Loss of Love for Leupold, New scope time.

[BEEMAN]

I agree on the March 2.5-25x52. I can't give years of use advise, since I've only had mine a few months. But so far it's been great.

 

[huntsman22]

Cameraland still has few left..... $749

 

[Ckleeves]

^ Thats a solid option too.

 

[The Oregonian]

I have the ATACR for the very reason you said. Does Swaro have better glass? Sure...but NF to me was the best blend of sturdiness and optics quality. I'll sacrifice a few ounces to drastically reduce the chance that I miss due to the scope being off. None of the other stuff matters if it fails in the moment of truth.

 

[North Idaho Hunter]

^^^^^^TRUTH!

 

[JTB]

Long of the short, my VX6 HD took a dump at the moment of truth and I missed a 370" bull. Looking for something that can track, and handle the minor bumps of a mountain hunting rifle( I don't expect any scope to get tomahawked and hold zero) and maintain zero. Would prefer to keep it under 28 oz... I know its nothing special and the glass in the VX6HD is much better but my 6-24 gen1 one PST has never failed me in 7 years of hard mountain hunting and its had its fair share of accidental spills(like falling down the mountain with it strapped to my pack) and never shifted more than an inch off zero after even the biggest mishap on the mountain. So basically looking for the reliability and weight I've experienced with that scope but looking to upgrade to better glass and turrets while not being heavy. I've looked at the Zeiss v4&v6 The Mark 5, NX8 and a few others. I want at least 18 if not more 20-25 on the top end. What lighter scopes have you guys had good luck with and recommend? I'll give up a little in glass for durability but it would be nice to have my cake and eat it too.

Sorry to hear you lost a nice bull. This gives me deja vu as I lost a nice buck due to a failing Mark 4 and avoided Leupold for a long time. I decided to give Leupold one more chance several years later and am now running several VX5HDs and they have been outstanding. Even had one dropped hard this year putting a nice dent in the front bell and it was still spot on. If you don't mind my asking, I would be interested in knowing what failed on the VX6, or what the symptoms were?

 

[MTNRaine]

Sorry to hear you lost a nice bull. This gives me deja vu as I lost a nice buck due to a failing Mark 4 and avoided Leupold for a long time. I decided to give Leupold one more chance several years later and am now running several VX5HDs and they have been outstanding. Even had one dropped hard this year putting a nice dent in the front bell and it was still spot on. If you don't mind my asking, I would be interested in knowing what failed on the VX6, or what the symptoms were?

Failure to hold zero. Two in the upper right are where it was at hundred yards with the scope set at zero stops. after I missed that bull. Third shot is center high after I adjusted back before moving back to confirm 200 zero. Ran around the mountain for roughly a week, with it on my pack carrying it in my hand and busting brush. The only so called "mishap" it had was it fell off my shooting sticks and landed on my upper shin/knee pad while sitting glassing.

 

[Troutslayer2]

Did you shoot that bull with another rifle or know someone who killed it? Was that a special draw or MT general tag? Do you have any pics of it? Bummer story, 370" for most Montana hunters is a once in a lifetime encounter.

 

[240weatherby]

Sorry to hear about the big bull.
Do a double check on rings and base's I've seen this type of issue from a scope getting banged around.
Keep us informed.

 

[corsair4360]

You pays your money and you take what the roulette wheel of life deals you at the time of shooting..... We all have great tales of disaster and success..... I have had good fortune with Steiener's (two) and Sightron S3's (three) big game hunting in the High Unita's and varmint hunting/target shooting.

 

[MTNRaine]

Sorry to hear about the big bull.
Do a double check on rings and base's I've seen this type of issue from a scope getting banged around.
Keep us informed.

Rings and rail were torqued and loctited

 

[MTNRaine]

Did you shoot that bull with another rifle or know someone who killed it? Was that a special draw or MT general tag? Do you have any pics of it? Bummer story, 370" for most Montana hunters is a once in a lifetime encounter

I was never able to relocate him. I only ever saw him once, and he literally appeared like it was magic, 20 minutes before sunset. He was a massive 6 with antlers that were extremely light thus I dubbed him "The ghost". It was a special draw unit. I ended up taking this old bull with my backup rifle on Thanksgiving day. This was the biggest bull harvested out of that unit with a rifle this year.

 

[shooters]

March. Lightweight. Kinda finicky eye box I thought. I've heard of a few with issues.

Mark 5HD. I've still NEVER heard of one failing yet. In my eyes it's glass is right with the ATACR. Just beautiful. Turrets, tracks, etc.
The 3.6-18 is about as good as it gets!

NX8. 4-32. Ill never own another. I hated the eye box. Absolutely hated it. Same for the parallax. Worst I've seen and I'm a huge NF supporter. You could have it set midway and still not see at most distances. And edge to edge not crisp at all.
The new 4-20x50 ATACR might be what your looking for.
Swaro X5i 3-18. This would be my choice.
Kahles 318i.

 

[TexasTB]

Nightforce Nx8 2.5 x 20 is tough as nails and 28oz.