A new guy asking for help choosing a budget scope setup.
- Thread starter Bobtom
- Start date
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did you also get the lens caps from them?
woodnut
Well-Known Member
Just to chime in with my 2 cents. I think SWFA has the TPS rings and I have used them exclusively on all my rifles since I found them. Won't have to worry about lapping these as every one I've got has been perfect!
I wrote two articles on the Black Rifles for this web site. In the first I made an observation you might want to remember. It went something like this: you can't put a cheap scope in good rings, nor put a good scope in cheap rings and expect either to give your rifle it's full potential in accuracy. When you go long, tiny things show up BIG! I believe you have a fine rifle at a very good price. You saved a lot of green so I will advise you to use the savings on quality rings and a good scope and get a bubble level. Also, a 20 MOA rail is a big help in reaching way out there with a 308, especially with a scope that has little come-ups.
Personally, and I'm 74, I don't think you should be fixated on FFP. I shoot long with a SFP scope and see no problems. Others will disagree, but you (I think) and I are not into the competition long range shooting so any advantage of the FFP scopes will not outweigh the cost.
Also, fine used scopes can be found at a fraction of a new one. I've bought many on this site myself. Rarely are they abused and you can check out the seller. Even though I don't shoot LR competitively, I still do love hitting what I'm aiming to hit!
Lastly, spending a little more now will save you $$ later. If you buy cheap(not inexpensive) parts now, later you will want better and have to pay again. It will also make shooting with quality parts way more enjoyable! Isn't that what you want?
I wrote two articles on the Black Rifles for this web site. In the first I made an observation you might want to remember. It went something like this: you can't put a cheap scope in good rings, nor put a good scope in cheap rings and expect either to give your rifle it's full potential in accuracy. When you go long, tiny things show up BIG! I believe you have a fine rifle at a very good price. You saved a lot of green so I will advise you to use the savings on quality rings and a good scope and get a bubble level. Also, a 20 MOA rail is a big help in reaching way out there with a 308, especially with a scope that has little come-ups.
Personally, and I'm 74, I don't think you should be fixated on FFP. I shoot long with a SFP scope and see no problems. Others will disagree, but you (I think) and I are not into the competition long range shooting so any advantage of the FFP scopes will not outweigh the cost.
Also, fine used scopes can be found at a fraction of a new one. I've bought many on this site myself. Rarely are they abused and you can check out the seller. Even though I don't shoot LR competitively, I still do love hitting what I'm aiming to hit!
Lastly, spending a little more now will save you $$ later. If you buy cheap(not inexpensive) parts now, later you will want better and have to pay again. It will also make shooting with quality parts way more enjoyable! Isn't that what you want?
Not trying to be contrary, but I would need a target somewhere near the size of an elephant we're I to use 10X @ 1000 yards.
bolshiyanyeba
New Member
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2017
- Messages
- 2
Looks like I am late - but I REALLY like my Primary Arms. Tough. Affordable. FFP. Mil-dot. I don't know of a better one fr the price point -- Hard to beat for 229$.
http://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-4-14x44mm-riflescope-mil-dot-pa4-14xffp
http://www.primaryarms.com/primary-arms-4-14x44mm-riflescope-mil-dot-pa4-14xffp
nkyshooter
Well-Known Member
Bobtom ... I've been using SWFA scopes for a few years now with excellent results. I've had a few where the glass itself wasn't the best but was ok. ALL of them that I have had have been spot on on the adjustments and always return to zero. In my opinion, if you're going to shoot out past 500 or 600 yards, you must dial and to dial you MUST have quality turrets you can count on. After that, glass quality is next priority so you can see in poorer light conditions and after that zoom for convenience and field of view adjustments ...
Enjoy your 'first' swfa ... and just know, you're likely going to want the 3-15 next then the bug will bite you to get the 5-20xHD and then you'll never look back
Enjoy your 'first' swfa ... and just know, you're likely going to want the 3-15 next then the bug will bite you to get the 5-20xHD and then you'll never look back
Hello woodnut,
I agree with you that there isn't much point in buying cheap junk and trying to dress it up. While I've been trying to spend as little as possible, I've only been picking up things that have real usable value. I'm sure there is a lot of quality and merit in buying a $5000+ rifle and adding another $5000+ in optics and accessories, but that isn't where I want to be right now. It is amazing how much quality you can get these days when you do the research and line the sales up correctly.
For this project, I want a rig that will consistently hit a human torso at 1000 yards, and will last for years to come. I have no use for a flashy name and don't care about showing off, I am by no stretch of the imagination a competitive shooter. I just enjoy making hits down range. 1000 yards was an arbitrary number I landed on that seemed both challenging and possible for decent price if I did my part.
So now I am left looking for a scope base. Due to my limited knowledge of the intricacies involved with them, I am looking at the 20 MOA EGW rails that BW64 had mentioned. They seem to have a reputation for quality at a reasonable price point. I am finding them in the $35 to $75 range, but none of them seem to come with mounting screws. Do you normally have to buy the screws separate? Where and how do I find the correct screws?
Thank you again for your post. It sounds like you know where my head is at on this project, and I am happy to have your advice.
I agree with you that there isn't much point in buying cheap junk and trying to dress it up. While I've been trying to spend as little as possible, I've only been picking up things that have real usable value. I'm sure there is a lot of quality and merit in buying a $5000+ rifle and adding another $5000+ in optics and accessories, but that isn't where I want to be right now. It is amazing how much quality you can get these days when you do the research and line the sales up correctly.
For this project, I want a rig that will consistently hit a human torso at 1000 yards, and will last for years to come. I have no use for a flashy name and don't care about showing off, I am by no stretch of the imagination a competitive shooter. I just enjoy making hits down range. 1000 yards was an arbitrary number I landed on that seemed both challenging and possible for decent price if I did my part.
So now I am left looking for a scope base. Due to my limited knowledge of the intricacies involved with them, I am looking at the 20 MOA EGW rails that BW64 had mentioned. They seem to have a reputation for quality at a reasonable price point. I am finding them in the $35 to $75 range, but none of them seem to come with mounting screws. Do you normally have to buy the screws separate? Where and how do I find the correct screws?
Thank you again for your post. It sounds like you know where my head is at on this project, and I am happy to have your advice.
