Nikon 6-24x50 scope ok for beginner?

[listen_to_slayer]

Hi everyone, just wondering if a Nikon monarch 6-24x50 would be alright for a beginner shooter in f-class.

For me its still a hefty investment (~$700) being new to the game but I can't justify spending $2k on my a scope just yet.

The nikon seems to be good value, just wondering if there would be any real issues.

Will be getting bolted to a Remington 700 SPS varmint, 700 VLS or a savage 12 FVSS.

Thanks

[Quinny]

Nikons are generally a pretty good scope. You may find that you run out of adjustment at longer range (the Monarch 6-24x50 only has 30MOA), so a 20MOA rail would be a good idea as a minimum.

If you are prepared to spend $700, I would keep an eye out for a second hand Sightron or Leupold.

Also, of the 3 rifles, I would go for the Savage - I have heard many stories of Remingtons not being great out of the box and needing a bit of work to shoot well. I have a Savage F/TR, and I highly recommend the brand.

[Fireman_DJ]

I have a Rem 700 SPS Varmint and it seems to shoot pretty well.

Sighting it in at 300yards it got a 1.5 inch group with factory hunting ammo. And that's using a Harris bi-pod and my shoulder.

And that's no work done to it at all.

I intend (and always have) to put a much better stock on it, such as the AICS stock.

I also put a $400 Niko Sterling 10-50x60 scope on it. Again, I don't mind putting a better scope on it later on, but I had a starting budget of $2000 and I ended up under it at $1800.

Still working up the perfect load for it, but a 50.3 and 48.1 at 800 and 900 yards shooting the clubs factory ammo for the first time at these ranges with this rifle isn't too bad in my opinion.

And remember, I've chosen a shooting style that isn't as "stable" or "accurate" as everyone else who uses heavy front rests and rear sandbags.

[TOM]

If the scope only has the 30 MOA in elevation as previously stated then your going to have problems. From 300 yards you will need a Minimum of 28 MOA to get to 1000. Operating at the extreme top and bottom of the available elevation on your scope is not a good idea as you will run out of windage adjustment at long range. Ideally you should operate at approx 4-5 MOA from the bottom at 300, Ideally 7-10 MOA left over above your 1000 yard elevation.

In my opinion 45 MOA is bare minimum in elevation adjustment.

[listen_to_slayer]

so is there anything under $800 new that would suit a beginner in f-class, or will i have to keep my eyes peeled for a used scope? what is the minimum magnification? 24x? 32x? 50x?

[TOM]

Theres a Leupold 8.5-25 in the for sale section, that would be a pretty good buy if it's in good order.

[Quinny]

Cleavers have the Bushnell 4.5-30x50 for $825 and the 6-24x50 for $625, that is a good price, might be worth a look. In regards to magnification, anything over 18x will be plenty. F-Class targets are quite large, I accidently left my scope on 8x the other day and had no problems getting shots on target at 600m.