Long Range Scope

D

DaveBenham

Inactive
I just purchased a Barrett MRAD in 338 Lapua. I'm trying to decide on a scope. Right now I'm torn between a Zeiss Conquest HD5 it's 5-25x50 and a Leupold Mark 4 its 8.5-25x50. The Zeiss is about $300 cheaper. But I want the best for my money. Any thoughts or other recomendations?
 
My use is to punch holes in paper. I want to shoot 500 to 1,000 meters. My budget is up to about $1,500. The scopes I mentioned in the original post are both under $1,500. I could spend as high as $2,500. But consider this is merely a toy for me. So I can't see any point in spending a bundle of money on it. But I did spend $5,500 on the rifle. So I don't see a point in putting a cheap scope on it either.
 
First off you are overgunned for the stated ranges as a 30.06 will do fine. Now at 1500 you are getting up to speed which is one of the intended effective ranges Bob McCoy (Ballistic Research Lab, APG)designed the round for when I was there and he briefed me on it as it was getting finalized.

Your problem is identifying a scope with repeatability.

Here is how to check to see if your internal adjustment scope repeats.

Fire a five shot group at 300 yards, crank up 20 clicks, right 20 clicks, down 20 clicks, left 20 clicks and up 20 clicks and see if the next round goes in the five shot group.

Continue this exercise in all four quadrants and if you don't see a increase in group size you have just received your Christmas present. If it doesn't repeat then you know you are among friends here haha. Very few internal adjustment scopes will pass the above four quadrant test.
 
Yes I do realize I'm over gunned for that range. But I wanted the MRAD the first time I saw pictures of it. So I plan on at least shooting it. My goal is to do some 1,000 yard shooting. Who knows I might catch the bug and start long distant shooting. If I do I won't have to gun up. I will have one that will do it.
 
'Tis my opinion that any "boxing" of a rifle scope up - right - down - left on its adjustments chasing a group on paper needs a rifle and ammo that one can shoot no worse than 1/10th MOA at 100 yards if they want to measure the scope's repeatability to 1/4 MOA with near 100% confidence. The shooter's errors plus the ammo and the rifle's errors are part of the group.

A cheaper and more accurate way is to put an optical collimator in the muzzle, set the scope's power to maximum, adjust the scope's reticule on the collimator's reticule, then box the scope in 1-click, 4-click and 20-click legs. 1/4 MOA errors are easily seen. Especially when only one click is made then reversed; a lot of scopes won't move the reticule back at all with a single click one way then back one click. Make a 1-click box and watch what happens; you may be surprised.

Then with the scope dead on the collimator, change the power ring from max down to min them back up again watching the scope's reticule make a figure 8 on the collimator. If that figure 8's less than 1/4 MOA across its widest points, you have a very repeatable scope when its power's changed. Few do this to less than 1/4 MOA error. Which is why fixed power scopes are typically more repeatable than variables.

I still think Weaver's Micro Trac adjustments are the most repeatable internal adjustments.
 
Last edited:
Dave, You have already purchased a quality rifle, look for a quality scope. I have a Nightforce 3.5-15X56 that I put on anFN SPR. It has over 100 MOA of elevation adjustment, and you can not beat the clarity and quality of this scope. A 338 is not a lightweight rifle, so I wouldn't imagine weight would be an issue. You may have to raise your budget of $1500 by a few dollars, just a few, but you'll not be dissappointed.
Ralph
 
Just know that the only Nightforce scope in the NXS line that has a first focal plane reticle is the 3.5-15x50 F1. The others are all SFP scopes.

That being said, they are great scopes, and I would take a Nightforce NXS (first or second focal plane) over the two mentioned in the OP.
 
FFP would be a disadvantage for precision paper-hole punching at known, long-ranges. More precise point of aim with a SFP reticle. When ranging isn't a requirement the SFP scope is a better "fit", IMO. Which is probably why, as you say, most NF's are SFP.
 
Okay so the first focal plane is an advantage for me? I'm not a sniper so I'm not sure. I just want to get the best I can have for this particular weapon. I do like the NighForce scopes. I see they all have a large MOA adjustment. That I will need if I plan to zero it at 200 yds. And still shoot it out to 1,000 yrds. Would I just be wasting money if I were to save up and get the Nightforce The BEAST 5-25x56mm F1? Also I want to know more of the pros and cons of the first focal plane. I'm really not an expert. I have been hunting for about 35 years. I achieved an expert marksman status in the Air Force about 25 years ago. I shoot pretty good. But this is all very new to me.
 
DaveBenham said:
Okay so the first focal plane is an advantage for me? I'm not a sniper so I'm not sure. I just want to get the best I can have for this particular weapon. I do like the NighForce scopes. I see they all have a large MOA adjustment. That I will need if I plan to zero it at 200 yds. And still shoot it out to 1,000 yrds. Would I just be wasting money if I were to save up and get the Nightforce The BEAST 5-25x56mm F1? Also I want to know more of the pros and cons of the first focal plane. I'm really not an expert. I have been hunting for about 35 years. I achieved an expert marksman status in the Air Force about 25 years ago. I shoot pretty good. But this is all very new to me.
Click to expand...

If you are only shooting known distance then the second focal plane will work just fine. However, if you intend to use the scope for rangefinding then it is easier with a FFP scope.
 
Nightforce The BEAST 5-25x56mm F1?

Any thoughts on the Nightforce The BEAST 5-25x56mm F1? This scope worth the $3,200 price tag?
 
If you're going to buy a rifle chambered in 5 dollar bills, buy an appropriate scope or you'll be wasting your money.

Do you need FFP? Depends. FFP is good because if you have to take a shot at multiple distances, you can hold at different points on your mil reticle at any magnification, and it will hit where you point.

On a SFP scope, the mil scale is only accurate at full magnification. With a 15x scope, this isn't so much of a problem. With a 22-25x, you pretty much need FFP because you'll want to dial down due to mirage.

on the other hand if you click in your adjustments and don't use the mil scale on your crosshair, SFP is cheaper than FFP.

At minimum I would get the nightforce 15x F1, fantastic scope for the money. But you might want a little more magnification, so any of the 25x FFP scopes (S&B PMII, Premier or NF would be fine)
The NF Beast is supposed to be a great scope, but I don't think it has hit the streets yet.

If you're on a budget, get the SFP NXS nightforce and just click in your elevation.

Don't skimp on rings either, I like American Rifle Company rings and NF rings, but badger, seekins, etc work just as well.
 
If I get the FFP scope couldn't I still click in my distance? Seems like if that is true. The FFP would give me more options. I'm starting to really consider the NightForce B.E.A.S.T
Thank you all for the information. It has been a really big help so far. I just want to make the right choice for a gun I have so much money into. As pointed out cost around $5 a shot.
 
DaveBenham said:
If I get the FFP scope couldn't I still click in my distance? Seems like if that is true. The FFP would give me more options. I'm starting to really consider the NightForce B.E.A.S.T
Thank you all for the information. It has been a really big help so far. I just want to make the right choice for a gun I have so much money into. As pointed out cost around $5 a shot.
Click to expand...

Yes you can still dial in your dope, and it is a good idea to do so. But it helps to know that if you are in a pinch and don't have time that you don't need to.

I will add, I prefer to use a scope with a mil reticle that uses mil adjustments (referred to as a mil/mil scope). I'm not sure about the Beast, but I would bet that it is indeed a mil/mil scope.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top