Scope Questions...

[Hoss]

Hi all – I have been lurking around here for a while trying to garner some knowledge on silhouette shooting. I am in Austin, Tx and am really looking forward to trying my hand at Silhouette shooting!
I have purchased a Weatherby Mark XXII and now have become a bit confused on the best way to go on a scope. My plan was get a reasonable rifle and add quality optics and I should be good for quite a while. It seems to me that a variable power scope is the way to go but I do see many people using fixed power such as the Weaver T24.
Could somebody give me some idea as to the advantages and disadvantages of fixed vs variable power scopes. Also which reticle do most people prefer?
My leaning is toward the Leupold 6.5-20x efr but I would like to hear what the ‘pros’ have to say.
If I were to go with the Leupold scope, are there any elevation issues with the Talley High rings, or are there better rings for this setup?
Thanks and I look forward to getting to know everyone here!

[pistolero45]

Personally, I think either route will work fine. The only two things I would recommend is a scope with 1/4 min. adjustments and a 1/2 inch dot reticle. The dot can be installed by Lee Dot.

It sounds like you have a great rifle, so by all means get some good glass to put on top of it. Should you decide down the road to get a different scope, good glass holds its value.

[sobrbiker883]

6.5-20 EFR is a great choice.
Personally I run Weaver T24's but I can tell you I wouldn't have wanted to start with one. High magnification can be a bit much when starting out, shooting the wrong animal on the wrong bank is something that can happen easily when you are learning to put all the "seemingly easy" stuff together at first. Many folks can be a bit put off by how much they are actually moving when you can see it at high mag if you aren't used to it.
If you decide you want to try a higher fixed mag scope, the Leupy FXIII's are a nice scope as well.

[Jetmugg]

If you haven't been shooting silhouette, a fixed 24X might be a bit too high for your tastes. In that case, either a variable power scope, or lower power fixed mag scope (I use a Weaver KT-15) might be a better choice. Maybe. You can't go wrong with the Leupold 6.5-20, but some shooters prefer more magnification, and I don't know of anyone who "boosts" these scopes any more. It will come down to your personal preference.

My personal advice would be to buy a KT-15 (they are relatively cheap), and become proficient before looking for more magnification.

My 2 cents,

steveM.

[BlauBear]

My personal vote is the Leupold. Both Weaver's are great, but the Leupold will stay with you indefinitely. Get the target dot if possible - I believe that's 3/8 MOA. George Rhodes is a good contact for those.

[sobrbiker883]

I use Talley's on my remington 700's and BKL's on my Annies.

BKL's are recently made of unobtainium it seems.......

[chuck d]

I just set up a gun with a Leupold F3 25X Silouette. I have been shooting practice only for 3 weeks, about 5 sessions in, and find the 25x no problem. Got it thru "Chicken George" (George Rhode mentioned) - 2nd scope he has gotten me- and he's done right by me on both. If you don't buy a top of the line, and you like the sport, you will. In XTC shooting I bought inexpnsive, only to sell at a loss and buy better. My kowa spotting scope retails for $675, but I spent over $1200 getting there.
Oh ya, really like the scope!

chuck

[Innocent]

Variable power does have the advantage of being adjustable for varying light conditions, I prefer the Leupolds, as having brighter glass over the Weavers but both are great mechanically. I have a Weaver that I have put on a loaner rifle for younger kids to start with, typically their eyes are stronger than mine. When I was younger the Nikons and Leupy's were almost too bright for my eyes. Look through several scopes and see what your eyes adapt best to.

Innocent Mary

[sobrbiker883]

Weaver's definately do not have any edge in the glass department. One of my T24's is pretty clear, one of them is grey (about the color or salt water in a glass).

I'm probably going to switch to FX's down the line, but my Weaver's will do me fine for quite a while.

Mechanical repeatability and adjustement range are the biggest factors for me for this game. Optical clarity means little if your scope's tracking goes to whack on you. That and there's always the weight consideration.

[Hoss]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I have one more question -- Some of you are using the Weaver 24x and the Leupold 25x. If I go with the Leupold 6.5-20x, down the road will I want want/need higher magnification than the 20x or do most shoot well at 20x and below?

[GTKF]

I don't think "down the road you feel the EFR isn't emough. I have one on one gun and a 24XBR on another. After 4 years of using both, I prefer the EFR. For me the 24X is a bit too much. But only you can determine that. I also prefer the target dot on the EFR vs the 1/2 min on the 24X. Most would probably disagree and go with the 1/2 dot

Before committing, go to match and ask if you can look through different scopes. All the shooters I've met have always been more than willing to discuss their equipment and let you try it.

Ken

[Jason]

Hate to sound like a broken record here, but even though I use a fixed 24x scope (T24) on my smallbore rifle right now there's no way I would have wanted to start with one. The 6.5-20x EFR with the target dot reticle is an excellent choice. The size of the dot is also a matter of personal preference. I currently use a 1/2 minute dot because that's what came in in the scope. If I get to a point that I can spare one of my T24 scopes, it will be getting sent in to have the 1/2 minute dot replaced by a 3/8 dot, though.

[BlauBear]

Get the Leupold 6.5-20 EFR and keep it - you'll always have a need! They're right in there with shirt pockets, sliced bread and pocket knives in versatility, so it's one of the better buys you'll make.

[kevinbear]

The Leupold 6.5x20 is one best choices you could make for your initial scope for several reasons, first it's nice to have a variable you can turn down. The need to turn it down to about 14-16 when your learning hold and trigger control is invaluble, when the wind is howling or there's lots of mirage are two other good reasons to turn down scope power. Also it takes lots of practice to be able to find and shoot the right targets in order when using high magnification scopes because the small field of view in high power scopes prevents you from seeing bay markers. Buy one with a dot already in it and save the expense and hassle of having it done after words. Bruno's or Midway had the best prices last time I checked, both are online. No one has better customer service than Leupold if anything ever go's wrong with it.

[Dee]

Another scope not mentioned that I like is the Bushnell 4200 Elite 6-24x with a 1/4 minute dot. Really nice glass and great repeatability and focuses down to 10 yards. These scopes take a beating on spring airguns and hold up so you know they are tough. Some might find the dot a bit small especially those with 1/2" dots but for the money IMO they are hard to beat. Got my last one for $400 new a few months back.

The nice thing about variable is the ability not only to up the power as you progress but to be able to dial it back a bit when you feel the need. Not often I come back off 24x now days but at times I will drop it to 20x for a bit to help me settle down and then turn it back up to 24x. Once you get over 20x the magnified movement seems much more obvoius to the eye and if your all over the place and stuck with fixed power you just got to deal with it. Won't take you long to get up to it though if you shoot enough.

All the other scopes EFR, Weaver etc are also good choices. I find the Weavers are all over the place on the glass with varied yellowish spectrums to the salt water look mentioned. For that kind $ I expect the glass to be clear and crisp, so what if it repeats when it looks like your looking through toilet water every shot The EFR is very nice glass and what more can you say it is a Leupold but you will pay a few hundred more for one. Any of these will hold their value should you find another scope in the future you would rather have.


Dee