Scope for .308
- Thread starter fmj50
- Start date
I don't know about the best, but...
... I had a budget crunch when I got my .308 as well. I went with a Bushnell Elite 3200 10x40 MIL/MIL. It stays on sale at $200. By the time you get a mounting system put together, you'll be in the $350 range. I went with an EGW single piece rail and Burris XTR low rings.
I've got no complaints; it is what it is for a $200 scope, and it gets the job done. It also is a great way to get started with Mil-dot ranging; learning those ropes if you're not familiar.
I'm sure you'll get a ton of recommendations, but IMO, this little combo is hard to beat for the money. I've landed 1" groups at 200 yards with it, and bagged my first two deer this year. Not sure what else is required.
... I had a budget crunch when I got my .308 as well. I went with a Bushnell Elite 3200 10x40 MIL/MIL. It stays on sale at $200. By the time you get a mounting system put together, you'll be in the $350 range. I went with an EGW single piece rail and Burris XTR low rings.
I've got no complaints; it is what it is for a $200 scope, and it gets the job done. It also is a great way to get started with Mil-dot ranging; learning those ropes if you're not familiar.
I'm sure you'll get a ton of recommendations, but IMO, this little combo is hard to beat for the money. I've landed 1" groups at 200 yards with it, and bagged my first two deer this year. Not sure what else is required.
If want to go out to 500 yards for targets, I would suggest at least 24X magnification.
Bushnell closed out their 4200 Elite series and you might still find one of them on sale / close out.
I bought 3 of the AO series at around $ 380-400 and use them regularly.
I also have a Millet 6-25X56 with a 30mm tube. I put it on my Savage 10FP .308 because it looks great with a large scope on the black Savage.
The reticles on the 3200 and even on the 4200 are pretty thick in comparison to most target scopes.
If you are going to go long range most of the time or have a really accurate rifle, you might want to try a target scope. They have thin reticles and won't obscure your aim point at 500 yards. Actually, they also let you aim for flys wings at 50 yards if you get a high magnification model with AO.
Weaver makes a T-36 and I have 3 of them all of which cost about $ 400, Sightron makes a 36 power and I have one of them too.
Leupold makes a 45 power and that is a sweet scope.
All of mine are AO models so I can also use them at 50 yards with my target 22LRs when I want to shoot groups for bragging rights, but they come into their own when you are out at 200 yards or more.
With that much magnification, light gathering capability becomes important.
Of the 3 brands, Leupold is the sharpest and brightest but also the most expensive by about 2 to 1.
Bushnell closed out their 4200 Elite series and you might still find one of them on sale / close out.
I bought 3 of the AO series at around $ 380-400 and use them regularly.
I also have a Millet 6-25X56 with a 30mm tube. I put it on my Savage 10FP .308 because it looks great with a large scope on the black Savage.
The reticles on the 3200 and even on the 4200 are pretty thick in comparison to most target scopes.
If you are going to go long range most of the time or have a really accurate rifle, you might want to try a target scope. They have thin reticles and won't obscure your aim point at 500 yards. Actually, they also let you aim for flys wings at 50 yards if you get a high magnification model with AO.
Weaver makes a T-36 and I have 3 of them all of which cost about $ 400, Sightron makes a 36 power and I have one of them too.
Leupold makes a 45 power and that is a sweet scope.
All of mine are AO models so I can also use them at 50 yards with my target 22LRs when I want to shoot groups for bragging rights, but they come into their own when you are out at 200 yards or more.
With that much magnification, light gathering capability becomes important.
Of the 3 brands, Leupold is the sharpest and brightest but also the most expensive by about 2 to 1.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
I built my 500-yard range back in 1997. About that time for no particular reason I bought a Simmons 44Mag 3x10 to try. I had no difficulty in getting sub-MOA at 500.
I don't know as fact, but I was told that Simmons 44Mag quality declined a year or three later. '06 recoil never bothered mine, anyhow...
Point is, 10X is plenty good for 500 yards, based on my experience.
I don't know as fact, but I was told that Simmons 44Mag quality declined a year or three later. '06 recoil never bothered mine, anyhow...
Point is, 10X is plenty good for 500 yards, based on my experience.
I have not. My shooting/hunting range won't permit anything past that; no real good back-stop. I'm trying to get on at a club with 300 yards. I just want to reiterate that my recommendation will get you going on the cheap. Personally, I'm saving up for a Vortex FFP, which really is more than I'll ever need, but it's cool has hell and I want one.
That'll be Christmas to me this year. As Rimfire stated, the reticles are a little thick, but... consider the target. A 1 MOA target at 100yds is 1", whereas at 500yds, a 1MOA target is 5" in diameter. I haven't had any trouble seeing the 1MOA targets through this scope. I don't know what you'll be shooting at at 500yds, but if it's golf balls or fly wings, you may have a problem with the 3200.
It's only money.frank_1947
New member
longe range reasonable price how about weaver 36T I compaired my weaver to a burris black diamond 8x32x whatever and the weaver help zero far better groups with it
precision_shooter
New member
Vortex Viper
If you can find one of the Vortex Viper scopes on sale/clearance, they are excellent for the money.
I got my Viper 6.5-20x44mm with 30mm tube on clearance for less than $300 from www.SWFA.com. It was the target dot reticle model which I like the best for target shooting at fixed/known ranges. They have a no questions asked lifetime warranty. Optics are very clear and bright.
If you can find one of the Vortex Viper scopes on sale/clearance, they are excellent for the money.
I got my Viper 6.5-20x44mm with 30mm tube on clearance for less than $300 from www.SWFA.com. It was the target dot reticle model which I like the best for target shooting at fixed/known ranges. They have a no questions asked lifetime warranty. Optics are very clear and bright.
wnycollector
New member
+1 on this. I LOVE my Vortex viper 2-7x32. It has great glass, quality turrets and overall high quality construction.
If money is tight, I picked up a Simmons Whitetail Classic 6.5-20x50 for $110 recently. The glass is surprisingly bright for a very inexpensive scope. I have it on an old Savage 110 30-06 I picked up cheap. I have shot it at 300 yards and it was more than adequate. Here is the link http://www.midwayusa.com/product/74...-reticle-matte?cm_cat=Cart&cm_pla=ProductDesc
Leupold - At a budget price!
Highly versatile and economically priced, can cover just about any type of hunting. Enough magnification for those longer shots but not so much as to make target acquisition difficult, the Leupold 4-12x40mm is sure to be found on large and small game rifles alike. Its mid-range magnification levels and its moderate size make it extremely adaptable to a wide range of shooting conditions and game.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/leupold-rifleman-4-12x40mm-rifle-scope.html
Highly versatile and economically priced, can cover just about any type of hunting. Enough magnification for those longer shots but not so much as to make target acquisition difficult, the Leupold 4-12x40mm is sure to be found on large and small game rifles alike. Its mid-range magnification levels and its moderate size make it extremely adaptable to a wide range of shooting conditions and game.
http://www.opticsplanet.net/leupold-rifleman-4-12x40mm-rifle-scope.html
Budget ?
Since you didn't mention what price point you had in mind, I recommend a NightForce NXS. 3-15X50 would probably be OK at 500 yds. They are pretty much the industry standard for durability, but kind of heavy. I have two and like them a bunch. The Bushnell Elite 4200 also has good glass for about 1/3 the price.
Since you didn't mention what price point you had in mind, I recommend a NightForce NXS. 3-15X50 would probably be OK at 500 yds. They are pretty much the industry standard for durability, but kind of heavy. I have two and like them a bunch. The Bushnell Elite 4200 also has good glass for about 1/3 the price.
Thats the rifle I have. Great rifle and I've shot it ALOT farther than 500 yards. Get a vortex viper. Either the 6.5-20x50(or 44) or the PST line if you can swing it.
Yes its possible to use 10x at 500 yards, many people use it out to 1000 yards. But then there are also people that don't even use scopes and shoot to 1000 yards. I've shot out to a mile using 7x and had hits. Doesn't mean I didn't wish I could have cranked it up much higher.
Yes its possible to use 10x at 500 yards, many people use it out to 1000 yards. But then there are also people that don't even use scopes and shoot to 1000 yards. I've shot out to a mile using 7x and had hits. Doesn't mean I didn't wish I could have cranked it up much higher.
At 500max I would emphasize eye relief, reticle design and compactness
8 to 12x max would be the sweet spot, this will allow you to have a compact scope and still have PLENTY of magnification for 500yd shot. I would also focus on scopes that have the most forgiving eye relief (not just length but also LATERAL eye relief) for fast target acquisition.
You should try out any of the scopes in the 2.5-10x, 3-12x, or 1-8x range. If you have the funds try out a Zeiss Hensoldt 3-12x56, IMHO this will do the job better than the schmidt&bender, USOs, and premiers of the same class
For starters here's a good review of some good scopes.
Tactical Scopes Review II
Tactical Scopes Review III
Remember try it out yourself at a store/gun range if you can. Don't just base it on someone else's opinion Scope preference is highly subjective and too many sponsors out there preaching what their ultimate perfect scope. THERE IS NO PERFECT SCOPE
8 to 12x max would be the sweet spot, this will allow you to have a compact scope and still have PLENTY of magnification for 500yd shot. I would also focus on scopes that have the most forgiving eye relief (not just length but also LATERAL eye relief) for fast target acquisition.
You should try out any of the scopes in the 2.5-10x, 3-12x, or 1-8x range. If you have the funds try out a Zeiss Hensoldt 3-12x56, IMHO this will do the job better than the schmidt&bender, USOs, and premiers of the same class
For starters here's a good review of some good scopes.
Tactical Scopes Review II
Tactical Scopes Review III
Remember try it out yourself at a store/gun range if you can. Don't just base it on someone else's opinion
Scope preference is highly subjective and too many sponsors out there preaching what their ultimate perfect scope. THERE IS NO PERFECT SCOPE
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