Need some help/suggestions choosing a scope

nchunt101

Member
Charter Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2016
Messages
3,902
Location
location
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
I am planning on getting a Bergara HMR in the next few months and have been doing some casual scope shopping in the sub $1000 range. I would like to take a LR class/shoot some matches with the rifle but will use it mostly for hunting bean and corn fields where shots can range from 10-600+ yds . Based on what little reasearch I have done I am looking at FFP variable scopes with either Mil/Mil or MOA/MOA adjustments that works well in low light conditions . That said all the different reticle choices are confusing the hell out of me. Most of them seem like they would either get lost in low light or look overly complicated. Any input would be appreciated.
 
600 yards? At least 24x. Everybody has different opinions. Look at Vortex Viper HS LR 6-24x.

Has zero stop to return to zero.
FFP
Tactical elevation turret
Life time unconditional warranty. Run over with truck they will replace it.
Optics Planet $889.99
 
I crossed that same bridge recently and ended up with a Sig Tango 4 6-24x50. It has MOA turrets and reticle, plus it has an illuminated reticle.

When the light gets low in the field and the scope is at the lowest magnification, the reticle stadia is very fine indeed. That's when the illuminated reticle will come in handy. Reaching out to 600 yards is where the 24x comes in handy.

Whether you go with inches, MOA or Mil doesn't matter, it's simply personal preference. Just make sure the turrets and reticle match each other. If you're planning on long range shooting, you might want to also consider a 20 or even 30 MOA mount.

My scope has 54 MOA of vertical travel. My brother selected a Vortex Viper for a couple of his and I think those have 72 MOA travel.
 
Thanks for the replies. Would 15x to 18x magnification work. I like to have 2-3 maginfication for hunting.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
I got no clue or experience, but here is what I would do. I'd see if I could use the Google to find results and equipment for shooting competitons, and see what scopes they used. Then you'll have to eliminate the $3k German scopes, but at some point you might find a scope in your price range that other people have used to win or compete well in distance shooting.

And if that doesn't work, start a thread on CFF! :D
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the replies. Would 15x to 18x magnification work. I like to have 2-3 maginfication for hunting.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
2-3 magnifaction on the low side with a high enough for 600 yards would be difficult. What you need is a scope for close hunting and a scope for long range hunting/sport. Hunt over bean field, put on one scope, hunt in wooods put on the low power. Better yet, long range rifle with High magnification, cheap bang me around gun with 1-4 scope for woods.
 
2-3 magnifaction on the low side with a high enough for 600 yards would be difficult. What you need is a scope for close hunting and a scope for long range hunting/sport. Hunt over bean field, put on one scope, hunt in wooods put on the low power. Better yet, long range rifle with High magnification, cheap bang me around gun with 1-4 scope for woods.

I can live without the 2-3 lowend power. The only reason I want it is if a deer happens to pop out 20 yds away at dusk.
 
Have you considered a SWFA 3-15? I have one on a cz tacticool that I used when I took a shooting class with @JBoyette . It is no nightforce, but the turret clicks are solid and I like the reticle. It can be had in mil/mil or moa/moa I believe.

https://swfa.com/swfa-ss-3-15x42-tactical-rifle-scope-3.html

https://swfa.com/swfa-ss-3-15x42-tactical-rifle-scope-11.html

These will probably be on sale when SWFA does their annual tax day sale in April. If you are near Raleigh, you could shoot mine at the wake county range some time. The Vortex PST's are 3-15 with an illuminated reticle and will be right at $1000. I have heard good things about the burris xtr II's also.
 
Have you considered a SWFA 3-15? I have one on a cz tacticool that I used when I took a shooting class with @JBoyette . It is no nightforce, but the turret clicks are solid and I like the reticle. It can be had in mil/mil or moa/moa I believe.

https://swfa.com/swfa-ss-3-15x42-tactical-rifle-scope-3.html

https://swfa.com/swfa-ss-3-15x42-tactical-rifle-scope-11.html

These will probably be on sale when SWFA does their annual tax day sale in April. If you are near Raleigh, you could shoot mine at the wake county range some time. The Vortex PST's are 3-15 with an illuminated reticle and will be right at $1000. I have heard good things about the burris xtr II's also.
SWFA/Burris/Vortex are all brands I have been looking at. I am also half assed looking for a used Mk4. I appreciate the offer to come shoot your rifle. I am slammed for the next month or so but if you have any interest in killing a turkey let me know. I am about an hour north of Raleigh but have family land in Franklinton if you want to hunt then shoot.
 
PST Gen II OR SWFA pony up for the first focal plane if you want to do any competition or ranging with your retical
 
Thanks for the input. I have narrowed my decison down to a few options that fall within my budget.
 
Last edited:
I just recently got an HMR and put a Burris XT-R II on it. Got the 3-15X Mil-dot reticle less than $1000. It's def a sweet set up and like you want to take some LR shooting classes and do some occasional hunting.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom