M14 Forum

Earthquake · January 19th, 2012, 04:01 PM

Any scope mounted on a fifty will eventually break, I have seen NF's break after 5000 rounds and after 10, I know a guy that has fired over 3000 rounds with a Tasco scope mounted on his rifle. The main thing about getting a scope for a fifty is to make sure it has a lifetime warranty, if you broke a Super Sniper send it back and they will fix it or send you a new one. I have seen air rifles break high end scopes because of there reverse recoil, this sounds crazy but it can happen. One thing that will help prolong a scope from breaking is how well the muzzle brake works, a Armalite AR-50 has a very good brake, I have never shot a SHF 50 but I think they are pretty light and I dont think there brake is as good as a AR-50 or my Steyr HS-50 [both brakes are very similar] dont they have a fish gill type brake? one thing you want to look for in a fifty scope is how much MOA adjustment it has or you may need a slanted base on the rifle, the NF NSX has about the most at 120, followed by the Lup MK-4 which I think has 100, I think the SS has almost a 100 and the NF Benchrest models only have about 40 I am going by memory on this number so the might not be right. One of the best thing you can do if you have a fifty cal rifle or are thinking about buying one is to join the Fifty Caliber Shooters association [FCSA] and get on there "members only" forum I am a moderator over there, there is so much information available there it is not even funny, you will be able to ask questions to some of the best shooters there are. you can check out the Visitor's forum but I dont think its all that great and not visited by all the members.

Casey

joshcote · January 19th, 2012, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philip26p

Ok small rant, you got a rifle that is about $3,300 or more new, you got a great price say what 1,000- 1,500 off, and you think a $400 is going to hold up to a 50 cal round. I have no problem with cheaper priced gear but sometimes you get what you pay for and I just don’t see a $400 hanging in there with a fifty. Ok rant over.

OK, I paid $2500 for the rifle. I was ready to pay $2000 for a scope and rings but I really kept hearing great things about the SS. It was a decision made to get a great scope. Not to save the money, but of course the $1500 difference is a lot of bullets. The way I figured it is that if the SS fails, I'll send it in for warranty and put it on my scout when it returns. If it doesn't then I have a great priced scope on my 50.

brassmagnet · January 19th, 2012, 06:52 PM

Let me clear something up here. I had a 10X SS on my Ferret 50, and it held up quite well. Never had a problem up to the day I sold the rifle. I have no idea what it did after that, but in all honesty, the Ferret was a heavier and much better shooting rifle than the SHF 50, and had a better muzzle break. I miss that rifle - that's why I tried a SHF 50. Cost different was well over 1K.

Irregardless, the SS is rated for a 50 BMG, and it has the lifetime warranty, so I'm not overly concerned. I'll put another one on when they send it, but I WILL be looking at other options, just because I had this happen on this rifle. Or, maybe installing a different break. If the replacement holds up, I'll take my time - if not, it will go back, get replaced, and go on a different rifle. All's good.

DukeRustfield · January 19th, 2012, 07:00 PM

I've only had (a lot of) experience with Leupold and Nightforce. I found the Nightforce to be much clearer. Both brands are good and I'd recommend either. But for a 50, you can shoot that thing out at the moon. Why not get >36x? If you know you're always going to be at normal human distances it doesn't matter, but if you're ever going to push that gun, it does.

joshcote · January 24th, 2012, 05:12 PM

OK so here are a few crappy cell phone pictures of my AR-50 with the SS installed. Cant wait to get her to the range!!!

Otokiak · February 1st, 2012, 08:38 AM

Very nice! :D

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA

joshcote · March 11th, 2012, 05:51 PM

Update:

I shot the .50 for the first time today. The SS lasted all of 10 rounds. well I guess it's off to warranty repair or replace.

KyAggie · March 11th, 2012, 06:32 PM

Dang that sucks....I have a MK4 4.5x14x50 Illum Tactical Milling Reticle in Badgers on mine....still going strong. The Nightforce you were originally looking at is a great scope. I would have bought one but just did not have the $$; at least the money I did have, I was putting into the then available surplus 50 BMG ammo that has since dried up. Good luck with your next brand!