I've got a Savage 112R heavy barrel rifle that I'll be using to shoot on a new cutover. It appears as if an average shot will range anywhere from 200 - 450 yards. I'm going to need a scope with a higher power than 14 (a usual top end on a 50 mm scope) - something more like a 20 due to older eyes. I've got about $600 to spend on the glass and have looked at several reviews in trying to come a decision. I'd like to go with Leupold because of their CDS system, but there's not an option in my price range. I've read/seen good things about both Meopta and Athlon - but understand both are heavy scopes. What scope would you recommend shooting those distances?

The trouble with those high mag scopes is the field of view is narrow. You'll be looking for deer way out there, but then a muy grande will chase a doe right under your stand. You won't be able to shoot because all your scope will show you is a scope full of brown IF you can get on it.

Anyhow, add Sightron and Trijicon to your search.

I’ve got a couple of SWFA scopes that you’re more than welcome to look through.

Don't really need a special scope for those ranges. Find one you like in the 4-14 range if you want more magnification.

for that price range with a Leupold I’d got for a VX3HD. Personally I’d go with the 3.5-10 for that range, but if you’re dead set on high power and big objective you could get the 4.5-14, but it would push your budget a bit.

IMO, If you’re going to push the budget a little I think you’d be better served to pay a little extra for the firedot rather than extra magnification. Firedot also comes standard as 30mm tube

In shooting the current scope on the gun (an el cheapo), I run the magnification up just prior to a shot. With my eyesight, having that higher power helps a lot.

A used Burris XTRIII illuminated 3-18 would work nicely. Don’t be concerned about scope weight on a heavy rifle.

Whatever you get, get something with a MIL or MOA reticle and learn how to use it. It’s no harder than using a BDC reticle or CDS system and you can use it with multiple types of ammo/velocities.

CDS systems and BDC type reticles generally suck. They sound good in theory but are only accurate for one particular bullet at one velocity.

Could probably get this one for $650- https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/burris-xtr-iii-3-3-18x50-illuminated-moa.390571/#post-4012994

I have a athlon ares 4.5-27x50. I have put it side by side with my old ziess and you can not tell the difference at low light or any other situation. ..

Good seller/buyer on 24hrcf. He likes to deal.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...burris-signature-hd-5-25x50#Post20133223

Midrange price, high mag, probably need adjustable focus … tough assignment.

Maybe look at these Meopta Optika’s

https://www.eurooptic.com/Meopta-Optika6-3-18x50-Illuminated-Mildot-30mmSFP-Riflescope-653642.aspx

https://www.eurooptic.com/Meopta-Optika6-3-18x50-Illuminated-BDC-30mm-FFP-Riflescope-653571.aspx
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Kenton Dial
https://kentonindustries.com/products/meopta-optika6?variant=39820499845259

My choice in that range would likely be Meopta

Build a shooting bench wherever you will be sitting. That's gonna be step 1 in this endeavor.

Hey Boomer…”Good” shooting bags replaced benches 10 years ago.

Seriously…you should try one- https://armageddongear.com/product/pint-sized-game-changer-shooting-bag/

They are literally a gamechanger. I now zero scopes standing just using a single bag across a 2x4 railing and it’s as steady as a front and rear sandbag on a table for most folks.

I mean...as long as you are shooting a .243.... no way in hell you are missing a 450 yard shot with that bag. Especially standing.

The questions are does that bag work better if you are shooting a Barnes Bullet and how well does a Tikka stock fit in it?

Want to make sure we've got all our bases covered before we let the rest of the shooting word in on this...

Which fill/weight do you recommend for field/shooting house type uses?

Since you ask….a Tikka stock fits quite nicely!

Since I don’t plan on hunting elephants and have numerous 6mm needmoors but no 6.5 CM, I felt like I needed to fill a void in my life. Last week I had GunDoc replace my 270 tikka barrel with a used $100 6.5 tikka Needmoor barrel. (BTW- Tikkas are the only “budget” factory actions you can swap barrels on that are guaranteed to headspace correctly)

Below are the results of the only 3 groups I fired with it at 100 yards while standing and only using a shooting bag a 2x4 rail for a support. 2 random hand loads (anemic 130 accubond @ 2780 fps and 120gr ballistic tip @ 3000fps) are the two smaller groups and factory Hornady is the larger group.

I’m sure with a bench and a bag and someone better pulling the trigger, they’d all the in the same hole😉 But still not bad for a cheap gun, average shooter and only a 10x scope.

If carrying it any distance, the pint size with git-lite is the ticket. Extremely light and plenty of stability for hunting. It’s all I use hunting. I’d rather forget my binos than my shooting bag.

For PRS competitions and zeroing scopes, the Shmedium w/ Sand fill. It’s hard to believe how steady you can actually get with one of these until you use it.

The bags all come fully stuff. Most folks remove ~ 10-20% of the material to achieve max stability.

👍

I know this is probably archaic for many of you, but with the advent of the Bog Deathgrip I've realized having a stabilizer near the shoulder is a game changer. At the range the other day, I was shooting off the ground and I found that a Bog (single clamp) tripod under the barrel and a bipod v-rest underneath the stock between the trigger and shoulder ended up in solid groups at 250. Most of the time in this new cutover, I'm going to be shooting off the ground.

A cheap folding table with front and rear bags is all you need.