Best scope for benchrest?
- Thread starter amodinger
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I prefer thin SFP reticles for BR because [some] FFP reticles can get too wide when zooming.
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Benchrest where distance is known and does not change go SFP.
FFP reticle is FAT at high power and you want to be at higher power in Benchrest.
If gun is to be dedicated for benchrest I would recommend a high power fixed magnification.
FFP reticle is FAT at high power and you want to be at higher power in Benchrest.
If gun is to be dedicated for benchrest I would recommend a high power fixed magnification.
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As Larry stated above, fixed power 36X or 45X or similar from Leupold, Sightron,. Some of the older Weaver 36X were very good scopes! Good luck!
P.S. Fine crosshairs are best or real small dot are okay but not as good. I have a March 35-55X that is awesome.
Thx
Dan
P.S. Fine crosshairs are best or real small dot are okay but not as good. I have a March 35-55X that is awesome.
Thx
Dan
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I absolutely agree with Larryt, I’d recommend a high power fixed magnification scope.
The thinner reticle vs. an FFP scope is one good reason. A fixed magnification will also weigh less (some benchrest competitions have total weight limits) as well as provide better light transmission - brighter - than a variable magnification scope.
A magnification of 36x to 45x is critical if you plan to compete in 100 yard benchrest. The reason is that you need to clearly see your pellet holes at 100 yards - even .22 caliber holes.
I have a friend who did not qualify for the finals of a 100 yard benchrest competition - because he could not see the holes with his scope - and his target was cross shot by a competitor in another lane. He went from the lowest score in round one (due to cross shots) to the highest score in round 2. So it’s critical to have high magnification at 100 yards if competing.
Even in the Pro division there were some cross shots. I had it happen to me as well - just one stray shot from a competitor.
Just my 2 cents of opinion on the subject.
-Ed
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I have the best luck with a WeaverT-36 not as clear as some but the cross hairs are excellent.
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For 100 yard benchrest, at least 30x . Prefer SFP as you get more scope for less money generally. Fixed can be an awesome bargain with your personal preferred magnification. That can be trial and error till you get comfortable.
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Regarding the type of scopes, SFP are definitely a better choice for benchrest shooters.
But first of all, you need to determine the discipline of benchrest shooting. what distance do you want shoot? 25 and 50m or 100 yards and above?
Benchrest scopes with fixed power magnification usually start at 36x and go up to 45x used by short range benchrest shooters.
scopes like Weaver T36, Sightron 36*42 BRD are in the category of classic BR optics with a reasonable price and under 1000 dollars. You can also find scopes in the 36x to 50x range from brands such as Leupold, Sithron SIII, March, and Nightforce, all of which cost upwards of $1,000 to $2,500.
Some shooters in the 100 yard class get better results from variable magnification optics with mildots reticles.
I have almost 9 years of shooting experience in air rifle benchrest , I think optics like Element and some other opticss that are introduced in EBR and RMAC competitions are not suitable for benchrest and getting the highest score.
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I have Sightron SIII ED in 36x and 45x ($1,100 scopes)
I also have Sightron SII 36x ($500 scope)
You can get the SII 36x on sale for less than $500…
If you want to get into benchrest target shooting, you really must try the SII 36x Sightron. It is freaking amazing for the money. You are going to have to spend over $1,000, and likely well over 1,000 to top its performance.
Its also relatively lightweight.
I also have Sightron SII 36x ($500 scope)
You can get the SII 36x on sale for less than $500…
If you want to get into benchrest target shooting, you really must try the SII 36x Sightron. It is freaking amazing for the money. You are going to have to spend over $1,000, and likely well over 1,000 to top its performance.
Its also relatively lightweight.
I have no idea what the best would be, I imagine it would depend quite a bit on the distances you shoot and the projectiles you're using. But if I was going to get a pure benchrest scope for myself, it would be the "Mini" March Genesis, that's the 4-40x zoom range. They also have a 6-60x "big boy" but that gets into zoom ranges I can't imagine I'd ever use.
Other than the quality, one of the main things I like about the March is the extreme tilt you can put on the scope. So if you get into lobbing pellets long distances, you don't have to do any exotic modifications to your scope mount. It's ready for pretty much anything you want to try.
Other than the quality, one of the main things I like about the March is the extreme tilt you can put on the scope. So if you get into lobbing pellets long distances, you don't have to do any exotic modifications to your scope mount. It's ready for pretty much anything you want to try.
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The Genesis is pretty amazing. Maybe March will do a Genesis version of the new Majesta? If money were not a factor, for Benchrest airgun, 22 LR or PB, or F-Class with a PB gun, I would go with a March Majesta. The biggest problem I see is that once I had one, I would want MORE of them. I don't have a clue how FT works. Is there a class where the 8-80x would be allowed in FT at higher than 16x? I am assuming you could use it at 16x in the regular class.
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I am a 25m and 50m shooter and have tried quite a few optics. You can choose between 36x50 and 45X. I would prefer the 45 X for the better detail it offers on target due to higher magnification. The brightest 45mm of the ones I tried is from sightron.
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All good, but the Sightron SII 36X reticle does not have any tick/hash marks. You will have to dial for wind using reticle type.
A scope like this would be a better choice:
Bench-Rest Scope | Argos BTR 10-40×56 BLR SFP MOA
For those of you that are just getting started in the Bench-Rest competition or are looking to start, take a close look at the Argos BTR 10-40×56 scopes.
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@Raider03 , I don't dial turrets on my SII but rather use the target rings for wind hold offs. That’s a nice reticle on the Athlon but If given a choice I‘d prefer a simple clean reticle with a tiny target dot instead of busy hash mark reticles but that is only my opinion and others may prefer something else?
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Not exactly Benchrest but I find there is good cross 'contamination' between disciplines.
Here is a good list of FT scopes & other equipment used
https://hardairmagazine.com/news/rifles-scopes-and-pellets-at-the-2023-fpft-competition/
Here is a good list of FT scopes & other equipment used
https://hardairmagazine.com/news/rifles-scopes-and-pellets-at-the-2023-fpft-competition/
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SFP and i like a lot of magnification but other better shooters I know dont need a mag as I like.
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