Optimal glass?

[1000meterstare]

Just bought a Mossberg bolt-action in .308.  I understand ballistically the 7.62 x 54r and 30-'06 are superior (and I've fired all 3 so I know).  I'm doing everything I can to stretch my range, like getting 175 grain match-grade fmj-bt.  Standard 3 x 9 mil-dot doesn't seem like enough, but higher power scopes seem like too much.  Even with the right mathematics and a soft touch (trigger), I'm thinking 800 meters is all the .308 has got.  It's only pushing .357 mag energy at that range (or less).  I was thinking 4 x 16.  I would keep it dialed in at around 12 power magnification.  Sound about right?  Gotta be a mil dot!  that is what I base my math on.  Ideas?  Suggestions?  I'm a Leupold freak but any value, quality scope recommendation would be welcome. [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co

[Kentactic]

Well Believe it or not the .308 will get you to 1000 yards with room to breath with the right loads, even out of a 20 in barrel. Ive had great success at a maximum of 885 yards (max range at local range) shooting a less then desirable 168 gr sierra match king. And when i say great success i mean im bassically making consistant hits on human size targets even in up to 15 mph winds. A hits a hit in my book. And in my opinion the .308 has greater potential accuracy then either of the other calibers you listed.

If this rifle will be used for Tactical style shooting your on the right track with the mill dot scope. Now the next thing to make sure is on the scope is matching turrets (meaning also Milliradians in adjustment) To work with the mildot reticle. Keep in mind the more bells and whistles you have on the scope the less qaulity the overall optic will be. If you do decide to go with an adjustable power scope it needs to be First Focal Plane. If it isnt FFP and is instead whats known as Second Focal Plane then the reticles measures are only correct at a set power (usually max power).

Now the next thing the scope will ideally have is Parallax adjustment. What that does is keep everything lined up at every range for example if your eye is not exactly centered behind the lense and theres any parallax it may mean your POI/POA is now not the same.

So with all that said i will now recommend you the same scope i own and recommend everyone. This scope is tough, Reliable, Repeatable, and has quite good glass in it.

http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-10x42-Tactical-30mm-Riflescope-P50717.aspx

I apaulogize if its a lot of info you already knew but if nothing else maybe another reader can use the info.

Heres a good example of what it costs to add Adjustable power to a scope and keep the same overall quality. It also has side focus and locking turrets...

http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-5-20x50-Tactical-30mm-Riflescope-P51653.aspx

Bells and whistles cost money.

[technique]

Everyone I know, that just so happen to be long distance service providers, say X12 is enough.
A few of those same guys also hunt game, for that they say more is needed for that...

I suppose the question is: Ya planning on shootin' 4, or 2 legged critters?

Personally, I have a X20 on a .300WM. It seems like it's too much scope, not always enough power.

[1000meterstare]

I settled on a 4 x 16 50mm relief with parallax adjustments from 5 yards to infinity.  It has red or green illumination for the reticle (although you don't have to use it).  It fit standard scope rings I had, so that was a relief.  Now I have to zero the bad boy.  I've always felt 200 yards for a bolt-action rifle is a WEAK-ASS zero.  The range I go to has a 200-yard lane but I wanna zero it at 500.  I think I will go to old abondoned coal-mine property near my house.

[Kentactic]

Whats the theory behind a 500 yard zero? Why is a closer zero weak?

I zero at 100 yards. If i have to use my rifle close range i hold dead on and am good to around 300 and will get a solid hit. If i need to make an adjustment theres no confusion between up and down, its always up. No matter where your zero is you have to hold over or make adjustments on every shot. A 500 yard zero wont get you to the max range of the rifle on the reticle more then likely so youll still be cranking the turret on the long shots. Your better off memorizing the holdover for a 500 yard shot if you want that known distance zero.

[Colombo]

Who needs glass, just walk the rounds on target 

[technique]

My zero is usually reticle dependent. Right now I'm zeroed at 300m with
my preferred load. I have plenty of room for compensation without having to make
adjustments. In other words, I can Kentucky windage on the fly.

What reticle did you end up with?