Wife said okay to new scope for Christmas, but what one?

cstilt · #1 11-23-2012, 11:08 PM

Well, I believe the Simmons aetec on my 270 is about to bite the dust. Speaking to the wife, she gave the okay for a new scope in the 300-500 range. So I've thought and over thought the whole thing. I'm really interested in 3 scopes and wanted some opinions. Options are:
1. Zeiss conquest 3-9x40
2. Vortex Viper HS 2.5-10x44
3. Nikon Monarch 3-12x42

Being honest with myself, I'll likely never take a shot over 400 at game with this rifle. I would like to target shoot at 500 one day though. This rifle is pretty much deer only, mainly in woods with most shots under 200. Longest to date is 315.

Which would you go with? I'd like to be able to shoot 0-500 yards with accuracy. Low light performance is a must as well due to dusk and dawn in the timber. I've read a lot of reviews, but I value the opinion of the members here most.

Thanks,
Chris.

300 ultra · #2 11-23-2012, 11:22 PM

Zeiss 100%...

bruce_ventura · #3 11-24-2012, 12:35 AM

Yup. Zeiss. Better contrast. The Vortex may have a small advantage in brightness at dusk and dawn. The Zeiss will have much better contrast at all other times of the day. The Nikon falls in between the other two.

cstilt · #4 11-24-2012, 01:51 PM

Thanks for the help guys. I wasn't sure if I'd be handy capping myself with the zeiss because of the lower power, smaller objective and no parallax adjustment. I was wondering that for when I am able to shoot a little farther in practice.

Hopefully I'll find one to look through soon to help me decide. I figure no matter what I get, it'll be a dramatic difference.

Thanks again for the help!

FEENIX · #5 11-24-2012, 02:59 PM

Another vote for the Zeiss!

JDJHNTR · #6 11-24-2012, 06:16 PM

Out of the 3 choices, I'm on the Zeiss wagon.

But..........if I had 3-$500 to play with I'd personaly keep my eye out for a used Leupold VX3 3.5-10x50. They can be had in the $4-500 range.

ol mike · #7 11-24-2012, 08:29 PM

Zeiss..

You won't notice the lack of parallax adjustment- w/a good cheek weld paying attention to the wind and being able to see the target well through the fine resolution of the zeiss glass will benefit you more.