Target scopes for load development?

[taylorce1]

Sometimes I think my scopes hurt me a little when I'm developing a load for my rifles. Just wondering how many people out there build a load with a different scope and then switch to the one that they will use on their rifle for whatever. I usually like regular or heavy duplex for my riflesl and tend to keep the power range around 9X or less.

I've been thinking hard about picking up a target scope with either a fine or target dot cross hairs. Sometimes I think my other scopes cover up too much of the target to help me get the best groups I possibly can. This really doesn't affect my hunting rifles but I'm kind of dissapointed in my varmint and small bore rifles that I feel could just do better.

I've been looking at the Weaver T Series or the Leupold fixed power target scopes. Thinking a 12 or 24X power would be the way to go. I do want it to handle recoil as well because I might just get a wild hair and try it out for my larger bore rifles just for fun. Heaviest recoiling rifle I have at the moment is a .375 Ruger.

Thanks!

 

[DrMike]

The scope I will use in the field is also the scope I use to develop a load.

 

[rick smith]

I have done that, Leupold 24x with dot. Works great until the temps start to go up and mirage on the target gets too high. Sold the scope and am back to using the scope I plan to have on the rifle. If I were doing it again, I don't think I would go higher than 12x.Rick.

 

[hardpan]

+1 on Dr Mike. I use the same scope that will be used for hunting. Only caveat, I make sure that the scope is well mounted. I load for others, so sometimes I have to check their rifles. But, shooting a great group, and then changing scopes and not shooting a great group would be highly frustrating.
Hardpan

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

I work up a load with the scope I intend to hunt with also. It has more to do with matching your target to your reticle and magnification in my opinion when shooting groups.

I"ve not found the limit of my 2.5-8x leupold to hurt my .222 groups any, it shoots in the 2's-4's all day long at 100 yards set on 8x which is relatively low power for me.

I also have a 4-12x leupold on my 243 that shoots 1/2 MOA.

6-18x on my 7 RM, and 6.5-20x on my 338 EDGE that both shoot 1/2 MOA as well.

Reason for higher magnification on my bigger rifles is that they are used for LR target/hunting out to 1K.

I'd love to put a higher magnification leupold on my 222, but it would really only help with longer range shots and I dont shoot my 222 much past 300-350 anyways.

It does however seem easier to develop loads with a little more power.

 

[Greg Nolan]

I pretty much build my load with the scope I plan to use also "but" I use high power scopes (4-12 to 6-24) on most of my rifles. If I didn't I would probably have at least a 4-12 to do my initial load development on any load I planned on shooting 300+ yards with. You're right in that it's pretty hard to shoot a tight group at 200 yards when you have to move the cross hairs back and forth and up and down to be able to see the dead center bulls eye behind them and guess when you're centered. Once I have my desired load I would practice and stick with with the scope I will use. Best Idea would be to try it and see if you have a target scope available. Those Tru-Glo 6-24X40s were going for about $65 at Natches Shooting Supply. I had one and it worked real well.

 

[30-338]

taylorce1, for some of my varmit PD rifles I'll use either a 24x/36x scope for load developement then I'll compare groups with the scope I plan on using. Once i get above 22 cal I'll use leupold 12x,6x18,6.5x20 scopes. Most all my 22cal I use Weaver T-6 or Leupold 6x with AO.

I keep a spare T-6 to use if I think a scope is bad. On my deer/elk rifles what I use to work up loads is the scope that stays on the rifle. I was at the last Phil Long gun show pick up a nice Leupold 2.5x8 for $200.


One problem with fixed 24x/36x scope on heavy recoil rifles is eye relief also they have whats call Mirage Shields Sinclair makes them for barrel heat. I'd have to check but Sinclair use to handle Mirage tube that scewed in to inside of the AO on Br scopes haven't seen them in their last catalog. Well good luck

 

[taylorce1]

The reason I'm having these thoughts is I'm running a 2-7 Burris FFII on my 6X47 that I built as a walking varmint rifle. I'm shooting several good groups with it. I've got several 3 shot groups in the .5 or less and quite a few 1" groups with 5 shots. The balistic plex reticle just seems a little thick to me and the 1/2" adjustments on the scope aren't my favorite either. I just feel with more magnification and finer adjustments I can see what this rifle can really do.

 

[30-338]

The reason I'm having these thoughts is I'm running a 2-7 Burris FFII on my 6X47 that I built as a walking varmint rifle. I'm shooting several good groups with it. I've got several 3 shot groups in the .5 or less and quite a few 1" groups with 5 shots. The balistic plex reticle just seems a little thick to me and the 1/2" adjustments on the scope aren't my favorite either. I just feel with more magnification and finer adjustments I can see what this rifle can really do.

On those heavier CH alot of times if you can bracket the CH on a square sure helps with groups. I use a 2" black square put either side of CH on corner and I use each corner for groups. If I have to fine tune I'll do it with rear windage screws on the mounts.

I've got a 22-250I that I use as walking varmit rifle up around timerline for chucks and it's got a leupold 3x9 on it too light of a barrel for volume PD shooting so only has limited use.

There a pretty nice Sighton 6x42 HBR scope on 24hr for $250 that scope run new appr $450 got 1/8 click adjustment and fine CH with AO that be a real nice varmit scope.. Well good luck

 

[Larry D in OR]

Taylorce1, I have a Bushnell Scopechief VI that I bought way back in 1983-84. It is a 4-12x AO scope that has shot extremely well on any rifle I have mounted it to. This is my troubleshooting, and load development scope. It is a little larger and heavier than others I have, and after getting a good range accuracy load, I will switch over to another scope.
I use the development scope system. Sighting in after switching over the scope gives me another excuse to go to the range. :grin:, as well as more shooting practice.

 

[taylorce1]

I've got my VXII 4-12X40AO off of my .25-06 right now as it is in getting a teflon finish and barrel engraved. Might just try that one on my 6X47 this Sunday and use it on my night time pig hunt coming up. I like the 2-7 Burris on the rifle but want to see what this rifle can really do for the most part.