Rifle Scope Recommendation

[Ronald W Schaefer]

So, I have a myriad of scopes, some German glass and various others. I have five custom long-range rifles in blingie new calibers that wear Leopold VX6HD 3-18 X 50, 30mm tube, about $1800.00-2200. Lifetime warranty, Great glass, light weight and rugged. I also have some off the shelf rigs, rifles I use inside 500 yds or less and they wear Viper vortex HS-T 4-16 X 44, 30mm tube, about $700.00. Again, great glass, lightweight, rugged, lifetime warranty, maybe not as clear as the Leo. Come to think of it, my .300 Wby and wife's Wby Camilla in 7mm-08 and SAKO .375 H&H all had the "affordable" vortex scopes on in Africa. They all have adjustable custom turrets and reliably hit where they're aimed (note how I said that) :-)
There's been a lot of progress in modern optics and there is some good glass out there that won't break the bank. I'd say define your most likely scenario/intended use, find some tubes that step over the bar and then see those scopes in person. It's great to have fixed budget but you don't have to shoot it all if you find a great fit for less.

 

[fmajor]

I sure do like my PST 5-25 (FFP)...not the lightest girl at the dance but I sure like her eyes!!!

Kidding aside, I like the color (mostly neutral though I prefer a little more saturation/hue), but good contrast and not too much chromatic aberration. Overall resolution is pretty good (I don't know the Lp\mm) and edge resolution is acceptable. Light transmission, while not stellar, is good enough for my antler peeping.

In my experience, the repeatability was excellent (box tested) and the knobs sufficiently tactile. Sure, there are "better" scopes, but there is much about personal preference balanced with budget.

 

[topcat265]

I think that you are probably right that the average hunter does not practice that much and should not be taking five hundred yard shots. But as has been mentioned, this is a forum for those who routinely practice Long Range Shooting. Quite frankly, it does not take remarkable skill to accurately shoot 500 to 700 yard shots repeatedly. However, a certain amount of dedication and practice is required, and most of us hand load our own rounds for increased accuracy.

Last season I was hunting with two "average" hunters for mule deer. One of them completely missed a deer at 250 yards. The other made a bad shot on a deer at 350 yards. While my hunting rifles are not as accurate as my PRS rifle, they are all sub .5 inch MOA. Here's a shot on a quarter at a quarter mile competition with my PRS rifle. All of my long range hunting friends are much more accurate at 700 yards than the average hunter is at 250 yards.

 

[Len Backus]

Thank you, I was not aware, if this forum is not concerned with ETHICS in hunting then it is not a forum I want to be a part of. Ethics in hunting is everyone's responsibility. To whom it may concern, please remove me from this forum!

.
Of couse we are concerned about ethics.

We just are not going to discuss them openly on the forum.

This is a privately owned site developed to foster discussions about Long Range Hunting between like minded hunters.

1. We do not discuss ethics. To do so will result in the post or posts being edited or deleted.

 

[Doug Crowe]

Leupold VX-6 HD 4-24x52, watch the video, nuf said at 1,260 yards .........

 

[Horse1]

Guys,

If you have $2k to spend on a scope for a 7 mag what would you get?

Thanks,

What's the rifle going to be used for? What are the particulars of the rifle (action, bbl, stock)? Do you have a weight in mind for the package when you're all set up? Do you have a preference regarding mounting hardware (style/brand of rings/bases)?

 

[khart1988]

Same thing I did. $250 on an SWFA and spend the rest on tags, other essential gear, and travel costs.

 

[skippertwo]

Hi all,
I reached into my pocket and found 2 cents, so here goes.
See post #3 on this topic.
As many of us here we have multiple rifles and optics. I try to match rifle and optic to the intended game and conditions, there is no magic rifle and optic. This being said, bang for the buck may be best option. See post #3. Best bang for buck (you can buy 2 for 2000)

 

[Willys]

I have a Leupold VX3L that has held up well. My VX6 has been in for repairs to the turret erector a couple times. I would not use any Leupold other than the Mark V. The NX8 has worked well for me. Its a compromise between weight, clarity and durability. I had a ZCO 4-24 but performance didn't justify the extra weight.

 

[JAYgs8163]

I see some complain about the "tight eye box" on the NX8 2-20x50 model. I removed the flip up covers and for me it rectified the issue. The NF flip up covers by Tennabraex are nice but they do cut down of your viewing so remove them if your complaining about a tight eye box and it may resolve the issue. For me it's resolved the issue completely.

 

[catch 22]

Steiner Predator 4 (or Trijicon), 4-16×50 is about all the scope I need anymore and pocket the difference.

 

[Sappy65]

Read the forum rules. Ethics are not a topic allowed for discussion here. Move along.

I own a Quigley scope . If you know your exact fps/ bullet weight barrel length. They can make it. It not a night force. But ranged to 1000yds. I won one in NWTF raffle.glass is quite clear almost equal to my night force.i called them gave them my specs for my winchester 300 win mag 180gn Hornady eldx. With Boss system. Was going to a shilen barrel. But. Proved a shooter sub moa.so I kept it stock barrel.with tuned trigger. Every range on the Quigley was dead on am up to 1000 hit 12 inch gong .that was at 700 ft above sea level .in Rico colorado with variations altitude from NC to there no wind. Killed a coyote just before dawn 250 yds. Clarity in low light was great . Also I have become and Arken fan. Solid ,,clear, adjustments are solid. The sit on 338 lapua ,6.5/284. 308, 6.5 Ceedmore, 6mm arc.. they are crisp clear gather light well. Take punishment & hold zero.. warranty excellent as well. I'm sure each have their choices as well. Now in shoots from 100 to 1000 they work for me.Thete is slot of good glass and there is poop.. had them too..hope y'all have a blessed day shoot str8.God Bless America..

 

[deerhunter61]

Ok guys, perhaps I should have explained in more detail. I'm 63 years old. My eyesight is definitely not what it used to be so glass is pretty important and I also want a scope that I can count on the adjustments being accurate if I ever need them. The scope is going on a rifle that I'll be leaving to one of my grandsons so I want to make sure the quality is really good. I've been looking at the NF NX8 2.5x20 and pretty much decided on it but thought I'd get other's opinion just in case I missed something. I love Swaros glass but the adjustments for $2k is just not good enough. So I'm looking for good glass and durability and from what I've read so far I've pretty much settled on my original choice.

Thank you everyone for sharing your advice.

Mel

Problem is there aren't any scopes in the "light" category that are going to survive the drop test. If someone could master durability with light weight they would be sitting on a mint. Nightforce almost did that with the Nx8 at 28.6 oz (not great but way better than mid to upper 30 oz scopes) if it wasn't for the well known tight eye box.

Though I get the value of a drop test, I wouldn't chance what one form says about a scope after dropping it. There are far too many variables (rings, bases, action screws and so forth that can and will shift if the shock is great enough) to just blindly follow a drop test. Heck even with a Nightforce that's bullet proof, if I take a large enough fall with my gun I'm confirming 0 before I take my next shot at an animal regardless of brand. L Dont get me wrong, a drop test can at least tell you how the scope should stand up, but not every drop/fall is created equal nor are all other items on my rifle that could shake loose were tested in the drop tests so only one variable can reasonably be checked off.

 

[Ronald W Schaefer]

Good choice...shoot long and strong! :cool: