Long Range Shooting Enthusiasts: Advice

Self ^ | 3/4/18 | Washi

[Washi]

Hello, all.

I'm no stranger to shooting. I hunted for small game, growing up, I qualified, in the Army, as an "Expert" rifleman, and I occasionally take the family out shooting now.

Though I was an Expert in the Army, that shooting was limited to 300 yards, and since I was in the Signal Corps, I really only shot once per year to retain my qualification.

I've recently become interested in long range shooting. I've been looking at optics that would lend themselves to that pursuit. I know that brands like Leupold and Nightforce are the heavy-hitters in this arena, but they are WAY too expensive to justify their price for a hobbyist.

Looking around the optics and long-range shooting forums, there are many "Optics Snobs" that will bad-mouth any brand other than the big, expensive dogs in show and dismiss the other brands out-of-hand.

My question, finally, is: Have any of you ever shot with "Monstrum" brand optics, and if so, what is your opinion of them?

They are Chinese made brands, so there is a black mark against them to begin with, but people who have actually used them have expressed surprise at how much quality and performance they provide for the price you pay.

[Bigbrown]

I shoot ultra long range and choose nightforce as my go to optics. I could have purchased similar optics for a lot less money but the reason I chose nightforce is because that’s with our military uses and they beat the crap out of their stuff! When I call nightforce for any questions/issues immediately answer the phone and take care of me as well. There’s a lot to be said for that alone…

[GreyHoundSailor]

I’ve had a NXS for 18 years and it truly is amazing; something worth saving up for.

[Doc91678]

Vortex makes a 6-18 x 40 mm Crossfire Scope for about $200 to $300
What caliber of rifle do you intend to use?

[Washi]

I’m hoping to become proficient out to 1,000 yards with a Remmington 700, .308.

The Monstrum scope I’m looking at has a 1 year warranty, and claims to be able to handle that platform.

What parts of the optics are susceptible to wear and tear on a .308? The standard ammo looks to be 150 g.

[Eagles6]

Seen their stuff on Amazon and I would suggest sticking with the known brands.

Picked up a Tasco 6-24 a few years back for $109 on sale. Holds zero and glass is clear.

Comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Tascos are solid with a good history and good customer service.

I have a Vortex Spitfire 3x that picked up for a song that I'm happy with and a lifetime warranty.

Primary Arms gets good reviews.

I have a cheap Simmons that I've used for years with no complaints.

I'd suggest sticking with the tried and true and you won't be disappointed.

Nikon and Bushnell have cheaper ones too.

[wardaddy]

I agree wholeheartedly but most here will not trust me

I actually have spent double on glass what the rifle cost

[fso301]

Have you shot with "Monstrum" brand optics, and if so, what is your opinion of them?

Don't know anything about Monstrum but you might investigate which scope manufacturer's factory in China the Monstrum factory sits across the street from.

[Squantos]

Sources that are solid , tested and have been vetted by myself over the years are.....

http://precisionrifleblog.com

Cal Zant in Lubbock Texas .

http://precisionrifleblog.com/author/precisionrifle/

From start to finish from chassis to optics to muzzle brakes and or suppressors .

100% am impressed by this young mans own testing procedures.

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Todd Hodnett in Canadian Texas

http://www.recoilweb.com/todd-hodnett-the-long-range-cowboy-108460.html

https://www.accuracy1st.com/company.cfm

Attended his classes about 80 miles from where I live. Solid information, hits at 1579 meters get very easy in the panhandle of Texas with this mans knowledge of bucking the wind at extreme ranges,

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David Tubb in Canadian Texas

http://www.davidtubb.com

I use his T7T 2 stage triggers in my Rem 700 actions and his Leupold Mark 8 optics with his Dynamic Targeting Reticle (DRT) he designed himself .....

http://www.davidtubb.com/t7t-trigger-rem700-remington%20trigger

http://www.davidtubb.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=153

David’s a long range shooting icon here in Texas and he has forgotten more that I will ever absorb. Again 80 miles from me ..... use his shop and products a lot.

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Snipers Hide

https://www.snipershide.com

Frank Galli is the Chief Cook and Bottle washer of this data and experience driven world of knowledge and first hand use of all things long range precision . Amazing base of knowledge. Believe he is based in Colorado where the winds are as much a demon as my Texas Panhandle. Never been to his classes but will attend soon.

https://www.snipershide.com/about/

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My best resources to search and use as a reference for all things Precision Long Range rifle shooting at silly sick ranges........

Stay Safe

[Squantos]

Well ta hell with em ..... I trust ya 100%.

Hope yer well.... Stay Safe !

[Squantos]

Good post ..... Stay Safe !

[mad_as_he$$]

If you have old eyes spend the money on good glass. I have never been happy with any Chinese optics. My sonIL is a award winning LDS. He uses Leupold as do I. Vortex is a good second tier option but we only use them on medium range shooters.

[ManHunter]

There’s a lot of truth in that, however, the adage that you get what you pay for isn’t always true. I shoot primarily Leupold scopes, which are generally cheaper than Swarovski, Zeiss, Nightforce, etc., but the mechanics of Leupold scopes are precise and dependable. I’ve had a couple of very expensive Zeiss scopes, both of which I returned because the mechanics, frankly, sucked. I do have a Vortex Viper PST 6-24X on my Model 70 Laredo and it’s a very, very good scope with a superb warranty. I paid about $475 for it.

[Yo-Yo]

Keyword “banglist” added to reach the FR shooting community.

[trebb]

Go really cheap and stay with iron sights - if you are serous about wanting to shoot long range, then you need to be serious about what gets your muzzle pointing in the right direction. I have some scopes for rifles that I ‘went the economy route” with and every time I take them out I spend 5-15 rounds getting them back on target - and even then they seem to ‘drift” during the process. Other, scopes that weren’t “economy” are dead on whenever I take the weapon out of the case.

[smokingfrog]

Good info!

[upchuck]

Glad to see you posted a link to Optics Planet. Was going to do that myself.

Great place to buy optics. Great place to learn also.

[smokingfrog]

http://www.omidjahromi.com/Optics/Juliett/Rifle_Scope_Flaws.jpg

[taxcontrol]

My rule of thumb is based on the distance. If you are going to be shooting at 200 yards, a $200 scope will do. $1,000 for a 1,000 yard distance.

[Darth Mall]

BFL

[CopperTop]

I used to do a lot of groundhoggin' up in the NC and Va mountains. Shot competitive benchrest all the way to Kelbly's Super Shoot. Cheap optics will tell on themselves in short order. Leupold was the meaty part of the "value curve". The old VariX-III's were a staple for varminters. I've had Nightforce and a few other "upper tier" scopes. Not impressed for the cost difference. Repeatability and resolution are key attributes to a decent scope. They generally don't come cheap. There's more tech and precision in a scope than there is inna rifle.
That said, my old shooting buddy used to sport a cheap Trashco "Target Model" scope on his home brewed 6mm-284 and used an old metal pawn shop binocular for spotting. I have him on video one-shot poppin' a 'hog at 750 yards in some stout wind. And his long shots were successful enough times that I know it wasn't blind luck. Hard ta argue with that, too.
Elevation is pretty easy. Doping the wind is what separates the shooters from the plinkers. I've shot to 1k, but not competitively. It's a poke! d;^)

And one more thing. If yer gonna gofer that kindof shooting, yer prolly gonna wanna start reloading as well. Just sayin'.