Long range hunting scope.

jessicavc

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Joined
Jan 26, 2011
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13
Location
Indiana, Pa.
I am interested in purchasing a long range hunting rifle scope. What I would like information on is a scope that has good optics, I can use/buy turrets for elevation and wind for my caliber/bullet weight and needed information good out to 1000 yards. There has been some interest in several different brands and models but I feel the manufacturer doesn't give enough information for me to make a decission. Question. Are the tactical scopes good for hunting? Certain scopes interest me but don't think they are made for what I want. But they have options that I would like in a scope. Price is another thing, under $1,000.00. This may also help, it is for a 300 Remington Short Action Ultra Mag. and will be used for Elk and Mule deer, maybe Whitetail. Currently I have a Burris Fullfield II 4.5x -14x - 42mm on it and have shot under 3/4 inch groups at 200 yards with the lowest power. I'm not giving any of the brands or models so I can see if what I am looking at comes back.

Thanks.
Rick
 
O.K., I'm looking at a Zeiss Conquest 4.5x14x44mm and thought about the Huskemaw or Burris Signature Select 6x-24x-44mm. One thing about the Conquest and Burris is you can't but them in the 30mm tube. At least from my findings. Yes, I know thw Huskemaw is over $1000.00 but not much over.
How important is the 30mm tube? I understand I can get more adjustment/shoot further with the 30 mm tube. Is that correct?
 
The Zeiss Conquest 3-12x56 is a 30mm tube. I would look Vortex PST way before Burris. Vortex has the custom turrets similar to those of the Huskemaw, Greybull, ect. Burris and Zeiss are NOT in the same league. It's like comparing a Geo to a Cadillac. Even the Vortex, although very nice are not a Zeiss unless your talking the Vortex Razor HD but then your talking scopes double the money your talking now.
 
Zeiss is by far the best scope discussed so far. Tremendous glassb,light gathering,repeatable adjustments,etched reticle, The others are not in the same league as a Zeiss... Vortex and huskemaw are too new to the game Zeiss had been building scopes longer than anyone.
 
I'm pretty much set on the Zeiss 4.5x-14x, but do I go with the 44mm or the 50mm? Then do I get these 20 degree(?) rings with which one to get maximum distance? Help me out guys, I'm new at this part. I can shoot but this technical stuff confuses me.
 
I am interested in purchasing a long range hunting rifle scope. What I would like information on is a scope that has good optics, I can use/buy turrets for elevation and wind for my caliber/bullet weight and needed information good out to 1000 yards. There has been some interest in several different brands and models but I feel the manufacturer doesn't give enough information for me to make a decission. Question. Are the tactical scopes good for hunting? Certain scopes interest me but don't think they are made for what I want. But they have options that I would like in a scope. Price is another thing, under $1,000.00. This may also help, it is for a 300 Remington Short Action Ultra Mag. and will be used for Elk and Mule deer, maybe Whitetail. Currently I have a Burris Fullfield II 4.5x -14x - 42mm on it and have shot under 3/4 inch groups at 200 yards with the lowest power. I'm not giving any of the brands or models so I can see if what I am looking at comes back.

Thanks.
Rick

A little off base... But keep your current scope and re-barrel/bed your action and shoot <.50 A new scope won't in most case help close the groups on your rig. JMHO
 
strombeckj
I'm not looking to tighten the groups but rather know if an elk is at 450 yards not estimate hold over. With adjustable turrets I can set them at 450 yards, settle in and squeeze off the trigger.
 
What dollar range are you talking about? That helps a ton to begin with.
What power range do you want? How close and how far do you plan on shooting?

I was in your shoes a few months ago. I found out what my budget was, started looking and researching. Found out that what I wanted/needed was not in that budget, save some bones, and bought a Nightforce. Extremely glad I did.

I am still out of the loop on the PST, I don't have one and none of my friends do. I will only give you the straight scoop on what I have and what I shoot.

Sightron scopes are on many of my rifles. I love the glass, construction, and knobs on my Big Sky SII scopes. I have one SII that is NOT a Big Sky, and it is better than anything else in it's price range. All of my Sightrons have repeatable adjustments for as much as I have dialed them at range.

Nightforce has the best glass of any of my scopes (including my Trijicon accupoint). Knobs are good and tight so as not to move while hiking, but turn readily when you need to dial. Superb (albeit heavy) scope. Look in the For Sale section here. If you need to have new, check out Shawn Carlock. He is a NF dealer and site supporter. There are other supporters that carry NF, but I know Shawn personally and respect his opinion. He is the one that sold me on buying a Nightforce.

Enjoy your rifle and don't be afraid to ask questions, just try to give as much info ahead of time to help us help you.

Ogre
 
Nightforce doesn't compare to Zeiss either.


Throw it down a ridge and get back with us on that one. Or just turn the turrets and tell me it doesnt compare. Ive fired low light, sun light, twilight and at night with my NXS and never had any complaints optically. My Mark 4's can do the same tricks as well.

To answer the original question, a VX3 and new turrets from Leupold should fit your needs and budget.
I would also suggest turrets that are graduated in .25 MOA as opposed to the custom yardage turrets. This way you can simply print new drops, or change the environmental settings on your ballistic program should you choose to travel with the rifle. The need for different turrets for different temps, elevation, and ammo does not make sense to me given the other option. Slightly slower, but far more versatile.
 
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Throw it down a ridge and get back with us on that one. Or just turn the turrets and tell me it doesnt compare. Ive fired low light, sun light, twilight and at night with my NXS and never had any complaints optically. My Mark 4's can do the same tricks as well.

To answer the original question, a VX3 and new turrets from Leupold should fit your needs and budget.
I would also suggest turrets that are graduated in .25 MOA as opposed to the custom yardage turrets. This way you can simply print new drops, or change the environmental settings on your ballistic program should you choose to travel with the rifle. The need for different turrets for different temps, elevation, and ammo does not make sense to me given the other option. Slightly slower, but far more versatile.
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT. I was in the rugged wilderness of MT, and I was crossing a cliffy avalanche chute. I had to swing from one branch to a rock and as I DID my 340 WM slipped off my shoulder and did cartwheels down the chute. It took a bit to recover rifle, and I expected to see broken glass, few scratches, otherwise OK, tested and zero was ok. SOLD ME vari 3 tact. mildot
 
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BEEN THERE, DONE THAT. I was in the rugged wilderness of MT, and I was crossing a cliffy avalanche chute. I had to swing from one branch to a rock and as I DID my 340 WM slipped off my shoulder and did cartwheels down the chute. It took a bit to recover rifle, and I expected to see broken glass, few scratches, otherwise OK, tested and zero was ok. SOLD ME mark 3 tact. mildot

Mark 3? Not familiar with that. Zeiss, or typo for Mark 4? Only Mark 3 I could find is NC star.
 
Sorry, vari 3, mixed it w/newer mark 4, have both. Thats what happens when you get older:rolleyes: Any way it has been a great scope and has had a lot of hard use, has taken some nice trophys
 
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