Long range scope options.

[D Johnson]

Hi 

looking at the options out there in relation to purchasing a new scope. Hopefully to be utilised at 1000m plus. I've been away from the target /tactical comp type shooting for a good few years whilst concentrating on vermin and pest control shooting. Used to shoot PR with an armalon remy vs308 with what I though at the time was the dogs nuts Schmidt 10x42. I know things have moved on dramatically so I'm after some input on what's out there. I like what S&B have on offer  but the choice is pretty bewildering. I have a couple of meoptas  on rifles and they have proven to be great scope. Anyone used IOR ????. Rifle will be either in 300 Winmag or 338 lapua. Budget for the scope would be around £2500. Done a fair bit of reading up on this but I guess there's no substitute for hands on experience. FFP/SFP I'm open to input on that subject too. 

Cheers 

Edited February 5, 2019 by D Johnson
Spelling error

[terryh]

DJ

look at what you want from the scope, features etc. Then get behind your chosen few, if at all possible side by side. Try to ignore things like the ‘what the pros use’ articles - can be a bit distorted when it come to scopes (pun intended)

it is a big outlay and one you want to get right. From experience when you get to a certain level of scope it is more what your eyes ‘like’. Have helped customers out with side by side comparisons and bottom line there is no real winners.

S&B are nice scopes, as are Kahles, some Nightforce, March, TT and IOR.

You are a bit spoilt for choice, good luck!

Terry

[Elwood]

Kahles or March.

[No i deer]

Vortex golden eagle 15-60x52 if you want plenty of magnification.

The gun pimp (Vince Bottomley) Did a review on it on target shooter and well worth a read. I purchased a second hand one recently and it seems very good glass,I've only used it once so far and I like it.

[D Johnson]

5 hours ago, terryh said:

DJ

look at what you want from the scope, features etc. Then get behind your chosen few, if at all possible side by side. Try to ignore things like the ‘what the pros use’ articles - can be a bit distorted when it come to scopes (pun intended)

it is a big outlay and one you want to get right. From experience when you get to a certain level of scope it is more what your eyes ‘like’. Have helped customers out with side by side comparisons and bottom line there is no real winners.

S&B are nice scopes, as are Kahles, some Nightforce, March, TT and IOR.

You are a bit spoilt for choice, good luck!

Terry

Cheers Terry 

yeah the choice is certainly a lot more than a few years ago. I intend to get a few days in at the range and take a look at what's out there and being used before I splash out on something. 

[ds1]

A good option would be to go to the British Shooting show (15-17 feb) and have a look at many choices under one roof. The big marquees S&B, March, Swarovski etc will be there plus major retailers- Optics warehouse and Sportsman’s.

if you are shooting a specialised disciple then the optic will be quite specific eg f class - light optic, high mag, 2fp, fine dot reticule. Top of the food chain for this are the likes of Nightforce Competion and March 10-60 x56 high master scopes.

For LR or ELR the IOR crusader with 100 moa of elevation and March Genesis with 400 moa of elevation are worth a good look.

For something more versatile FFP I would be looking at the new March 5-42x56 PRS scope and the S&B 5-45x56 with the new LRR reticle. (Hint we have ordered two of those for our AI rifles).

 

[geek]

I have a Schmidt & Bender PM II 12-50×56 PM II SFP P4F 1/8 MOA (bought from Optics Warehouse) on my AI AT and at the range recently someone who was using a March scope upon looking though my scope at the target 600 yards away thought the S&B was far superior to the March (I was surprised). Others at the club have similar scopes to mine, however, there is a mix of SFP and FFP.

If you shoot at Diggle you are welcome to look through the scope to see if it suits you. 

 

[sam39]

3 hours ago, ds1 said:

A good option would be to go to the British Shooting show (15-17 feb) and have a look at many choices under one roof. The big marquees S&B, March, Swarovski etc will be there plus major retailers- Optics warehouse and Sportsman’s.

if you are shooting a specialised disciple then the optic will be quite specific eg f class - light optic, high mag, 2fp, fine dot reticule. Top of the food chain for this are the likes of Nightforce Competion and March 10-60 x56 high master scopes.

For LR or ELR the IOR crusader with 100 moa of elevation and March Genesis with 400 moa of elevation are worth a good look.

For something more versatile FFP I would be looking at the new March 5-42x56 PRS scope and the S&B 5-45x56 with the new LRR reticle. (Hint we have ordered two of those for our AI rifles).

 

This is good advice. When spending that sort of money it is good to get your preferred options “in your hand” feel the quality, weight and how it functions and adjusts with advice on hand.If NEC is out of your way North show is Harrogate in May. Not sure if the distributors are all the same. 

[ezmobile]

I would also throw into the mix the "Delta Stryker" 5 - 50 x 56 . I bought one a few months ago from optics warehouse and certainly didn't regret it.

Great glass, tons of elevation, very nice reticle with illuminated center dot (DLS-3 1/8th MOA), 34mm tube & a very good price (sub £1400) Seriously, give it a look.

Edited February 7, 2019 by ezmobile
forgot certain text.

[biged85]

I agree that your best bet is going to a show and trying as many as possible to reduce your number of options. Just make sure you spend the time adjusting the scope to your eyes before passing judgement, especially FFP ones. 

Once you have few preferred choices then see if you can find someone who will let you have a butchers out in the field. 

However, If in doubt just buy a S&B PMII, you can't go too wrong with one of those!

Good luck

[D Johnson]

6 hours ago, biged85 said:

I agree that your best bet is going to a show and trying as many as possible to reduce your number of options. Just make sure you spend the time adjusting the scope to your eyes before passing judgement, especially FFP ones. 

Once you have few preferred choices then see if you can find someone who will let you have a butchers out in the field. 

However, If in doubt just buy a S&B PMII, you can't go too wrong with one of those!

Good luck

Thanks for all the input guys, plenty of looking and reading up to do for sure. I will go down the hands on  what feels good route before I part with any coin. I was in mcleods in Tain  a few months back and they had a good selection of S&B to look st so may head back when time is right. My experience with S&B was limited to a play with an L96 equipped with a 6x42 when they first appeared and the 10x42 on my armalon remy, both tidy scopes but light years from what's about now. To tell the truth most of what's out there is probably capable of performing at a level way above what I can, all the same hopefully the end choice will be the right one. 

[sam39]

I have binos and scopes from Mclouds Tain, great service and peace of mind especially if used kit is an option 

[markymark]

On 2/6/2019 at 5:09 PM, ds1 said:

A good option would be to go to the British Shooting show (15-17 feb) and have a look at many choices under one roof. The big marquees S&B, March, Swarovski etc will be there plus major retailers- Optics warehouse and Sportsman’s.

if you are shooting a specialised disciple then the optic will be quite specific eg f class - light optic, high mag, 2fp, fine dot reticule. Top of the food chain for this are the likes of Nightforce Competion and March 10-60 x56 high master scopes.

For LR or ELR the IOR crusader with 100 moa of elevation and March Genesis with 400 moa of elevation are worth a good look.

For something more versatile FFP I would be looking at the new March 5-42x56 PRS scope and the S&B 5-45x56 with the new LRR reticle. (Hint we have ordered two of those for our AI rifles).

 

 

Whats your thoughts of the new LRR reticle? I assume you liked it and have looked through it if you’ve ordered two?? 

I just read a good article in this months shooting sports magazine reviewing the S&B 5-25 PMii, specifically with the LRR ret. Would you agree with the findings? 

[VarmLR]

S&B PMII 5-25 is what I've been using for LR alongside a Nightforce and Bushnell DMR.  All are good, the S&B is edge to edge sharp and with the fine PL4 ret, is very capable at 1300yds.  I looked at the higher mag ones but factoring in mirage and keeping the sight picture steady just didn't see the need for higher mags although I can well understand why bench-rest shooters might.

[gunner]

I would go to somewhere that stocks as many of the top scopes your thinking about and try them out if possible , uttings , optics warehouse , SGC personnely Wouldn't use them but should have plenty of stock , york guns ? Loads more but can't think of them . If i had the money itd be a top spec ziess . 

[ds1]

On 2/10/2019 at 6:02 PM, markymark said:

 

Whats your thoughts of the new LRR reticle? I assume you liked it and have looked through it if you’ve ordered two?? 

I just read a good article in this months shooting sports magazine reviewing the S&B 5-25 PMii, specifically with the LRR ret. Would you agree with the findings? 

I have only seen the LRR in 5-25 pm2,s so far. I hope ours in 5-45 will be here by the end of March. The day illumination works well for me giving quick target acquisition and without the illumination it is a very fine/ precise reticle. Sorry I have not read the Shooting Sports review.

I also saw a Christmas tree type reticle from Schmidt - not my cup of tea  but the yanks will no doubt love it.

[David will]

I have several IOR scopes and they are very well suited to long range work.