rob-cubed
In need of moderation
Why do you need a scope to shoot 500 yard targets? I qualified with an M-16 and hit 10 for 10 @ 500 yards with iron sights.....all center mass...which is about 12" X 12" on a 20" X 40" sillouette, at 18 years old....it's all in the training you receive. Sure scopes are nice...but if you drop the rifle or the batteries die...you SOL......get the basics down first.
Well, I can't speak for the OP but as I've gotten older my ability to shoot well with irons has diminished. I'm starting to look seriously at scopes even though I view them as a crutch.
I totally agree with you, basics first--a scope won't magically compensate for any of the other mistakes a marksman might make, including drop or windage calculations. But at a certain point in life we all might need a crutch.