I'm shopping....

[bellisarius]

for a new scope for LR shooting. I have some basic personal requirements for what I'm looking for but would appreciate any comments.

I want the scope to be no more than 24 power and variable. I shot with a 20 power fixed for years and am more than aware of what a 20(+) power brings with it, both positive and negative. I'm switching to Mil as opposed to MOA. Re. the reticle. I've seen some really fancy reticle's with all sorts of elevation and windage hash marks. No thanks. The simpler the better. Elevation hash marks are desired though.

Now to the meat of it. First v. second focal plane. I see advantages to both but I'm most familiar with first focal plane optics and have used same to great advantage in range estimation. So I'd be interested in hearing from those that are familiar with second focal plane optics.

 

[Bert Notorius]

for a new scope for LR shooting. I have some basic personal requirements for what I'm looking for but would appreciate any comments.

I want the scope to be no more than 24 power and variable. I shot with a 20 power fixed for years and am more than aware of what a 20(+) power brings with it, both positive and negative. I'm switching to Mil as opposed to MOA. Re. the reticle. I've seen some really fancy reticle's with all sorts of elevation and windage hash marks. No thanks. The simpler the better. Elevation hash marks are desired though.

Now to the meat of it. First v. second focal plane. I see advantages to both but I'm most familiar with first focal plane optics and have used same to great advantage in range estimation. So I'd be interested in hearing from those that are familiar with second focal plane optics.

what are you
looking to kill
that is so
far away?

 

[Bottomlover]

I use a Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 FFP with a simple mil dot reticle. It has been a solid scope and holds its zero perfectly. With a 20 MOA base, it gets me out to 1000 yds with 7.62x51. That is fine for me, as that round gets squirrely beyond 800 yds.

The problem with SFP is that the mil dots are only correct for ranging and holdovers at one magnification. You are either dialing your power and then dialing in your dope or you are doing several mental calculations to try to compensate for your current magnification. You can, of course pick a couple of your most useful magnifications and make a dope card for them. I like FFP.

For long range, you need a good quality scope that is properly mounted (my rings are trued and lapped in). A 30mm tube will give you the most adjustment. Unfortunately, cheap doesn't work well for longer ranges and the loads you need to use to get there.

Good luck.