I need a scope or ???

[JoeJinKY]

My Rock River Arms RRA LAR-8 .308/7.62 Cal. rifle needs a scope.

I stopped into a gun dealer in Bowling Green. he showed me a 6 x 26 x scope that was nice, but ... it was "Made in China." $399, and clear enough for my tired old eyes, but ... I am willing to spend more for the RIGHT scope.

I purchased the RRA Hi-Rise 30mm scope mount while I was there.

http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=385

So I am wondering ...

First, assuming I will be shooting in the 100-300 yard range for the next year or so, until I am confident that longer distances are even a possibility for me, should I stick to a scope, or would the newer "red dot" units be better?

If I get a scope, he suggested that I buy a "Night Force" scope. He doesn't sell them, so I have to believe that he is being honest about them. he said they are easier on the eye for extended use of a scope, such as going through a case of ammo in one session.

I see Leupold, and Nikon, and U.S. Optics, and Bushnell ... so many choices and so little first hand knowledge.

I did spend about two hours watching various You Tube videos on selecting scopes, adjusting for MOA and so forth, but I am still as baffled.

Will ONE scope do (assuming I buy a good one, say, $2,000 range) for short shoots of 50 yards as well as the 500-1000 yard shots (whenever I am brave enough to try those!), or am I looking at a foam case in my future, with a half dozen scopes in it for this gun, selecting a particular scope for the general distance I would be shooting at the moment?

I did buy a Blackhawk bi-pod which seems to work, although at the next gun show I may upgrade it to something nicer. I am also going to buy a few 20-round magazines for it from RRA, just because. If I bought 50 of them, would that raise any eyebrows? What is the "normal" number of magazines one would purchase for a gun like this?

Should I buy a laser bore sight tool, or just do the three shot alignment exercises I saw in the videos? They seem simple enough.

Finally, my rifle has the standard "A2" buttstock. What advantage do I gain by swapping it out for the adjustable 6-position stock or another style?

I like the looks of this one!

http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=555

I'll check back for your advice and suggestions.

[dieselpower]

Dont forget Trijicon. They are a pure American and Christian if you place value on that. For cost vs quality they are up there. Then again if you are planning to drop $3K on a Nightforce cost really doesnt matter to you.

[chrisf]

Dont forget Trijicon. They are a pure American and Christian if you place value on that. For cost vs quality they are up there. Then again if you are planning to drop $3K on a Nightforce cost really doesnt matter to you.

+1 look into it.

[Horton Fenty]

How much are you willing to spend on a scope? After you decide that then figure out what kind of reticle you want, what kind of adjustments you want, and how much magnification you might need. I like some kind of mil-dot reticle with mil turrets.

Check out Vortex and Weaver also. If I was buying a scope right now for a 308 I'd probably buy a Vortex PST-624F1-M, or a Weaver 800363.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/551487/vortex-viper-pst-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-6-24x-50mm-side-focus-1-10-mil-adjustments-first-focal-plane-illuminated-ebr-1-mrad-reticle-matte

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/911627/weaver-tactical-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-3-15x-50mm-1-10-mil-adjustments-side-focus-first-focal-illuminated-enhanced-mil-dot-reticle-matte

Weaver makes a cheaper scope only sold at MidwayUSA that's pretty damn nice for the price. I have one on a 243.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/598484/weaver-tactical-grand-slam-rifle-scope-3-10x-40mm-1-10-mil-adjustments-mil-dot-reticle-matte

[JoeJinKY]

Wow. Just, WOW! I am blown away by how many manufacturers exist, and the WIDE variety of scopes and configurations available.

MADE IN AMERICA carries a lot of weight with me!

So now a question ... I see all of the different magnifications available. I read a site that said that scopes with a wider view let you see more of what is around a target, presumably so when you are tracking a moving animal, you can see what is around it, thus hopefully avoid shooting another hunter or plugging your car, etc. I am not a hunter, so this aspect of the scope's characteristics does not interest me.

I assumed that the greatest magnification would be most desirable, since you could place the cross hairs directly onto the center of your target and, (again assuming) when the scope is accurately set including the MOA adjustments for the particular distance to the target at the time, you hit precisely where you intended to hit. A side note, I don't see myself holding this rifle while firing it. I think this will be a bench rest gun only.

I'm not a rich man, but I have the means to get something nice. I just don't want to buy a $500 scope, later a $1,000 scope, only to eventually buy a $1,500 scope and still regret not buying a $3,000 scope! I'd rather spend $3,000 ONE TIME, and get something "better?" than the previous three.

I noticed that no one suggested the red dot scopes. You all suggested the traditional configurations. What is the reason for that? Do match shooters avoid the shorter dot scopes? Are they less accurate or less reliable? Are they just not as "sexy" on a serious gun?

Finally, since it looks like this rifle and scope, magazines, case, etc., will come in around $5,000 -7,000 when I am done with it, does anyone offer insurance for it, against theft, damage, etc.? I know the NRA offers "Firearms Insurance." I think that is ONLY for theft. That doesn't cover a damaged scope if the rifle (or scope) is dropped, or burns up in a fire, etc. I'm going to the NRA site to see exactly what they cover. It is a BIG investment, so I'd want some protection for it.

[Sniper3142]

Based on your wants and needs, I'd suggest a low powered scope in the 1-6x or 2-10x magnification power range.

Vortex, Leupold, Nightforce, U.S. Optics, Burris, and many others make good units in this power range.

[CSACANNONEER]

I have 2 NF NXSes and more than a few $25 to $50 pieces of glass. There is a difference but, it's going to depend on your eyes and wallet to pick the right glass for you. I bet a good $500 scope will serve you just fine for many years. I personally use the one shot zero method instead of wasting money on a laser boresighter. With or without a LBSer, you still have to fire a shot to confirm the zero. Why waste the time and money on a LBSer?

[Jonathan Doe]

I have tested Pride-Fowler scope and they were very accurate. Once I zeroed at 100 yards, I was able to hit metal targets out to 600 yards with the first shots. You can get the scope with reticle BDC to 800 yeard. They also come with instruction for 800 + yard shooting. I believe it is made in Japan. I have a fixed 10X scope and I like it.

http://www.rapidreticle.com/Main/ScopeItem.aspx?ID=10&grpID=3

[shooting4life]

I would also look at IOR, they have great glass and great features for the money. I have a 3.5-18 on my M1A. It would be perfect for your set up. I is mil/mil, I can't remember if it is a 34 or 35mm tube so it has lots of elevation. One of the better reticules available. Get on of the most recent generations and you will be good to go! They don't hold value as well as night forces do so I would try and pick one up used like I did. I paid $1,100 for mine with rings. New they sell for around $1,800 last time I looked.
Sorry for the crapy pic but it is the only one I have

[as_rocketman]

OK... there's a lot going on in your post!

First, you should be able to make 100-300 m shots on D-targets with iron sights. With some practice you should be able to hit a 40" bull at 1000 m with iron sights. I've done it. No optics needed. Or, in other words, just about any optic will suit your present needs. A red dot is a perfectly good option, particularly for now and out to 300 m.

Beyond 300 m, some magnification is nice to have. I recently put a Trijicon TA33 ACOG on my AR-15, and with it I can easily make hits on D-targets to 600 m. However, if you want to shoot at smaller targets, you will be better served with a more traditional scope and more magnification.

When you ultimately go from 50 m to 1000 m, you can indeed go with one scope for everything, and in your shoes that is what I would do. Changing scopes is expensive and can screw up your zero -- although some removable mounting solutions these days are pretty good, why risk it?

Since your budget is essentially unlimited, there are many Made in USA options available for you. Fighting scopes like ACOG are USA made, so are Nightforce and Leupold which are more traditional scopes. US Optics is excellent glass and somewhere between traditional and combat styles.

If you're going to shoot this rifle from field positions, I wouldn't go higher than 10x or 12x for a scope, if that (my ACOG is 3x and it's plenty for what I do with it). On the other hand if you primarily plan to shoot from the bench, and at small targets, you can go higher.

For sighting in, laser boresighters are sometimes useful, but you can get on target quickly with 3- or 5-shot groups if you know the technique. Get some training. Any good class should explain sighting in. We do this as part of Appleseed, for instance, sighting in at 25 meters (which gives you a 250 m battlesight zero for .308).

Hope that helps. Try to look at as many different scopes as possible, and have in mind how you want to use it.