- Joined
- Jan 12, 2026
- Messages
- 353
I am only interested in getting the most accuracy out of my best shooting target rifles, so I have focused with high powered scopes for bench shooting.
I am a great believer in 'aim small, hit small' and with my poor eyesight, I can't rely on moderate scope power to 'aim small'.
On my .223 Savage 12 FV with a 26-inch 1:7 twist Shilen Select Match barrel I use a 45X Leupold Competition scope with a target reticle.
At 100 yards the reticle covers less than 1/10 of an inch. Since July 2025, it has averaged 0.212 at 100 yards for 5-round groups. Just over 30% of my groups are under 0.2 inches.
On my 6.5mm CM Savage 12 FV, also with a 28-inch 1:8 twist Shilen Select Match barrel, I use a 12-42x56 Night Force Benchrest scope with a NP2DD reticle.
It has slightly less magnification, but the front optic gathers much more light and the contrast is phenomenal. Since Oct 2025 it has averaged 0.252 at 100 yards for 5-round groups with a 32X Night Force and 0.236 with the 42X Night Force.
On my Savage 12 LRP with a 26-inch 1:8 twist factory barrel, I use an 8-32x56mm Night Force Benchrest scope with an NP2DD reticle. I haven't shot it recently, because I have more than 4,000 rounds down the barrel and I am contemplating a barrel change. It's best 25 loads average 0.283 for 5-round groups at 100 yards.
On my Savage 10 FP with a 24-inch 1:10 twist factory barrel, I use an 8-32x56mm Night Force Benchrest scope with an Mil-Dot reticle. It hasn't been shot much in the last year because it also has over 4,500 rounds down the barrel, and is awaiting a barrel change, but it's top 25 loads average is 0.350 for 5-round groups at 100 yards.
On my Savage 11 VT .22-250 with a 1:12 twist factory barrel, I use an 8-32x56mm Night Force Benchrest scope with an NP2DD reticle. In December, it averaged 0.261 at 100 yards.
I even have 4.5-30x50 Bushnell scopes on my M1A .308 and Les Baer .223 Super Varmint semi-automatics.
The Les Baer has averaged 0.392 for 400 5-round groups with 33 different bullets. Its top 25 loads have averaged 0.324.
I know many of you prefer lower power scopes, and for hunting, I would never use high powered scopes, but for target shooting, especially from a bench, the only way I can achieve the best accuracy is to 'aim small'.
I am a great believer in 'aim small, hit small' and with my poor eyesight, I can't rely on moderate scope power to 'aim small'.
On my .223 Savage 12 FV with a 26-inch 1:7 twist Shilen Select Match barrel I use a 45X Leupold Competition scope with a target reticle.
At 100 yards the reticle covers less than 1/10 of an inch. Since July 2025, it has averaged 0.212 at 100 yards for 5-round groups. Just over 30% of my groups are under 0.2 inches.
On my 6.5mm CM Savage 12 FV, also with a 28-inch 1:8 twist Shilen Select Match barrel, I use a 12-42x56 Night Force Benchrest scope with a NP2DD reticle.
It has slightly less magnification, but the front optic gathers much more light and the contrast is phenomenal. Since Oct 2025 it has averaged 0.252 at 100 yards for 5-round groups with a 32X Night Force and 0.236 with the 42X Night Force.
On my Savage 12 LRP with a 26-inch 1:8 twist factory barrel, I use an 8-32x56mm Night Force Benchrest scope with an NP2DD reticle. I haven't shot it recently, because I have more than 4,000 rounds down the barrel and I am contemplating a barrel change. It's best 25 loads average 0.283 for 5-round groups at 100 yards.
On my Savage 10 FP with a 24-inch 1:10 twist factory barrel, I use an 8-32x56mm Night Force Benchrest scope with an Mil-Dot reticle. It hasn't been shot much in the last year because it also has over 4,500 rounds down the barrel, and is awaiting a barrel change, but it's top 25 loads average is 0.350 for 5-round groups at 100 yards.
On my Savage 11 VT .22-250 with a 1:12 twist factory barrel, I use an 8-32x56mm Night Force Benchrest scope with an NP2DD reticle. In December, it averaged 0.261 at 100 yards.
I even have 4.5-30x50 Bushnell scopes on my M1A .308 and Les Baer .223 Super Varmint semi-automatics.
The Les Baer has averaged 0.392 for 400 5-round groups with 33 different bullets. Its top 25 loads have averaged 0.324.
I know many of you prefer lower power scopes, and for hunting, I would never use high powered scopes, but for target shooting, especially from a bench, the only way I can achieve the best accuracy is to 'aim small'.
