Scope Question

A

Art Eatman

Staff in Memoriam
I'm wondering what anybody thinks is "the best" or "among the best" scope as to REPEATABILITY of its adjustments. That is, if I'm sighted in for one distance, and know how many clicks (in theory) to go to shoot another distance, what scope has the best reputation for "reality"?

I'm not concerned about such things as the difference between the Leupold Vari-X II and III on other adjustments.

As far as magnification, I figure to stay in the 3X9 to 4X12 sort of range...

Thanks,

Art
 
My Leupold V-X III is very good in this respect. I record my numbers (on the turrets), for a particular load and range, and I can come right back there any time, and it will be very close. (It is a target scope, with more power than you are asking about.) Several guys I shoot with are using the Nikon scope, (Monarch), it is also very repeatable. It also has 1/8th min. adjustment clicks which is nice at long range.
 
I am pretty biased on scopes. Leupold has always done me right, but I have noticed some differences. Scopes with normal knobs do not feel as positive as target turrets, in that I never feel the tacticle clicks as a scope is adjusted. With the target knobs I feel and hear the click.
Having dialed in various distances and going back and forth, the zero is pretty on elevation wise.
 
Art, I don't know if this is exactly on the subject but I have an OLD Weaver V-9 on a 25-06 that is a good one. Its one of the old ones out of ElPaso. Owned the damn thing since the 60's. The clicks move it exactly where they say it will and the power does not matter. If you are zeroed at 3X and change to another power all the way up to 9X you are still dead on the target. The scope is so old its one that has the parallax adjustment ring on the front.
 
Art, I have three Vari-X III's, a 34mm tube Schmidt & Bender, and a 12-40x56mm Nightforce, and they all respond very well to frequent zero adjustment. I like the Nightforce the best due to the 1/8 moa clicks.

I recently read Premier Reticle state that even with the Leupolds though, you should always finish your elev/windage adjustment with a clockwise motion and they suggest going 2 moa (or eight clicks in most cases) past your zero if you are moving counterclockwise and then come back the 2 moa.

Of all my scopes, I like the Nightforce the best, but maybe that's because I paid so darn much for it.
 
The SniperCountry Tasco Test was for the fixed power scopes--okay for purely target, of course. So, I went over to the Leupold website and browsed through the product line.

The Vari-X III 3.5-10x40mm Long Range M3 Illuminated Reticle (Lordy, what a name!) looks like a slick rig. Bullet Drop Compensator, in yards for the '06. Interesting.

So far, so good.

Thanx, Art
 
Art, I have the L.VariXIII 3.5-10 M3 Long Range (not illuminated), as does my partner, a SWAT sniper, and both of us like it. We are still testing it for reproducibility, but so far both scopes seem good. We are both shooting somewhat modified Remington 700 .308's (Fed Gold Medal Win Match 168g boattail) with 19-20" fluted barrels, mine a Robar QR2 and his a department modified Remington. I will let you know as we get more data.
 
hickman, thanx. SFAIK, "innards is innards" in the Vari-X III line. The picture I saw of the illuminated scope showed lower turrets than the other models, which makes it more attractive for my mostly-hunting usage.

Now, if somebody wants to come out and build a 1,000-yard range (or up to around two or three miles, for that matter), I might start thinking about a purely-target rifle.

:), Art
 
M3 Loopie

ART,
if you don't handload steer clear of the M3's........
Very velocity specific, as in 2700 fps, in '06, 180 grain.
 
Art,

I've had a Leupold Mark 4 M-1 on my rifle for the past 6 years or so. Repeatability is still spot on.
 
Schmit, I can see right now that I'm gonna have to find a store with a large enough selection that I can "feel and fondle".

Tshoes, I understand what you're saying, but it seems to me that you just scribe new index-marks if necessary. For instance, I was browsing through the data books last night, and Mr. Speer sez he gets 2,756 ft/sec for a 180-grain out of a 22" barrel. Now, I use a 26" barrel on my '06.

Aside from checking my reloads' performance via chronograph--the ahead-of-schedule birthday present I so richly deserve :)--it seems to me I could just set up on the range, shoot and hit and check the index marker, to correct it.

Anyway, thanks for the tip. :)

Art
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top