on.

[rksimple]

Thanks for the help. I reload all my rounds so this will just be another one for me to do. A little more involved for this I would guess.

Reloading will make things a little easier on you and allow you to practice more. FWIW, here's a write up of a class I took using that Bushnell 3200 and a cheapo savage 10fp. Its a perfectly capable scope.