Scopes? sorry I guess you get this alot.

Chalmers · Post by **Chalmers** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 2:02 pm

Hi guys, I am just changing from TR to f/ class. So I have no idea about scops. Looking for something to match my rifle well. I shoot a RPA 308 action with a Mastin stock. I don't mind the look of the nightforce range, nsx and competition modal? Shooting out to 1000m. Any advice for a beginner would be great. Thanks Ian

bartman007 · Post by **bartman007** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 2:47 pm

Good luck Ian, as I'm sure everyone will have a different opinion here.

From my experience over 5 or so years, the Nightforce was reliable. Then the last 6 months I have not been so happy with that brand. I've had both NXS and BR, and feel the BR is the more reliable. Make sure you get the 1/8 MOA in whatever scope you decide to go with. 1/4 MOA will see your groups jump above or below the Super V at times, whereas the 1/8 MOA gives you a better result at getting level!!!

As for other brands, I currently run Sightron and am very happy so far.

It comes down to your budget, however if you have already investigated the Nightforce then you are looking to spend 1500 to 2500 dollars.

If you have deep pockets, you may wish to shell out $3000 plus for March scopes. Those that have spent the money can only say good things about them :-)

I know if I spent that much too, that I wouldn't want to be saying otherwise. And that brand has a very short Warranty period :shock:

Make sure you get the right height rings, as well as a 1 in 20 taper rail to allow you to get back to 1000 yards.

Cheers.

Chalmers · Post by **Chalmers** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 3:52 pm

Thanks bartman, that's good advice about the 1/8 moa, I was thinking of trying to find 1/4 moa. I found a 20moa rail that slides into the dovetail on the rpa action, looks great. Also what is the lapping of the scope to the rings, do you always have to do that?

Peterla · Post by **Peterla** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 4:10 pm

Hi Ian,
I to use Nightfore BR 8-32 for Fclass FS and FO and am very happy with them.
I do lap the Scopes in just so I am confident this is not a problem when I get elevation or other type is issues.

I try to do what I can so I can count these type of things out and focus on the real problem.

Not sure if it is necessary but that's what I do.

Best of luck

Pete

bruce moulds · Post by **bruce moulds** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 5:10 pm

the other day I had the opportunity to shoot,(as opposed to just look through) a march, my nightforce br and the new nightforce competition model.
the competition model was better than anything I have ever looked through to a shocking level, for both clarity and brightness. the definition at 1100 mt had to be seen to be believed.
my br was second best, and the march needed to be sent back it was so dull and unclear.
I think the test was not a fair comparison on that basis.
nightforce have been proven to be happy to check and fix if necessary any of their products.
keep safe,
bruce.

Malcolm Hill · Post by **Malcolm Hill** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 6:11 pm

Hi Ian I'll go along with what Bruce has said on the scopes. I've looked through a couple of Marches and can't say I was impressed regardless of the price. The Nightforce benchrest has always been a good honest performer at a reasonable cost but their new competition model with 55 power available is magnificent to look through in good conditions. As with any high power scope if you shoot in an area that is a problem with mirage in summer things wont be so good but with a variable you can wind it down to help the problem. I'm not sure where you shoot so if mirage is a problem don't go for a high magnification fixed power scope. The mid range Leupold scopes are also quite good but lose out a bit by only having 25x mag to use. Check out the view through the new Nightforce on the Murray Bridge Rifle club website under event results for the 2013 state team practice- it is quite impressive.
Regards Malcolm.

IanP · Post by **IanP** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 6:36 pm

Hi Ian, one thing to keep in mind with buying a scope for F-Class is the weight and I have two 8-32X NF BR scopes and they are heavy. If you want to shoot F T/R then buy a lighter scope than the NF BR series.

I also have a Sightron SIII in 12-50x60 and a Sightron SIII in 8-32X and the Sightron is a great scope and the 8-32x SIII is a lot lighter than the NF BR equivalent.

The best scopes in my view are the March in 10-60X52mm or the NF Competition in 15-55x52. I own a March 10-60X and the optics are superb as are the NF Comp's optics. Both of these scopes are light and the March is more than 1lb under the weight of a NF BR scope and the NF Comp is also similar in weight to the March.

The other low weight option is to consider the Weaver Target 36x40 ($802) or the Sightron SII 36x42 ($967). Both of these scope are good quality and I have owned both and currently have the Sightron SII on my F T/R rifle.

Ian

DannyS · Post by **DannyS** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 6:53 pm

Bruce, just stirring but how good are your eyes these days?

Cheers
Danny

bruce moulds · Post by **bruce moulds** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 7:31 pm

danny,
I can only hope you are not implying anything regarding teenage nocturnal manipulation, and its relation to blindness.
ian,
that is interesting about your march.
I think the one I looked through was the same model, and I am now more sure that it must have been one that slipped through.
keep safe,
bruce.

Chalmers · Post by **Chalmers** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 7:58 pm

What a great forum, thanks for all the replys, I am kinda thinking I should spend the extra and go for the new nightforce competition modal. Do it right once? I guess I need a bipod and sandbag. Those alloy screw adjustable bipod s ok?

IanP · Post by **IanP** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 8:11 pm

Chalmers wrote:What a great forum, thanks for all the replys, I am kinda thinking I should spend the extra and go for the new nightforce competition modal. Do it right once? I guess I need a bipod and sandbag. Those alloy screw adjustable bipod s ok?

Sounds like the scope is sorted now for the bipod. Its a bit like scopes in as much as you want a stable and light weight bipod especially for F T/R. The screw type bipods are fine and Adam Davies makes a good version of that type. Just check how much everything weighs before you buy one as a long 32" barrel is desirable to launch heavy F T/R bullets if you go with that option.

If you just want to shoot F-Standard then a front pedestal rest is more stable and easier to shoot off and will also work well for F-Open rifles. What class/classes do you want to shoot?

Ian

IanP · Post by **IanP** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 8:23 pm

Bruce, its not so much about self stimulation causing deteriorating eyesight so much as smoking! You gotta give up the black powder and the baccy.

Have a look down the 80X version of the March scope at 1000 yards and Stuart Elliot shooting his 300WM.

Ian maybe you need an 80X scope

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03qtXpoObfM

Ian

Chalmers · Post by **Chalmers** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 8:28 pm

Wow ianp that's some scope 80x. Don't think I need to go that crazy, lol. As for your other question I want to shoot f standard. Do you have any links to a good stand supplier? I am in Brisbane but happy to have it shipped.

bruce moulds · Post by **bruce moulds** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 8:30 pm

ian,
smoking is a drug, but so too is those big paper patched bullets leaving spotting disks on the target with v bull vert.
and you have the extra relaxation derived from waiting for 3 seconds for the bullet to arrive at 1000 yards.
keep safe,
bruce.

Chalmers · Post by **Chalmers** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 8:37 pm

I guess you don't have to have the best equipment to shoot well, my 70year old father has been back shooting for 18 months in f standard after 25 years off. Old iron site shooter. He shoots a old angle action with a top wood and middle of the road leopold scope and bipod. Last week he shot a possible in the 2nd round and dropped one point in the 1st at 600, Those old guys can read the wind well.