Need advice on scope from Snipers/Long Range Shooters

[Jack A Sol]

I'm looking for a good scope for a 300WM/1500 yard class rifle. it's going to be a bolt gun that is capable of 1/2MOA accuracy.

The issue I'm running into is that I'm not sure what magnification or reticle I should get. I am also worried about one of the scopes that only has 3 1/3" eye relief. I think that would be workable but at the lower end to be sure.

here are my questions for those with actual expereince with this type of optic

1- is the 3.3" eye relief OK?
2- how many MOA of adjustment do I REALLY need?
3- How much magnification is enough and how much is too much or unusable?
4- whats the benefit of first focal plane again?
5- which give more benefit a mil based scope with mil adjustments or a MOA based scope with MOA adjustments.


just as a heads up, so you know where I'm pointed, I've kinda narrowed down the choices to 2 scopes:
-the IOR 3-18 x 42 (in either MOA or Mils)
- the Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x50 in MOA reticle and adjustments


I kinda like the MOA system as it's really easy to figure and estimate. IIRC I wanted the first focal plane which allows range estimation at any magnification (IIRC).

my biggest question was about the magnification. I didnt want to lose too much on the low end if the high end wasn't gonna get used or was unnecessary. Ideally I'd get a 2-22 x 45 scope. a little advice or well reasoned opinion is requested in this area please.

thanks
Jack

[Bret Heidkamp]

Hi Jack,

The biggest deal with eye relief (of which, 3" should be fine - I'd have to check some numbers of the scopes I own) is that people adjust the eye relief sitting at the bench.  Then going prone, they get smacked.  You are much closer prone, and need to set the scope in the rings in the prone position, and at maximum magnification.

MOA adjustment - you'll have to do the math: figure your drop for the cartridge combo, the distance you are going to shoot (maximum) and what amount of adjustment will get you to zero.

Magnification - up to 25x is usable, depending on the scope quality.  I personally don't use more, although I do have a 36x bench scope, the field of view is terrible.  The FOV on my Schmidt at 25x is awesome.

First focal plane - the reticle zooms with the target / animal.  This means, 1mil is the same regardless of your scope's power setting at the time.  2nd plane reticles stay the same size, and therefore change their relationship: 1mil will only be 1mil at certain power settings (usually full power, or 12x on some of the Leupy stuff)

Mils vs. MOA - you've got it down.  Keep the system the same.  If you have mils, get mil adjustments (centimeters) if you have MOA in your reticle, stick with MOA adjustments.  Otherwise, you will do lots of math going back and forth.  (1mil = how many MOA at 665 yards??)

Regarding the low end - if you really need 2x, stay with a lower upper end or you'll get the tube effect.  If I turn my Schmidt 5-25 down to 5 power, or my IOR, I get a tube view - it's 5x, but the view is partly of the tube interior.  My cheap Leupy 2-7x won't do that because it's only turning down from a 7x, not 20+ magnification.  The geardown "ratio" is something not easy to do, and the Leupy is 7/2= 3.5 and the IOR and Schmidt are 25/5 = 5 time geardown!

Hope this helps - others chime in!