Need thoughts and direction.....

R

rammer43

Guest
I am in the process of setting up a Cooper model 22 chambered in .243 Winchester for shooting ground hogs here in Ohio and also doing some paper punching varmint for score type matches. What my questions are about is scope choices for both of these types of shooting. My thought is to have a 36X BR type scope for bench type matches and the switch it to a 8-32X for use in the field. The bases on the Cooper are Warne and if I choose to use the Warne detachable type rings on each scope what problems am I looking at? Each scope would have it's own set of rings. When I switched out the scopes and I had reset them to a zero type setting so point of impact would be the same at a preset distance would these rings allow this to happen or would they have to be re-zeroed? What I would like to do is be able to switch scopes and know where they are going. Are the Warne detatchable rings able to do this? I have no experience with these type of rings. My thoughts on the two scopes are because of reticle choices. Crosshairs for matches and a varmint reticle for field use. Please take me to school and enlighten me on my thoughts. Thank you.
 
I cannot answer to your specific request for information as I shoot a Cooper Model 21 Varmint Extreme in .223 Rem caliber and shoot bench rest with different guns.

I do use a Sightron SII BigSky 6X-24X with fine crosshair/dot reticule which is beyond a doubt the nicest and most versitile scope I own. I use this scope for both benchrest as well as field shooting and it gets swapped between several guns and is my go to scope when checking out and testing a new gun.

As to swapping scopes, as long as the scope has not been re-sighted on another gun, simply to remove a scope and then to re-install it without changing anything, it is my experience that any shift in sighting is very minor and may only require a couple clicks readjustment. I use a number of different make rings, mostly Weaver style but not the quick disconnect type specifically. My experience is that most rings work as expected, I've not had a ring problem that I can think of as I type this and prefer rings with Allen or Torx type screws. One simply carries a small hex-key or torx key type wrench in the gun case and to my thinking this is a more positive and secure method of attaching a scope. Some rings have coin slot screw for the base rail clamp and these are OK with the caveat that I've found some clamps need to be checked for burrs so they don't chew up the base rail if you are removing and reinstalling the scope a lot.

With a good scope such as the Sightron and Weaver type rings, one can keep track of clicks offset for different guns and often redial the scope's POA back on POI repeatably and often only a single test shot is required to check it. This is a condition that can vary greatly depending on the gun and scope being used however it is my experience that scope swapping usually requires very minor adjusting if any and is probably not any different than the change environmental conditions may cause with weather/temperature variations and/or transporting the gun to the range.

I also use the Weaver T36 fixed power fine crosshair/dot 36X competition scopes for dedicated benchrest shooting. Lately I have purchased a 8X-32X Mueller Target scope (new model) simply for testing and evaluation purposes. One thing I have learned very quickly with this 8x-32X scope is that its power range is very adequate for benchrest shooting as compared to the Weaver T36 and being variable power, it has the versatility for any type of shooting I may choose to use it for. (Note, the Mueller 8X-32X is a brand new scope just coming on the market and my mention of it here is not to be taken as a recommendation as the scope has no history of reliability at this point).

Knowing what I presently know, If I were to consider a scope for use as you describe, my choice would be the Sightron SIII 8X-32X (SIIISS832X56LRD). Its my opinion that this scope would be very adequate in the dual role as you describe and you would not need to swap scopes back and forth.

Happy shooting,
Mitch & Shadow...
 
Rammer43 - I have a Cooper 21 in 223 with Warne bases and I use Burris Signature Zee rings on it. I do exactly what you are asking about, I run one scope for varmint shooting and I have a different scope that I use for the local benchrest (meat shoot) matches.

I have found that usually the scope/ring combo will come pack to within about 1/4" to 1/2" of previous point of aim. The trick to it is this - when you are tightening down the cross screw on the rings run them both in until you start to feel just the slightest resistance, at that point alternate tightening them. I only turn each screw about an 1/8 of a turn and alternate back and forth. It works for me.

Good shooting - drover
 
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