another newbie with newbie Qs

[curmudgeon]

Hi everyone,

I recently inherited a CIL 310 (with an Anschütz 64 action), which I understand is similar to the Savage 164 and Anschütz 1416. After reading about the various shooting opportunities nearby, I took a short road trip to watch a smallbore silhouette match at the Nanaimo & District Fish & Game Protective Association. Everyone was very friendly and encouraging. I hope I'll be ready to join them for their next match on December 1'st and also shoot at Victoria Fish & Game Protective Association match on the 15'th

I don't have a scope yet, and due to American government export controls on scopes, I don't have the same access to the online and used sources many of the contributors here enjoy. After reading many of "what scope should I buy" posts here and on other sites, I've found 3 options within my (stretched) start-up budget:

• new Weaver Grand Slam 6-20x40 AO with varminter reticle - this is a discontinued model and estimated cost is $514.44 CAD including taxes and shipping
• new Bushnell Elite Tactical 5-15X40 with Mil-Dot reticle and front parallax adjustment for $483.29 CAD including taxes and shipping
• used Leupold VX2 4-12x40 AO with fine duplex reticle for $490 CAD shipped

I'm leaning towards the Weaver, thinking that I can start using it at lower magnification levels and work my up as my handling skills improve.

Which do you recommend, and why (I have so much to learn)?

When I was pestering the shooters about ring heights - it seemed like it was personal preference. I don't have a preference yet; do either shorter or taller scope heights promote "better" shooting technique?

Also, appreciate any recommendations for online sources of new or used scopes in Canada, or willing to ship legally to Canada.

Thanks in advance,
-Steve

[boats]

On your scope. 12 is a good starting power most move up to 20x better to buy one that will allow the increase

Ring height is often talked about but often gets out of context. Here is my take

You need a good position, Feet first then elbow on your hip up to a good forearm hold, fist, thumb and forefingers,whatever your body type allows. Then the rifle needs to be in the shoulder pocket repeatable. Nice firm trigger hand hold. Last part and probably the most important is Cheek position. Your cheek needs to support the rifle well. my guess it’s 40% of position. It's also good to have your head erect not bent over, however head erect cheek too high not supported by the rifles comb is a negative. Higher comb could solve the problem but it’s limited by the rule book.

Point is offhand position is built piece by piece, better to have a good hold than high rings that frustrate a nice solid cheek weld.

Boats

[OldRanger]

I was always told you need to keep your head erect. If its tilted your inner ear is off and it causes problems. So get the rings the height that allows you to keep your head upright.

[DennisC]

Hi everyone,

I recently inherited a CIL 310 (with an Anschütz 64 action), which I understand is similar to the Savage 164 and Anschütz 1416. After reading about the various shooting opportunities nearby, I took a short road trip to watch a smallbore silhouette match at the Nanaimo & District Fish & Game Protective Association. Everyone was very friendly and encouraging. I hope I'll be ready to join them for their next match on December 1'st and also shoot at Victoria Fish & Game Protective Association match on the 15'th

I don't have a scope yet, and due to American government export controls on scopes, I don't have the same access to the online and used sources many of the contributors here enjoy. After reading many of "what scope should I buy" posts here and on other sites, I've found 3 options within my (stretched) start-up budget:

• new Weaver Grand Slam 6-20x40 AO with varminter reticle - this is a discontinued model and estimated cost is $514.44 CAD including taxes and shipping
• new Bushnell Elite Tactical 5-15X40 with Mil-Dot reticle and front parallax adjustment for $483.29 CAD including taxes and shipping
• used Leupold VX2 4-12x40 AO with fine duplex reticle for $490 CAD shipped

I'm leaning towards the Weaver, thinking that I can start using it at lower magnification levels and work my up as my handling skills improve.

Which do you recommend, and why (I have so much to learn)?

When I was pestering the shooters about ring heights - it seemed like it was personal preference. I don't have a preference yet; do either shorter or taller scope heights promote "better" shooting technique?

Also, appreciate any recommendations for online sources of new or used scopes in Canada, or willing to ship legally to Canada.

Thanks in advance,
-Steve

Per ring height question: simple check....shoulder the rifle, get in what develops to be your comfortable(and repeatable) position a few times with eyes closed....when rifle 'feels' right in position open eyes (both)...when it's right for me I can shift from downrange one eye to magnified through scope without moving my position....good to check from time to time. If you find you have to raise your head, or scrunch down tighter on cheek, or move forward or back on comb to get sight picture adjust scope accordingly. One of the keys is Consistency and repeatability in the offhand position.

[boats]

Erect head with high mounted scope, but look at the cheek piece, never make Silhouette rules. Even with the high comb and scope mount this long necked shooter has to bend some to get a good cheek weld. It's had several sets of scope blocks looking for right, this set up has proven to be the best.



Main thing is mount the gun consistent and steady. High rings are good but not everybody can run high rings and get a good position within the rules. I see a fair number of shooters with high rings and unsupported cheeks. As a compromise better to run the butt plate higher in your shoulder support the cheek well and keep the head upright. Look at some of the better Service Rifle shooters AR butt plates hardly touching the shoulder at all. Nice and erect head though.

It has to work for you and what’s right for one is not right for everybody

Boats

[jask]

Didn't think palm rests were legal.

[boats]

"never make Silhouette rules"

It's not a Silhouette rifle. Example of erect head.

Boats

[Innocent]

Very nice example of erect head Boats, not to mention nice rifle!!

Innocent

[curmudgeon]

thanks all for the advice

Weaver Grand Slam 6-20x40 AO with varminter reticle and BKL rings ordered - the wait is like Christmas when I was a kid