Scope Suggestions

[Aguy]

Hey guys, just starting to look at getting into the world of longer range shooting, and have been doing quite a bit of looking around on various forums trying to get a bit of an idea so I don't as too many newbie questions etc.

I currently have a Remington 700 5R milspec in 300win mag with a vortex viper PST FFP 6-24 x 50 scope on it, that I have played around with a bit shooting at Belmont to 400m. but want to have a serious go at doing some of the long range shoots on the Gold Coast/Brisbane area.

I have just picked up a Tikka T3 sporter in 6.5x55 (I also have a laminated stainless T3 in 6.5x55 which is great to shoot, and has given me some very good groups with hunting rounds) and have been watching a few videos from the states, etc where the guys have been saying the 6.5 (in the various guises) have been performing very well at the long range side of things.

Anyway long story short, the Sporter needs a scope (it just has a cheapish 6x on it at the moment), and would really appreciate some advice, as I said I am a bit of a beginner. I have been looking around at a few different scope options being;

-Sightron SIII 10-50 x 60 30 mm tube, 1/8 moa clicks resettable turrets (but I don't think zero stop) and 50 MOA adjustment price around $1400 AUD
-Nightforce BR 12-42 x 56 30mm tube, 1/8 moa clicks resettable turrets (no zero stop) and 45 MOA adjustment price around $1,570 AUD
-Nighforce Comp 15-55x52 30mm tube, 1/8 moa clicks resettable turrets, with Zero stop and 55 MOA price around $2,500 AUD
-March Benchrest 10-60 x 52 30mm tube, 1/8 moa clicks, resettable turrets (no zero stop) and 60 MOA adjustment price around $3,125 AUD

is there any other scopes I should consider (the march is probably at the top end of the budget, but their tactical version in 5-55 looks really nice but its 4k).

I understand in this world you get what you pay for, just trying to work out if the march is twice the scope of the sightron, or are one of the nightforces a better way of going.

[Norm]

The Nightforce BR scopes are great and will do what you want to do.

[ShaneG]

+1 NF - best value still BR if your outfit can handle their weight penalty?

The best optics of the scopes you mention is the Comp15-55
I use one as well as the short lived 12-42 NXS with 1/8 clicks.
The new Comp scopes have the best glass NF has used to date.
They allow one to see more detail in mirage.

NF just had price rise 7% and similar coming again by end of August.
Better value than March - have owned a 8-80 and currently using a FFP 5-40.

Best optics bar none Swarovski but no target scope as yet.
X5 5-25 coming with 1/8 clicks but will be expensive.
S&B great optics as well but eye relief dangerously short.
Trust this helps
Shane

[Aguy]

Thanks Shane, at the moment I have a stock tikka t3 sporter in 6.5 x 55 that it's going on, will have to weigh it to confirm but the rifle is listed as per tikka at 4.4kg

[AlanF]

Aguy,

I notice that you're asking about a scope for the 6.5x55 T3 sporter. What are you planning to use it for? The scopes you listed are ideal for F-Class, but to be honest your T3 is not. It would need to be in F-Open class which would put it up against 10Kg rifles with 32 inch barrels. If you're using it for hunting then there would be more appropriate scopes, but probably smaller and lighter with lower magnification and different reticules. The Swarovski mentioned by Shane would be great if $ aren't an issue.

Alan

[Aguy]

Hey Alan,

I know the rifle will struggle against true f class open rifles. I already have hunting rifles in 223, 308, 6.5x55, 300win and 30/30 that have scopes appropriate for their purpose (well the 300 has a vortex 6-24 so its probably a little bit of overkill). The T3 sporter I guess is somewhat of a step into the Target/F class world, something that I can have a bit of a go at, see how I go, then work out if I want to take the next step and spend more dollars on a custom setup. the t3 sporter I thought was a reasonable compromise (and the price was right $1,200 for a rifle which new would be $2700, that has 150 rounds on it) The factory stock, etc looks to be good in terms of adjustments, etc.

Basically thoughts were to get a good scope, I can always up spec the rifle at a later date to something that will work better in f class and utlise this scope (i.e. only have to fork out the dollars to upgrade rifle, rather then scope and rifle)

[ShaneG]

Alan is correct in pointing out that with 6.5x55 you will compete in F Open.

On the other hand as you have seen already the Tikka T3 never ceases to amaze me with out of the box accuracy when fed good ammo!
We have started many new F class shooters with a Varmint version however in 308 for F Std.
However the top end F Standard rifles now are F Open rifles in 308 caliber but 2 kg lighter.
Should one choose you can run a 2 kg bipod to equal the 10kg overall limit on Open rifles.

You can dip your toe in the water so to speak with this rifle.

The next recommendation I make to new shooters is to buy a suitable F class scope straight away.
I think this may be your thinking and it is correct?
If you decide to get completely serious with a purpose built rifle then there is no extra expense of a decent scope as well!

If you decide the game is not for you then a NF scope in good condition never lasts long when for sale second hand.

I see you are a quicker typist than me?
You answered while I was typing the above!

[plumbs7]

Hey Mate , great to hear that u want to have a go at F Class . There's nothing more satisfying than finding that x ring at distance especially in trying conditions ! Above comments are some of the best shots around and they know what they are on about. I just want to vouch for Night force as they do seem very common in f class. They are a very good scope for the money. Then you will have to decide whether Moa or miliradians ? I've started out on mils for that H Word ( hunting ) . But everyone in f class is Moa and I know Shane would recommend 1/8 moa and if ur aspersions are representing ur state or nation down the track , well that would be the way to go. If ur doing f class for hunting and you want to range find and holdover , well then mils would be the way to go. Look I love mils and it seems to work for me . But I'm defiantly in extreme minority!

I can also recommend Cannon Hill rifle club . It's my old club and is on the quiet side of Belmont. Also Has some very good shots with loads of experience . Also good clubs on the Duncan Range too with lots of Champions to help out ! Good luck mate , you just have to start somewhere and don't give up!
Regards Graham Sells.

[sevenmil]

Nightforce way to go, hands down. Most best FClass shooters in Aust them (or March). I have had 3 NF scopes
and they are reliable, durable and accurate, not to mention reasonably priced given the high level of quality construction.

Don't waste your time with others, go for Nightforce

[Philski]

Hi

i shot last year with a vortex viper 24x and really enjoyed it. And, this year its with a Leopold 25x. The vast majority of target shooters i spoke to dont go over 24x anyway. So, plenty of magnification. And, 94 min of angle on the Leupold. Not buying a tapered rail saved me lots.

The Leupold has it all over the vortex. Superb clarity and less observable parallax than a NF BR.
Its slightly more than a vortex in price, but 3 times the scope.

[Tim N]

I have a march 10-60 and a sightron ?-50 after using both I'm planning to buy another sightron.
As far as power I use both on max where possible
Before these 2 I had a NF NXs 5-22 which I thought was too low a magnification

[ecomeat]

Hi

i shot last year with a vortex viper 24x and really enjoyed it. And, this year its with a Leopold 25x. The vast majority of target shooters i spoke to dont go over 24x anyway. So, plenty of magnification.

............until they have used a quality scope of 42 x , 50 x or greater magnification.
IMHO once you have shot with a good 50 power scope (March, NightForce, Sightron, S & B) you have this awakening where you realise that it's virtually a handicap to shoot with 25 x power or less.
I have only ever met one shooter who left a higher (42 power plus) scope on 24 or 25.
My 5-50 March spends most of ts time on 40-50 power, because with top quality optics mirage is far less an issue. I think 30 power is the lowest I have ever had to shoot it at Beaudesert, where we get to deal with quite a bit of mirage in summer.
If you have a look at the F Class Open Equipment List that I helped compile for the recent QRA Queens you will see that Bob Pedersen (all the way) and Julie McEwan (on her shorter range 6 Dasher....she used a March on her Shehane at the Event deciding longer ranges)
I would put it to you, based on their performances, that both are truly exceptional marksmen with great experience .
There are a smattering of 8-32 x power NF scopes, but again they are all used by shooters we expect to see at the pointy end at every event ( Ferrara, Pohl, Mincham, Boreham, Appleby, Reddan, Warrian and Dunstall)
If your budget allows it, don't buy anything less than 40 power . You will never regret buying the best scope that you can afford.
Tony

[bartman007]

FWIW I love my sightron SIII 10-50x60, and my NF Comp 5-55x52.

Sightron is great value for money.
Nightfore is great optics, great turret labeling, and Lifetime Warranty!!!

Some high end scopes don't give you much warranty! And one brand in particular has had a few failures over the past few years! Not good when you pay $3k plus for the scope,

If you buy a NF Comp, make sue you get the current model. The older model has a few shortcomings, and that is why it is cheap. $2,500 sounds about right for the 5-55x52 Comp.

PS: i would have thought your Remington would have been a better choice for F Class. Just do a switch barrel arrangement.

Enjoy!

[Bart]

I would also agree on the Sightron SIII 10-50x60; I have 2 NF 8-32x56 BR scopes and these are great, I bought the Sightron for my 6.5 Super LR on the basis of reports and that it had the side parallax focus as I have a "dicky" left arm and find it hard to reach forward to reach the front objective ring of the BR scopes. The Sightron has has been all that I could ask for.

On the range today we had a "squirrely" little mirage going on that was enough to move a shot out to the 5 but the Sightron was easily showing me the changes (all I had to do was take notice ).

[Longranger]

Don't discount the 8-32x56 S111 Sightron with an LRMOA reticle. These are exceptional scopes for the price. The bigger brother 10-50x60 with the same reticle is a nice scope. Sightron will provide both scopes with 1/8 moa turrets.