New to this, and looking for excellent scope....

[randycw]

I live in Wyoming which leaves me with lack of access to most of the scopes folks recommend: Premier Reticle, Swaro, USO, Valdada, etc. I have laid my hands on Leupold, NightForce and Vortex. I'll grant those are pretty good scopes, but none of them are want I am looking for. I don't like the overall size of the Nightforce or Vortex scopes, and they have elevation turrets that are way too tall for my liking. The Leupold is about the right size, but I didn't care for the "squishy" turrets.


BTW, I do not mean offense to anyone that likes/uses any of these I have just criticized. These are merely my opinion on what I want.


I am strictly a Wyoming hunter, with no plans or desire really, to hunt elsewhere. I have been hunting my grandfather's (now my) land for the past 30 years – used a Remington 700LH 30-06 with a Redfiled x4 scope all that time that he gave me on my 14th birthday. I am now retiring this rifle and replacing with a tweaked Ruger from LOSOK (Mark Lammers) in 30-06. I am now looking to stretch out further and do some long range shooting (plus it will be fun to tip of few of the coyotes over too): deer and antelope between 800 - 1000 yards, and elk at under 800 yards. From the reading I have been doing, I am led to believe that having a "tactical" type scope – one with turret adjustability and repeatability – is the best way to go.

If it matters, the elevations I range in are between 7500 – 10000 feet, barometric pressures average 24.77 during the hunting season, and typical temperatures range from 0 to 70. I put on 5 to 10 miles in a typical outing, so I am looking for a scope that is lighter weight than most tactical types and turrets that are shorter so they aren't snagging on stuff.

With repeatability/reliability, weight, and size in mind I have settled on these as options, that is barring any new information:


1. Premier Reticles Light Tactical

a. A. From a couple video reviews this looks like a winner. I like the turret window as it seems like it would really help a guy like me out in keeping track of where I am in the rotations.
i. I wonder about the illumination piece. This scope is already at the very, very upper edge of my budget. Are the cross hairs so fine that I'd really appreciate the illumination, or is it just not worth the $200 extra for a typical hunter like me?


2. Valdada IOR 2.5-10x42 @ $1,255
A. From the spec sheet, this one appears to be the smallest and lightest of the ones on my list
B. I mostly like the price on this one and it seems to get solid reviews. Also seems to be the lightest of the bunch.

USO with the EREK elevation turret this brand seems like it would keep the turret heights in check for me.
A. Appears to be built like tanks.
B. Customer service seems easy to work with from what I have read.
1. ST-10 TPAL -I kind of like the idea of a fixed power since that is what I am coming from, but I wonder if that is foolish. Makes the price right too
2. MR-10 - Seems most compared to the Preimer LT for build, size, and weight.
Given that I can't find a dealer within 200 miles, I figured I see if I might get input here.


I hope to make a purchase within a week or two and would love to be shooting shortly after that. However I have filled my tags for this hunting season, so won't be hard pressed until next October.


Sorry for the very lengthy first post, but thank you for your time and assistance.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

Yessir, being in Wyo can put us at a slight disadvantage when it comes to getting your hand on high end equipment. However, there are a good number of shooters/hunters in the state that own such equipment & most are more than happy to let a fellow shooter get behind one.

Premier makes a great scope but seem to have difficulties keeping the company running smoothly.

I have been tempted on more than one occasion to pick up an IOR with the new MOA reticle.... best glass around. Just have trouble shelling out that much for an imported product....

I own a SN-3 TPAL EREK USO & I love this thing. The glass is, at least to my eyes, every bit as good as my Nightforce & they ARE built like a tank. I haven't had it in extreme low light yet though so keep that in mind. The USO EREK also come with a zero stop..

The turrets of the NightForce aren't as bad as you may think, I have no trouble with them sticking out. They are robust & reliable. The NP-R1 & MOAR reticles are some of my very favorite. You really can't go wrong with NightForce.

t

 

[varmintH8R]

IMO, you will never miss the illuminated reticle. I have a NF and have never turned it on in a field situation.

As far as your three top choices, I doubt you will have buyers remorse with any of them. If it were my choice, I'd go USO.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

IMO, you will never miss the illuminated reticle. I have a NF and have never turned it on in a field situation.

As far as your three top choices, I doubt you will have buyers remorse with any of them. If it were my choice, I'd go USO.

I have to echo this statement, the only time I ever used the illumination in my NightForce was for novelty. If it was a dedicated coyote rig that may be different.

I really like my USO, they are a truly customizable setup.


t

 

[kcebcj]

Here is a scope that may fit your needs that you don't hear much about probably because of the price and I don't think it carries a lifetime warranty but with the limited research that I've done everything has been positive. So far I think it would be a great scope on a carry rifle at 21.5 oz. Link is below.

March rifle scopes Australia & New Zealand Hunting 2.5-25 x 42

Read the export stuff. There is a dealer here in the US..."Kelblys"


I personally use the Vortex 4-16 HSLR on my carry rifle because I like the capped windage turret and the elevation turret is manageable. It is 22 oz.

 

[randycw]

Thank you all for the input. I have been on the phone quite a bit in the last few days speaking with customer service folks from USO, Premier, Valdada, and Kahles.

I added Kahles after visiting with Mike at CS Tactical -- he is very pleasant to deal with.

I won't elaborate on the CS experiences, but they were for the most part underwhelming to disappointing. Anyway with the CS inputs and the input from this forum I had narrowed it down to Premier Reticle's LT or Kahles' K312. Either in the non-illum flavor -- save a little money there.

Now I see the March Hunting come up as a recommendation here and from a little quick poking around, it looks like it may need to be on the short list as a possible.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

I added Kahles after visiting with Mike at CS Tactical -- he is very pleasant to deal with.

....

Now I see the March Hunting come up as a recommendation here and from a little quick poking around, it looks like it may need to be on the short list as a possible.

Mike @ CS is a great guy.

BTW- which part of the state do you call home?


t

 

[randycw]

I live in Casper WY.


Warranties:

Premier = Lifetime. However they are a bit "new" for actually gauging how lifetime will hold up.

Kahles = 10 years. Seems okay, but it does surprise me given company warranties like Vortex and Leupold.

March = 5 years. My smokes that seems awful.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

I live in Casper WY.


Warranties:

Premier = Lifetime. However they are a bit "new" for actually gauging how lifetime will hold up.

Kahles = 10 years. Seems okay, but it does surprise me given company warranties like Vortex and Leupold.

March = 5 years. My smokes that seems awful.

Ah, you're a couple hrs south of me. I spend a fair amount of time in Casper.

Premier is a pretty old company, they got their start by modifying reticles for Leupold.

Kahles is making a name for themselves but like the March, they are imported & I struggle justifying that.

I cannot comment on March, I've read good reviews but i've never had any 1st hand experience with them


t

 

[calling4life]

Call up Kelbly and talk to him about the March scopes and the warranty.

 

[randycw]

I found this last night: Premier Reticles Light Tactical Scope 3-15x50 Gen 2 Reticle SALE - EuroOptic.com

That is nearly $1,000 less than anywhere else, including their own site! What gives? I see it is a mil-dot reticle and MOA turrets, but can that really cause a $1,000 discount? Would I be an idiot to mix mil and moa? Would I be a complete bum / dirtbag to not buy for CS Tactical after he has spent time answering all of my various inquiries?

I have got to say this is tempting me. For the $2400 I was about to spend, I could end up with a hunting scope and spotting scope, rather than just the hunting scope.

 

[gillettehunter]

I'm also in Gillette as well as Outlaw and a couple others. I have the March scope if you want to come and play a bit with it. Just need to line up a time when the others are available. I'm in retail and the closer to Christmas the harder it is for me. Just let us know. I have a Huskemaw that you can also look at and see what you think. Could be well worth the drive given the amount of money your looking to spend. Bruce

 

[Outlaw6.0]

I found this last night: Premier Reticles Light Tactical Scope 3-15x50 Gen 2 Reticle SALE - EuroOptic.com

That is nearly $1,000 less than anywhere else, including their own site! What gives? I see it is a mil-dot reticle and MOA turrets, but can that really cause a $1,000 discount? Would I be an idiot to mix mil and moa? Would I be a complete bum / dirtbag to not buy for CS Tactical after he has spent time answering all of my various inquiries?

I have got to say this is tempting me. For the $2400 I was about to spend, I could end up with a hunting scope and spotting scope, rather than just the hunting scope.

I can't recommend MOA turrets with MIL reticle, just not a good combo in my opinion. It was a real pain in the rump when I was running a TMR/MOA Leupold setup. I dial elevation & usually hold for wind... dial in MOA & hold wind in MILs... that sucked.

I'm also in Gillette as well as Outlaw and a couple others. I have the March scope if you want to come and play a bit with it. Just need to line up a time when the others are available. I'm in retail and the closer to Christmas the harder it is for me. Just let us know. I have a Huskemaw that you can also look at and see what you think. Could be well worth the drive given the amount of money your looking to spend. Bruce

Heck Bruce, I wouldn't mind checking out that March... What's your take on it? I don't think I've read a bad review...



t

 

[gillettehunter]

Hi Outlaw. On the March. Love the magnification range and weight. Clarity is very good. Have shot it very little. Right now it is on a 7 SAUM I'm going to sell. Chuck is building me a new SAUM in a carry weight rifle. I'll give it a bit more of a workout then.
If you want to play with it just let me know. My wife and I own Marshall Jewelry. Just let me know when you want to look. I'll bring it to work. Your welcome to take it for a few days to play with it if you want. On or off the rifle it doesn't matter. Just let me know. Bruce