So I am looking for a scope to put on a 308. I would like to try hitting metal targets out to 1000 yards, and if I’m good at it, maybe precision rifle comps, or just competing against myself and friends.
I want to learn to use a mil dot reticle with mil adjustments, and I found a good deal on a brand new NF NXS 5.5-22x50 mil dot/mil turrets. My buddy is trying to point me in the direction of a christmas tree reticle for easy hold offs and quicker shots without dialing, especially for comps. His thinking is I won’t be able to be as precise with the mil dot reticle, and I will be making a compromise to save hundreds.
Am I wrong to think that I will be fine with mil dots?
I also want the NF 2.5-10x32 mil dot/mil turrets for another lighter 308.
I compete in local and PRS matches, and i think it’s much easier to work in MILs vs MOA in my opinion, so you’re on the right track there. I also much prefer first focal plane scopes (the NF you are looking at is second focal plane), especially if you think you might shoot matches. In most matches there will be multiple stages where it’s beneficial to shoot at lower magnification, and it’s nice to have the mils adjust to be correct at any magnification when spotting misses, vs SFP where the mils are only correct at full power. I’ve also shot both reticle types (christmas tree and non), and a christmas tree can be nice if it doesn’t stand out too much. I don’t like really busy dark christmas tree/horus reticles because they can take up a lot of the scope view and make it hard to spot misses. It comes down to personal preference.
If I was in your shoes and looking for a $1,500 mil/mil scope to shoot out to 1,000 and possible long range matches, I would get something like the Gen 1 Vortex Razor HD 5-20 with EBR-2 reticle, or the SWFA SS 5-20 HD. Both have great glass and are mil/mil in First Focal Plane. If you can pony up a little more, the Gen 2 Razor 4.5-27 is fantastic.
Thank you, yes I was a bit hesitant about the second focal plane. I was thinking I’d be using it mostly on full power mostly, but when you mention I can more easily find my misses, then yes, for a scope like this, I definitely want FFP.
good choices to think about. I may get the 2.5-10 first and wait on a 20+ power
I’m with BCart, if you want the NXS 2.5-10x, I’d just snag that and see how you do out to a click there - really should be adequate to start with, and if that means you can budget and research more for a longer reach optic, then you’ll be outright ahead for the whole deal.
I’ve got a NF 2.5x10x42 with mildot reticle/MIL turrets and love the optic. The optic is clear and I find that the system is intuitive if you understand how to use mildot. It’s all about being fluent in your reticle/adjustment/ranging system.
Snipers hide has all just mental great post on this for their blog. I’ll see if I can’t find it for you.
I personally don’t like mildots. I think they are too big. I would go with mil hashes if possible and I think starting with the 2.5-10 will be a good start
I have the Horus 59 and love it on a BEAST. As for the argument with the power of scope it’s like I have said before I have never complained that my car had too much power, if it’s a fast car just don’t punch it. In other words, get the more magnification and keep it on ten power all day long and when you figure out that having 20 plus power is that much better in some situations you won’t have to buy another scope!
Yeah totally want more power, I get it that it’s better to have more magnification and not need it. I have 4 rifles and so far 1 magnified optic, which is a 1-4x. So I’ll start with the 2.5-10x and go from there
Scott don’t be afraid… it’s like driving my buddy’s sports car. It’s gnarly at first but then you get used to it and you will want all that power…[emoji12]
Another great option with a STELLAR reticle is the Bushnell Elite Tactical 3.5-21 with the G2DMR, you can usually pick one up for ~$1100. Clean reticle, decent glass for the money.
Mil-Line with Mil turret for pure precision stuff is really quite impressive - if being able to do quick and dirty holdovers isn’t part of that rifle’s job description, I would take NF’s MLR reticle over the MilDot every single time.
If the long range optic package is more for target use, I’d actually very seriously look at the Bushnell, Vortex, and similar offerings. The biggest thing the mid-range scopes give up is weight, with the second being light transmission in mediocre light environments - and for a 1k precision rig that’s not much of a loss (but you can sometimes find a preferable optic as far as reticles/features/turrets for a few hundred rounds worth of M118LR clone less money
There are better options out there other than a traditional mil dot. Most competitive shooters that I know that are shooting dynamic matches (including myself) prefer a reticle that is broken down into .2 mil. It makes life easier imho especially for work with movers. I think that is what your buddy is getting at.
As others have already said, a FFP rifle scope for dynamic shooting would be better suited because the reticle maintains a 1:1 ratio on whatever power you are on. Its one less thing to worry about when you’re on the clock.
Thanks for all the replies. Anybody have input if the 2.5-10x42 with the side focus and digiilum is worth the extra $200 over the NF 2.5-10x32?
I’m definitely switching to the Mil-R reticle.
You don’t need a lot of magnification to shoot out to 1K. 10-12 with decent glass will let you center up on steel plates fine.
With great glass at 12X you can shoot clay pidgeons at 1K though very hard to do consistently, especially with a 308.
The Steiner 3-15 Tactical is another great option you might want to look at.
Love my X42. The digillum comes in handy and the parallax adjustment is an added benefit. I’m running a straight Milldot reticle on mine, and there is a noticeable difference in lower-light compared to the X32
All else being equal, yes.
Lowering quality of glass and coatings wo go to a larger diameter objective will usually decrease transitional light performance.
50mm lenses are not needed. 44 with good class and coatings will do the job.
Even 24mm lenses do pretty well if they’re from upper-end companies.
yes but you add all those, the coatings, glass quality, etc and put that on a 56mm then you have a major advantage. so yes you get the results as I posted earlier. bigger is better if all things being equal