I just got a LMT .308 and im looking for a high power optic.
Around 24x or better, going to use it for long range hunting and at the range for friendly competition between friends.
I have a Nikon buckmaster 6-18x40 on my R700 .270, while ive shot 750 yards with it, in low light conditions it does ok but does not gather light as well as i would like for hunting in low light conditions.
Im looking to spend about $1,000-1,300. Since most all my scopes have never been more then $500,i wanted to get idea before i go blowing a bunch of cash.
The subject of high end optics is a whole can of worms. You get what you pay for but you should determine what you really need and want before you plunk down your hard earned cash. Orkan, a member here, has a lot of valuable insight. Search this sub forum for some of his posts. Demigod LLC has a pretty good primer published on his site if you search for it. In your price range one of the top end Vortex optics might be a good fit. Do a lot of research before you buy something that may not fit your needs.
24X top mag is probably going to way more than you need for that LMT. I’d look for something smaller and lighter topping out around 18X. Keep a eye out for something from Premier Reticles, US Optics, Schmidt and Bender, etc. You may be able to find a good deal on something used from one f the high end manufacturers. There’s a lot more to a scope than the magnification and the glass. The most important thing is for it to track correctly and be rugged enough for field use.
My main reason for wanting 24x is more for verification, ive ran into a situation with my 18x where at 600yds i couldn’t tell if it was a coyote or the neighbors dog.
24x+ is an awful lot of magnification for an LMT .308.
Low light scope performance basically boils down to:
exit pupil size (generally equal to objective size divided by magnification, though this doesn’t hold true on some zoom scopes where the exit pupil is less than would be indicated by that number). An exit pupil of 7mm is ideal (for younger eyes, older eyes may not benefit from that much). Small exit pupils always look dim.
General quality of optics - lens glass, coatings, etc.
Coatings that specifically favor low light performance, usually by working better with blue light, such as Leupold’s twilight coatings.
#1 is fairly easy to figure out by reading the spec sheet or doing simple math. #2 and #3 follow price and brand reputation fairly closely.
A 6-18x40 has only a 2.2mm exit pupil at the high end, which is tiny, and a Buckmaster is not a high end scope with the best glass or coatings. You will find a dramatic improvement in performance with both more exit pupil and better glass.
Even though that’s a fair bit of cash, there are limited quality options for your criteria in that range. The premium brands listed above will be around $2000+ (new) for the magnification range you’re interested in, and you would be getting an awesome deal if any were selling at $1300 in good condition. It’s possible though.
On the new end of things, I would take a look at the SWFA SS 5-20x50, which is $1299 without illumination and probably the best scope in your stated price range, and I would also look at the Weaver Tactical series 3-15x50 and 4-20x50. I have the 3-15x50 and am very impressed with its glass, resolution, and overall quality, especially for around $700. The Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 is also in that price range and gets good reviews. It comes in both first focal plane and second focal plane models, FYI.
Many of the scopes in that price range and magnification range will be first focal plane, which you would probably find helpful. Look up “first focal plane reticle” for information.
Yeah, 24x is way too much. Remember that the higher the magnification the less forgiving the optic in terms of everything.
Eye box is much smaller.
The lens quality must be premier level (can’t get away with so-so glass at such a high magnification, as any imperfection is amplified).
Size and weight will increase.
Checked into FFP, i like the concept of it. Going to try to get some range time behind one with FFP this week since i never have.
Going to the local shop tho check out some of the scopes mentioned
As far a used, not alot of shops around here with used scopes of any kind, not so sure how i feel about buying glass off ebay w/o checking it out tho.
Best place to find used scopes of this quality is the classifieds here and at Sniper’s Hide. I would be very careful of buying off ebay for a $1000+ scope. The dealer SWFA also has a “sample list” of demo and used scopes that might be worth checking.
that one caught my eye, its bit excessive but everywhere i look that scope is $1,900. Even tho i wouldnt use the 42x, would the exit pupil at say 18x be decent? or fact its 42x make the exit pupil size smaller across the board?
the cabelas link he gives doesnt seem to be the scope he has listed tho
Shot a bit behind a FFP, really like it, better then i thought.
I went to 5 gun stores in my area and non of them have much for upper end anything.
Looked around online and, im looking to pick between
the Weaver you mention in 4-20x50, and the Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50
my only question is. What does the Vortex have that the viper doesnt to make the viper $200 more, also i cant seem to find the vortex anywhere instock online.
You will find a lot more data and opinions on higher powered optics at Snipers Hide. The Vortex PST 6-24 FFP is probably the most popular scope - in your price range and power requirement - over there.
The Viper PST has illumination, more magnification, a nicer reticle, and mil turrets to go with the mil reticle.
I have the 3-15x50 Weaver Tactical and the 2.5-10x44 Viper PST (not an apples to apples comparison), and looking at just these I like the Viper turrets and reticle a little better, but find the Weaver’s glass clarity significantly better, and it also feels more rugged.
At the price point of the FFP Viper PST 6-24, you really should look at the SWFA SS 5-20.
Ah yeah thank you totally missed it.
Well im reading good things on the SWFA SS 5-20, other then the site i listed has anyone seen it lower then $1300? or is that about best its going to get
Right now that is, if you wait they run sales every once in while. I purchased the 5-20 and the new 1-6 scope for a little under $1,500. This was like 6 months ago and they still have not shipped. It was a Facebook /tax day special.
I would definitely look at the Hide for a used scope. There’s great optics that go up for sale regularly. As long as you’re dealing with a veteran member you should be good.
As for the 24x. Like others said way too much. You’ll be surprised how much more detail you can see at 15x when you’re looking through good glass.
A nightforce 3.5-15x can easily be had for $1200. Or check out the Bushnell HDMR’s.