New-old gunner

Hi everyone and thanks for having me. Basically Im a retired Navy/CG gunner (CWO4-WEPS) retired now 6 years and finally getting re-interested in shooting my AR/50 BMG again. Its taken a long time to get the desire to shoot again after being involved with small arms, major weapon systems, and LE day in and out for 30 years. Since I have never reloaded before this part of ordnance has re-sparked my interest and Im in the final stages of setting up my RCBS 50 BMG Ammo-master which I have had in storage new for 7 years. Cant wait to start reloading my old 50 BMG brass and measuring results at our local 1000 yard range.

The only thing I am stumped on is a reasonable cost long range spotting scope, I suppose at that range walking to verify every group will be necessary. Im hoping my Ziess 3-9X40 scope which has the best optics I have ever used will allow me to see the holes that far as this is the longest distance I have shot my AR/50 only 600 yards previously with BMG issue 2-3 inch groups.

Cwo4gunner
Welcome to the site. Sounds like you got a lot on the go and a lot of fun ahead of you.

At 1000 yards 50 cal hole will be getting pretty small and I don't know if your scope will have the magnification to pic them up.
Hopefully it all works out for you.

Ken.

Yeah Im worried about that 1000 yard (Mile High Range AZ) spotting as I have only shot my AR/50 400 yards. But I can attest truthfully that the Zeiss 3-9 X 40 can pick out every detail at 400 yards on an actual measured range (Pungo VA) so Im hopeful, I also shot it at a steel plate here in open desert 600 yards but that was using a range finder, each time the Zeiss was Cristal sharp clear so even though magnification was noT great I could still plainly make out holes. What I did buy to try and bridge the spotting gap is buy a new spotting scope for $300 as I couldn't afford to buy a larger rifle scope in a Ziess 6-20X50 cost like $1100 so after a ton of research hoping this spotting scope will bridge this gap.
http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-5225...7731539&sr=8-4
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg