Long range optics

[Mod90]

So guys I'm in the market for a new scope that will be dedicated to a single purpose, long range shooting 100 yards  and upward. It's just simpler than having one scope to do both short-medium as well as long distance shooting.

So I am curious about what you guys are using for shooting long range and what features  you prefer as individuals  on a unit to be dedicated  to this task. Things  such as range of magnification, ffp vs sfp, tube diameter,  objective size,  hash marks vs dots, click values and any other personal  preferences wrt  any specific brands  and models  you currently use or would consider using.

Thanks for any input.

[robertr]

I have a  4-12x42 Mamba Lite I like for hunting and closer ranges, when I want to be more precise for shooting long range I use my Airmax 30 SF 3-12x50. The reason is the Airmax has a finer reticle.

[PlanB]

im 70 so allow for that, i need 18-20x to see pellet holes at 100, i havent shot past 100 enough to know. adjustable mounts are as important as the scope at 100+ yds imo. i like hawke, bushnell 6500 , aeon. but higher priced ones would probably be clearer. i use fx no limits adjustable rings

[marty2]

I use a Hawke 8-32X56 scope with FX adjustable rings for  long range. Without the adjustable mounts I would run out of elevation adjustment by 100yds.

[wahoowad]

What distances are you interested in shooting? You said 100....that's certainly doable, how much further? And what are your accuracy expectations? Are you going to shoot groups or maybe banging some fun targets?

I don't shoot it that far, but my .25 Marauder scope (cheap Centerpoint 4-16x) has enough mil-dots that I could try 102 yards. So I'm thinking your flatter shooting .177 with a similar scope that has a lot of mil-dots would be good for a little further.

Most scopes don't have as many mil-dots as my Centerpoint. It has 12 (6 above and 6 below the crosshairs) plus the post gives you one more. And it is possible the Centerpoint is discontinued but perhaps some of the Leapers scopes have enough mil-dots to accommodate your drop.

I wish I had access to 100 yards - that would be fun. I use my 35 yard range to sight in, and I have hunting land where I take longer shots, but I don't set up targets and try target shooting.

[Booger]

I use a Hawke 8-32X56 scope with FX adjustable rings for  long range. Without the adjustable mounts I would run out of elevation adjustment by 100yds.

+1 I use it at 12X & for 100 yards I use 3.5 mil hold over.

[jhm757]

I recently purchased a 6-24X56 Optisan Viper and it is working pretty good for me as you can see in my recent post: Another Expert Attempt - So Close!

It has a nice fine Glass etched reticle with mil and half mil hash marks.

The only thing I would change about the scope would be to add more mil marks. For my 100yd shooting I was at 22 power and using the hash mark that is half way down the thick post. You can actually see it a lot better in the scope than you can in the picture I added.

I usually keep the scope at 12 power for most shooting and then I am on at 100yds with the 3 1/2 hash mark.

Jim - jhm757

[jayclimber]

I have had good luck with Ledsniper scopes! I have a 4x32 sport tactical with range finder mil dot reticles mounted on my springer and a 3-9x32 with rangefinder mil dot reticles mounted on my gas piston rifle! Both are accurate out to 100 yards with no issues holding zero! The 4x32 is the one that I qualified for the N.U.A.H. club with!

I grew up with iron sights and 4x scopes so it is what I know and is what is comfortable for me, (but I only have 40 year old eyes so that could change down the road!)

Good luck with making a choice!

[Mod90]

Well gents, I've decided to get the UTG 8-32x56 & the FX no limit rings. I already have their 4-16x44 unit & it does present a clear image out to well past 100 yards.

Truth be told, I clearly see & count the individual leaves on a bamboo branch 140 yards away with it. The only reason I am getting the 8-32 is because it has a lot more magnification & a finer etched reticle with a larger objective bell, the larger bell & higher magnification is going to come in very handy for small targets a lot further out.

[grassy1]

appreciate all the information  helpful for a new guy  grassy1

[UCChris]

Good to see you got it figured out. Wanted to throw my two cents in for anyone that might read this thread at a later date. My favorite scope for long-range is the SWFA 12X42 Mil-Quad scope. The scope has a very precise etched glass reticle complete with mildots. The cool part is that it also has milliradian turrets so you can read the reticle like a graph. This makes it so much easier to just dial the turrets rather than use holdover. Which is way more precise imo.

[Booger]

Good to see you got it figured out. Wanted to throw my two cents in for anyone that might read this thread at a later date. My favorite scope for long-range is the SWFA 12X42 Mil-Quad scope. The scope has a very precise etched glass reticle complete with mildots. The cool part is that it also has milliradian turrets so you can read the reticle like a graph. This makes it so much easier to just dial the turrets rather than use holdover. Which is way more precise imo.

The best part is SWFA is only 25 miles from my house.

[rualert]

    Also have an SWFA 10X42 fixed with side focus, a bit pricey, but it's actually on a powder burner I shoot 200 - 500 yards with. For my Talon-Dor I have a Hawke 4-16 X 50 HD SF and have shot steel at 163 yards, and can actually see the hits on the steel. I do like the suggestion of maybe swapping on some adjustable rings or a 10-20 MOA rail for even more range without running the turrets all the way up or down.

Casey

P.S. I had never used an SWFA until my father in law picked up a very nice rem 700 Tactical in a real wood tactical stock. Honestly thought the fixed 10X would not be enough due to aging eye sight, but was pleasantly surprised the first time I shot groups at 200 then 300 yards. He wants to pick up some new glass with adjustable power, or a higher fixed power as he has a bit more trouble than I seeing targets at those ranges and beyond, so the suggestions here are quite helpful.

[Deckard1973]

FYI, SWFA is having a sale on some of their Classic scopes, $50 off.
I picked up the SS20X42MOA, sun shade, flip up caps, and bubble level for $305 (not including shipping). 
I liked the reticule. 

Sale ends tomorrow. 

[jc1234]

I say SWFA as well, I just recently got a fixed 10x42, the mil-quad radical is awesome and the scope is light too. I have now sold all my hawkes and am replacing them with SWFA

[Steelontarget]

The SWFA SS scopes are the way to go on long range shooting.  I got a SWFA SS 10X on my AR-15.  Now I'm contemplating the use of other SWFA scopes on my air guns and rimfire rifles.

[Deckard1973]

I have been eyeing the SWFA SS for awhile.  After they first came out, waited to see the reviews and was surprised to see how most of the reviews were good.
I have a UTG SWAT, and to be honest, I dont think I have ever used the IR function.  I shoot like 98% of the time at max power.  Take those things into consideration, why not a fix powered scope, with out IR?  Price seems right. 
In the end, it is more about the yahoo behind the rifle and scope that can make the most of a rifle/scope.