Posted: 2/5/2017 10:38:21 AM EDT
I'm looking at a few different scopes guys. I'm not really sure on what brand or scope choice. The rifle is a 12 lrp in 6.5 creedmoor so its just a bench rest rifle. I have looked at the Vortex Razor HD Gen II Rifle scope in 4.5x27 in mrad and a Nightforce NXS 8x32. I have zero experience with either scope or company. I kinda jumped off hard this is my first long range set up and have access to ranges up to 1000 yards so that is my goal. I know the vortex is heavy, but being a bench rest rifle I don't think it will matter much. I also have looked at other vortex scopes at a lower price point also like the vortex viper pst gen 2 (I will wait a while). Any advice would help guys I'm a rookie at the long range thing. Thanks for the advice 
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It depends on what you want to do. The razor has nice glass and nice features, but its a tactical scope. Not to say you can't use it on a bench, but the reticle is a little thicker at max power.
The night force is an SFP so it has a more fine reticle, and the sub tensions are only accurate at one power setting, which really doesn't matter much if you are doing all fixed and known distance type stuff, in the case of the 8-32 it is accurate at 22x which I find kind of annoying. |
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The old rule of thumb (tactical) is that you need 1X for every 100 yards of range. Under this rule a 6.5 Creedmoor has a 1500-1600 range, so an 18X scope should fit the bill (and save you $400).
Benchrest, is different, and people tend to use 2X the above rule for benchrest-only guns. The difference is weight, weight the tactical guy has to lug over hill and dale. The difference is also the size of the objective and how much light it reflects back to the <ahem> target (and how easy it is to suppress these reflections. Another distinction is benchrest optics have finer turret adjustments (1/8 MoA). So, if you have tactical intentions, you are looking at too much scope, and if your real intentions are benchrest you are looking at too little scope. |
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The old rule of thumb (tactical) is that you need 1X for every 100 yards of range. Under this rule a 6.5 Creedmoor has a 1500-1600 range, so an 18X scope should fit the bill (and save you $400). Benchrest, is different, and people tend to use 2X the above rule for benchrest-only guns. The difference is weight, weight the tactical guy has to lug over hill and dale. The difference is also the size of the objective and how much light it reflects back to the <ahem> target (and how easy it is to suppress these reflections. Another distinction is benchrest optics have finer turret adjustments (1/8 MoA). So, if you have tactical intentions, you are looking at too much scope, and if your real intentions are benchrest you are looking at too little scope. So if I'm shooting a 6.5x47 my 24-27X top end scopes are too much? |
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So if I'm shooting a 6.5x47 my 24-27X top end scopes are too much? Quoted:
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The old rule of thumb (tactical) is that you need 1X for every 100 yards of range. Under this rule a 6.5 Creedmoor has a 1500-1600 range, so an 18X scope should fit the bill (and save you $400). Benchrest, is different, and people tend to use 2X the above rule for benchrest-only guns. The difference is weight, weight the tactical guy has to lug over hill and dale. The difference is also the size of the objective and how much light it reflects back to the <ahem> target (and how easy it is to suppress these reflections. Another distinction is benchrest optics have finer turret adjustments (1/8 MoA). So, if you have tactical intentions, you are looking at too much scope, and if your real intentions are benchrest you are looking at too little scope. So if I'm shooting a 6.5x47 my 24-27X top end scopes are too much? Yeah I don't buy that 1x per 100 yards. Maybe dumping rounds into man sized targets but if you are wanting a precision rifle I would go with 1.5-2x per 100 if you needed a formula. The way I look at it is I can always dial down my 27x Vortex but you can't dial up your 16x max scope. That is not to say you can't do it with 1x per 100 yards but I would like to have more if needed and dependent on target size. Now I am thinking the OP isn't saying he is shooting sanctioned benchrest comps but just shooting off the bench. OP can you clarify? As to the scopes, they are different in FFP vs SFP, amount of internal elevation(Vortex 113 MOA and NF 65 MOA) and reticles. The Razor has a fine reticle which will only cover about 1.2" at 1000 yards so it's plenty fine enough for shooting small targets and with the 2C reticle there is a small open center anyways. |
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Yeah I don't buy that 1x per 100 yards. Maybe dumping rounds into man sized targets but if you are wanting a precision rifle I would go with 1.5-2x per 100 if you needed a formula. The way I look at it is I can always dial down my 27x Vortex but you can't dial up your 16x max scope. That is not to say you can't do it with 1x per 100 yards but I would like to have more if needed and dependent on target size. Now I am thinking the OP isn't saying he is shooting sanctioned benchrest comps but just shooting off the bench. OP can you clarify? As to the scopes, they are different in FFP vs SFP, amount of internal elevation(Vortex 113 MOA and NF 65 MOA) and reticles. The Razor has a fine reticle which will only cover about 1.2" at 1000 yards so it's plenty fine enough for shooting small targets and with the 2C reticle there is a small open center anyways. My two favorite reticles are the SKMR3 and EBR2c and both have centers that allow for fine aiming. |
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The easiest way I'd decide this would be possible uses:
Benchrest comps: neither Bench shooting for fun: either Bench shooting, recreational fun, hunting, anything other than benchrest comps: Razor 4.5-27 If you're really going for benchrest competition shooting, I'd look at the Vortex Golden Eagle or NF competition scopes. High magnification and fine turret adjustments. Since you're likely just talking about bench shooting for fun while learning about long range shooting, I'd recommend the 4.5-27 razor. The glass will be better on the Razor and it is far more versatile than the 8-32. Plus, if you decide that this isn't your thing, there are far more people looking for a Razor than the high magnification NXS. If you do get the NXS, definitely get a 20moa base. You may need it with the 65moa internal elevation adjustment, even with a flat shooting 6.5. |
Ok, Here we go I am just long range shooting for fun and competition among friends to start. I also want this set up to learn and then later I might jump in to the long range match. This will be a bench rest only. My main goal is to learn on this rifle and scope. Then move on to something else. I also was going to buy a 20 moa base. Im just a little torn between scopes the vortex scope does sound good and people seem to love the service they get. Keep I rolling great idea and other ways of looking at this. Thanks
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Ok, Here we go I am just long range shooting for fun and competition among friends to start. I also want this set up to learn and then later I might jump in to the long range match. This will be a bench rest only. My main goal is to learn on this rifle and scope. Then move on to something else. I also was going to buy a 20 moa base. Im just a little torn between scopes the vortex scope does sound good and people seem to love the service they get. Keep I rolling great idea and other ways of looking at this. Thanks |
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Ok, Here we go I am just long range shooting for fun and competition among friends to start. I also want this set up to learn and then later I might jump in to the long range match. This will be a bench rest only. My main goal is to learn on this rifle and scope. Then move on to something else. I also was going to buy a 20 moa base. Im just a little torn between scopes the vortex scope does sound good and people seem to love the service they get. Keep I rolling great idea and other ways of looking at this. Thanks The Razor II is not a "move on" scope. It is a top tier scope. As good as any out there so if you get it you won't need to move on unless you just want to try something different. |
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Depends on how you are using the rifle; for benchrest like shooting, you are a we bit underscoped, for tactical you are a bit overscoped. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. I'd guess that over 90% of serious tactical shooters are running a scope with 24 or higher max magnification. Of those that are running less, I'm sure they aren't opposed to having more magnification. You can dial down a 27x power scope, but it's hard to dial up a 4-16 to 25x if you need help spotting impacts or misses at long range. It's always better to be overscopped than underscoped imo. |
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Depends on how you are using the rifle; for benchrest like shooting, you are a we bit underscoped, for tactical you are a bit overscoped. I dont shoot sanctioned benchrest, but I'm very competitive with those scopes on my belly. |
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Of the two you listed Id take (and I use) the RZR.
It is a tactical scope but IMO the reticle is fine enough at max magnification to use at the distances you are talking. I would NOT recommend the PST line for the ranges you are talking. I also have one of those, and it is a fine scope, but the 34mm body makes all the difference in light level. |
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I would NOT recommend the PST line for the ranges you are talking. I also have one of those, and it is a fine scope, but the 34mm body makes all the difference in light level. He is talking about the new Gen II PST. It's going to be an upgrade from the present PSTs in turrets and glass. It would work fine for his use but the Razor II would definitely be a better option. |
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Look at the Bushnell Elite Tactical line
The new DMR 2 3.5-21x is going to be hard to beat at $1600 msrp and I love my XRS 4.5-30x for PRS style matches No it's not over scoped sometimes we're shooting 1/4 MOA targets at 400+ yards so you need that extra power plus you can turn it up to read the mirage down range |
| Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 FFP. You can still find some Gen 1s out there unless you want to wait for the Gen 2. For recreational bench rest shooting this is a great scope and I know lots of people (myself included) on various forums who run these on their 6.5 Creedmoors. |
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I've got the 6-24 PST ffp and 4.5-27 Gen II, both ebr2c and I absolutely love them. I use the full magnification and I'd probably use more if I had it.
I like the gen1 PST for being 8oz lighter for my 308; the razor gen ii lives on a 338 lapua so it's weight is welcome. |
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He is talking about the new Gen II PST. It's going to be an upgrade from the present PSTs in turrets and glass. It would work fine for his use but the Razor II would definitely be a better option. |