New Member -- Advice/Experience Wanted!

[xsn10s]

I'd agree with you on the NF though. Zeiss if it's at least a Conquest. Leupold did have issues with canted reticles but my 2.5x8 VariXIII has a Premier Mildot reticle as per Chuck Mawhinney. I've not been a Vortex fan, but if you've had good luck with them then that's great. I've seen some "hunting" S&B's for decent prices. Makes me wish I had a bigger bank account lol.

 

[joseph singleton]

Hope they don't charge a nickel for each post..... nice info...

 

[Capt RB]

I'd agree with you on the NF though. Zeiss if it's at least a Conquest. Leupold did have issues with canted reticles but my 2.5x8 VariXIII has a Premier Mildot reticle as per Chuck Mawhinney. I've not been a Vortex fan, but if you've had good luck with them then that's great. I've seen some "hunting" S&B's for decent prices. Makes me wish I had a bigger bank account lol.

Mine was fixed by Premier. I honestly don't remember what the model was however it was an issued optic bought through a military program. My first S&B came on a rifle bought by a customer that broke his nose first shot. I bought the gun and scope for less than the gun. It had 5 shots through it. I had shot 3 of them for him. I sold that rifle and kept the scope. Upgrading it 3 times so far. I'm still at a plus money wise. That will change if i pay retail(never happen for me)
Vortex hst's and lower were coming back to the shop I worked at last winter on anything big with a brake. You need the etched glass reticle and the more robust turrets of the pst. They still have a few issues now and again but we didn't have any customers with them bigger than 308. Nothing magnum that I know of at least. All the ones that had issues ended up with nightforce or moved up to the razor's without issue as far as I know. I left that shop in the spring to go back to fishing(occupation) I have too much to do to go back this winter.

 

[xsn10s]

If the OP could find one of the older IOR's 2.5-10X that might be the ticket. Schott's glass and repeatable tough adjustments.

 

[Brydawg512]

For LR target, duty, or competition I might choose FFP. But for hunting I have SFP. As for changes in POA/POI (point of aim/ point of impact) in SFP scopes through out the magnification range I just set my zero at the highest magnification range on hunting scopes and even my LR scopes. That way when I shoot to distance which will mainly be on the highest power my POA/POI will be on. Low mag range is for close up (100 yards or less) so if there is a change it won't be much.

So your 4x on the scope would be used for 100 yards or less? I guess what I am confused on is what if I am on 10x (which still isn't the highest power), how do I know where my shot will hit?

 

[xsn10s]

I test my scopes at the range to determine if there is a POA/POI shift throughout the magnification range. Though this was common in the past I have not personally seen it in my scopes that I rely on. On other scopes that I use just for the range I don't test hard. That's really the only way to test anything is to confirm it with range work.

 

[xsn10s]

But like I said I sight in on the highest power. And on my hunting rifles I don't generally go higher than 10x. I might consider a 12X on a higher quality scope.

 

[7mmTikkaShooter]

Hello all,

I am brand new to this forum and am wanting to get into long range hunting/shooting. I will admit I have alot of learning and practice to do, but I am more than willing to do it.

So, first things first... Getting a firearm that will do what I need it to do. I hunt black bear, deer and elk. I would like to be able to shoot out to 600-650 yards at a max range. Currently, I have an older (probably 70s or 80s) Winchester model 70 wood stock chambered in 7mm with a Leupold VX-11, 3-9x40. However, I am looking to purchase a newer rifle chambered in 300, but I am open to other caliber options that would best suit the distance/game I am hunting.

So, I have been looking at the Remington 700 as an option, however, I am open to hear other recommendations.

So, if you are willing to recommend a good "starter" set up it would be much appreciated. I would like to stay under $1200 total for the full build, but understand that may not be a possibility. I apologize for my lack of knowledge, but I am always interested in learning more.

Gun?
Caliber?
Scope?
Any other modifications (barrel, stock, etc.)?

Thank you very much in advance!

First off, welcome! There's a ton of knowledge here. Lots of shooters with tons of experience. As far as your question goes I echo the statements of a couple others. Your caliber is adequate for most every need in North America provided the gun shoots well. The 7RM is a wonderful all around cartridge. IMHO any hunting rig should be able to hold at least 1 MOA or better. Long range maybe you'd like to be a bit better but the biggest issue is consistent mv's so if you're not loading your own, buy the best ammo possible. If the gun and ammo are in good order then put a good optic with better magnification on top and practice, practice, practice. Additionally, my personal experiences have proven to me that if I want to hunt at 600 for instance, I need to practice at 800. Get adept at making wind calls and knowing exactly what your shot will react like at distances beyond where you intend to hunt and you'll become a better, more confident hunter. If you really need to have another gun (and who doesn't need just one more), then I'd look at these calibers: 7RM, 7RUM, 28 Nosler, 300 Win Mag, 300 RUM, 30-378, 30 Nosler, 300 PRC, 300 Norma, 338 LM, 338 Norma. There are dozens of other options and although you could go smaller in caliber as well, I'd recommend staying with the energy factor you're familiar with or greater. Just my opinion, but what you don't want to have happen is setting up a new gun for hunting purposes but having that thought in the back of your mind wondering if you have enough gun. Any of those calibers I listed, and plenty others, are going to work great. Consider these factors; cost to buy, cost to shoot, availability of ammo, and recoil management. Chances are you'll narrow down the list pretty quick with those 4 factors. Best of luck and happy shooting.

 

[Brydawg512]

First off, welcome! There's a ton of knowledge here. Lots of shooters with tons of experience. As far as your question goes I echo the statements of a couple others. Your caliber is adequate for most every need in North America provided the gun shoots well. The 7RM is a wonderful all around cartridge. IMHO any hunting rig should be able to hold at least 1 MOA or better. Long range maybe you'd like to be a bit better but the biggest issue is consistent mv's so if you're not loading your own, buy the best ammo possible. If the gun and ammo are in good order then put a good optic with better magnification on top and practice, practice, practice. Additionally, my personal experiences have proven to me that if I want to hunt at 600 for instance, I need to practice at 800. Get adept at making wind calls and knowing exactly what your shot will react like at distances beyond where you intend to hunt and you'll become a better, more confident hunter. If you really need to have another gun (and who doesn't need just one more), then I'd look at these calibers: 7RM, 7RUM, 28 Nosler, 300 Win Mag, 300 RUM, 30-378, 30 Nosler, 300 PRC, 300 Norma, 338 LM, 338 Norma. There are dozens of other options and although you could go smaller in caliber as well, I'd recommend staying with the energy factor you're familiar with or greater. Just my opinion, but what you don't want to have happen is setting up a new gun for hunting purposes but having that thought in the back of your mind wondering if you have enough gun. Any of those calibers I listed, and plenty others, are going to work great. Consider these factors; cost to buy, cost to shoot, availability of ammo, and recoil management. Chances are you'll narrow down the list pretty quick with those 4 factors. Best of luck and happy shooting.

Thank you very much, very informative!

 

[Brydawg512]

So, I have found a Vortex 4-16x50 in MRAD, however it is first focal plane. It is only for $499, and compared to it's $899 listing price this seems to be a good deal. Should I stay away from first focal plane and just stay with second focal plane? Thanks in advance!

 

[xsn10s]

I think the difference in price could be from Generation 1 to Gen2. I believe there is a difference in glass quality.
You'd have to go in a store and look at the reticle at different powers to see if it's an issue FOR YOU. It might bother some people and not bother you at all.

 

[Brydawg512]

I think the difference in price could be from Generation 1 to Gen2. I believe there is a difference in glass quality.
You'd have to go in a store and look at the reticle at different powers to see if it's an issue FOR YOU. It might bother some people and not bother you at all.

Ok, that would make sense. Most likely I will be happy with it's improvement over my Leupold VX-11 3-9x40. Is a FFP alright for hunting or should I really only focus on a SFP?

 

[Capt RB]

So, I have found a Vortex 4-16x50 in MRAD, however it is first focal plane. It is only for $499, and compared to it's $899 listing price this seems to be a good deal. Should I stay away from first focal plane and just stay with second focal plane? Thanks in advance!

As stated the price drop is because the gen 2's are now available. It's a quality piece of gear at a great price. They have a good eyebox @ 4" of eye relief. Way more than enough to avoid magnum eyebrow. Read the instructions thoroughly. Once you have a load your rifle wants to shoot set the zero stop. Then it's all about how much time and practice you commit as to how quickly you advance. Enjoy

 

[Brydawg512]

As stated the price drop is because the gen 2's are now available. It's a quality piece of gear at a great price. They have a good eyebox @ 4" of eye relief. Way more than enough to avoid magnum eyebrow. Read the instructions thoroughly. Once you have a load your rifle wants to shoot set the zero stop. Then it's all about how much time and practice you commit as to how quickly you advance. Enjoy

Ok great! Well that should work just great for me! I am about to pull the trigger on it, but need to know if a first focal plane will work for hunting (for both closer and longer shots)? I am not finding a second focal plane scope now...