I'm looking to get a scope for the Savage 10FP (in .308) I'm hoping to get after the new year. And was cruising around reading about scopes and what alot of the guys here recommended and was wondering why there weren't more scopes with higher magnification? It seems like 10 or 15x is about the standard.

I've got a cheap BSA 6-24 x 40 with mildots and a lighted reticle on a smaller caliber rifle and to me it works great. Granted the gun won't shoot 1000 yds ...
Perhaps the distance is where the mildots and the higher magnifications would effect each other. Or are they out there and are so far out of my price range I'm not even seeing them for sale because of where I'm looking?

It just seems like the higher the power of scope would help in actually being able to see what you're shooting at better.

mirage and smaller field of view are two reasons that you don't see much more than 15x magnification in longrange tactical scopes.

I love my 6 x 18 Shepherd scope. It has varying size circles spaced down the verticle reticle for 200 to 1000 yards - whatever circle matches the height of the animals body you use. Just spent 3 days in Montana with it and using it as a rangefinder on bucks I was within 50 yards everytime out to 1000 ( comparing it to the guides Leica rangefinder )

This thing aint cheap though 500 bucks or so if I recall.

this is 50x at 1000 yards.
http://www.pa1000yard.com/images/main/50xat1000ydsbig.JPG
that would make the thin crosshairs only a foot across in either direction. you wouldn't be able to see where any misses went unless you were almost dead on anyway. In a perfect world, on a windless day with the yardage dialed in correctly, a .30-06 will drift a foot left or right depending on the rifling direction. Add a 12 mph crosswind to that and you're on the next target over. Don't be fooled into thinking you need super high magnification. Most equipment is capable of performing better than the person pulling the trigger. For paper punching, high power is great if you have the time to make the correct adjustments. Remember that parallax is greater in an adjustable scope as well. It will affect longer distance shots greater. A fixed power may be the way to go. That Sheppard scope doesn't sound too pricey for what you get. Does it have enough "clicks" in it to reach out to 1000 yards?

I've got the Bushnell 3200 10x mil dot on my 10fp, it is a fine match for that rifle in my opinion.

this is 50x at 1000 yards.
http://www.pa1000yard.com/images/main/50xat1000ydsbig.JPG
that would make the thin crosshairs only a foot across in either direction.

damn, you guys shoot at some big ass targets. is that an artillery target?:flipoff2:

we shoot at b27 targets at a k.

damn, you guys shoot at some big ass targets. is that an artillery target?:flipoff2:

we shoot at b27 targets at a k.

not my rig. B27 is still kind of big don't ya think? I prefer target critters.:flipoff2:

not my rig. B27 is still kind of big don't ya think? I prefer target critters.:flipoff2:

by b27 i mean just the head shots:D

actually at 600 yards we do head shots only. any where in the head is 10 points each. anywhere on the target that is not the head is scored as zero.

I have 2 FP10s in .223, one has a BSA platnum 6-24x44 1/8" dot target scope the other a Tasco 6-24x44 mil dot scope, both have target knobs, these are perfect for long range. I usually am shooting 200-500 yds all day at p-dogs.
My bud has a 8-50x50mm scope onb his .220swift, I think its an Eagle target scope, mil dot, target knobs etc, shoots 500 yds easy, just dials up and hes on.

A fixed power may be the way to go. That Sheppard scope doesn't sound too pricey for what you get. Does it have enough "clicks" in it to reach out to 1000 yards?

At 1000 yards with a 308 you will need a tapered scope base anyways, I would get a 20 moa taper to shoot that far so you wont run out of adjustment.

i don't think the sheppard scopes even use "clicks" for come ups. i am pretty sure they have different aiming points built into the reticle.

any good long range shooting websites you guys recommend? or books or whatever? I've been shooting a long time but probably don't do things right to make it at longer ranges.

At 1000 yards with a 308 you will need a tapered scope base anyways, I would get a 20 moa taper to shoot that far so you wont run out of adjustment.


I know it can be done, but why would anyone shoot 1K yards with a SA?

I know it can be done, but why would anyone shoot 1K yards with a SA?

much cheaper to load.

much cheaper to load.

Gonna have to disagree with you on this one. While they may be cheaper to reload, if you've tied money up in a long range rig, you're not worried about cost per round.

I know it can be done, but why would anyone shoot 1K yards with a SA?

What's an SA? :confused:

short action, referring to the length of the action/bolt. short actions are for smaller rounds traditionally.

any good long range shooting websites you guys recommend? or books or whatever? I've been shooting a long time but probably don't do things right to make it at longer ranges.

www.shooterready.com Their CD is a great reference tool and a good starting point for learning long range shooting techniques. Plus their shooting simulator is alot of fun.

Gonna have to disagree with you on this one. While they may be cheaper to reload, if you've tied money up in a long range rig, you're not worried about cost per round.


and i disagree with you there:D. i shoot plenty of long range competitions and hear lots of people talking about the price of reloading and what is cheaper. and yes, this is after they spend several thousand dollars on a rifle. if cost of reloading was not a concern, there would be a whole shit load more people shooting 338-378 and 338 lapua and no one would be shooting short actions. if you are just shooting at paper you don't need all the energy of some of the magnum rounds. i like the 300 win mag over a 308 because there is a little more room for error in wind and range estimation. i personally am not that concerned with the cost per round and i am sure the majority of people shooting larger cartridges aren't either. there are plenty of people that are concerned about cost though.

and by the way, i shot damn good with a 308 during several competitions at 1000 yards and lots of people do every month. if we are talking about shooting at living targets at that range, then i totally agree with you and would not do it at those ranges.