Best/Most Useful Scope for HFT? Your Thoughts Please

Are you talking about AAFTA Hunter class?

I shoot lots of HFT in the UK and use a Vortex Diamondback Tac 14-16-50 and that works a treat . Not mad money by any means and does a great job , I shoot on 8 or 9 mag in the comps but use 16 for zeroing at 40 yards . I used a Hawke Vantage side focus before that and although it was good , when shooting the Worlds in the Czech republic , they dont paint there targets so they dont show any history at all and the Hawke was just not man enough for the job to get any info from the target . The Vortex has better glass and it shows . Have a look through as many different scopes as you can to make up your mind . Once you have done that ... Buy a Vortex



Rog

+1 for the Vortex.

The best would be way out of my budget. How much do you want to spend? 

The 16X limit in HFT US makes ranging past 40 yards challenging. I prefer a scope with a big 60mm OL (SIII or Big Nikko) because of the clarity and light gathering (old eyes) but ranging at 16X is probably no better than with a smaller scope. As with most FT gear, the smartest move on your part would be to attend a match and see what they are using. Most everyone there will be willing to answer questions and let you examine their gear after the match. This might be of more help you with scope choice than reading about others favorites here. Uj

Joe,

Philip Hepler won the Hunter class at the Nationals this year with a $200 UTG Accushot 4-16x56 sitting atop his generation 1 Benjamin Marauder.

https://www.pyramydair.com/s/a/UTG_Accushot_4_16x56_AO_Rifle_Scope_SWAT_EZ_TAP_Illuminated_Etched_Glass_Mil_Dot_Reticle_1_8_MOA_30mm_Tube_Twist_Lock_See_Thru_Weaver_Picatinny_Rings/4223



It's a great scope, but me myself.....I prefer the Sightrons.

You want a mil-dot scope with a adjustable AO focus on the side. And you want an etched glass reticle. I like the option of a lighted reticle for dark lanes. I use the 4-16X 56 UTG. For the money it's a good scope. I'm not saying it's the BEST scope, but it's worked for me and I continue to use it. The bubble level in the reticle is nice but mounted a bit too low inside the scope. A large side wheel added gives you more room for range marks and more accurate ranging. 

One thing that helps no mater what scope you use is how you use it. Consistency in how you move your focus wheel helps a lot. Move it the same way every time you range find. I personally go from near to far until my target is in focus, go slightly past focus, and then back to focus. Here's a video that may help with your range finding. 

Good luck!
https://youtu.be/Yy25rlOboiY

A friend showed me a KonusPro F30 8-32 that ranges better on 16x than anything else I've seen. It also has a bunch of nice features like internal level, IR, and a GREAT holdover reticle. Around $475 if you pick up the side wheel.

Bob

I don’t recommend buying a side/focus wheel when you buy a new scope buy a comma wheel. Look at the difference in yardage marks from a 4 “ wheel compared to a comma wheel. Makes ranging a lot easier https://youtu.be/cnNubES4rdw

Newbie looking for some advice/Guidance for a scope for HFT Pros/Cons would be most helpful.

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"Best" is somewhat subjective. The most common AAFTA Hunter Division scope at last years Nationals was the Sightron 10-50x60. The second most common was the Hawke 10-50x60. There were at least five 6-24x50 of various makes, A few/couple of 32x, 20x, 18x, 16x scopes.

http://www.aafta.org/uploads/1/2/7/6/127666620/nationals_scores_final.pdf

So mostly the same scope as Open or WFTF, except that scopes with only 16x also work fine in Hunter Division.

In Hunter Division, scope has much less correlational to finish position.

Since clicking is not allowed in Hunter Division, a good reticle with useful stadia markings is a valuable feature in Hunter Division.

Look for:

1) 16x magnification mark (that's the highest factory setting allowed by rules)

2) good reticle (holdover is required so you will use it for aim points)

3) largest objective (gives narrow depth of field for good ranging)