It's what I have on hand at the moment; is there any reason to believe that I should wait till I get a higher mag scope? The scope is an Optisan Viper, so it is of pretty good quality. My goal is to retire it as a FT pistol scope, and replace it with something else... still researching the options in my price range ($500 tops).
To range find accurately with a 12x scope is an impossibility for me. You may find that you can.....but I doubt it. Put it to the test.....place targets at random distances out to 55yds and see if you can accurately determine their distances. If you can, great....no need to buy a higher mag scope. If you look at the equipment of the top performers you will see that the minimum is about a 35X scope. Good luck in your shooting.
It's what I have on hand at the moment; is there any reason to believe that I should wait till I get a higher mag scope? The scope is an Optisan Viper, so it is of pretty good quality. My goal is to retire it as a FT pistol scope, and replace it with something else... still researching the options in my price range ($500 tops).
Just go to your first matches and see what others in your Division/Class use.
Starting with a low power scope may instill some good habits, like learning to eyeball a distance, or using "bracketing" to rangefind.
All in all, just go and have fun!
HM
At 12X, the clarity is good to 35-yards, but seems to get a little fuzzy when focusing to 45+ I believe an upgrade is in order.
If memory serves, the scopes used most often at The Good Ole Boys range in Tennessee are Nico Sterling, Sightron, Leupold and Bushnell (in all the favorites mags) Pretty much more dollar than I have in my own budget.
I have looked at many, including the Aztec 5.5-25X50. Although some use the scope for Hunter class, I have yet to find a review that states the Aztec is good at 'clicking'. The South African hunter (Matt Dubber) reviewd the scope and said it is an excellent scope for hod over...
The process continues as I search for a 3mm 8-32 or so scope for my PCP.
A scope that would be in your range is the Bushnell 4200 8-32. It is an AO scope but it has great glass and with practice you can range well with it. Its discontinued but they come up for sale on occasion. Most of the ones you'll find have a duplex reticle though.
A tasco Custom shop is another option
If you are using a spring-piston gun, I would strongly suggest getting a SIGHTRON STac :
http://sightronusa.com/product/s-tac4-20x50moa/
For under $400 you get a very good scope. Once you REALLY decide you want to jump "all in" into WFTF, you will know better what you want.
Drop me a line if you want a ZR Mount and a SIGHTRON scope.
IF you are shooting a PCP, then do not discount the Muellers.
This is their original offering:
http://muelleroptics.com/products/mueller-8-32x44-side-focus-tactical/
I have looked through them and they are quite good for the price.
Their newest offering is this one:
http://muelleroptics.com/products/mueller-40x56-side-focus-target-dot/
But it only works with "clicking"
HTH
HM
I definitely wish to stay with a 30mm tube. I used to won a Mueller Target Dot in the 8-32X44, prior to Mueller introducing the Tactical mil-dot scope. Cabellas has them for $169 at the moment, so it is quite tempting.
Hector, I am building a Marauder PCP at the moment...
For a PCP, a 1" scope will be mighty fine.
Perhaps you might want to read this:
https://www.ctcustomairguns.com/hectors-airgun-blog/how-to-understand-rifle-scopes
The main advantage of 30 mm's scopes is that their mechanisms can be made larger and stronger.
Not your main worry with a PCP.
Good luck and keep us posted!
HM
I'm looking to adjust my price a bit. I believe for me to be successful from the get go, I need to consider my initial investment in a nice piece of glass. I am looking close at the Leupold 45X45 Competition scope, so my price is pushing $1000. Midway has the Leupold 35X45 for $824, and is quite tempting.
Man, there is so much to learn about field target, the various classes, what you can do with your scope in the various classes, I honestly think it might be better to buy something cheaper/more versatile (with an incremented reticle) to make sure you are in the right class for you and have the "right" glass for both the class and your own preferences.
I think the low-cost Mueller target-dot is a lot more justifiable than the Leupy. The Leupy is a great scope, but you may find that you need an incremented reticle to rangefind accurately by bracketing, or to "measure" your holdoff for wind. And that's if you stick to WFTF. You may also find that WFTF becomes an "overload" managing the unsupported sitting position and all the other things you have to do well and want to flop over to hunter for a while.
I'd give it a whirl with your Optisan first. It's not ideal, but it will work.
Just wanted to add that I used Aztec Emerald in WFTF with clicking and pleased to report that clicks are repeatable. But at 25x it is a bit whitish. I've ranged at 25x and shot it at 18x. It ranged pretty well for most part, but last 5 yards from 50 to 55 were challenging to interpret. It also ranged longer with increased temperature.
I'm looking to adjust my price a bit. I believe for me to be successful from the get go, I need to consider my initial investment in a nice piece of glass. I am looking close at the Leupold 45X45 Competition scope, so my price is pushing $1000. Midway has the Leupold 35X45 for $824, and is quite tempting.
One of the things I always tell shooters is that it is easy to sell a rifle and change platforms without loosing your shirt, but selling optics . . . you get a big hit. So, in a way, you are right in getting the best you can from the get-go.
Drop me a private message and let's discuss what options you have at the new budget, with a little bit of additional to the additional effort, you might into the SIGHTRON SIII FT territory.
🙂
Keep well and shoot straight!