Long range rifles

So as far as optic power. What should I be looking at? I’m assuming higher isn’t always better.

 

higher is not always better 10x will get it done, it has more to do with optical clarity with better glass there’s less distortion, watchin targets all day at 500+ yards will cause eye fatigue, straining to see targets through cheap glass will cause yer eyes to fatigue faster

max magnification for me would be 22-25x, most of the guys I shoot with will dial their NF 5x22s back to 11x to shoot, using the 22x for target ID

the scope on my gun is a USO 3.5x17 I leave it at 17x

 

Precision Rifle Blog had an article on it, and IIRC even with 25+ power available a lot of guys ran up to about 17-18 as a max. I've heard of guys pinging man-sized targets at 1000 yards on 3x to prove a point, which is mainly that optical clarity trumps magnification value most of the time. Evaluate your use case for the rifle, and select an optic built with the features that suit that use-case. I'll use myself as an example below.

I like my fixed 10x, and plan to pick up a fixed 6x SWFA SS, to complement some other low-to-mid power variables in the works for me on a couple rifle builds rolling around in my head. For my dedicated long range rifle, I've been looking into the Ares BTR 2.5-15×50 and Viper HSLR 4-16X50 due to their combo of comparatively low powers, large objective, glass, and features, with the Viper having Vortex's legendary customer service and the Ares having a bit more low end for snap-shot hunting use and a better reticle for tactical style shooting. Now, that is based on my use-case, which will encompass Appleseed traditional marksmanship known distance shooting, PRS/NRL competition, and hunting applications within a single rifle. Your needs may differ, choose accordingly.

 

Agreed. Higher is not always better. It’s nice when you need it, but I rarely shoot over x18. That’s upward of a mile. Just depends on the target size. Mirage becomes and issue and actually the thing i address the most is field of view. This is particular to hunting, animals or people, but all the same with PRS too. You need to find your target, if you have multiple targets you need to differentiate them, then prioritize. If you’re shooting 1000y bench, then sure, use x929,848,292 power or whatever, but I don’t really adopt too much from the bench mentality anymore.

 

I just remembered this post and went back and checked the price.

Twenty Thousand Dollars.

 

It’s a cool piece of kit, don’t know about 20k cool

 

Nothing wrong with a good Remington 700 in .308. Affordable, time tested, reliable, and very accurate. Most people's skill won't exceed the limitations of that rifle.

 

ive only shot fixed. Variable etc is new to me. I think I would be more comfortable with a fixed. Now that being said 10 is more than I’m used to. But 10 would do long range as well as some short?
Do holds change on a variable?

if fingers are pointing to a 10x being optimal for some long also some standard hunting. I’d like that more. Are fixed cheaper than variables?

 

10x is what’s on my 22 n it’s zeroed for 100yd, holds do not change, that is based on the reticle, either Mil based or MOA they’re just a unit of angular measurement

yes fixed power tends to be less $ than variable, less moving parts

 

Well, I compete in PRS with a fixed 10x and do just fine. Holds may change on a variable depending on if the reticle is first focal plane or second focal plane, FFP is usually the way to go so they don't change with magnification. If you plan to do both, an entry level variable FFP scope is probably right up your alley. Athlon and vortex both make scopes in that space that are well regarded.

 

Holds CAN change on a variable if you are using a SFP scope. FFP will be constant.

Depends on what you call long range, but I was using a Swaro 1-6 on a 5.56 DMR and was able to engage E-type size targets out to 850 and optionally to 1000 no problem. But I was totally useless as a spotter. Wet dirt meant splash was minimal and 6x wasnt gonna see it. 10X would be doable for a LR rifle. It would just get trickier if something popped up closer than ~400 and you had to search for it.

 

You bring up a point I didn't mention before, which is that while low power is perfectly capable for MAKING shots, it can make spotting them more difficult. I suppose that's rolled into ID'ing a target, is also ID'ing exact holds on a miss.

All the more reason to run a variable. It gives you a much broader toolkit, especially in FFP form.

 

Before I go fighting online retailers... anyone have a spare AR safety detent and spring they’d be willing to part with? I’m having trouble with $7 shipping for something you could drop in a standard stamped envelope.

 

Okay guys with some down time on my hands I need to put some glass on my Remington 700 XCR Tactical as there is some good deals to be had right now. I would like to be able to reach out to maybe 600/700 yards but will most likely be under 500 yd shots. Below is what I am looking at

1. Vortex Viper PST Gen II Riflescope, 3-15x44mm PST-3151
2. Vortex Viper PST Riflescope, 3-15x44mm PST-3156
3. Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50 PST-5251

 

Get the Gen 2, better glass and they changed the zero stop
I have a 4x16 Gen 1 PST and it’s been a very good scope, it’s currently mounted on my 6.5 CMore, I shoot 600-700yd frequently, I did replace the washer stack with an alum spacer I made in the shop

 

I have a detent and I think this is the spring of it is let me know.

 

Yep. Pm me a price and PayPal?

 

I can't PM you says error. Just send me your address I'll drop them in the mail tomorrow

 

Big thanks to @Cole_MT for the hookup of a safety detent and spring. Now my m4gery is back together.

 

Was trying to figure out which class from call of duty we were good with today