Author Topic: Long Range Varmint Scope? (Read 1007 times)

UtahMike · « **on:** July 12, 2005, 07:06:02 AM »

Several months ago I bought a Savage 12FLV in .308win. I am going to use it as a long range varmint rig. I've got a Remington VSSF in 22-250AI and a Remington 700bdl in 243win. Anyway I thought I would try some shots way out.
I have a Leupold 3.5x10 on the 243, A Bushnell 5x15x50 Elite 3200 on the 22-250AI. The Bushnell is bright and stable, I like the front focus, I think it's a really good scope for the $'s.
So I bought an Elite 4200, Bushnells tops, in 8x32. I didn't pay to much attention to the total number of adjustable inches, till a few days ago. Not to happy now. It's got 10" up and 10" down. As I see it, there "long range" scope will run out of adjustment before the 308 with 168gr. at 2700fps reachs 500yds. A base with 20moa built in isn't an option, I couldn't get it on the paper at 100yrds. Every other scope I've looked at since has an average of 35-50 inches of adjustment. It's my opinion that it isn't much of a long range scope. I guess if you want to look at the bullet hole in the Coyote it's ok. Maybe I am missing something, can someone help! Thanks

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** July 12, 2005, 11:43:47 AM »

Ten inches at 100 equals 50 inches at 500 yards. Is that enough? Should be. I'd mount it in Burris Signature Rings and use whatever offset inserts were needed to allow it to be sighted so most of the up elevation was left to make and you should be fine to as far as you need to shoot.

But in my opinion an 8-32 scope is WAY too danged much magnification for real world use in varmint hunting. Paper punching maybe on a windy or cool day but not after about 9:00 AM around here in summer.

UtahMike · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2005, 03:41:07 PM »

Lets see if my logic holds up as far as adjusting the scope to hit dead on at 500 yrds. My Sierra program shows that a 168gr. BTHP traveling at 2700fps, which is a good velocity for a .308win drops 78.68" at 500yrds. If I'm correct that means I need to site the scope in 12.03" high at 100yrds. to adjust for that distance. Since their is only 10" of adjustment I'm out of luck, I can't add a base that's got a built in 20moa for the same reason.
I guess I could shim the rear ring to raise the scope in the rear, but that's not the way a 8x32 scope should built.
Don't get me wrong, the other Bushnell Elite's I own, I think the world of but other scopes in the same magnification have between 35-50 inches of travel. And yes, I'm finding out the 8x32 is way to much, my other scopes at 3.5x10 and 5x15x50 are just about right.

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2005, 05:50:16 PM »

I've not looked at the specs on the scope so I'm just accepting your numbers. BUT I'm reasonably sure that 10" is in all four directions from optical center. If so use the Burris Signature rings and some offset inserts. Set the adjustment on your scope to where it is in the say minus 8" or so position when sighted in at 100 yards or better yet when 2" or so high at 100 yards. The offset inserts can be used in combinations in both rings to get you just about whatever you want. Then you'll have instead of just 10" of usable elevation at 100 yards more like 18" of useable elevation if 500 yard shooting is that important to you.

I just clicked over to the Bushnell website and they say the scope has 20" of adjustment. So I assume that's 10" up and 10" down from optical zero. Which means you could do as I've suggested to use it for the purpose for which you've bought it.

Or just get your money back. Bushnell has a one year money back warranty. Then you could get another scope with more adjustment range.

UtahMike · « **Reply #4 on:** July 13, 2005, 07:33:25 AM »

Thanks, Graybeard - I didn't mean to upset anyone, It simply upset me that I didn't check to see what the total adjustment was. You know what an assumption is, well that's what I did.

Last night I did some more checking and found some 10moa base's (Farrel) that will do just what you suggested.

I ordered them this morning. I hope this will take care of the problem and let me continue to use this scope.

I will however order a mid-magnification scope, that is a little easier to get on them and stay there. I originally bought the higher mag. scope to add a new dimension of shooting, a little farther, using the cross hairs rather than just using the duplex reticle as a crude range finder. If I'd known it was going to be this much trouble I would have stayed with the mid-range to start with.....

Thanks for the suggestions...... Mike

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** July 13, 2005, 09:54:02 AM »

There is usually a work around to be had for such problems. But that one year Bushnell Elite money back warranty is always there if needed. I'm pretty sure tho that as long as you can sight in at 100 with the scopes adjustments near the bottom of their adjustment range you'll be OK.

Those super high powers tho really are all they are cracked up to be. Folks think they need a lot more than they really need. I find even 20x to 24x to be more than is use able once the sun gets up in the sky and things start heating up. Just too much mirage.

nomosendero · « **Reply #6 on:** July 13, 2005, 05:05:47 PM »

Yes Mr. Graybeard, I too long ago found out that the 6.5x20 & above are
too much of a good thing. On the one hand the higher power helps me
because admittedly my 52 year old eyes aren't quiet as sharp as they were but on the other hand mirage & other factors come in to play that
strip this advantage. The 4.5x14's & the 4x16 Weaver are quiet useful
on some of my longer range varmiters.
Just my view.

UtahMike · « **Reply #7 on:** October 03, 2005, 07:26:02 AM »

Mr. Graybeard, By the way mines white, not even grey anymore. Anyway Bushnell was gracious about returning the 8x32 - Elite 4200, took a little while but they honored their warranty.

I finally made my mind up and ordered the Leupold 6.5x20-50mm LRT with the Varmint Reticle. It fits the bill perfectly, as clear as I've ever seen and after a couple of shots to sight the Savage 12FLV 308win in, the next 3 - 3 shot groups averaged .561". This was just 150 grain Sierra ammo I loaded to break in the barrel. With a little work on loads I think I might have the long range varmint rifle I wanted. I'm not sorry at all about getting the 6.5x20, especially when it comes to the paper, I went bllind in my right eye 7 or 8 months ago and I couldn't ask for a clearer more accurate scope. Even in the 10mph wind I had at the range was very easy to correct for (great reticle). Thanks for your comments, Mike