300/221 scope for pistol

[JFettig]

I'm trying to figure out what to use for a scope on my 300 whisper pistol I just built/am building. Its done except I'm waiting for the proper upper, stole one off another AR.

I have about 40 rounds through it now, all shot with a red dot on top. I will want to do some long range precise shooting very soon, I can already tell that its too much recoil for a 3" eye relief scope(pistol, no butt stock) so I will need something with about 5" of relief or more.

Standard pistol scopes that I've come across won't really work well, they aren't made for long range and they don't have knobs for quick adjustment nor enough zoom. I'd ideally like 10x zoom but it looks like I won't likely get that, I'd also like a mil-dot reticle but same with that.

Is there any way to modify the eye relief on an existing scope?

I'm not looking to spend more on the scope than the gun. What I want to spend is quite unrealistic really.

Does anyone have recommendations for a scope? I liked what I saw on Scoops recent sbr build...until I saw the price tag.


Thanks,
Jon

[Gpz1100]

i use burris on all my encores and striker. they hold up to the larger calibers. maybe get a used one, burris may change turrents for you.

[JFettig]

I'll have to see if the local sportsmans warehouse or gander has them to check out.

Any other suggestions?

Jon

[pug]

The Burris Short Mag scopes fill most of what you require. 9.5 - 10" long, up to 5" eye relief, up to 14x power and have a bullet drop compensator built in. I looked at the 2-7x model but went with the Browning 2-7x instead. Miss the BDC not being on the Browning but really well made for the price.

[JFettig]

Thanks pug! Those look nice. I did some searching and they are over 250-300 but then looked at the burris site and didn't find them. The Timberline scopes appear to be the same ones, the price is lower too which is very cool, under 200 for the highest power one. Looks like that bullet drop compensator isn't all that useful, it doesn't allow nearly enough hold over, especially for a 220gr projectile at 300 yards http://www.burrisoptics.com/pdf/BALLPLEX.pdf. Is there a way to add target knobs to a scope?

[pug]

The Short Mags are being discontinued I think. I really don't use a pistol for even 100 yd shots so wasn't thinking holding over for 300. Stoney Point use to make aftermarket target knobs for particular models but don't know if Hornady kept up the manufacturing of them after taking over. May be some old stock around still and they may fit.

I decided to add to this that before you purchase target knobs for a scope you must make sure the scope uses dual springs inside pushing against the erector tube. If the scope uses only a single spring pushing diagonaly against the tube when you crank on the knobs the crosshairs move more diagonaly than they do straight up and down. You can make out with slight correction but with extreme correction you will not be on target. The only under $300 scopes I can say for sure have dual springs is Weaver micro tracs and Sightron SII and maybe Nikons.

[kurtz]

might take a look at the Burris 3-12 pistol target....3 to 12 power and target type turrets....I have a friend that has one on a Contender, he's pretty happy with it .....uses it mostly around 6 to 8 power.... http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=741727&t=11082005

[JFettig]

Thanks a ton guys,

pug, I saw some stoney point knobs for some leopold scopes at midway. I figured I could probably make some even.
do scopes that come with target knobs have dual springs or will my cheapo scope start moving all over when I try to adjust for elevation?

Kurtz, that is VERY close to what I'm looking for, I might have to start saving for that. It could probably work very well but I might have to mount it on the free float tube to get the eye relief needed as I'd still like to use the buffer tube as a cheek weld.

I've searched for hours and haven't come across any of these suggestions, I much appreciate it.

Jon

[JFettig]

I stopped by sportsmans warehouse, they had a 3-9 shortmag I took a look at, It seemed decent, had decent eye relief. I also looked at a burris pistol scope, when mounted way out there I could hardly see the reticle and I would for sure have to mount it on the free float tube. One thing I noticed that I didn't really like is the image through the scope was distorted all around the edges, it had a feeling of a fisheye lense or macro lense if you know what I mean.

Regarding the bullet drop compensator, that only takes up a small part of the reticle, a very small amount. Its too bad they don't keep it going all the way down. Its possible that I could hold over almost far enough. I'd still have to add target knobs.

Jon

[pug]

I gave up on target turrets for hunting some time back. I have TTs on my 6mm ppc bench rest rifle but I always know where the target is when shooting that. For hunting I don't like to do a lot of calculating, I just guesstimate or range the distance hold over using the BDC and take the shot. I assume you are looking at the distance between marks being about 3.5 inches but that is calibrated at maximum power (usually). If you back off the magnification the drop between marks increases. I believe one of those you looked at had 10.5" BDC between marks at 4x. This works only if your reticle doesn't change size as you zoom through the power settings.

[HotLead]

I chose the 2-6x32 Bushnell Elite 3200. I originally wanted the Burris variable pistol scope, but didn't care for the drastic change in eye relief with the change in magnification. The Bushnell works great to ~200-250yds.
-JD

[redtazdog]

I chose the 2-6x32 Bushnell Elite 3200. I originally wanted the Burris variable pistol scope, but didn't care for the drastic change in eye relief with the change in magnification. The Bushnell works great to ~200-250yds.
-JD
I have tried the burris, Simmons, Leupold pistol scopes and the 2-6x32
Bushnell Elite 3200 is the only scope that holds up to my large caliber pistols.
Holds up to this 50 Alaskan 700 grn bullets at 1600 fps. :grin:
223 next to 50 Alaskan
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa166/redtazdog/50alaskanMedium.jpg

[Gpz1100]

do you attach one end of a rope to a 50# block and the other end to that front sling swivel to tame that beastie?
;)

[JFettig]

I think I'm still on the search, I was about ready to purchase a burris timberline(shortmag) and I talked to a friend and he mentioned that at high power the eye relief would shorten to the minimum, 3.75". It might not be bad but I've measured it out on my pistol and its getting a little short.

Even if I mounted a scope on the handguard, 12" is the maximum eye relief I can get and I don't think thats enough for most pistol scopes.

To prevent a nice ring around my eye or broken glasses, the back of the scope will have to be at least 1" in front of the back of the charging handle, preferably 2". The location of my eye is typically 3" behind the charging handle.

Jon

[Utah Shotgunner]

I also looked at a burris pistol scope, when mounted way out there I could hardly see the reticle and I would for sure have to mount it on the free float tube. One thing I noticed that I didn't really like is the image through the scope was distorted all around the edges, it had a feeling of a fisheye lense or macro lense if you know what I mean.

Jon

You can use the focus ring on a Burris to eliminate this.

I haven't purchased a pistol scope in years but I do have Burris' in 3x, 5x , 7x & 10x and like them all.

[abyssdncr]

I've used Simmons Shotgun scopes on my Whisper carbine in the past. I wanted the scope forward quasi-scout style.

You can find a slew of shotgun scopes in magnifications of 1.5x up to 9x. Almost all have eye relief in the 4" range. Worked pretty well for me.

[JFettig]

I found a scope that works. Its not the most optimal scope and setup but it'll do for the time being.
Its a NcStar 2-7x pistol scope, its got 8-10" relief. I used a YHM rail extension/riser to get it out far enough(could be a little farther out).

I've been shooting ~1" groups at 100yds with it using a support under the grip and a bipod. I think I'll be making a new grip screw that has an adjustable support sticking out of it.

here are a couple of shots of it on my reloading bench.
http://www.quarterbore.net/forums/photopost/data/535/tn_IMG_1350.jpg
http://www.quarterbore.net/forums/photopost/data/535/tn_IMG_1351.jpg

Jon