Varmint Scope

[Rucker61]

Right now I have a Viper PST 4-16x50 SFP on my Tikka T3, which I'll use for pronghorn, mule deer and elk in Colorado. I'll confident on shots out to 500 yards with this set up and my handloads. I'm not real fond of the tactical windage turret due to my tendency to rotate it while carrying it leftshouldered, especially once it gets 180 degrees out of phase. I'll also take some target shots out to 800 yards for fun.

I just picked up a heavy barreled Savage 10FP bolt gun that came with a throw away Guide Gear scope. This rifle will be used for varmints out to 300-400 yards and plinking out to 500-600 yards.

My quandary is do I put the PST on the Savage and pick up something else for hunting, and if so, would a lower top end power still be suitable for 500 yard shots on pronghorn, or keep the PST on the Tikka and get a higher top end power for long shots on prairie dogs? What makes the most sense?

[Tim K]

I like more power, myself. I'd probably go with something topping out at 22-25X.

[buckshotbarlow]

Look at this bad boy...i love mine!
http://www.samplelist.com/Nikon-8-32...-B-P63066.aspx

[Rucker61]

Look at this bad boy...i love mine!
http://www.samplelist.com/Nikon-8-32...-B-P63066.aspx

What do you use this for? Any issues with 8x as your lower power? Do you have any issues with mirage, and at what power?

[buckshotbarlow]

What do you use this for? Any issues with 8x as your lower power? Do you have any issues with mirage, and at what power?

Headshots at 300+ yds on poodles in their holes scanning for screaming death...my 250's and 6mm's make it rather boring, but you gotz to have the optics to do it...

[buckshotbarlow]

I haven't had a problem with mirages out to 600yds. I run the magnification usually around 29x. Adjustments are 100% dead nuttz on, and the tracking is not a problem. Why pay more when you get this scope at a great price. Mueller's are nice also, track good, but they have a dot in the center of the reticle, which is a pain in the ass for headshots. I have the mueller on my 223, but in the wind past 300yds it's just not worth it. The 2 nikons are on my 22-250's, and a sightron on my 243. I usually bring a minimum of 5 guns on a fresh town, and have a gun rack in the back of my truck. Once the tubes start getting hot, switch to new gun. I also have a log book for each gun on where the zero's are corresponding at each 100yd out to 600yds.