Looking for advice on upgrading my optics

[Bill2905]

I shoot .223 Remington at paper targets from the bench at 100-300 yards. My current optics include a Nikon Monarch 3 4-16x50 and a Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x40. Both have side focus and simple duplex reticles. The Leupold is the clearest and brightest of the two and the Nikon has really good eye relief.

I find myself wanting more magnification and have been looking at the following optics as a possible upgrade. I have a budget in mind of around $1K. My reticle preference is a simple duplex without all of the hash marks and other clutter. These are listed in no particular order.

Sightron SIII 8-32x56
Sightron SIII 10-50x60
Leupold VX-3i LRP 8.5-25x50
Weaver T-36
Weaver T XR Series
Athlon Midas BTR 4.5-27x50

At first glance, the Sightron scopes are most appealing because they have the most duplex reticle options and appear to get a lot of favorable reviews. The Weaver T series is touted as a good entry level optic but I’m not sure about going with fixed power.

What are your thoughts on these and what else should I be looking at?

What is the practical amount of usable magnification at 100, 200, and 300 yards for benchrest shooting?

[Robinhood]

Budget?

[Bill2905]

Budget?

$1K

[Apollo117]

Do you plan on dialing or using hold overs?

[Bill2905]

Do you plan on dialing or using hold overs?

Dialing

[hamiltonkiler]

Is it only a bench dialing gun?

Go with a fixed 24x. You won’t find a clearer scope. I like SWFAs little center dot on the MOA retical



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[JW]

Sightron SIII 8-32x56
Sightron SIII 10-50x60
Leupold VX-3i LRP 8.5-25x50
Weaver T-36
Weaver T XR Series
Athlon Midas BTR 4.5-27x50

I have the SIII 8x32, leupold VX3i 8.5 x 25, and had the T36
Of those three I choose the Leupold

Most of my shooting is 100 -200 with occasional 900 range.
usually 20X or less due to mirage ( mid- day)
Jack

[Apollo117]

With a budget of $1K for a scope that can dial reliably I would only look at SWFA and the Nightforce SHV models. At the $1K price point those are the only brands I trust to dial reliably and accurately every time.

A fixed 12x SWFA is an inexpensive option. The 3-15x SWFA is a great option. Nightforce SHV 3-10 can be found for $750 on sale. The Nightforce SHV F1 4-14x can be found on sale for about $1K.

BTW, some SWFA scope are on sale for Black Friday right now.

[Bill2905]

Is it only a bench dialing gun?

Go with a fixed 24x. You won’t find a clearer scope. I like SWFAs little center dot on the MOA retical



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I have not considered SWFA fixed power scopes. What do you like about yours? What are some pros & cons?

[hamiltonkiler]

I have not considered SWFA fixed power scopes. What do you like about yours? What are some pros & cons?

I only own the 12x SS.
I like the
Price
Glass. bright,clear
Turrets
Tracking
Reticle
Durable

I also shoot the .223
It’s limits are within the 12x
But if I was trying to only shoot paper on a bench I would like 24x for really small groups and the fixed power is the clearest glass you can own.
They just work for the money.
If I were to spend a 1k like you go with the nightforce or 3-15x swfa
But as bench only 24x sounds good.

Cons
Little spongy turrets
Big and heavy




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[Robinhood]

Nightforce SHV 5-20x56

[Jester560]

Athlon Ares ETR 4.5-30x56

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[Robinhood]

Athlon Ares ETR 4.5-30x56

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Interesting choice for a 100 to 300 yard target gun.

[stomp442]

I would step up to the Leupold VX3i LRP 6.5-20x50. Should be able to find one well under 1k and is by far my favorite scope going right now. All the features you need with excellent clarity and eye relief while being very light weight and has the best, easiest to use zero stop in the business.

[SageRat Shooter]

My vote is the Sightron SIII in a 6-24x50 first or second focal plane. I bot my dad one of the Athlon Ares BTR 4.5x27x50 and I think the SIII is way better. The Ares has the Xmas tree reticle though.

[darkker]

The Weaver tactical mod#800363, if far better glass than the SWFA's. They really struggle with color accuracy at distance, relatively speaking. They are a little brighter in appearance, but bright and washed out with more CA; isn't impressive.

[Apollo117]

The Weaver tactical mod#800363, if far better glass than the SWFA's. They really struggle with color accuracy at distance, relatively speaking. They are a little brighter in appearance, but bright and washed out with more CA; isn't impressive.Not trying to stir the pot, but what good is clear glass if the scope doesn't track reliably? OP has stated he's going to dial. I'm not saying that Weaver scopes are incapable of dialing accurately and reliably. However, Weaver certainly doesn't have the reputation for accuracy and reliability that other companies like Nightforce have.

I'm also not saying a Schmidt and Bender or US Optics is required in this situation. But if you've got the budget for a reliable scope then go for it.

[gbflyer]

Does punching paper out to 300 mean that you’re shooting groups? If so I would look for a pure benchrest scope. No need for a variable or fancy dialing in my experience there. 36X is good, some folks were modifying them to 45X. The Weaver T36 is ok, the old M8 or better yet BR series Leupolds are great scopes too if you can find one. Fine crosshair is king.

[Bill2905]

Does punching paper out to 300 mean that you’re shooting groups? If so I would look for a pure benchrest scope. No need for a variable or fancy dialing in my experience there. 36X is good, some folks were modifying them to 45X. The Weaver T36 is ok, the old M8 or better yet BR series Leupolds are great scopes too if you can find one. Fine crosshair is king.

Yes, I’m primarily shooting groups. I like the idea of a simple fixed power scope. However, I have experienced mirage at 16X several times and had to dial back the magnification. Probably just need to try one and see how it goes.

[gbflyer]

Once you get on to it you’ll find the higher power scope is your friend with mirage. The benchrest shooters don’t use less power when it’s running. The trick is to pull when you have the exact same sight picture. Sometimes it’s so bad that the golf ball on a BR target looks like it’s bouncing. High power scope and mirage can also be very useful with wind calls. Sometimes more useful than the wind flags. I wouldn’t want any less than 36X for 200, never shot a 300 yard match.