300wm scope selection help

[finbob]

I am in the market for a new scope, and I feel a bit lost as to what I should do at this point. I can either buy a new scope for the gun (a relatively light 300 wm on an XLR chassis) or I can move my 3-18 Tenmile off of a 6.5 prc and get a new scope (more suited to long range) for that rifle. The 300wm will primarily be a hunting rifle, and as such my priorities are:

1. durability
2. Light transmission
3. Reliable tracking
4. Ease of use (ie forgiving eyebox)
5. Good illumination system
6. Weight

I have enjoyed using the Tenmile as a hunting scope to this point and find the light transmission and reticle adequate.


I'd like to shoot more long range (currently limited to about 550m) and eventually try NRL if I can find places to do that within reasonable distance. I'm not sure if I'd use the 300wm or the prc more in that case, but I'd like either to be capable. While I understand the arguments for chunky hunting reticles, they do take a bit of fun out of load work up and shooting at longer ranges, which is not something I'm willing to give up.


I'd prefer a scope with a magnification that starts at 3-4x and hits at least 20x. Prefer mil to moa but either is fine. I don't have much for local options (basically just a scheels) and it was hard to compare what they had (nx8, atacr, mk v) holding it in the store vs what I have mounted on my rifles at home. I've been looking at the following online options and could use input from folks who have actually used the following:


Steiner h6xi 3-18x 50

Nightforce nx8 4-32x 40

Trijicon Tenmile 3-18x44

Trijicon Tenmile hx 5-25x50

S&B 4-16x56 polar t96

Kahles 318i

Nightforce atacr 4-20

Zeiss LRP S3 4-25x50

Zeiss LRP s5 5-25x56

Maven RS 1.2 2.5-15x44


Considering my priorities and relative budget, is there an option that would be a clear "1A" for my use case? Thanks, and sorry for beating a dead horse.

 

[Tiny Tim]

Half of the scopes listed don't meet your "over 20x" requirement.

You have a large price range listed. What is your actual budget? Preferred budget?

Personally, I'm a fan of Nightforce.

 

[FEENIX]

I am in the market for a new scope, and I feel a bit lost as to what I should do at this point. I can either buy a new scope for the gun (a relatively light 300 wm on an XLR chassis) or I can move my 3-18 Tenmile off of a 6.5 prc and get a new scope (more suited to long range) for that rifle. The 300wm will primarily be a hunting rifle, and as such my priorities are:

1. durability
2. Light transmission
3. Reliable tracking
4. Ease of use (ie forgiving eyebox)
5. Good illumination system
6. Weight

I have enjoyed using the Tenmile as a hunting scope to this point and find the light transmission and reticle adequate.


I'd like to shoot more long range (currently limited to about 550m) and eventually try NRL if I can find places to do that within reasonable distance. I'm not sure if I'd use the 300wm or the prc more in that case, but I'd like either to be capable. While I understand the arguments for chunky hunting reticles, they do take a bit of fun out of load work up and shooting at longer ranges, which is not something I'm willing to give up.


I'd prefer a scope with a magnification that starts at 3-4x and hits at least 20x. Prefer mil to moa but either is fine. I don't have much for local options (basically just a scheels) and it was hard to compare what they had (nx8, atacr, mk v) holding it in the store vs what I have mounted on my rifles at home. I've been looking at the following online options and could use input from folks who have actually used the following:


Steiner h6xi 3-18x 50

Nightforce nx8 4-32x 40

Trijicon Tenmile 3-18x44

Trijicon Tenmile hx 5-25x50

S&B 4-16x56 polar t96

Kahles 318i

Nightforce atacr 4-20

Zeiss LRP S3 4-25x50

Zeiss LRP s5 5-25x56

Maven RS 1.2 2.5-15x44


Considering my priorities and relative budget, is there an option that would be a clear "1A" for my use case? Thanks, and sorry for beating a dead horse.

This is my ala @lancetkenyon attempt to narrow down your choices as a compromise. LL!

1. S&B 4
2. Kahles
3. NX8

 

[lancetkenyon]

I would put the new scope.on whatever you plan to shoot more. Looks like you have a decent budget at the top end.
In YOUR selection list:

1. Kahles K318i

But if you are open to other suggestions:

ZCO 420
Kahles K328i
S&B PMII 3-20x50
March FX 3.5-28×52WA HM
NF ATACR 4-20×50

I would suggest the Tangent Theta TT315M as my #1, but it is priced a little higher. Eurooptic has them for $4k on sale right now.

 

[finbob]

Half of the scopes listed don't meet your "over 20x" requirement.

You have a large price range listed. What is your actual budget? Preferred budget?

Personally, I'm a fan of Nightforce.

Actual budget probably around 3k, prefer to stay under 2500 but don't mind purchasing demo or lightly used

 

[finbob]

I would put the new scope.on whatever you plan to shoot more. Looks like you have a decent budget at the top end.
In YOUR selection list:

1. Kahles K318i

But if you are open to other suggestions:

ZCO 420
Kahles K328i
S&B PMII 3-20x50
March FX 3.5-28×52WA HM
NF ATACR 4-20×50

I would suggest the Tangent Theta TT315M as my #1, but it is priced a little higher. Eurooptic has them for $4k on sale right now.

how do the kahles 318i and the atacr 4-20 compare? I've read the spec sheets, just wondering what your impression was of the two?

 

[Shane Lindsey]

I have the H6xi 3-18 and several other Steiners. It is very nice glass. Better than the NF NXS glass, but no idea on the ATACR. For the money, you could buy three compared to several of what you have listed. Durable, IDK, have not dropped tested it, but according to Steiner, they do in their machine. It is lighter weight than some of the others as well. Swaro had the best glass (for my eyes) and that is what Kahles glass is as well, but I would question durability on any Swaro for hard hunting. Zeiss seemed a little darker than the Steiner and I lost faith in Zeiss when my turrets slipped on me.

I say spend $$$ on ammo/components...

 

[zerosprk]

I have a NF ATACR 5x25x56 on every centerfire rifle I own....

 

[ShtrRdy]

Personally I would leave the tenmile on your hunting rifle and pick up a gently used gen 3 Razor 6-36x56 for your long range rig. These are going for around $2100 these days.

 

[lancetkenyon]

how do the kahles 318i and the atacr 4-20 compare? I've read the spec sheets, just wondering what your impression was of the two?

I would put the Kahles just a hair above NF ATACR glass.

 

[osok-1k]

Kahles has a new 3.5-28x50 that would be very nice, DLO says it's better optically, wider field of view with some other meaningful improvements. $4k plus. Leica PRS could be another less expensive option. There's a new Razor Gen III as well that's 4-24x44, I don't know why they didn't go 50 but it still should be a good scope that's smaller and lighter than the 6-36 which doesn't meet your lower magnification spec.

 

[JustMe2]

Buy a Burris Eliminator 6. Meets all your requirements and has the added bonus of a built-in rangefinder. Hits the easy button for hunting, no dialing required. I used mine this year on a Win Mod 70 300WM and was really happy with it. I also own a few high-end scopes and liked using this Eliminator 6 over them.

 

[finbob]

Buy a Burris Eliminator 6. Meets all your requirements and has the added bonus of a built-in rangefinder. Hits the easy button for hunting, no dialing required. I used mine this year on a Win Mod 70 300WM and was really happy with it. I also own a few high-end scopes and liked using this Eliminator 6 over them.

Are there any states where this isn't legal? Seems like a fun tool

 

[dfanonymous]

I am in the market for a new scope:

1. durability
2. Light transmission
3. Reliable tracking
4. Ease of use (ie forgiving eyebox)
5. Good illumination system
6. Weight

I dislike these formats of "which scope" to get. What happens is everyone post their favorite scope and the OP ends up just getting whatever they want anyways that had nothing to do with anything anyone was saying.

I would look at the specs first, make a new list and then check out some reviews. I'm not a salesman, I don't give a **** what you do with your money.

1)reputation.
You can a) go with reputation like Nightforce, or b) go with warranty like Vortex where you will always have a scope.

2) 56mm obj lens

3) most modern big named companies have good tracking now. I still check, but I haven't had any problems with current optics.

4) eye box with 3.5 inches or better and good exit pupil. Like a 3 to 37 isn't going to be as forgiving as a 5-25.

5) most illumination is about the same. Find what you like. Some illuminate the whole tree, some just run along the main stadias.

6) compare the specs. Most scopes known for being robust are going to be heavy. You can risk it and look at the mark 5, which are lighter than average. Not sure how well it will handle being thrown off a mountain.

Are there any states where this isn't legal? Seems like a fun tool

Utah- Prohibits aiming device that casts a visible beam of light

Oregon "unlawful to hunt with sight that projects a beam to the target"


Idaho IDAPA 13.01.08.410

Etc