Favorite Scope?

What is everyone using and liking?

I had an old Nikon Monarch 2-10x40 with BDC, but I would lose the reticle in dim light.

I'm going to try a Minox ZA5 1.5-8x32 this season that came off another rifle.

I wish I could find a decent low power variable (1.5-2.5 on the low end) with low light illumination. Thinking a VX-R 2-7 or a Whiskey3 in 2-7.

Just curious what others have found success with.

I'll bite

I've destroyed many scopes on muzzleloaders. Two Nikon Monarch scopes, twice each. I've destroyed a Leupold VX6 scope twice.
I've destroyed Weaver.
I've destroyed Bushnell.
I now use Nightforce.

Currently running a Huskemaw 3-12x42. Have had good luck with the Nikon Omega as well.

VXR 2-7 with the (now discontinued) LRV reticle

I would wait and look into the New Nightforce NX8's coming out. A 2.5-20 and 3.5-32. They are short and with a decent weight.

Vortex Crossfire 1x-32, we can only use open sights or 1x scopes here in ND when you are drawn for a muzzle loader only tag. After hunting with my muzzy for the first time this year I would be comfortable shooting up to a 9x scope on it. I was able to put a nice group together at 200 yards even with a 1x scope.

On the hard kicking smokeless muzzleloaders its Nightforce for me.

I had two Swaro X5's break while on my 50 cal. ML. NF for me too, now!

I put a Trijicon Accupower 1-6 on a muzzleloader that gets used in thicker woods. I really like it in this context. Bright and fast to acquire game.

Anymore, I use either Nightforce or March. Life is to short for crappy glass and subpar tracking.

I think the Swarovski Z3 3-10x42 or the Leupold VX-5HD 2-10x42mm will do you well. Maybe a Vortex Diamondback HP if your budget is tight. I recommend these scopes based off of weight, low light performance, and ruggedness/warranty. The The Swaro will outclass the Leupold and Vortex all day, but money can be tight, and the Leupold and Vortex hold their own at short ranges. I also like covered turrets for hunting scopes; one less thing to worry about getting dinged while hoofin' a hill, and [insert long rant about why "long range hunting" isn't really hunting].

jgal72 said:

I had two Swaro X5's break while on my 50 cal. ML. NF for me too, now!

Click to expand...

What was the failure on the X5's? I have been looking at an X5I for one of my smokeless guns but am a little hesitant about how it would hold up. The glass is amazing!

The first scope starting throwing shots all over. I thought it was the gun. Sent it back to gunwerks to have checked. They but their scope on and it shot fine. put mine back on it shot all over the paper. I put another one on the gun when I got it back. It didn't last 10 shots. No matter where I moved the elevation and windage, it would shoot in the same spot. I have a X5 on my 28 Nosler. Haven't had any problems at all on it.

Here is picture of a 100 yard group I shot with it before the first scope went bad.