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Sounds like you are doing some scope shopping.
I will hopefully be able to give you some stellar endorsements over some glass
in the weeks ahead.
A long story shortened…but still a long story: A buddy gave me some timely advice after my wife passed. He knew how close we were and what the challenges we'd been through with her health and with work over the past few years. He used to work with me at the plant....and then went onto to follow other dreams....and was very successful.
Anyway.....he knew that I need to return to the outdoors.....shooting, hunting, fishing and etc.
He advised that I don't put it off....but get after it right away. Don't get bogged down by the boat that's been sitting idle for 6 years and needs the motor worked over.
Don't wait around for deer season.
Don't just make a drive to the indoor pistol range 2-3 times a month.
But to get OUTDOORS and get back to my roots and to do so immediately.
Two suggestions he made:
"Dude...you always wanted to have shoot better on dove shoots & duck hunts......grab yer duck gun and schedule a couple lessons with the pro at the shooting clays course". So.....I did. Been back a few times. It's a work in progress....and it is fun and requires me to quiet down my mind and get smooth. Fun & productive. I was semi-hooked.
His second challenge.....he was on a roll, lol. "Dude...you always wanted to get into that long range target stuff.....call up our bud that is into that an go along with him...see what's up......do it." So.....I did. I was overwhelmed and outgunned. It was much more demanding that any rifle work I'd done in preparation for deer seasons over the years. I'd be lucky if I could find a 200yd range to use.....and most of my shots in the woods were 1/3 that distance.
The guy that took me along has his act together. I showed up at the private range with my trusty old .270 in a soft case, two boxes of ammo and some ear plugs and wearing the Costa sunglasses that I"m addicted to (their green glass lenses are the ticket).
He drops his tailgate and I swear he had a pile of stuff....hardcases for two rifles.....hard cases for other stuff, etc. Looked like he was going to deploy. I laughed and commented.....he said he was traveling "light" on that trip. He brought a gun for me to shoot plus another that he said he was "tuning up" whatever the meant, along with his own rifle.
My .270 stayed in the truck after he looked it over.
My takeaways from that day were:
1) I'm too stiff right now to be doing any prone stuff. If I have to go to the ground it's because someone has knocked me down...and I'm gonna stab them in the ankle, lol. I simply couldn't get comfortable behind the rife until he suggested I raise up considerably and he extended the bipod legs. That helped....but a dang bench to shoot from would have been more better.
I gotta walk before I run. I gotta sit before I lay down. Maybe in time I'll work up to prone shooting. For now.....heck no.
2) Gauging wind is way beyond what I've done with golf. He was able to make a call......then confirm it with his Kestrel (electronics he used were beyond my understanding....technology that was useful as heck...although I'll give him credit...he made his wind calls and distance ranging from his scope and then confirmed with the tech toys).
3) It was FUN. I was hooked....
Just like it was advised by the pard who pushed me into getting out and trying it........there is no season to wait for.....nothing needed but a day off work and some gas in the truck.
Hooked.
I went back home and did some wheeling and dealing with a few long guns that I knew I'd never use again....magnum stuff that I'll not be hunting with...nor have any desire to shoot at ranges or sporting clays, etc. Kept the Benelli SB3 & SuperNova as they'll do anything I need in a shotgun.....and my non-magnum stuff will kill any deer or hog I'm gonna be hunting. The old glass went with the old rifles, too.
That created room in the safe and room in the wallet to move forward with a few projects to get me started. I approached things with the lion's share going towards glass. Two rifles were added after my "team of advisors" confirmed them absolute bargains....good stocks, great barrels and serviceable triggers with out of the box readiness. One is for that long range fun. The other is a sporter weight .308 Win that I'll hunt with.
First scoped added was done so after finding it discontinued and on a bigtime sale....close to 1/2 what it originally sold for when it was the current model. It arrived as promised from the online store...new factory sealed box. First focal plane....MIL based. Going on my "long range target" soft-shooting 6.5CM bolt gun. Should be a cream puff.
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I really like the clarity, brightness and overall quality of that first NF above. I liked the clean reticle that will be nice on long range targets...and the turrets feel great.
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I wanted that same glass/image quality for another gun....my AR-308. I called the folks at NF a couple times and got some input from them. Later on bought a mount & the scope below from Mile High. Shooting the semi-auto I wanted less top end magnification and a reticle that would allow faster holds vs cranking on turrets. Again, MIL based first focal plane.
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So...the .308 Win sporter weight hunting bolt gun needed some glass, too. I've always been a Leupold guy.....but wasn't sure what I wanted to do. All their new model transition was more than I wanted to study up on. I'd discussed this with one of the techs at NF when I was calling. Suggestions were made....keying on a 10 power max and clean reticle.
I decided to add the SHV below. Reticle is clean. Size is PERFECT for hunting. Glass is very clear & bright. Illumination is very agreeable. Not a pile of stuff to worry over....simple hunting scope. I did add their throw ring to it after liking that feature on the BEAST & Atacr scopes.
I have a huge amount of stuff to do first in order to some free time to spend on them.....but they are waiting on me and I know the fun is ahead.
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Spare bedroom, man cave-in-the-making, has some fun new stuff that is SCREAMING for me to grab and get busy with.
Ordinarily I am an impatient goon.
Now, however….I know that I may have days ahead where projects that occupy my mind and challenge my abilities will be wonderful things to spend the time on.
Just seems like work and helping my son get moved back in along with his girlfriend has taken up most of my free time.
Looking forward to filling the years ahead with worthy use of my free time.