I'm looking at a handful of different scopes for the Bergara HMR pro chambered in 6.5 CM. I took the Bergara shooting academy out in Montana with a buddy using that rifle with the Kahles K624i 6-24x56 $2499 https://www.amazon.com/Kahles-K624i-6-24x56mm-SKMR4-Riflescope/dp/B0B1VZ...
That's the scope the academy manager put on all the rifles they use at that class. One of the instructors said he prefers the Tract Toric 4-20x50mm $1294 https://tractoptics.com/all-products/toric-uhd-30mm-4-20x50-ffp-mrad-prs...
I've looked at Vortex and Leupold and other scope equivalents and read quite a few articles.
I like the Kahles scope we used at the academy but if the Tract scope is "just as good" why not save $1200 or so?
The tract scope zooms to 20 power instead of 24 with the Kahles but my experience has been dialing zoom in all the way makes getting back on target for the follow up shot a lot harder and generally I just don't need 24x zoom inside 1000 yards.
We shot buffalo sized steel targets at 1450 yards and 24x zoom was nice to have but I think I didn't think it was necessary. The 6.5CM they say is only accurate out to around 1300 maybe 1400 yards so I don't think I need a 24x magnification scope but I still want to put a quality scope on it. The academy manager said around 1300 yards or so the 6.5CM starts to tumble so it's effective range is pushed pretty far at 1450.
I'd like a scope that reaches the max effective range of the Bergara HMR pro in 6.5 CM and
What scopes do yall recommend and why?
I recommend you come out to range 4 when we're shooting 1,000 and take a look at what's out there (as far as power). I uses a 7-35 Night force and have no issue staying on target at 35x. However, I dial down to 25x or lower when mirage comes up. The higher magnification is appreciated as your eyes get older and your shooting distances longer. And as to the effectiveness of a 6.5, while we only shoot 1,035yds at R4, people have been shooting 6.5 out to a mile with effectiveness.
I would suggest a Vortex as the glass is good and the lifetime warranty is no questions asked. I chipped my front objective with a cleaning rod, shipped it back and they repaired and had it back to me the same week.
Like John said, come out to the range and see what others are shooting and ask questions. I 24X and 25X Voertex scopes on two of my longer range rifles and have recently mounted a 25X Arken on a third rifle. You can always dial them back in magnification to suit the conditions. I haven't had any problems with either of the Vortex's but it's nice to know that if I do, I can get them fixed no questions asked.
Come out to 1000 yd line and get behind some rifles and see what reticle and scope meets your needs. Bear in mind, if your intent on 1 mile shooting then ask those on the line who have done that and can comment on what scope they used. I am locked to shooting 1000 yds for the most part and have found the Vortex Viper line of scopes...1st or 2nd Focal Plane to be more than I need and very pleased with their performance. I have 6 to 24x Vortex Viper HST or PST scopes on all my rifles and have no regrets but mind you, I buy all the optical power I need and don't buy more than I need. Reason...it won't help me shoot any better, I'm shooting sub MOA with Vortex . Also, as mirage builds, those high end scopes all get dialed down in power just like my Vortex scopes. Mid morning I'm at 16x and can see targets clear as can be...dial it to 18x or higher and BLURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR....defeated by mirage.