Newbie Scope Questions

[Mike D]

Baby Huey,
That part I don't know yet; for silhouette at least. I'll shoot my first rimfire silouette match the weekend of Aug 20th with a borrowed gun (mine is in the build stage). I've been shooting my AR with a leopold at 18 power for 100 yard targets, but that's off a bench. A few years ago, I was also shooting a 24 power scope for benchrest 50 yard matches. I was thinking that by starting with a variable power scope I could start out at a medium magnification and work up to the high end as I improve on my hold and breathing; at least that's my thinking; we'll see how it works out. What are your suggestions ?
Mike

[ter]

Baby Huey,
That part I don't know yet; for silhouette at least. I'll shoot my first rimfire silouette match the weekend of Aug 20th with a borrowed gun (mine is in the build stage). I've been shooting my AR with a leopold at 18 power for 100 yard targets, but that's off a bench. A few years ago, I was also shooting a 24 power scope for benchrest 50 yard matches. I was thinking that by starting with a variable power scope I could start out at a medium magnification and work up to the high end as I improve on my hold and breathing; at least that's my thinking; we'll see how it works out. What are your suggestions ?
Mike

The 6x24 4200 is a great scope. Great glass and tracking. You may have to go more than one revolution on the turret, and that can be a PIA. Every scope I know of has some issue I don't like.

[Mike D]

Ter,
I agree. There's always something that's not perfect. It's both frustrating and interesting; so many variations to choose from.
Mike

[Innocent]

Mike, stick with you plan of a variable power or keep it under 25 if you go to a fixed. Too much to hold otherwise, until you have some experience. Bushnell has a better track record with this group as far as the mechanics of tracking. Clearidge is not one I have run across(to know it), nor has it really been talked about on this forum. Pretty much the clarity of the glass is good, what usually catches you on the mid range scopes is th tracking. Have you looked at a Sightron? THey also have the lifetime warranty and are pretty good.

Mary

[jbolt]

Mary, exactly what I was thinking. In this game we turn the knobs a lot and having a repeatable scope, and the confidence in that scope is soooo important.

I've owned 2 Sightrons, a SII 6-24x42 and the Big Sky SII 6-24x42 Silhoutte. Both scopes have great glass. here is my take on both.

SII 6-24x42 -
1/8 moa clicks, PITA. 7.5 min per rev so if if rams are 9 minutes from chickens you have to turn 1 fill turn plus 1.5 minutes. Can get confusing during a match.
Great AO range, easy to fine tune
Mid size dot (on the target dot model)
Would make a great scope for a medium to high power air rifle.

Big Sky SII 6-24x42 Silhoutte
1/4 moa clicks
Large target dot
AO adjustment range is coarse, more difficult to fine tune
Has a very high quality feel

Another scope I wouldn't rule out is the Weaver V4-16, decent glass, good AO, good repeatability, 1/4 mao clicks, light weight.

J~

[Mike D]

Mary / J,
Thanks for the advice. I haven't looked at Sightron in too much detail yet; but I'll do some searching and take a look. I'm really looking forward to my first match this month so I can also see what the shooters in my local club are using and see how some of the scopes look and feel.
Mike

[Innocent]

Mike, J brings up a good point that has been covered in other strings. Stick with the 1/4 minute clicks where you can, as 1/8 minute usually ends up being more than one revolution across the course of a match and you can easily loose track of what distance it is set at.
Have fun trying the local match, the game seems to humble us enough so the opportunity to brag about our equipment by sharing our bling is common in the silhouette community.
And yes the Weaver V series are good scopes as well, they tend to have the coin adjustment knobs, but aftermarket Stoney Point knobs are available for a reasonable amount.

Mary

[CZforlife]

Basically what they have told ya, stick to variable untill you figure out what ya like then sometimes even stick to variable lol. A big advantage is definenty 1/4 clicks over 1/8, and lastly look and see if the scope has target turrets or atleast semis. Also once you figure out what ya want don't hesitate to post a WTB(Want to Buy) add in the marketplace! Good deals may await you!

[jbolt]

Mary, the Weaver v4-16 has semi target turrets which can be re-zeroed. No coins required!

J~

[silhouette13]

i have a weaver v16 classice with tk lee dont on one of my guns and i would say it is a great -for the money- scope. turrets are the easiest to reset out there, same as a kt-15.

dave

[Mike D]

Mary / Baby Huey,
Good advice on the 1/4 click vs 1/8 click for adjustments. I could see how someone in the middle of a match could make a mistake in the adjustments when switching ranges. As I'm gathering more and more info, it could make my scope choice much easier. I have been watching the marketplace the last couple of days, plus this past weekend I went up to the big gunshow at Chantilly (by Dulles airport) to check out what was available (literally nothing scope wise). I guess patience and timing are everything; I just wish I could learn the patience part.
Mike

[CZforlife]

My advice is put up a Want to buy ( WTB ) ad for the scope you are looking for! Alot of people wonlt think about selling stuff unless they see someone else wants it. I've purchased alot of stuff through WTB adds. Post an add on here and an ad on Rimfirecentral for a Weaver V16 or whatever scope you are wanting to buy. Just know the lowest price new, that way you dont get taken advantage of.

[CZforlife]

Ask this guy if this scope is a V24, he just has it listed as 6-24x so I don't know...

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/vb ... d&id=38311

[silhouette13]

v-24 is a vairable t-24 is fixed

[Mike D]

Baby Huey,
Thanks for the heads-up on the weaver. After alot of advice from you, Mary, and a couple others I just posted a WTB on the marketplace for either a Leupold 6.5-20x40 VX-3 EFR or a Sightron Big Sky 6-24x42 Silhouette. Now it's just a waiting game to see if one is available at a good price.I do have to agree, a good scope is money well spent.
Mike