Inexpensive long range scopes

I have been playing with this idea for a few years now. I have had a Rem 700 .308 built, and now I picked up an Savage 12LRP rifle in .260 Remington. I have my vx7 3.5-14 on the .308, but now I am needing a scope for the .260.

As of right now, Nightforce is out of the question, unless I skip this season of shooting and wait for next year. I have looked up several scopes and done about as much reading as I can. It boils down to a few scopes, with average prices.

SWFA SS 10x or 12x $300
Leupold 10x (used) $400

Vortex 6.5-20x44 $300
Vortex HS LR 4-16x44 $400

I have been really leaning towards the vortex HS because of the reviews. I like the power range and it will work great on another rifle when I am able to replace it. Coming in at 21 0z, it won't take much shaving on my rifle to keep it under 12 lbs, which is what I am hoping for. I am trying to get set up for the sporting rifle match and the Pueblo prairie dog match. The 1K match will also be shot once in a while.

Max range I am looking at is 1000-1200, which it at the edge of capabilities of the .260. I may rebarrel another 700 to 6.5-06 later to push the 1500yd, but that is later.

I would rather spend a little now and get to play and learn. I hate the idea of putting it off another year. I know I have heard a couple people mention they have competed in this, so I would love to hear your thoughts.

Super Snipers are actually good scopes. That or the 4-16 is where I would go.

I have the super sniper 10x MRAD scope and love it. I don't have experience with the other scopes but the SS is is a very nice scope and I would buy it again in a heartbeat. I also do not mind the fixed power as much as I thought I would.

Don't over look Nikon, aside from the Stoopid BDC, good glass for the money.

I would also look at the SWFA 3-15x or the Vortex PST 4-16x. Both are first focal plane and have MIL reticles and MIL turrets. This will be a considerable help with your long range shooting. They are both more than your current budget, but the features are going to be worth the extra dough. I am still pretty new to LR and the FFP & MIL scope really helped me a lot! You can also get a MOA/MOA (reticle/turret) scope; but make sure they match and have FFP, Viper HS LR has this as an option but is more expensive.

I also have a SWFA 10x MIL/MIL and for $300 it cannot be beat!

Unfortunately an inexpensive long range scope is a tough nut to crack. I wish I lived 20 minutes from the Raton match! You are a lucky guy.

1,000-1,200 is not at the edge of the capabilities of the .260. At your typical DA down there, it goes transonic out past 1,600 yards.

I have 3 super sniper scopes, 2 in 16X and a 20X. They're decent for the money. The Vortex HS LR looks really good on paper for only $100 more. I happen to like MOA, but if that's not your thing then the SS is the way to go.

At the ranges you mention, I'd opt for the SS 20X. I like power and care little about the inability to dial it back.

For the money and your price range, I'd go with the SS and like TimK said, go higher power if you're looking to shoot at 1K (I'd go 20X but bare minimum 16X) Heck I run a Vortex Razor 5-20 and 99% of the time or more it stays at 20 power, even when only shooting 100 yds, and on my 22lr trainer I have the SS 16X and never have a problem finding my targets.

The other nice thing about them is that if you decide to update later, your loss on sale is very minimal and it will move pretty quickly.

Check out Hawke Optics. SOme of the nicest budget glass I've ever seen.

The Vortex 4-16 HS is a good scope in your price range, I'd go with that one.