High-end scope for ultralight hunting rifle?

[tomsd]

I have not held them side by side - but I thought both the Zeiss and Sworski (sp) had VERY clear images. In the $700 - $1,000 range - I held up the comparable Leopold (which I always liked - even toured their factory years ago) - and Burris (used to love the wide angle Redfield) - and the Vortex - and to my eye - and the rep at Cabellas - all were quite good but the Vortex was the clearest/crispest.

 

[UplandFreak]

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 just over 7lbs. 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

I don't see how you can be at 7lbs with that rifle - you have to be closer to 8 or 8.5 unless you chopped off the barrel to 16 inches.

 

[DJ Fergus]

I have a 7 lb custom 6.5 SAUM and I tried the VX5 HD again for some dumb reason and of course it was a flop and wouldn't track or hold zero. I switched it out with a March 2.5-25×52 and I love this scope. I now have 3 March scopes and will never buy another Leupold or Vortex again.

I hear ya. I own one Japanese vortex and committed to stay away from the rest of them. I really wish Leupold would build their reputation for optics that flawlessly track. It's been years since I had one. Their vx 3 6.5-20x50 is very attractive from a price & weight stand point. I just can't do though. The vortex I have is an intrepid 4.5-22x50 22oz made by LOW. I bought it nib from a member here for a great price. Its light with pretty good glass. Glass beats the viper gen2. Tracks good. I couldn't pass it up for the price. I put it on my light weight rig.

 

[vancewalker007]

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?

If you are still considering the Mark 5 Leupold, check out the Gunwerks custom reticle on the Gunwerks site. I think it's a big improvement over the Leupold factory stuff.

 

[Tom Erickson]

I have a 28 nosler I went with the Swarovski X5I 5-25X56 it's not the lightest scope but wwith 20 moa rail sighting it in at 100 yards canyon shoot out to 1800 yards and swarovski has some great glass

 

[UplandFreak]

I really wish Leupold would build their reputation for optics that flawlessly track.

Leupold makes scopes in every price point unlike Nightforce and March and S&B. Guys are buying a $300 VX2 throwing a custom turret on it and expecting it to track like a Mark 5. So they **** and moan about it. Also, Leupold sales 1000 times more scope than Nightforce and March And S&B. I would bet the same percentage of Nightforce, March and S&B scopes go back for warranty work as leupolds high end stuff.

Lets talk about tracking - all scopes with the exception of Tangent Theta have some tracking error. Nightforce does, S&B does Leupold does etc. The question is does it return to zero - because most good ballistic software allows you to compensate for scope error because it is common.

Tangent Theta is on a whole different level when it comes to tracking. Nobody else is close. So if that is important to you, save up your pennies and buy a TT.

 

[Elk Hunter 338]

for that application i would say any of the March optics..

 

[sp6x6]

Top is 6# the leupold 4-14x50 March,Mark5 They best packer is the smallest more mid range for me I would handle scopes to see scale

 

[PAGSDIII701]

Swarovski Z3 4-12x50 (BT)

 

[Twentyguns]

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?

The schott glass is the only good EU I've used. IOR and Zeiss. Have to read up on Tangent, Zcomp, Swaro, Minox, etc. They may all use that glass? March is Japanese but I'm told its a cut a above or equal to the top Japanese glass.

 

[JMW67]

I would have to second the tangent theta I do not own one as of yet but have shot two rifles with them and the tracking is absolute glass is top tier I will be owning one very soon

 

[Stgraves260]

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?

That's easy. As long as the scope you choose is in the 60 MOA Mark you will be fine. There are lots of scopes with that.

 

[sp6x6]

My mark 5,If I look at barb wire fence 1/4 mile behind my house can see barbs.Cant with my March.Scope is much larger and 56mm in mark5? Think there both japenes glass

 

[DJ Fergus]

Leupold makes scopes in every price point unlike Nightforce and March and S&B. Guys are buying a $300 VX2 throwing a custom turret on it and expecting it to track like a Mark 5. So they **** and moan about it. Also, Leupold sales 1000 times more scope than Nightforce and March And S&B. I would bet the same percentage of Nightforce, March and S&B scopes go back for warranty work as leupolds high end stuff.

Lets talk about tracking - all scopes with the exception of Tangent Theta have some tracking error. Nightforce does, S&B does Leupold does etc. The question is does it return to zero - because most good ballistic software allows you to compensate for scope error because it is common.

Tangent Theta is on a whole different level when it comes to tracking. Nobody else is close. So if that is important to you, save up your pennies and buy a TT.

I guess I always consider return to zero as part of tracking. I understand other folks may not consider it part of it. Not only return to zero but returning to the same dial up is also an important issue for me. I'm fully aware that click value is hardly ever spot on for most optics. If repeatability is good, I can live with click value being off a little. I've been on the edge of giving Leupold another try again several times and don't blame anyone else for doing so. I'm certainly not intending to bash Leupold. All I can say is that my confidence is not there yet. My confidence with non Japanese vortex is not there either. Neither is my confidence there with Zeiss as I have owned some of those in years past, maybe they are good on tracking & return to zero now. Leupold sells plenty of scopes. Lots of people still love Leupold, other wise their resale value wouldn't be so great. Everyone is going to have their own opinion of a optic due to different experiences.