Nomercy448

I dug up some info for a little light reading... All are what I’d call “average joe” worthy scopes, 3-9x40mm scopes for $250 or less.

Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40mm: 50MOA
Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm: 60MOA
Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x40mm: 50MOA (Mine is ACTUALLY 78MOA)
Bushnell Trophy 3-9x40mm: 80MOA
Leupold Rifleman 3-9x40mm: 56MOA
Leupold VX-I/VX-II 3-9x40mm: 56MOA
Nikon Buckmasters 3-9x40mm: 80MOA
Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40mm: 80MOA
Redfield Revolution 3-9x40mm: 56MOA
Simmons Aetec 2.8-10x44mm: 80MOA
Simmons Prohunter 3-9x40mm: 60MOA

I’ll admit, there are some “weird” models out there that have way more or way less internal adjustment (Bushnell Elite 4200 8-32x40mm only has 20MOA), but 50-60MOA is a pretty typical internal adjustment range for the “average scope”. Another upside for the “average joe” is that more and more manufacturers are swapping out the traditional socketed dial-type adjusters in favor of finger-knob type adjusters, making windage and elevation doping adjustments much easier to make on the fly.

Whenever I’m in the need for a new scope, I evaluate a new scope’s internal adjustment against the total drop of the cartridge I’m using for a given range I plan to use it for (total drop, not just drop below a 100yrd zero). For a 50MOA scope, I count on being able to use at least 20MOA for drop correction, but could never exceed 25MOA.

Besides a $250 or less 3-9x40mm scope, I’d also venture that the “average joe’s average equipment” will be a standard weight bolt action rifle from one of the major manufacturers using mid-grade factory ammo pushing a 6mm to 30cal cartridge from 90-150grn (BC = 0.35-0.45) at 2700 to 3400fps.

So a little more reading… Here’s the maximum ranges based on some “average” cartridges based on an “average” scope with 50MOA adjustment range (range where total drop exceeds 20-25MOA):

.223rem 55grn (BC=0.25) @ 3325fps: 650-700 (I use a 60MOA scope with a mil-dot reticle to shoot P-dogs out to 800yrds)

.243win 90grn (BC=0.38) @ 3100fps: 675-750

6.5x55mm Swede 140grn (BC=0.41) @ 2700fps: 575-650yrds

.25-06rem 120grn (BC=0.41) @ 3100fps: 700-800yrds

.270win 130grn (BC=0.45) @ 3100fps: 725-825yrds

7mm Mauser 145grn (BC=0.45) @ 2800fps: 600-700yrds

.308win/.30-06 150grn (BC=0.42) @ 3100fps: 625-700yrds (I use a Nikon 80MOA to shoot 1,000yrds in a .308win with no angled base)

Jumping up to a 60MOA scope adds about 100-150yrds to every one of the above
ranges. Jumping up to an 80MOA scope ranges the .223 and the 6.5x55 up to at least 800yrds, and ranges the other cartridges up to 900-1,000yrds+.

So, getting an “average scope” to cover a .270win out to 700-900yrds isn’t anything special.

MOST rifles from the major manufacturers are capable of shooting 1.-1.5MOA with at least ONE suitable factory hunting load (8-12” group at 800yrds). Just on the fringe of accurate enough for a deer’s vital area.

And I know I’m going to catch flak for this, but even the .243win has as much energy at 800yrds as a .357mag at 50yrds… more than enough to seal the deal with a vitals shot.

On the other hand, the “average joe” doesn’t have access to a 400yrd shooting range, let alone a 1,000yrd range. So the “average joe” hasn’t practiced the skills to shoot that far.

Moral of the story, the “average scope” will have plenty of adjustment to get the “average joe” on target with his “average rifle”, so the "average joe" can't blame his "average equipment" for his own lack of shooting ability...