I have been looking at this one for my M1A

https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_4_14X44_FFP_Scope_p/pa4-14xffp.htm

More info on measurement. 
http://www.vortexoptics.com/uploads/web_man_rfl_razor_ebr-3_2.pdf

I'd say to still stick with MIL.  With BDC, your load has to match the BDC data.  That means you can't change bullet type or velocity.  You'll likely want to experiment with different powders and different types of bullets.  You'll be better to just create your own dope or to use one of the ballistic calculators on your phone.

http://spoton.nikonsportoptics.com/spoton/spoton.html#:4

Nifty little program, that...

Btw, there's a nice little app version that works on your smartphone, uses GPS data for weather conditions...

What about the Pride-Fowler Rapid Reticle scope?

The PFI reticle is what Zeiss licensed.   And I had little problem using the RR800 to nail targets at 1000 yards.  Without messing with my turrets.  And mine was the variable.   Looking back, I should have got the fixed 10X.

I use Shooter.  Some people use Applied Ballistics or Strelok. I think they are all good.

I have Strelok and really like it.  Very useful and close to dead on accurate if you are honest on your data input.

Strelok?

Get out of here, STALKER.

The rifle I'm putting this on isn't really going to be a "precision rifle" in the classical sense.  It's going to be more of a long-range hunting rifle, suitable for big game.  A "long ranged" shot for most hunters is anything over 300, and that's not too bad.


Yes.



No.


I do want good glass; all the magnification in the world doesn't make up for low quality glass.  I'm mainly wondering if I really need all the (expensive) bells and whistles that the "tactical" market brings to bear, like mil-dots and a first-focal-plane reticle.

Again, I'm a long ways off from making any of this a reality, so this is just a mental exercise.  But, let's say I get the rifle like int he top picture, and decide to go with a scope with just a basic duplex crosshair, combined with a laser range finder.

Which models and makes should I be looking at?  I don't think I need excessive magnification; unless you're firing off a bipod or rest, anything much above 10X is going to be pretty shaky.  Hiking every day in the rugged, canyonous, mountainous, forested and open terrain of central Colorado has really got me thinking about realistic expectations from a field rifle.  While the Savage 110BA is a fine and accurate rifle, I'm sure, it's not something I have any use for.  I also lack the skill to really get my money's worth out of it.

The simpler, accurate, heavy-barreled huntin' rifle, on the other hand, is more of what I'm looking for.  So the glass has to be suited to that.

I've been looking at the Leupold VX-R series, but I'm still not sure.

Magnification range, I don't think I need more than 12 or 14 power at the top end, and 10x would probably be fine.  I want something rugged, solid, that can take a steady diet of full-power .30-06/.300 Win Mag/7mm Rem Mag (whichever cartridge I decide to go with).  I'd prefer it have some kind of target turret for elevation.  The whole point of ranging for longer-ranged shots is so you know how many clicks to raise your elevation; if your elevation adjustment is a screw-slot under a screwed-down cap, you're not going to bother with it.

So, scope suggestions?  Leupold?  Vortex?  Other?  Keep it under a thousand bucks.

Look at the VX-R series.  I have the 3-9x Patrol version.  It might not have as much magnification as you want.  It does have very nice, accurate low profile milrad turrets and the TMR milrad reticle, which is a combination of thick duplex in to five mil rad length stadia to center.  They are marked at .5 mil and 1 mil intervals.  The stadia are .3 mils wide (about 1MOA), as is the illuminated center dot.  Lot of scope for about $600 shipped from most vendors. 

The turrets are 6 mils per revolution.  On my AR 15 that gets me out to 600 yards without passing zero with a proper hunting type zero that has a maximum midrange tranectory of no more than +3".  This is not a fine crosshair scope for sub MOA shooting, but is great as a multipurpose scope out to 600.  Check your "come ups" for your magnum in a good ballistic software program.  You might be able to stretch to 800 yards or so before going beyond one rotation an the elevation turret.  I use the milrad hashes in the reticle only for windage.  Sounds like you would not be taking shots that long, however.

I would not take a shot at game much beyond 400 yards, for ethical reasons, due to my insistance on accurate, lethal shot placement and my own marksmanship limitations.  This scope makes a lot of sense for me because of its low light abilities, its ability to work on running game, pulled back on lower power, and the milrad ranging for distance.

Below is a photo of the reticle at 9x the .3 mil dot (attenuated for the photo and usually off for full daylight) is on the window of my workshop in my barn at a measured 235 yards.