Hi all I am looking to get a .308 rifle and wanted to be able to make consistent shots at around 300-350 yards! I need to know what optics to use when buying a new scope. I have one spare scope not in use right now. Its a 1.5x4.5x32. I know nothing about scope optics and the only other one I have is a 3-9x40 on my .22. Anyways I dont think my scopes are powerful enough but I could be wrong. No one has ever taught me how to use scoped guns. I kinda pick em up and train myself. Can someone help me and teach me about optics maybe? Thanks a bunch if you take the time to help me out...
Scope optics for .308
- Thread starter Big Tom
- Start date
The easy answer would be to get a Leupold, in the 3X9 or 4X12 range. Other than that, the question will center around what you will be shooting (targets, deer, chipmunks?). Some folks think that Leupold's are over-priced, but they carry a lifetime warranty and are the basic standard for US made rifle scopes.
You don't have to spend a lot of money to buy a decent scope. For the ranges you discuss, $300-$500 should be sufficient. I've heard in the past that a good rule of thumb is to spend one dollar on your scope for each yard you intend to shoot.
Teaching you to use a scope is something that isn't well suited to this format. A better idea might be to go to an Appleseed shoot and get some good instruction on basic riflery.
However, GOOGLE is your friend and there are lots of online resources for the hobbyist. This seems to be a pretty good site for the novice. Go over there and dig around a bit, and see if perhaps it doesn't answer some questions.
You don't have to spend a lot of money to buy a decent scope. For the ranges you discuss, $300-$500 should be sufficient. I've heard in the past that a good rule of thumb is to spend one dollar on your scope for each yard you intend to shoot.
Teaching you to use a scope is something that isn't well suited to this format. A better idea might be to go to an Appleseed shoot and get some good instruction on basic riflery.
However, GOOGLE is your friend and there are lots of online resources for the hobbyist. This seems to be a pretty good site for the novice. Go over there and dig around a bit, and see if perhaps it doesn't answer some questions.
big al hunter
New member
big tom, here are a few things to concider before you purchase.
as has been mentioned before specific use is going to determine the "best" scope for you.
Most hunting and general have fun shooting will likely be best with a variable power in the range of 3-9x40 to 4-12x40 (again allready mentioned). Any higher than 12 power will cause you to see nothing but mirage waves in warm temperatures. These can severely effect your accuracy. You can also choose between many different reticles (fine cross hairs, mill dot, post, bullet drop compensator, duplex, target dot) and many more. Check out the Burris optics, Alpen optics, Vortex optics, and Nikon websites. They have several reticles with detailed explanations and pictures.
The higher the magnification power the smaller your field of view will be. The less expensive scopes may not be clear and sharp at long ranges.
The target models are mostly designed to be able to adjust your scope to the desired range at the time you will be shooting. You will need to understand the tragectory or your rifle to use them to their full potential. So get some local training if it is available. You can google search small arms ballistics and read up on the subject. also visit the hornady ammunition website and use the ballistics calculator to see the tragectory of your rifle. You will have to enter the ballistic coeffcient of your bullet ( it is different from one manufacturer to another but you can find a close match in hornady's handloading bullet selection at the website, it is listed in the description of the bullet). This will give you a good idea of what the majority of your bullets will do at various ranges.
Hope this helps more than it hinders. Ask if anything is not making sense.
Buy as much scope as you can afford, you will be much happier!
as has been mentioned before specific use is going to determine the "best" scope for you.
Most hunting and general have fun shooting will likely be best with a variable power in the range of 3-9x40 to 4-12x40 (again allready mentioned). Any higher than 12 power will cause you to see nothing but mirage waves in warm temperatures. These can severely effect your accuracy. You can also choose between many different reticles (fine cross hairs, mill dot, post, bullet drop compensator, duplex, target dot) and many more. Check out the Burris optics, Alpen optics, Vortex optics, and Nikon websites. They have several reticles with detailed explanations and pictures.
The higher the magnification power the smaller your field of view will be. The less expensive scopes may not be clear and sharp at long ranges.
The target models are mostly designed to be able to adjust your scope to the desired range at the time you will be shooting. You will need to understand the tragectory or your rifle to use them to their full potential. So get some local training if it is available. You can google search small arms ballistics and read up on the subject. also visit the hornady ammunition website and use the ballistics calculator to see the tragectory of your rifle. You will have to enter the ballistic coeffcient of your bullet ( it is different from one manufacturer to another but you can find a close match in hornady's handloading bullet selection at the website, it is listed in the description of the bullet). This will give you a good idea of what the majority of your bullets will do at various ranges.
Hope this helps more than it hinders. Ask if anything is not making sense.
Buy as much scope as you can afford, you will be much happier!
Well...I know a lot of people dont like Bushnell but because of my budget I was looking to get one! I have two and both are great. In fact I found one with the optics of 3-9x50. I am going to maybe not shoot as far as I thought. But still would like to be good at 250 yards or so with the .308. I did find that one had sights with narrow cross hairs in the center which are hard for my eyes to pick up as I cant stay focused on them. I have another Bushnell that the cross hairs meet into a circle with small cross hairs in it, which I really like. What kind of sights are these? This gun is mainly for white tail. I also needed help with bipods for the rifle. I used to have a cheapo on that attached to barrels, till I found out thats not how a bipod should work. Anyways I am shooting the H&R Survivor in .308. If you don't know what that is, it is obviously .308 and is a single shot, all black and synthetic stock with hidden compartment in stock. It has a 22" barrel and weights about 6.5 lbs. When I go to get a bipod how do I attach it....
furthermore I have seen vids of bipods that work good on youtube from a fellow named nutnfancy. He uses a UTG and says they are great ranging from $20-$30. Any thoughts?
furthermore I have seen vids of bipods that work good on youtube from a fellow named nutnfancy. He uses a UTG and says they are great ranging from $20-$30. Any thoughts?big al hunter
New member
Check prices on Vortex Optics Crossfire. The glass is clear and the construction is good, and a good warranty. IMO better quality than bushnell for the same $. And you can choose the reticle you like.
For the bipod, many models are designed to attach at the sling swivel stud. That keeps it on the stock where it should be and it won't require modifications to your firearm unless you don't have sling studs. I use shooting sticks. They are aluminium poles that have a rubber pivot and handles that create a V shape. I can move them around and adjust to unlevel ground easier than the mounted units. It works well for my kind of hunting. You need to figure out what will work best for you. If it will be used at a bench or on mostly level ground the ones that attach to your rifle are good. Some of the more expensive units have a rotating swivel head that allows use on rough uneven ground.
For the bipod, many models are designed to attach at the sling swivel stud. That keeps it on the stock where it should be and it won't require modifications to your firearm unless you don't have sling studs. I use shooting sticks. They are aluminium poles that have a rubber pivot and handles that create a V shape. I can move them around and adjust to unlevel ground easier than the mounted units. It works well for my kind of hunting. You need to figure out what will work best for you. If it will be used at a bench or on mostly level ground the ones that attach to your rifle are good. Some of the more expensive units have a rotating swivel head that allows use on rough uneven ground.
How much are you planning on spending? The 1.4-4X32 is enough scope to shoot out to 350 yards. If you are planning on buying a new scope a quality 3-9X40 scope is hard to beat and will give you the most scope for the money. Going to a bigger scope is not needed and may well result in a lesser quality scope for the same money.
Some brands I'd sugggest.
The least expensive I'd suggest is a Nikon Prostaff at around $150 or Buckmaster at around $200. If you cannot afford that much, keep saving up until you can.
The Leupold VX-2 line at around $300 is my personal bottom line. I could actually be quite content with this scope. More expensive scopes are better, but you reach the point where you are paying more and more money for smaller and smaller increases in performance. My 2 favorites are either the Leupold VX-3, 2.5-8X36 or Zeiss Conquest 3-9X40. Both sell for $399.
Some brands I'd sugggest.
The least expensive I'd suggest is a Nikon Prostaff at around $150 or Buckmaster at around $200. If you cannot afford that much, keep saving up until you can.
The Leupold VX-2 line at around $300 is my personal bottom line. I could actually be quite content with this scope. More expensive scopes are better, but you reach the point where you are paying more and more money for smaller and smaller increases in performance. My 2 favorites are either the Leupold VX-3, 2.5-8X36 or Zeiss Conquest 3-9X40. Both sell for $399.