Entry level benchrest scopes?

[thisisdonald]

Hi folks, I'll be dipping my toe into the benchrest scene fairly soon, and I'm looking for recommendations for a very entry level scope. I'll be mounting said scope on a Origibal/Diana 75.
I'm not bothered about period looks and I'm not building an ultimate setup. I'm just looking for a decent scope that I can keep and use elsewhere if I find that benchrest isn't for me.
I have also applied for .308 on my fac, so, fingers crossed, the use of such a scope may be transferable to long range target shooting.

So far I'm looking at nikko stirling diamond 6-24x50 holdfast, old bsa platinum with fine crosshair.... my budget will hopefully be around the 300 mark maximum, although I don't mind trying a cheaper scope to see if the benchrest is for me.
Thanks for looking....

[Geezer]

Hi folks, I'll be dipping my toe into the benchrest scene fairly soon, and I'm looking for recommendations for a very entry level scope. I'll be mounting said scope on a Origibal/Diana 75.
I'm not bothered about period looks and I'm not building an ultimate setup. I'm just looking for a decent scope that I can keep and use elsewhere if I find that benchrest isn't for me.
I have also applied for .308 on my fac, so, fingers crossed, the use of such a scope may be transferable to long range target shooting.

So far I'm looking at nikko stirling diamond 6-24x50 holdfast, old bsa platinum with fine crosshair.... my budget will hopefully be around the 300 mark maximum, although I don't mind trying a cheaper scope to see if the benchrest is for me.
Thanks for looking....

I wonder if some of the classic early 90s FT (actually repurposed long-range US “varmint”) scopes might be good at that price. Tasco 6-24x40TR, Leupold 6-18x40 or 6.5-20x40. I have had a few of them, and they are definitely good scopes.

[thisisdonald]

I wonder if some of the classic early 90s FT (actually repurposed long-range US “varmint”) scopes might be good at that price. Tasco 6-24x40TR, Leupold 6-18x40 or 6.5-20x40. I have had a few of them, and they are definitely good scopes.

Thanks geezer... I'll have a look at them as well.. cheers.

One thing I'm wondering about.. I've not looked through a high (20+) mag scope.. I'm thinking the crosshairs maybe obscure the 2mm circle on the target? How do benchresters get on target? I have been looking at reticle with gaps around the centre or post type reticle which I could balance the 2mm ring on top of, or between. I'm also thinkingthat with a traditional crosshair, I could tuck the ring into the |__ .... or am I thinking too much?

[Drew451]

There is a similar thread in the the general section just now, Donald. That very point on crosshairs included. I cant add much to this apart from to watch out for a very long scope making loading a bit fiddly on the 75.

[thisisdonald]

Thanks Drew, I'll have a wee look just now

[XDRIVER]

I would say the leupold 6.5-20 x40 efr would be a good choice also a used sight Ron sll 36x42 scope. I shot benchrest with .22lr and had good success with a fox firearms 6-24x50 side parallax scope which can be bought for about £140 .would also work on a .308. Very good glass for the price.