A new guy asking for help choosing a budget scope setup.

[nkyshooter]

Many or most of you may have already seen this but it is always interesting and I always learn something new when I see his videos ... This one starts with what to select if limiting to $300.

 

[Bobtom]

I wanted to update my comments here to clarify my goals and some of my terminology.
While I have been shooting since I was around 6 or 7 years of age, most of my formal marksmanship training came while i was in the USMC. While I was in, the Corps trains you to accurately engage targets at 200, 300, and 500 yards. While 500 yards isn't that far, teaching people to shoot that far away with iron sights can be difficult. Hence I use it as a unit of measurement.

I am aware that MOA is roughly considered to be an inch per 100 yards, so at 1000 yards this ends up at around a 10 inch target if I do my part with MOA capable equipment. I generally consider a human torso to be around 15 to 20 inches. When I say torso, I am using a unit of measure that I a familiar with. Considering how new I am to longer range shooting, I would consider any hit on the main body of the B Modified target to be acceptable until I get the hang of long range engagement. I do look forward to bring my groups down to sub MOA.

In hind sight, I should had used the phrase "silhouette", or better yet used specific dimensions. To clarify, I have no desire to harm a person. I only want to hit my target at the range. I unfortunate used terminology that required a context that I didn't supply. I apologize if I gave anyone the wrong impression.

 

[livetohunt]

Take a look at Athlon scopes. I purchased an Athlon Argos 6-24 as a quick scope to throw on guns to test handloads I do for family and friends out to 1000 yards. For $370 I was thoroughly impressed with the glass and the vertical adjustment is spot on. The clicks are pretty spongey but for $370 its just as good as my $900 comparable vortex.

 

[Bobtom]

Many or most of you may have already seen this but it is always interesting and I always learn something new when I see his videos ... This one starts with what to select if limiting to $300.

Hello nkyshooter,
Seeing videos like this reaffirms my decision to go with the SWFA scope. While I did pick up the 16x version, I still think it fit my use well.

 

[Hand Skills]

<3 fixed magnification, there are already enough variables when shooting long!

 

[mtwarych]

This scope being a cheapy is pretty darn accurate for me.

The tracking is good and the glass is acceptable to say the least.

It is a 30mm tube though. Good luck.

http://www.primaryarms.com/primary-...inated-mil-dot-scope-eta-mid-july-2016-pa416x

 

[MudRunner2005]

On a budget the SWFA SS scopes are going to be hard to beat. I have 3 of them. They're built like tanks, and the turrets are solid and repeatable. I also really love their Mil-Quad and Mil-Quad DM reticles.

The Vortex Viper HS-T scopes are also an excellent buy for the money. I have 4 of these, and a bunch of other Vortex optics.

I have many other scopes too, but they're all much higher priced optics like Zeiss and Kahles.

But for target and tactical applications, the SWFA SS and Vortex HS-T scopes will do just fine, and the SWFA SS HD series are the same toughness, but they added VERY high quality glass to it, that will rival any other major manufacturer's top-end scopes.

 

[CaptnC]

Mud...that's some very insightful I'm fond on SWFA...

BUT does anyone know what SWFA stand for...I just knew he would say it in the video? I guess he could have as I was interrupted a couple times during the video.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Mud...that's some very insightful I'm fond on SWFA...

BUT does anyone know what SWFA stand for...I just knew he would say it in the video? I guess he could have as I was interrupted a couple times during the video.

Rex doesn't mention it in the video.

They're based out of Red Oak, Texas...So SWFA stands for SouthWest FireArms, Inc.

 

[muleystalker]

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.

All my EGW bases have come with the screws and a wrench, very good bases.

 

[muleystalker]

Igordee,

We are on the same page. While Carlos Hathcock may have been able to hit a 2 inch dot 1500 meters away with an 8 power scope, I most certainly don't have that level of skill. I eventually chose the 16x mil-quad scope because 10x seemed too small for a1000 yards, and I thought 20x would severly limit the scopes usefulness for anything under 300.

You will be able to hit at a !000 yards way better with the 10x SWFA than you will with any variable scope at twice that power in your price range. I would take a 6x scope with very good glass over a 15 or 20x with sub par glass, and thats what you would get with a variable at that price range with Turrets, SUB PAR GLASS. Good glass wins over power with bad glass, and the higher you go in power the more you notice the bad glass.

 

[muleystalker]

I'm looking forward to finding out how it shoots! I just need a scope base with screws, red and blue loctite, identify my ammunition, and a day at the range!

NO RED LOCK TITE!!!!!!! Blue is all you need, just clean and degrease holes and screws with denatured alcohol or something similar. Lock time the base screws and torque them to spec. You don't need to lock time the ring cap screws, just torque them.

 

[Bobtom]

All my EGW bases have come with the screws and a wrench, very good bases.

Hello Muleystalker,
My EGW base arrived yesterday. I'm just waiting on the loctite and I'll try mounting the scope. It did come with screws and a bit for a screwdriver.

 

[KyCarl]

I use a Wheeler scope mounting kit with a gun vice.. I like to wash all the holes and screws with alcohol and blow them with canned air then purple Locktite. (small screw removable)
Then just make sure everything is straight and level! Torque to the manufactures
specifications. Remember if all else fails ..read the instructions!...