What strength rifle scope

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SW Gun Guy

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I bought a Savage .308 a while back just because I wanted one in that caliber. It is a target rifle with bull barrel - very heavy. It came with a 24x target scope that I rarely can see clearly through. The front lens has to be adjusted to distance. So, I want a different scope. My shooting will be pure target shooting at 100 to at very max 150 yards. Since all scopes are now mostly variable, what would I need? A 3-9 or 4-12 or??? Does the measure of the front lens only help with increased light intake? We have plenty of light here in AZ. I can handle brand selection, but what power?? Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!
 
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Get a 6x Leupold if they're still being made. Plain duplex crosswire, nothing exotic or troublesome, no batteries needed. Works very well at distances much farther than you intend to shoot. A desirable scope that will retain value well and be easy to sell or trade should you decide to do so. Few like simple today, but simple still works best for most needs.
 
It depends a lot of what works for you and what you are comfortable using. You can shoot 100 yards with open sights, target sights or a scope of any power.

I shoot 100 yard and 200 yard benchrest with scopes including 36 and 45 power fixed and variable scopes from 6x24 to 14x60.

If you are only shooting 100-150 yards, you can set the parallax on any of the better target scopes pretty much once as well as your focus.

The other issue is your budget.

Bob
 
Because so many are sold, a 3-9X variable is usually the best buy. That said, most 3-9X variables spend their lives frozen on one power setting. We've gotten obsessed with power as all shooting is for bench rest scoring or extreme long range hunting. I have a few fixed power scopes, mostly 4X and continue to be impressed with how compact, light and rugged they are. Sadly, fixed power scopes just don't sell well.
 
6x 42mm and 4x 28mm scopes work great almost anywhere. I have a 4-12x 42mm on a Swiss K31 and at 12x it really shows whether you are steady or not. I couldn't look at a cup of coffee and hope to shoot a 24x or 36x.
 
The biggest power scope I have is a Leopold 1.75 x 6
I have a 1.5x5 and a 1.5 x 4. I use the higher range for sighting in and then turn them down to the lowest for hunting. Down here a 75 yard shot is LONG. My drudgers would be 2x fixed if they still made them
 
It depends on the size of your aim point. If that is a 6" black dot, just about every scope ever made will work! The smaller the aim point the higher the power. A common is the 5Meter BB gun target used a 200 yards. The bullseye is 20mm (about 5/8"), at that distance I need 14x or more some people get by with around 12x

For a better challenge I like M&M's at 200 yards but that takes more power

The quality of the glass makes a big difference too!

Ivan
 
I shoot at 100 and 200 with a 5.56x45 bench rest rifle. I use a 4-12x but I think it's set on 8x all the time. I don't really want or need anymore magnification then that. So with that, I would say 3-9x will get the job done nicely.

I agree that most don't need a variable scope but 3-9x seems to be the best sellers so you're going to get a lot for your money there.

Back when scopes became popular in the 60's 6x was considered nice for hunting in open country out west. Some people even thought 4x was adequate. 4X was the hands down most popular. I think glass quality is actually more important than magnification but that's just my opinion.

I use a 4x on my 5.56 carbine out to 200 and don't feel handicapped. It's a $350 scope tho so it's exceptionally clear which makes all the difference in the world.

Years ago I was told by someone who was a military sniper that all they used was a fixed 10x scope and made shots out to 700. I would bet that the glass quality far exceeded what was on the commercial market at the time. Cartridge was 7.62x51.
 
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The usual rule of thumb out here is 1.5 power
times the multiples of 100 yards.

So for 300 yards you need 4.5 power. But the
kicker is to have the largest objective lens
you can get so you can grab light at both
ends of the day. That's for hunting.

Since you are punching paper I would follow
ggibson511960's advice and get a 3X9 for cost
reasons. I would still get the biggest objective
I could.
 
SW Gun Guy said:
I bought a Savage .308 a while back just because I wanted one in that caliber. It is a target rifle with bull barrel - very heavy. It came with a 24x target scope that I rarely can see clearly through. The front lens has to be adjusted to distance. So, I want a different scope. My shooting will be pure target shooting at 100 to at very max 150 yards. Since all scopes are now mostly variable, what would I need? A 3-9 or 4-12 or??? Does the measure of the front lens only help with increased light intake? We have plenty of light here in AZ. I can handle brand selection, but what power?? Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!
Click to expand...
The front lens has to be adjusted for distance on most any scope, it's called a parallax adjustment. If you're only going to shoot at 100-150 yards, you can probably get it set somewhere between and just leave it there. However, 24X is a lot of magnification for that distance. "Power" magnifies not only the image, but your movement as well. If you can practice to the point of punching a half-dollar sized hole with that scope, it will make you a better (steadier) shooter. As recommended above, a 3-9X variable would be plenty, or a 6X fixed. The last number, usually something like 40, 45, 50, is the objective (front) lens diameter, and along with the scope's tube diameter, is responsible for image brightness. The brighter the image, the clearer the target will look. A 1" or 30mm tube and a 50mm objective will be a bright scope.

Any reason you only want to shoot to 150 yards? Is it the range limit? .308 can go out a lot further if you get the opportunity.
 
CAJUNLAWYER said:
The biggest power scope I have is a Leopold 1.75 x 6
I have a 1.5x5 and a 1.5 x 4. I use the higher range for sighting in and then turn them down to the lowest for hunting. Down here a 75 yard shot is LONG. My drudgers would be 2x fixed if they still made them
Click to expand...

Là-bas, dans cajun land, les créatures se faufilent sur vous. :D
 
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Having shot rifles at targets (.22RF @ 100 yards) open sights (peep sights), DCM 200 yard with Garand's (open sights), and Prairie Dogs from 50 yds to 500yds with scope's, I recommend a variable and go a little higher than you think you may need. As you age, (unfortunately we all do), you may want to crank up the power a little more. For a walking around I have a nice light Sako .222 and put a 4-12 Redfield on it. It is normally set at about 6X, but when the occasion calls for a small target at 100+ yards I might crank it up a X or 2.
 
For your stated application, I would recommend a Leupold fixed 12x or a 6 x 18 x 40 target scope.

I use a 12x fixed powder on a .243 heavy barrel varmint rifle and have one on a Kimber M82, .22 LR that I use to practice slow fire prone at 100 yards. Both of these scopes have the standard duplex reticle and have never had any issues.

One thing to consider is a variable scope with side focus. I have three scopes that are equipped with the side focus option and this is a great option when shooting across the course, especially at 600 yards. It is difficult to adjust the eyepiece focus scopes once you are in position.

As far as the manufacturer, we all have our favorites. The majority of my scopes have "gold ring" on the bell and are made in Oregon. I have a Nikon 6 x 18 x 40, with side focus, target dot reticle on another heavy barrel rifle and it works great. A Vortex Diamondback 4.5 x 16 x 42 with side focus in on one of my modern hunting platforms and I would highly recommend this optic.

MidwayUSA is currently having a sale but, don't be afraid to buy a preowned scope, especially one with a transferable lifetime guarantee.

Good luck and good shooting!
 
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For .308 target work, I agree with the 3-9x consensus.
I say get the larger (50mm if avail) objective model. It will cost a little more, but will be much brighter on overcast days. Me thinks you will reach out further than 150yrds at some point and .308 is quite capable. You can then dial the power up on a cloudy day with the 50mm objective.

Who knows, maybe you will hunt some open county with it someday?
Never hurts to have more than you need...unless you have to carry it a long way. ;)
 
Just a thought: Have you considered using what you have and spending a little time to figure out how that adjustable objective lens can be very useful, especially when shooting at known ranges consistently?

The larger objective lenses do collect more light, so the image tends to be much brighter.
 
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