Scope advice needed

[irondude]

This is great thread. It seems lots of people are building SPR type rifles. I think your intended 500-600 yard distances is key. A MIL/MIL reticle will be great; you can easily learn your holds for ranges varying from your zero distance. For me I would get the Vortex PST 2.5-10x32 with MIL reticle.

If you want to push the range out past 600 yards, perhaps a 4-16 magnification range would be better. But for me, the up close flexibility of the 2.5-10 is about perfect. It is still easy enough to hit steel at 500 yards with 10X magnification.

I never thought too much about illumination until I was at a match that ran late and several stages were low light, to very low light. I was very grateful for illumination.
I did look at the Burris and I did not like the MIL DOT reticle as much as the Vortex MIL hash reticle. I think so much of this is subjective. Both are good options; I don’t think you will be disappointed either way.

As far as mounts go, I have all my optics in LaRue mounts. I know they are expensive, but the interface between you, the scope and the rifle is very important. I don’t necessarily buy into quick attach/detach. You can save a few buck on the VFZ option if you are looking at LaRue.

[SteveL]

This is great thread. It seems lots of people are building SPR type rifles. I think your intended 500-600 yard distances is key. A MIL/MIL reticle will be great; you can easily learn your holds for ranges varying from your zero distance. For me I would get the Vortex PST 2.5-10x32 with MIL reticle.

If you want to push the range out past 600 yards, perhaps a 4-16 magnification range would be better. But for me, the up close flexibility of the 2.5-10 is about perfect. It is still easy enough to hit steel at 500 yards with 10X magnification.

I never thought too much about illumination until I was at a match that ran late and several stages were low light, to very low light. I was very grateful for illumination.
I did look at the Burris and I did not like the MIL DOT reticle as much as the Vortex MIL hash reticle. I think so much of this is subjective. Both are good options; I don’t think you will be disappointed either way.

As far as mounts go, I have all my optics in LaRue mounts. I know they are expensive, but the interface between you, the scope and the rifle is very important. I don’t necessarily buy into quick attach/detach. You can save a few buck on the VFZ option if you are looking at LaRue.

Thanks for your comments.

With regard to shooting in low light, did you find the Vortex more difficult to use due to it's smaller objective size? On paper, the only thing I don't like about it is that it's objective lens is only 32 mm. If it was in the 40-44mm range I wouldn't have even started this thread.

[irondude]

Thanks for your comments.

With regard to shooting in low light, did you find the Vortex more difficult to use due to it's smaller objective size? On paper, the only thing I don't like about it is that it's objective lens is only 32 mm. If it was in the 40-44mm range I wouldn't have even started this thread.

Hi Stave, I do not think the smaller objective is an issue. In that particular instance, the target was barely visible to the naked eye. Even without the illuminated reticle, the target was much easier to see even with a 32mm objective. I really don't think this is a big issue. I have another 16" rifle with a 4x32 ACOG on it and it is one of the best low light scopes I own. I know this is not an apples to apples comparison. It is more illustrative to me just how good modern scopes are. We are truly in a renaissance of sorts when it comes to optics. It is pretty cool that we have so many great options. 5 years ago a FFP 2.8-10 scope with parallax adjustment, MIL/MIL turrets and reticle would have cost $3K.

Another positive thing for me is the Vortex warrantee. They are the Norstrom of customer service in the gun industry.

[SteveL]

Thanks irondude.

I have two other Vortex optics currently. One expensive and one cheap. Their warranty is the reason I decided to try the cheap one.