Sig Sauer BDX rangefinder/scope: gimmick or good?

poller

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 15, 2017
Messages
274
Location
Chapel Hill
Rating - 100%
4   0   0
Apologies if this has been asked and answered previously but I'm not a normal participant in optics talk. I know just enough to be dangerous.

I saw two potentially great deals on DVOR for Sig Sauer BDX scopes and rangefinders:
My application would be the rare deer hunt or more often long range shooting on a range (currently out to maybe 800yrds)

My current setup is a more than 5 year old Remington 700 with a 24" bull barrel in .308 and a Leupold VXII 3-9 x40 scope

Questions
  1. is the BDX scope/rangefinder a gimmick or is it a worthwhile shooting enhancement?
  2. can you use the BDX scopes w/out the electronics/rangefinder?
  3. is this a good upgrade from the VXII I currently have (is the VXII any good?)
  4. Is there anything else I should now about the system?
 
-The BDX is a good unit.
-You can use the scope without the range finder, but it is set up to quickly and easily change your dope settings for a 2 shot zero.
-the system is a bit gimmicky in this- the load data, with a perfect shot, should be mathematically repeatable, with a very small margin of error, but add in human error, changing conditions such as wind at the muzzle, wind near the target, ballistic coefficient of the round etc.

personally, I don’t like these systems. There is no substitute for training, particularly when learning a new rifle system and load...

I would however look into possibly chopping 2-4 inches off that barrel unless you are running VERY HOT 308 loads (+175 Gr rounds, with +45 grains of powder)
The barrel harmonics alone that would be tightened up by shortening the barrel could seriously tighten your groups at 800
 
I'll comment on my experience with Sig scopes. I've got a Tango6 3-18 and it 's got great bright and clear glass and repeatable turret movement. I'd buy another Sig scope without hesitation if the price was right.
 
There's also the
Sig Sauer BDX Combo Kit, KILO1400 - SIERRA3 2.5-8X32MM on sale for $449.99 or the Sig Sauer BDX Combo Kit, KILO1400 - SIERRA3 4.5-14X50MM on sale for $529.99
Please feel free to give a call to see which is best for you
 
I don't want anything that is Bluetooth enabled

Thus my question re: can you use the scope w/out the RF...

I keep seeing the BDX stuff on clearance. If the price drops down to the point where the rangefinder and scope are worth it even if they don't "talk".... I'd buy the set.

Separately, the Kilo1000 seems to run $170 and the Kilo1400 $200 making the scopes about $250 - $275. Is that "worth it"? @Timfoilhat likes the glass
 
@gr8fuldoug thanks for supporting the forum.

This was an impulse question based on seeing the sale notice. Not sure I'm ready to drop the $ at this moment - waiting for more advice from the crowd. I'll call if I move further towards purchasing
 
I would however look into possibly chopping 2-4 inches off that barrel unless you are running VERY HOT 308 loads (+175 Gr rounds, with +45 grains of powder)
The barrel harmonics alone that would be tightened up by shortening the barrel could seriously tighten your groups at 800

You made me curious so I looked at my paperwork - I purchased this used when I was in Commiefornia and the seller listed it as a 26" bull barrel. The tape measure shows 25 1/8" from the crown to the first ring on the receiver (see pic)

Does that make it better or worse?2020-09-09 15.58.09.jpg
 
Back
Top Bottom