A friend has a Remington 700 in 308 that he is looking for a scope for. The rifle is a fun gun, used for target shooting usually at 200 yds, occasionally out to 600. He has a budget of up to $1000 for glass. What do you recommend?
What kind of target shooting is he doing? Is he shooting paper? Is he shooting silhouettes? Is he shooting practical matches? Does he see himself using the optic to range targets? If he doesn’t now does he see himself doing so in the future?
Much more information needed to give a useful answer. There are plenty of good optics for $1000.
Paper targets, no practical matches or any competition use. Ranging capability would be a plus. It is basically a range toy, no serious use, but he wants some quality glass.
Used Nightforce if you can find one or a Leupold 4.5-14x40 mildot LR for around $700.
jeff
My next scope is going to be a Vortex Viper PST Rifle Scopes FFP. Not to many of them out yet to get that many reviews, but from the few reviews I have seen it seems promising.
Chad
Vortex. American vet owned, top notch CS, great quality for the money.
Used Nightforce, Leupold 4.5-14x40, and vortex. in my own opinion and experiance, vortex makes a really good scope for the price.
Pride Fowler RR-800.
I prefer a fixed 10 but you have the option of a variable.
Simple, elegant, excellent glass and construction.
Top of the line customer service.
Leupold Mark 4 & Vortex PST.
Thanks for the input guys. I passed the leads on so he can research them.
I have had several 700’s over the past couple years and right now the only 1 I shoot on a regular basis is my SPS-Tactical. It has the 20 in heavy bbl. My wife has a VTR with the triangle bbl, integrated MB and the ugly green stock. Both are chambered in 308. For optics I have the same set up on them (minus reticle). I used the MK4 1 piece pic rail and 30mm med rings. The scopes on these are MK4 3.5-10x40 with the M3 turrets. Wife has MilDot and I have the TMR reticle.
A mil based reticle will allow your buddy to range as long as he has done some homework is really good at math on the fly. I like the M3 turrets since they are 1MOA elev and .5 wind. The windage isn’t too much of a concern for me since I live in WY and its always windy. But I do like the 1 MOA elevation since it allows really quick gross adjustments. I go Antelope hunting and its hard to get close to them most of the time. If I need to adjust dope I’m doing so 4 times less with 1MOA vs .25MOA. The M1 turrets are great for getting precise shot placement further on down in range but I’m willing to accept a few inches off.
It comes down to yours (or your buddy’s) personal preference. I am very content with my setup and will have no problem getting another Leupold.
One thing that will help regardless of optic choice-cheek pad. Get a cheek pad or one of the kits that can be installed. The higher rings or bigger objective lense just keeps pushing you towards a “chin weld.” Good luck
Lots of good advice here.
SS 16x42 priced under 300 if you are on a budget.
^ Agreed or check out WOTAC if your buddy is just shooting out to 200yrds no need to drop 1k on glass. There are plenty of cheaper options that will get all he wants and more done for that price range.
If you can’t afford Vortex I’d look for the Bushnell sales, since they are discontinuing some old models (3200 and 4200 ?) in favor of “Elite” model.
In the kilobuck price range it is hard to beat a Leupold.
The new Weaver 3-15x50 Tactical is an excellent
choice… 30mm…FFP, etched reticle, illuminated…
I picked one up last week after reading the review
On SniperHide.
Liking it a lot on my GAP 300WM.
for a budget build I would go with the Super Sniper, they’re Mil-Dot & are dependable. Plus the service if you have any issues is outstanding. The money he saves could be used on Ammo & Range/Training Time.
In the price range the OP mentions, I’d go for one of the new Vortex Viper HS series scopes, which will be widely available early this summer. I have the Viper in the current model and have been really pleased with it for a scope in this price range.
http://www.vortexoptics.com/category/viper_hs_riflescopes
If the person can step up a bit over $1K for glass, consider Nightforce (best, but most expensive), Leupold Mk 4 series (next best), IOR Valdada (similar to Leupold in quality/price range). For a good optics dealer who will answer questions and give you a great deal, talk to Scott at Liberty Optics. No I don’t get any kick-backs :-), but I’ve bought multiple scopes from them and I keep going back.
I just bought that same rifle today.
That’s what I’m going to start with. I’ve seen several recomendations for these for guys who don’t need variable power.