High-end scope for ultralight hunting rifle?

[zzchipster]

Nx8..search for demo scopes and they pop up with a pretty good discount. Typically opened box items.

 

[Oldenglishbulldogge]

I went with the NX8's. So far so good but have only had the a month or so.

 

[Swamplife]

These have some pretty good reviews

TS-20X | US Optics

www.usoptics.com

 

[duckhunter175]

March F1 3-24×52 (had one for a while) or 3-24×42 (or even 2.5-25×52 SFP)
Tangent Theta TT315M 3-15×50 (have 3 now, absolutely top of the line, and fully capable of 1500 yard shots)
S&B PMII 5-20×50 Ultra Short or 3-20×50 Ultra Short (have 1 of each)

Is the TT315M Worth the weight penalty over the March?

Any specific feature on TT that you preferred over the March?

 

[swiftyshooter]

Very pleased with my Nightforce NX8. Check with Red Hawk Rifles. They have good prices and great customer service.

 

[Shadowwalker]

I'd look at the March, Vortex AMG or HD LT.

If your set up and your gun isn't poorly balanced it's not nearly as hard as it seems to shoot with a light gun, ya you do have to be spot on but I've seen multiple guns right at 8 lbs with a 2 pound optic group well sub moa at a 1000. You don't want to be top heavy with a 3 pound trigger!!

The

 

[TexHunt]

I have been trying to also find the right balance between light weight for packing and distance for hunting. I have landed on two scopes vortex Hd LH, with moa reticle, I don't dial, zero at 150-200 and then hold over using the reticle. I don't plan to shoot that rifle past 600. The other is the night force 2-10, I find this is good to 1000 no issues, and is only about 4oz heavier than the vortex. I run this on a slightly heavier rifle that shoots better and runs a longer range load. I am trying to keep my pack rifle scoped under 7 pounds. With the vortex I am just under, the NF is 8 pounds which I find fits my shooting technique much better

what was said earlier about controlling recoil is right for me, the lighter I go the more I can see the muzzle jump opening up groups. So far my longest shot on an elk has been 380 yds, was a one shot kill so all the work paid off.

Interested to hear what others are doing, as you can tell by how long this post is, I have time, and am eager to discuss.

 

[Shadowwalker]

The

I been looking for a new scope for my custom 6.5X47 Lapua and after weeks of searching have decided on a Bushnell Tactical Elite scope. It is the best bang for your buck out there if you do your homework......and a 6 lb rifle at 1000 yd....good luck.

 

[JAYgs8163]

Tangent Theta Store | Camera Land NY

cameralandny.com

Call up Doug or Jeff here. They run specials on LRH here all the time. They carry all the brands and are great to deal with.

Doug, Jeff and Neil are awesome guys with great customer service.

 

[Buzzsaw]

Swarovski V-6 with custom ballistic turret, check that, not to 1200yd.

swaro's are great and light

i have a NX8 4-32, i love it

 

[tomsd]

My Q is in the $2,000 range (say up to even $3,000 if a big difference ) - what is the best glass/clarity among the upper end scopes? Those who use the "European" glass?

 

[UplandFreak]

This is what happens when social distancing brings on cabin fever! I've got money coming from sale of truck - no stimulus checks for me. Part of the truck cash will go for new scope for my 6 lb. 7mm. Need to be able to ping targets to beyond 1200-1400 yards and have enough elevation to get there with a 20 degree rail if needed.

While I thought the choice might be a Leopold HD5 3-18, I've got mixed feelings about the 35mm tube. I'm not a big fan of the illuminated reticle choice for their mil model either (TMR). That appears to be the best glass in a light package from Lup.

Second consideration was a NF NX8 but again, I've got one shot to do this right, pun intended, and want the highest quality glass I can buy. I've heard mixed reviews on the NX8 glass and light transmission capabilities.

I would probably get a ZComp if it wasn't such a tank... and may still do that but need to look through one. Clarity and low light performance found in the top tear glass are important to me though... so that factors into what i'll end up buying... I've considered Minox, Kahles, S&B, Zeiss, and Swaro in the same lineup... even a Valdada IOR, a new one they just came up with, the TX Raider Compact (but then 2 lbs too, and back to 35mm tube.)

The IOR MP8 is the only FFP reticle I've had any time behind and was usable at its lowest power...so that's another decision factor with this new scope, given most are FFP will it be usable for short range, dark timber or low light conditions. Some FFPs I've looked through would be near invisible without illumination - so unless you can see it like an MP8 at low magnification. I'll have to have that. I'm using a range finder so most of the time, FFP isn't a requirement but most of the top end glass seems to comes in FFP...

I'm sure there are plenty of varying opinions out there, but what would you do if faced with a single opportunity to buy one high end scope for your lightweight hunting rifle. I've got a budget that can do $3500 but I'm not apposed to applying some $ to deer/elk tags if I find the right scope. Ultimate resolution, repeat-ability, low light performance, elevation, in a mil scope that can reach out and get the job done with the above criteria. Thoughts? Other options?

Your MIL requirement takes out some good options like the VX6HD line, which I think is phenomenal. I think the glass is better than the march and it comes with alumina flip caps which I am pretty sure is included in the listed weight of the scope since they come installed. So it weighs the same as the march. I have the 4-24x52 on a carbon fiber PRC and it has been a sweet set up. Plus made in the USA if that matters to you - Leupold has put out some sweet products lately - the mark5hd and 5 and 6hd lines are awesome.

 

[kpacker]

I'll chime in. I'm a huge Match fan. I've been with a 3-24x42 on a clone Alaska Ti 7RUM shooting 180gr Bergers at 3160fps for about 8yrs. Still my 1st go to big game rifle.
Total weight scoped is somewhere under 8lbs. It's a hunting rifle only, a joy to pack, and is a .4moa gun to boot. And its been abused a bit all over the mountain and never a problem.
I just picked another one up from a seller here that looks brand new for $1500 or so IIRC.
I also have the Leupold Mark 5HD in the 3-18x44 with the 35mm tube on a 338RUM. Very similar functionally but sits a bit higher or taller on the gun.
FWIW.
Keith

 

[TexHunt]

I have a few Leupold's, tough as nails! But I do not have confidence they will track for longer range dialing. I have gone to NF for that, but interested in hearing more on the March scopes.