What Scope To Buy $1000-$1500

[ABL]

I currently own a Tikka T3 light and I am fairly new at long range shooting, I am intrested in buying a scope capable of at least 1000 yards and fire friendly with my rifle, I've been through many scopes from the 300-600 dollar range and not happy with any of them. I recently stopped by cabbalas and checked out a couple scopes that caught my eye, one was a Bushnell Elite Tactical 6-24-50 for about $849.99, ive read a couple reviews on it and ive found out it was a pretty good scope for that price, as i kept on looking around, another scope that caught my eye was a Trijicon Accupoint 5-20-50 for $1149.99. those are the only scopes i really looked at, now before spending that money, I would like to see if there are any other scopes for around $1000-1500 that would beat those 2, I am fairly new at this so take it easy on me for this is my first post. Thanks for your guys' help, looking to hear back.

MAIN QUESTION
WHAT LONG RANGE SCOPE IS WORTH BUYING FOR $1000-$1500?

 

[Dr. Vette]

MAIN QUESTION
WHAT LONG RANGE SCOPE IS WORTH BUYING FOR $1000-$1500?

This one:

BUY Huskemaw Blue Diamond Series 5-20 Rifle Scope (IN STOCK)

Though, honestly, I'd get a Zeiss Conquest 4.5-15x50 with target turrets and save $400:

Zeiss - Camera Land NY

OK, it's $500 cheaper but once you buy a $100 custom drop turret for it then it's down to a $400 difference.

The only better glass I use on a regular basis are my hunting partner's Swarovski scopes. However, there are some limitations to the turret as well as minimal windage adjustments with those. I suspect that the Zeiss would be everything you want.

 

[marinetowgunner]

I think it depends on if you want a hunting style scope or more of a "tactical". What's more important, glass or features.

The Zeiss Conquest is a great option as has already been pointed out. If i was looking at the Conquest 4.5-15 with the Z-plex and target turrets. They are running their free Kenton Industries promotion currently, so you can get an elevation turret calibrated for a specific load for free.

Only draw back I can see would be the lack of elevation adjustment. Easily solved with an EGW 20MOA base depending on your ballistics you might need it, might not.

Don't over look Vortex Rifle Scopes

The PST would be a great scope as well as the Viper HS. You can get custom dials if you wish for these as well and swap them out at your leisure.

Nothing wrong with the Trijicon. I don't care for the mil-dot version because #1 the mil-dot's are obnoxiously too large and #2 the turrets are in MOA with the reticle in Mil. Not a deal breaker just makes things more difficult than they need to be. Also, limited travel for a 30mm tube, but then again get a 20MOA base (depending on you ballistics) and you are good to go.

The Burris MTAC line is pretty good as well. Matching turrets/reticles. Solid optical system.

...Just my thoughts.....Enjoy the new setup....whatever it winds up being!

 

[trebark]

$1500....think Nightforce. If you want to save a few dollars, look at the various Sightron SIII's. A couple friends of mine use Sightrons and they really like them. If I did not already have Leupold MK4s I would use Sightron or Nightforce.

 

[ABL]

I think it depends on if you want a hunting style scope or more of a "tactical". What's more important, glass or features.

Thanks for all you guys' feedback. I am looking for more of a tactical scope for long range target shooting, long range i mean 600-1000 yards, I am a complete beginner when it comes to long range shooting so I have to get to know everything about my rifle, once again I'm new at this so thank you guys for your patience and cooperation. I feel as if I'm jumping into to this to fast, i feel as if I don't know enough, but the way I look at it is just go out to the range and learn from trial and error. As for the Trijicon Accupoint 5-20-50, my question now is, for that price which is 1149.99, Can i get a better scope for that price?

 

[Franklin]

Take a serious look at the sightron sIII 6-24 with the moa reticle!

 

[trebark]

Thanks for all you guys' feedback. I am looking for more of a tactical scope for long range target shooting, long range i mean 600-1000 yards, I am a complete beginner when it comes to long range shooting so I have to get to know everything about my rifle, once again I'm new at this so thank you guys for your patience and cooperation. I feel as if I'm jumping into to this to fast, i feel as if I don't know enough, but the way I look at it is just go out to the range and learn from trial and error. As for the Trijicon Accupoint 5-20-50, my question now is, for that price which is 1149.99, Can i get a better scope for that price?

Yes, the Sightron SIII's are the best value scopes on the market these day IMHO. Franklin's recommendation of an SIII with moa reticle is spot-on.

 

[marinetowgunner]

Thanks for all you guys' feedback. I am looking for more of a tactical scope for long range target shooting, long range i mean 600-1000 yards, I am a complete beginner when it comes to long range shooting so I have to get to know everything about my rifle, once again I'm new at this so thank you guys for your patience and cooperation. I feel as if I'm jumping into to this to fast, i feel as if I don't know enough, but the way I look at it is just go out to the range and learn from trial and error. As for the Trijicon Accupoint 5-20-50, my question now is, for that price which is 1149.99, Can i get a better scope for that price?

In my opinion yes you can do better. I really like the Vortex PST's taking into consideration to feature set as well as the optical system. They do a really good job of offering a MIL/MIL or MOA/MOA system in either Second Focal or Front Focal Plane Reticles in their 4-14 and 6-24 flavors.

 

[Dr. Vette]

As for the Trijicon Accupoint 5-20-50, my question now is, for that price which is 1149.99, Can i get a better scope for that price?

Take a look at what's already been mentioned.

For about $200 more the Huskemaw (aka quasi Nightforce) is a much better scope. For about $400 I'd suggest that the Zeiss with target turrets is at least its equal. The Sightron S-II Big Sky Series or S-III are also both excellent units though I'd place the Zeiss as a bit better based on my own experience.

Vortex scopes are great for the money, but I like the glass on my Zeiss scopes better than my Vortex scopes. That's just personal preference.

 

[MTBULLET]

FYI, I've got a new leupold mk4 6.5x20x50 with TMR reticle and M1 dials to sell $1050.00 new in box.

 

[Sully2]

Zeiss Conquest

 

[ABL]

With me trying to shoot at a 1000 yards, is it necessary for me to load my own ammunition? Or can I stick to a good brand such as Hornady?

 

[trebark]

With me trying to shoot at a 1000 yards, is it necessary for me to load my own ammunition? Or can I stick to a good brand such as Hornady?

Two things....

Accuracy: does the ammunition reliably shoot .5moa or better. If so, check-off part one as 'good.' .5moa is the level of accuracy I want from my longrange rig. .5moa is about 5" at 1k yards. If I can do my part in doping the wind and get a good trigger pull, .5moa = dead deer.

Consistency: make sure you shoot the ammo over a chronograph. You are looking for an extreme-spread (ES) of 15fps or less. If your ES is larger than 15fps, you will discover your groups will string vertically at 1k.

If you can achieve the accuracy and the ES, you are good to go.

 

[erictheoldschool]

ABL, I, personally, just purchased a Minox ZA-5 6-30x 56mm side focus w/target turrets. At the time of purchase (July) I got the last one in America...but there should be an expected delivery date available by now. SWFA, (good people) Midway and numerous others carry these scopes, and they are worth consideration. GREAT glass, good repeatability, 30mm tube, just under a grand with shipping. I am satisfied that it is the best scope I've ever owned.