And now, the Tactical Scope

R

RickD

Moderator
Looks like it will be a Savage in .308 for me.

Now I need a good tactical scope. I have done some searches (both on TFL and other places) and have decided that BulletDropCompensated scopes are fine and dandy but they are costly and restricting myself to BDC scopes means that I could very well miss out on other features and qualities that I want.

As a result I find that what I need is a scope which stays on zero during zoom or turret adjustment. I want your advice on which variable tactical scopes (in my Savage price range) stay on mark as I dial up elevation and windage for various targets and back again.

My view is that Leupold and Burris are likely the way to go, if I can keep the scope price down to a few hundred dollars. I had considered the Tasco SS and others but have heard that they don't hold zero very well.

Rick
 
With scopes, you get what you pay for. . .

I highly recommend the Leupold M3 series but that would depend on what type of shooting you want to do.

The Leupold M3 series is calibrated for specific ammo. Unless you are willing to stick to that ammo, I would recommend going to a Target style scope, like the Leupold M1 series. With the M1 scope, you are not constrained to specific ammo loads and you can then make your own Ballistic Card Tables for any type of ammo.

You might want to reconsider that Savage and take a look at the Remington 700 VS or the Howa 1500.
 
Sticking to the "Savage price range" is really shorting yourself. Savage makes great rifles for a great price...the rifle is worth putting a great scope on it. I've heard some iffy things about the Tasco SS "M" versions, but have only heard great things about the non "M" versions. I bought one recently, but haven't had a chance to try it yet. The Leopolds are certainly an option.
 
I have the Tasco Target 10-40x50 with 1/8 MOA click target turrets. I have it on a Savage 12VBSS in .308 cal, it works great. I love the scope and it only costs around $200. It is not range finding like the sniper model. It has very fine crosshairs with a 1/8MOA dot in the center. The dot covers 1 1/4" at 1000 yds. so its not too big. The only complaint I have about my particular scope is the MOA readings on the turrets dont match up exactly with the clicks. So until you have your range card setup you actually have to count each click. But after you get it shooting right at that distance just record where the turret is at. BTW i am using leupold 1 piece mount and rings.
 
RickD: I have a Savage 10FP in .308 and a Tasco SS mounted on it. It is an excellent scope and does NOT have a wandering zero. For some excellent feedback on this scope, see the previous thread at:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.phpthreadid=53153

ALL my other rifles wear Leupold scopes. But, I wanted a tactical scope for the Savage and was not able, or willing, to spend the huge amount of cash for the Leupold tacticals.
 
Your best shot of getting a high quality scope in your price range is to forego the variable and pick a good fixed power scope. I'd suggest a matte Leupold M8 6x42. It's got the optics of the Vari-xIII and the mechanicals of the Vari-xII. Buy it right and the cost NIB will set you back less than $235 NIB. Get some Buttler Creek finger turrents and you're good to go.

Don't poo-poo the idea of a fixed power scope. 6x42 scopes were the NATO standard sniper scope for 40 years, still are as far as I know. Variables are fun to play with on the bench but in the field you tend to leave them in the middle range - about 6x - anyway.

When I'm hunting, and I'm using a variable scope, I have the power ring mentally duct-taped in a fixed postion. Based on lessons learned the hard way I don't fiddle with the power setting. When it comes time to shoot... shoot! If you're playing with the zoom on your scope you'll probably loose the shot all together. -- Kernel
 
Rick,

What ranges do you anticipate shooting at, and are you looking for a range estimating reticle? Options get expensive, and the good "tacticals" are typically more than "a few hundred dollars." Kernel's recommendation re: fixed power scope might be the best option . . . although I'd want solid click adjustments in target turrets.

If you are looking to really "reach out" (600+) yards, you should consider an inclined base and/or a 30mm tube to give you more vertical adjustment. One MOA adjustments might do the trick as well (although I still prefer the precision of 1/4 MOA adjustments). Problem is good inclined bases are themselves pretty pricey.

If, however, you are looking for extreme precision in the 100-300 yard range, you don't really need either the inclined bases or the 30mm tube (although they are nice), and 1/4 MOA adjustments would be the ticket.

Check out http://www.swfa.com or http://www.bearbasin.com for some of the best pricing on Leupolds available.
 
Get a Burris...like tyhe savage its one of the best deals for the money and a tough piece of equipment when the chips are down. I have the 3-9X and I love it!
 
Man...my brain is throbbing.

I do want a range-estimating retical (for ranging and for hold-off) so mil-dot is for me. I will also be getting a non-laser range-finder good for 1,000yds.

I would like to have the rifle good for out to 700+ yards so that I can practice wind-correction estimation.

Fortunately, I will be taking a one-day beginners' rifle class with George Dean (TacTrain of http://www.glocktalk.com forums) at Ben Avery this Sunday. $15 for all day. Then he is offering four levels of tactical rifle classes after that ($150 for each two-day, separate Saturday course).

In a few years after mastering the .308, I might move up to 300WinMag or even the 300WshortMag if the product support is there.

I'll give y'all a report on what I learn when I get back from a work trip on Wednesday.

Rick
 
Leupolds are an intermediate-quality scope, and NOT the best availible, just the most commonly availible. For the price of a top-end leupold, I'd get the Nightforce. Exact, repeatable, tough as nails, and an illuminated reticle. 56mm bell, side adjustment, choice of reticles (including the NP-R2, a clean and efficient rangefinding reticle that is my favorite for duty). The variable power is actually VERY important for a 'tactical' rifle vice a 'sniper' rifle. The variable power lets you 'open up' for close-in shooting (under 100 yards), while the higher power allows you to take longer shots. Sniper setups are concerned primarily with longer (500yrds+) shooting, and NEVER the close stuff. Military dope doesn't even address shots under 200 yrds for good reason.....the shooter wouldn't live long at that range.

Just so you know, the Nightforce stays on point no matter how fast you zoom through the magnification range. Also, the 1/4 min. clicks are very precise. IMO, the NXS is the BEST tac scope on the market.
 
Here be stuff in my price range.

Now, will these hold zero when I twirl the turrets back and forth and forth and back?

From http://www.bearbasin.com/catalog.htm#tact_scopes which is where I bought my Loopy 2-7x33 Compact for my FAL a couple of years ago. I forgot all about 'em.


Leupold's offering:
Vari-XIII 3.5-10X 40mm Matte Mil Dot 49212 $529

And one from Burris:
3-12X 50mm (30mm Tube) Matte(AO)Tactical Mil-Dot 200911 $569

From Bausch & Lomb:
Elite 4200 6-24X 40mm Matte (AO) 3/4 Min Mil-Dot 42624MMD
-SPECIAL- reg. $429 - now $379-

From Springfield Armory:
SA 4-14X 56mm Matte 2nd Gen. (30mm Tube) .308 Gov. Reticle
SPR5094 $499

The Valdada caught my eye as well.
 
I'd leave the Springfield alone. The Leupold and B&L are about the same in quality and performance from my experience. I've handled both good and bad Burris, and it's kind of case-by-case with them. I wouldn't advise buying anything you can't take a look at (maybe in your local shop). If you like the scope, THEN order it. I bought my first Nightforce after handling one at a gun show. If I hadn't seen the quality first, then I wouldn't have ordered one.
 
buy a cheap ole tasco to go on that cheap ole savage..

why would anyone buy a junk rifle and then put a good scope on it..

i would re-commend the 4X32 tasco pro hunter.
 
Gunmart, feel free not to post on my threads. Your advice has been off mark and elitist. Every Savage I have come across have been subMOA rifles.

BTW, your URL link in Profiles does not work. I should have suspected as much.
 
Rick,

Bear Basin also has the Leupold 3.5-10X in the illuminated Mil-dot reticle for $599. I don't have any experience with the illuminated reticles, but for $70 more it seems like a deal to me. Good luck on your choice.

David
 
feeling free!!!!!

seriously,savage makes THE best factory barrell on the market and the way they are mated to the the action gives great head space dimentions.

the problem with savage rifles are there cheesey cast actions and rough as a cobb bolt design along with the worst trigger design of all time...

because of this a savage rifle's will not give dependable service over the life of the great factory barrell.(just call clint smith a thunder ranch.)see how many savage rifles make it through a rifle class of better yet poke around at gunsite and ask them what happened to the savage rifles at there last master rifle class..be sure to ask for bob young.he is the oic at gunsite.

after all you dont see large swat teams and sniper units in the military adopting the savage rifles.yes remington rifles do cost more but they are worth it..in all honesty i can not see you putting a $600 scope on a rifle with that kind of service life!
 
Gunmart,
I have to agree with RickD about your elitist attitude that pervades all of your posts. If the discussion is about ANYTHING that you aren't particularly fond of it is attacked as junk. I'd rather read posts from Pretty Boy, at least he's entertaining!
 
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