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optics advice-target/varment/hunting

skyfish
I'm building my 1st AR. It is 6.5 Grendel. Will be the 18" SPR barrel. Primary purpose will be target, 600yds or less. Varmints, both prairie dogs and coyotes, and finally hunting. Can use it in Iowa in January for anterless season.

I settled on the Nikon Monarch 2.5x10, but now realize that there is no side focus. I want people's opinion on that for target work. I like the 2.5-4 power for close coyote work and deer. And felt 10x was enough for out to 600 yards but don't want parallax problems when really trying to shoot small groups.

The other options are the Monarch 3-12SF or go up to the Monarch Gold 2.5-10SF

Thanks
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Comments

12 comments

Date Votes
  • Southern_Wolf
    Sounds like you are putting together a fine rifle. I don't buy or use variable power scopes (on my rifles) without parallax adjustment for long range/distance shooting. Side or front adjustment - doesn't matter to me although I prefer side adjust because it is right there and you don't have to take your eye off the target to set the proper distance for parallax adjustment. If you like to shoot with precision then you usually have to cough up the dough to get a precision rifle scope. [:)] Good luck in making your decision. Shoot Safe.
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  • stevecrea
    Skyfish:

    Have you considered the "holdover reticles" that are now being offered in many scopes, including the Nikons?

    I have had little need for magnification less than 4X or 5X, even for running jacks, but that is just me. Accordingly, I like the 4X16s, 4.5X14s, 5X15s, etc.
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  • bpost
    Why not put real optics on it???? if you want performance, clarity, quality and a forever warranty why buy a lesser scope????

    Go with a Burris Black Diamond in 4X14 with a ballistic reticule. Put it into Burris Signature rings and only cry once.
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  • JustC
    a_812pair.gif
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  • shoff14
    justC,

    You got to get off the NF bandwagon sometimes. Not everybody has 1500 bucks to cough up a NF. The dude gave two scope choices in the 4-550 range. It doesn't help to post pictures of NF scopes, we can all dream, but the money has to come from somewhere.
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  • 5mmgunguy
    But you have to admit if you have $1500 bucks, it is the scope to buy.
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  • skyfish
    I settled on the Nikon because I like their eye relief more than Burris, Bushnell and Sightron. It seems to fit me better and I like about 4"-4.5", I'm not tall nor ever taken a scope to the eyebrow, just like that.

    I have shot an AR-10 SASS with a Nightforce on it, I will agree on clarity and very crisp adjustments. I don't think anyone could find a scope that will do a better box check. One thing we noticed, there were 4 of us out shooting. As the sun set we felt the Nightforce was not as bright as the Leupold long range scope he had on his AR-15. Yea, I'll probably get grilled, but at dusk or dawn I might reconsider.

    If I want more magnification later or a better scope this would make a good upgrade for my son's Savage package or my next hunting rifle. I was going to go with the new Monarch X, but I'm stepping down a bit while I build the rifle and start some load work. Yes, money has to come from somewhere and I don't have a printing press in my basement like the feds do.
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  • shoff14
    skyfish, let me know what you think of the nikon. I am looking at the 4-16x42 sf for an AR.
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  • sandwarrior
    skyfish,


    I much prefer the side focus to the objective focus. Just that much easier. Also, for 600 yds. you will want a pretty good scope even if you have to save for a while. Stepping down from the Monarch wouldn't be the better choice IMO. Also, at that range having a little more than 10X for such small targets is really nice. A fairly fine crosshair will hide a PD @ 600. More power in a second focal plane scope is well worth it when you get out that far. I have a Burris 6-24x50 Black diamond. Although at the last competition I shot at last weekend a shooter there had his new Nightforce out and we could see bullet holes @ 500 on the white (tan actually) with it. We could not see them at that range with my Burris. No matter how I gently tweaked my focus.

    FWIW, I had a Meopta on my 6.5 Grendel. An M1 Meostar 3-12x56 with a 4B reticle. (700 yd ranging). It was quite the killer set-up if I do say so myself. Unfortunately for it and some other higher-dollar toys I had it needed to go so I could have money. IMO it is well worth having a scope that will reach as far as the rifle is accurate. Where you're at that's about 1200 yds.
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  • JustC
    quote:Originally posted by shoff14
    justC,

    You got to get off the NF bandwagon sometimes. Not everybody has 1500 bucks to cough up a NF. The dude gave two scope choices in the 4-550 range. It doesn't help to post pictures of NF scopes, we can all dream, but the money has to come from somewhere.


    He didn't state a price range, just 2 scopes, so my bad on that.

    There is no bandwagon, nightforce is the absolute best in it's price range. Scopes costing $1000 more don't offer $1000 more performance. So yeah, I save and put good glass on good rifle, which it sounds like he is building.

    As far as Nikon, I have looked through them and they seem very nice. I prefer a Burris Signature series to them, but that is MHO. Side focus is great, and my preference, but I have not been overly impressed with side focus scopes I have tried, that were much under the leupold MK IV range. That maybe is more due to me focusing in targets for my evaluation, and in a benchrest match the ability to resolve mirage and parallax is key.

    Skyfish, I apologize if my post was elitist as I am sure my money is nowhere near the higher end of the members here, and I simply save until I get what I want.

    If you are stuck on Nikon, I would go for more power if you wish to shoot either targets or varmints at some extended ranges. You would be well served with 14-16X or more if available. but if those are THE two scopes you have chosen, then go with 12X
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  • skyfish
    No offense taken at all, I asked for peoples opinions. That's what I got. I will go up in magnification. I have plenty of time, parts coming in rather slow. Oh yea, this week one wrecked car and oldest just got a MRI on his shoulder, wrestling $$.

    Merry Christmas to all.
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  • JustC
    dang, ain't that just the way things work[V] Oh well, stay the course and save your pennies. You'll get there and best of all, there is no feeling like taking the new rig out for it's maiden range session.[8D]
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