Scope recommendation to extend range past 250 yards

[sterlryu]

I have a cheap $50 3x9-40mm scope on my 6.5 creedmoor rifle and with a 200 yard zero can shoot out to 250 yards MPBR on big game. But it doesn't have dots or an adjustable turret if I wanted to take a 300 or 400 yard shot. Is there a scope around $500 that I should look at that would work in more open eastern WA? I'll shoot 1.5" groups on an average day at 200 yards, so I can do my part.

[headshot5]

You can get a Leupold VX freedom 3-9x with a cds dial for $300 or so.  That would let you dial out.  Not fool proof but a good start.

[Timberstalker]

Or look at a Vortex or Athlon.

[birddogdad]

too limited info to give a honest opinion.. 250yds is not really extended range.. how far out you going to use it? application - hunting/ target? price point? gun?

[Karl Blanchard]

too limited info to give a honest opinion.. 250yds is not really extended range.. how far out you going to use it? application - hunting/ target? price point? gun?

he said in his post 400 yards with his 6.5 creedmoor and a budget of $500.

[Karl Blanchard]

Probably with that budget range is most all scopes that dial for that price point are proven unreliable trackers and returning to zero is often an issue. Put a vx freedom on a trucking board, start twisting the elevation turret and watch it hook like a bad golf ball hit. If I couldn't bump up my budget I'd look at scopes that have capped turrets and either moa, mil, or a bdc style reticle. Use the reticle to make accurate holds and eliminate the issue of unreliable tracking 

[Woodchuck]

Probably with that budget range is most all scopes that dial for that price point are proven unreliable trackers and returning to zero is often an issue. Put a vx freedom on a trucking board, start twisting the elevation turret and watch it hook like a bad golf ball hit. If I couldn't bump up my budget I'd look at scopes that have capped turrets and either moa, mil, or a bdc style reticle. Use the reticle to make accurate holds and eliminate the issue of unreliable tracking 

I would add to take a look at charts for your load, especially drop. I set my 100yd zero higher than most on my go to rifle. By doing that, it hits plus or minus 6in to 400yds with no adjustment. 

[sterlryu]

Thank you everyone - really great inputs all around. I set the budget of $500 where scope would = cost of rifle and also because out of state tags etc hunting related expenses have been getting expensive. I guess moa/bdc dots and holding over would be foolproof, but it's a shame I can't really try out a vx freedom to check return to zero - could that be a warranty fix from Leupold though? But it would be a waste of time.

[fishngamereaper]

Pretty much what has been said...dial a distance to 400 yds isn't necessary... BDC or Mil dot will work fine .
I put a vortex crossfire 2 with BDC reticle on my kids Creedmore and honestly couldn't be happier with it . It was like $300 and it's performed well for 4 years, out to distance in all types of weather.

[Karl Blanchard]

Thank you everyone - really great inputs all around. I set the budget of $500 where scope would = cost of rifle and also because out of state tags etc hunting related expenses have been getting expensive. I guess moa/bdc dots and holding over would be foolproof, but it's a shame I can't really try out a vx freedom to check return to zero - could that be a warranty fix from Leupold though? But it would be a waste of time.

its just a product of cheap guts. Ive done tracking tests on half a dozen of them and they all start swinging right or left towards the bottom of their adjustments. Out to 400 you'd probably be fine but I wouldn't waste my money.

Swfa 3-9 has a killer track record for reliable tracking but they are $600 and at that point id be looking at a zeiss v4.  I still say a bdc or other hold over reticle would be the ticket.

[pickardjw]

What are the better lower priced scope options with turrets?

[thinkingman]

I think Karl Blanchard is giving you good advice.

I would consider Burris Fullfield E1, IV or Signature and their choice of reticles is very complete.

Much better glass and construction than what you'd get from a Leupold under a grand.

I currently own four Burris scopes in addition to red dots and spotters...Great glass and you don't have to send them to Beaverton for replacement every few years.

[hunter399]

What happened to the good old days ,when a 4x power scope was a 250 yard scope.

[BigGoonTuna]

What happened to the good old days ,when a 4x power scope was a 250 yard scope.

a 4x at 200 is like irons at 50.  hard to find any fault with that.

maybe it's just the kind of hunting i do, but my "long range" scope (on the .270) is a 3x9 meopta with a BDC reticle with marks to around 500 yards.  the rest of my usual rotation of hunting rifles have lower powered variables or fixed scopes(4x28 on my .250 savage, 1-5x20 on the .358, 6x36 on the 7x57).  All will get you to 300 yards with little trouble.  if i had a rifle that i did a lot of paper punching or small varmint hunting with, i would probably want a high powered scope...

i like leupolds for their weight, decent glass, and well, looks (30mm tubes and huge eyepieces are FUGLY), but i do understand their limitations.  i'm used to taking 3 or 4 shots after making an adjustment after zeroing one in to get the reticle to settle on their newer scopes, but the upside is that i've never had one move after that.  i don't touch the turrets when i'm in the field.

OK, off my soap box for now...

[bman940]

Meopta Optika5 3-15x44 with a Z-Plus reticle would serve all your needs and leave money left over to buy a box or 2 of 6.5 CM ammo at today's insane prices. Dial in the drops with Strelok Pro and you are good to go. Great value and quality.

[Jingles]

I maybe old school because of age and always with minimal limited budget but have always  set my non dialable scopes at MPBR  and if having to shoot further than that learned and used "Kentucky Windage" but that seems to be a forgotten art with everyone being able to dial a scope out to ~

[Fidelk]

https://www.natchezss.com/burris-veracity-rifle-scope-3-15x50mm-30mm-ballistic-e2-reticle-rfp-matte.html

I have a Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40 on one rifle (100 yard zero) and a Burris Veracity 2-10x42 on the other (300 yard zero)......both are great. The Veracity has an awesome piece of glass in it. I can shoot at 300 yards at my local range......the Veracity is mated with a Remington 700 Long Range......at 300 yards, with the scope set at 10x, you are not getting an extremely clear visual image of that 1 square inch bullseye but the combination of Burris glass and a heavy barrel recently put 3 holes in paper measuring 3/4 inch. So I guess you can see good enough with 10x. Going from 40mm to 42mm is also a world of difference. I like the 30mm tube on the Veracity.

I don't adjust scopes for distance.......just keep them at 100 and 300 yards. If you use factory ammo, you should be able to get the factory's findings with respect to bullet drop beyond your zero. I have found that fairly reliable but also go to the range and verify it if I can. For example, I had the 3-9x40 zeroed at 200 yards and the bullet drop was 37" per the manufacturer at 500 yards at that zero. We used to shoot at 500 yards and the targets were 6'x6'.......I'd aim just over the top of the paper and let gravity do it's work.

[buckfvr]

All depends on how far you intend to shoot while youre hunting.  I cant find a reason to dial out to 400 yards.  400 is easily accomplished with simple inexpensive scopes like Leupold Freedom 3-9 with the tri-moa reticle.  Sighted at 200 yards, this scope gets you out to  400 in an instant.  They are light weight for applications where carry weight is a consideration and you dont expect to shoot beyond whats available on the reticle.  This scope fits the bill on one of my rifles (6.5) but I also have others that dial as necessary.

[Fidelk]

Just got email from midwayusa.com ........running a sale on optics.

[Karl Blanchard]

I maybe old school because of age and always with minimal limited budget but have always  set my non dialable scopes at MPBR  and if having to shoot further than that learned and used "Kentucky Windage" but that seems to be a forgotten art with everyone being able to dial a scope out to ~

its not a lost art, there's just better ways to do it now. We always owe it to an animal to put as precise a shot on them as possible. Having the ability to put your reticle right on the spot you want to hit is just a more accurate way to shoot plain and simple.

Your grandpa would probably scoff at your silly scope and tell you that good old irons is all you need too 

[bman940]

Karl, that is exactly how I think as well. If I can't make an ethical 1 shot stop on an animal I don't take it. Even coyote/hog hunting I do my best to make sure I know where my bullet will impact and with BDC reticle scopes I don't need to guess with holdovers. One of the reasons that I am a Strelok Pro fan. I dial-in my scope, rifle, ammo, and I am good to go. The longest shot I made on a whitetail was 599 yards, 2 does standing right next to each other, I dropped the first one and when the second didn't run, that one too. I do practice shooting that way too.

[thinkingman]

https://www.natchezss.com/burris-veracity-rifle-scope-3-15x50mm-30mm-ballistic-e2-reticle-rfp-matte.html

I have a Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40 on one rifle (100 yard zero) and a Burris Veracity 2-10x42 on the other (300 yard zero)......both are great. The Veracity has an awesome piece of glass in it. I can shoot at 300 yards at my local range......the Veracity is mated with a Remington 700 Long Range......at 300 yards, with the scope set at 10x, you are not getting an extremely clear visual image of that 1 square inch bullseye but the combination of Burris glass and a heavy barrel recently put 3 holes in paper measuring 3/4 inch. So I guess you can see good enough with 10x. Going from 40mm to 42mm is also a world of difference. I like the 30mm tube on the Veracity.

I don't adjust scopes for distance.......just keep them at 100 and 300 yards. If you use factory ammo, you should be able to get the factory's findings with respect to bullet drop beyond your zero. I have found that fairly reliable but also go to the range and verify it if I can. For example, I had the 3-9x40 zeroed at 200 yards and the bullet drop was 37" per the manufacturer at 500 yards at that zero. We used to shoot at 500 yards and the targets were 6'x6'.......I'd aim just over the top of the paper and let gravity do it's work.

Helluva scope.
I just put one on my son's Bergara 30-06.
Fantastic glass and reliable adjustments.
The reticle is excellent for long range.
Easy choice over a LeeOhPold.