And now, the Tactical Scope
- Thread starter RickD
- Start date
Marty Hayes
New member
About Savage Rifles
Here at the Firearms Academy of Seattle, we keep loaner guns available for students for when thier gun breaks. Our loaner gun for our sniper courses is the Savage 110, with a Redfield. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done, no one has failed to complete a class with it, it has never broken down, and consistantly shoots less than MOA.
Because of my success with it, I have been considering getting a target grade Savage in 300 Win Mag.
Why the Redfield? Couldn't see putting a $600 dollar scope on a $400 dollar rifle.
Here at the Firearms Academy of Seattle, we keep loaner guns available for students for when thier gun breaks. Our loaner gun for our sniper courses is the Savage 110, with a Redfield. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done, no one has failed to complete a class with it, it has never broken down, and consistantly shoots less than MOA.
Because of my success with it, I have been considering getting a target grade Savage in 300 Win Mag.
Why the Redfield? Couldn't see putting a $600 dollar scope on a $400 dollar rifle.
Clarifications
"A few hundred bucks" defined.
A "couple" of hundred bucks would be around $200. Saying "couple" rather than "two" invites the intended fudge factor.
A "few" hundred bucks would be more than a couple. Say $300 on up to the place where I escalate to "several" which would kick in somewhere between 600 to 700. "Many" is right around the corner from there but not typically used.
What I want are the components that will get the job done for the least amount of money. The Savage fills the bill for the rifle. I am at least as assured of getting an out-of-the-box subMOA rifle from Savage as I am from Remington, for half the price. Both the Savage and Rem are bonafide subMOA rifles. Would you put a budget scope on a Remington 700? Why should I put one on a Savage? It deserves a scope that will aid it and me in that level of shooting.
On to scopes, I have discovered that the one-inch tubes don't give me the elevation clicks that I want, which ups the bucks from the 200-300 dollar scopes. The cheaper scopes such as the Tasco SS have been known to not go back to zero as any aspiring tactician requires. Major Plaster tells me I want a variable scope, so that is more bucks as well. $500 seems to be the sweetspot.
Rick
"A few hundred bucks" defined.
A "couple" of hundred bucks would be around $200. Saying "couple" rather than "two" invites the intended fudge factor.
A "few" hundred bucks would be more than a couple. Say $300 on up to the place where I escalate to "several" which would kick in somewhere between 600 to 700. "Many" is right around the corner from there but not typically used.
What I want are the components that will get the job done for the least amount of money. The Savage fills the bill for the rifle. I am at least as assured of getting an out-of-the-box subMOA rifle from Savage as I am from Remington, for half the price. Both the Savage and Rem are bonafide subMOA rifles. Would you put a budget scope on a Remington 700? Why should I put one on a Savage? It deserves a scope that will aid it and me in that level of shooting.
On to scopes, I have discovered that the one-inch tubes don't give me the elevation clicks that I want, which ups the bucks from the 200-300 dollar scopes. The cheaper scopes such as the Tasco SS have been known to not go back to zero as any aspiring tactician requires. Major Plaster tells me I want a variable scope, so that is more bucks as well. $500 seems to be the sweetspot.
Rick
PressCheck
Moderator
I'm using a "Night Force" 3.5x15-50mm on a G.A. Procession(George)Custom Rem.700 BDL. in .308
The Ultimate "TACK DRIVER".
The Ultimate "TACK DRIVER".
I am by no means an expert in this area, but since I started shooting rifles, EVERY knowledgeable rifleman I have met has told me to spend more on the scope than I spent on the rifle. The Tasco SS 10X42 is the first exception that I have made to that rule and it has worked out fine (30mm tube, fixed power, audible clicks, non-wandering zero, etc.).
Mixed feelings on the Tasco SS 10x42
I got one out of curiosity and returned it after one day at the range. After 50 rounds or so, the windage index ring shot loose. The clicks were barely audible and tactile. And there was a definite rattle inside the scope. Not good for a hard use environment.
I recently tested the IOR Valdada 2.5-10x42 scope with the MP8 reticle. The optics were just as clear as my Schmidt & Bender MKII and the reticle is awesome for hold-over and multiple-zero points as well as lateral lead. I'll be keeping the IOR. It's built like a tank and is every bit as good as my Schmidt Bender.
Regards and good shooting.
ken
I got one out of curiosity and returned it after one day at the range. After 50 rounds or so, the windage index ring shot loose. The clicks were barely audible and tactile. And there was a definite rattle inside the scope. Not good for a hard use environment.
I recently tested the IOR Valdada 2.5-10x42 scope with the MP8 reticle. The optics were just as clear as my Schmidt & Bender MKII and the reticle is awesome for hold-over and multiple-zero points as well as lateral lead. I'll be keeping the IOR. It's built like a tank and is every bit as good as my Schmidt Bender.
Regards and good shooting.
ken
Legionnaire
New member
hk_cqb,
I looked at the Valdada on the web, and your review sounds positive. The reticle looks good as well.
Question: Do you know how the reticle is constructed? Is it etched in the glass? Unless it is etched, I wonder how it stands up to recoil given it has only three anchor points?
I looked at the Valdada on the web, and your review sounds positive. The reticle looks good as well.
Question: Do you know how the reticle is constructed? Is it etched in the glass? Unless it is etched, I wonder how it stands up to recoil given it has only three anchor points?
Legionnaire
New member
Never mind. (I gotta remember to scan the archives before posting new questions). Found the answer at http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=51041 . According to Jaeger, the reticles are laser etched glass. (It's on the Valdada web site as well; just missed it first time I scanned through.)
The Valdada is sounding better all the time . . .
The Valdada is sounding better all the time . . .
Prof - the model I tested was the "M" model. I haven't had the chance to test the standard SS10x42 yet.
Legionairre - yes it is laser etched. I was so impressed with the 2.5-10x42 model that I ordered the 4x24 M1 and M2 models for my AR15 and my FAL carbine.
Snipercountry PX is offering the Valdada line at great prices.
Legionairre - yes it is laser etched. I was so impressed with the 2.5-10x42 model that I ordered the 4x24 M1 and M2 models for my AR15 and my FAL carbine.
Snipercountry PX is offering the Valdada line at great prices.
hk_cqb - nice to hear your comments on IOR Valdada. Advertising tells they are good, and your experience confirms that from customer perspective. So I might buy one also.
How good are the IOR M1 and M2? I have been looking for a more affordable, but high quality alternative to ACOG, and I have noticed some others searching the same.
Ossi
How good are the IOR M1 and M2? I have been looking for a more affordable, but high quality alternative to ACOG, and I have noticed some others searching the same.
Ossi
Ossi -
Got to test the IOR 4x24 M1 and M2 today. All I can say is WOW! for the price of one ACOG TA01 I got TWO quality scopes.
The eye relief is 3" as opposed to the 1.75" of the ACOG, so no more scope bite. It's built like a tank and the reticle is laser etched and illuminated, too.
The .223 scope tracks the 147gr .308 pretty good. The reticle takes some getting used to but I think if you are looking for an alternative to the ACOG, the IOR Valdada 4x24 M1 or M2 will suit you.
The clarity as amazing for a scope in this price range. Get one. You won't be disappointed and no I am NOT a factory rep, just a shooter that appreciates good optics at an excellent price.
Regards and good shooting.
Ken
Got to test the IOR 4x24 M1 and M2 today. All I can say is WOW! for the price of one ACOG TA01 I got TWO quality scopes.
The eye relief is 3" as opposed to the 1.75" of the ACOG, so no more scope bite. It's built like a tank and the reticle is laser etched and illuminated, too.
The .223 scope tracks the 147gr .308 pretty good. The reticle takes some getting used to but I think if you are looking for an alternative to the ACOG, the IOR Valdada 4x24 M1 or M2 will suit you.
The clarity as amazing for a scope in this price range. Get one. You won't be disappointed and no I am NOT a factory rep, just a shooter that appreciates good optics at an excellent price.
Regards and good shooting.
Ken
Ken,
I checked out your recent post about the IOR 4x24 M1 scope.
It has a lot of features for such a low price (And BDC too). I don't really care about the illuminated reticle, but as long as it works, what the hey (the reticle is still present when the batteries go, right?).
If you have the time, please explain the peculiarities of the reticle in that scope. I know that the curvy line is used to measure distance using the Warsaw Pact 5'6" tall man, but how are the other lines layed out? Are they in mils, perchance? And what about the ^ arrows? How are they used? Do they correspond to some prescribed hold over?
And what is your opiniong of the 1/2MOA clicks?
Does it have adjustible objective to cancel out parallax?
I would really like a variable scope (3-10 or so) as well as a larger objective. Does the company make one?
Thanks,
Rick
I checked out your recent post about the IOR 4x24 M1 scope.
It has a lot of features for such a low price (And BDC too). I don't really care about the illuminated reticle, but as long as it works, what the hey (the reticle is still present when the batteries go, right?).
If you have the time, please explain the peculiarities of the reticle in that scope. I know that the curvy line is used to measure distance using the Warsaw Pact 5'6" tall man, but how are the other lines layed out? Are they in mils, perchance? And what about the ^ arrows? How are they used? Do they correspond to some prescribed hold over?
And what is your opiniong of the 1/2MOA clicks?
Does it have adjustible objective to cancel out parallax?
I would really like a variable scope (3-10 or so) as well as a larger objective. Does the company make one?
Thanks,
Rick
Byron Quick
Staff In Memoriam
Hell, guys, let's all just agree to buy the best we can afford to do what we want to do with the platform. I just put together a long range rifle that many would probably find just as problematical as the Savage with the Leupold. I scraped together about $2200 to spend. I bought a new (pre key action) Remington 700 Police in .300 Win Mag. Put a Nightforce NXS 6.5X22X56 scope on it. The guy I bought the scope from threw in Badger Ordnace base and rings at cost. I've got twice in the scope and rings what I have in the rifle. Using Black Hill 190 grain moly coats I'm getting 1/2 MOA at a hundred and fifty yards. I've got a line on a place to shoot 1000+ yds when I can arrange for suitable backstop. Now I'm saving for a few loads of dirt
I'm happy that I spent more on my scope and mounts than I did on my rifle. I think I made the right choice. Over time I plan to upgrade the rifle. New trigger. Shoot the factory barrel out and put a top of the line barrel on it. Steel baseplate...etc.
Maybe instead of getting into what the best available is, it would serve the guy's purpose if we told him what's the best package he can afford on his budget. Just a thought.
I'm happy that I spent more on my scope and mounts than I did on my rifle. I think I made the right choice. Over time I plan to upgrade the rifle. New trigger. Shoot the factory barrel out and put a top of the line barrel on it. Steel baseplate...etc.
Maybe instead of getting into what the best available is, it would serve the guy's purpose if we told him what's the best package he can afford on his budget. Just a thought.
Benchrest1000
New member
RickD,
Good choice on that Savage. I went the same route you did a while back. I'm not a fan of the stock or the trigger, but the barrel and action shoot better than I normally can. I'll replace the stock and trigger as funds permit. I spent the cash I saved on a Leupold Long Range 6.5-20 with the mil-dot reticle. Slammed a couple 190 Sierra BTHPs into deer this year at 300 plus. This rifle can shoot. Have fun.
Good choice on that Savage. I went the same route you did a while back. I'm not a fan of the stock or the trigger, but the barrel and action shoot better than I normally can. I'll replace the stock and trigger as funds permit. I spent the cash I saved on a Leupold Long Range 6.5-20 with the mil-dot reticle. Slammed a couple 190 Sierra BTHPs into deer this year at 300 plus. This rifle can shoot. Have fun.