I have always noticed that when working up handloads for various rifles, that the scope is often the limiting factor in determining accuracy potential, i.e. 2.5x scout, 1-4x scopes etc. I have often thought of having a target type fixed power "slave" scope to use when working up loads for various rifles. I am looking at possibly a Leupold FX-12x target scope or a Weaver 10x target scope. Does anybody have any opinions on this idea, or on other high quality scopes for this purpose? I am not looking for high dollar euro scopes, or high power benchrest scopes.

If you aren't going to be doing any serious target shooting or hunting with the scope, then why pay so much money for an expensive one?

I personally love my BSA 4-16x40 mil dot. It was inexpensive, and I am very pleased with my bench results. To be so cheap, I feel that it is a pretty decent scope.

Of course, you didn't mention what calibers you would be using it on. Mine is on my .270WIN. If you put it on a big bore, the extra recoil could possibly make you end up getting what you pay for. Who knows??

JMO anyway.

Hey Ballard, Welcome Aboard! Always good to have a new reloader.

I've got a 6.5-20x VariX-III that I often use when developing Loads. And I shoot "at the corner" of a Black Square. Just snug the crosshair right up to the corner.

Either the 10x or 12x scopes you mentioned will be better than the lower power scopes for Load Development. And they are not "over power" for a lot of Field uses "if" you get a Variable model.

Not knowing what you're developing loads for make it difficult to answer this question. But if $ is an issue, the all new Sinnons Master series Pro Hunter, with a competely different system for holding the erector tube, may be the answer.The 3x9 weighs only 10 oz and reportedly is very shock proof with back objective prallex tuning. Test with "shooting the square" indicate consistant and accurate response to turret setings change. With a MSRP of $140 it will likely sell for $120.
My hunting scopes are all Leupold. Burris or Hikon, but that's more than I'd pay for a dedicated slave.
The only BSA I owned slipped it's erector tube from one fall.

the weaver T6 could also be considered.

You have the right idea put plenty of power on the rifle to develop the loads that work best and have the performance you need then switch to less power for hunting. I would recommend more than a 12 power scope. while you can see the holes in a paper target at 100 yards if you move out to 300 yards it will be a handicap. I use a 4 x 16 Bushnell on my 300 Win Mag, but I also have an 8.5 x 25 Leupold for more clarity should I need it. Many will say that you don’t need so much power, but I think it depends more on how good your eye sight is to start with. I need all the help I can get being near sighted.

Good luck with what ever you decide.

I use the exact same philosophy as Steel Shooter. My "slave scope" is not going to be required to survive hunting trips and prairie dog volleys. I use a BSA Contender 8 x32 40 mm that cost me less than $100....do my load development and put on some decent glass. When it dies...and I am sure it will......although it has handled a few big boomers... I will have gotten my moneys worth out of it and probably buy another for the same purpose.

Not a bad idea. I have a Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14 set up in Blaser mounts, which I use for load development for my R93 barrels. The QD mount lets me put the scope on any of my Blaser barrels within a minute or two.
- mike