Scope ideas

[Darksith]

You have $2000 to spend on a scope. Will be your scope for life and may switch rifles over time. Starting out on a 325wsm. Shoot out too max 500 yards Hunting....1000 yard at range. What would you buy? Night force? Swarovski? Ziess?

[Backcountry Hunter]

Own a Swaro 5-25x52 with BT. Love it. Would never buy anything but swaro anymore but have not seen through a Night force. The swaro is a bit lighter then the other scopes and great warranty. Also have a 15 year old pair of Binos and without question just had them re built

[Ferenc]

Schmidt & Bender with either a #1 or #4 recticle.... Or Kahles.... With a no less than a 42mm objective lense.. In. 1.5 - 6 power.. But perhaps something higher as you mentioned 1000yd shots at times...30 mm tube..mind you in most kahles they have a 26mm tube... But Talleys ( damn good quality) would work... 50mm objectives sure do help in lower light situations dawn/dusk.... And you should be able ( on the used market) find them in excellent condition.

[.264winmag]

NF, been bouncing one off rocks up/down mountains for a few years never misses a beat. You won't be disappointed, although the nxs is up in price these days...

[Shooter Jr.]

The VX-6 3-18 is a beautiful scope, i know I compared it to the Swaro Z3 before I bought it and obviously was one sided. Id have a look at a Z5 though. With $2000 i'd have a look at Schmidt and bender, Huskemaw, and NF though, see what one you prefer. They are all top notch quality.

[Darksith]

S+B is way over $2k...I wish but it really starts around $4k.

Even the NSX NF is just outta my budget. The SHV NF isn't though, 5-20x56 but 56mm seems a bit large. I will check out the swaros n the VX too. Thanks

[Weatherby Fan]

For an everyday hunting rifle I wouldn't go bigger than 44mm objective lens, but of course it's all personal preference, if you want the toughest scope on the planet go NF, if you want the best optics go Swarovski , if you want to compromise and the best of both worlds plus affordability go Leupold VX6 line.

[twoSevenO]

Leupold Vx-6 .... we spend significantly more time looking through our spotting scopes and binoculars than we do through our rifle scopes. Personally, i don't see a need to spend so much money on something i spend 10 seconds looking through. Also, i'm partial to leupold for rifle scopes so Vx-6 it is for my vote :)

[RiverOtter]

You could spend 2K, if that's your goal, but you could be in high cotton for far less with Leupold.

[BCBRAD]

For hunting I've been leaning towards the less complicated scopes. After many variable scopes my two hunting rifles now have Leupold 6x42's. One with an M1 turret dual X reticle and the other with a CDS dial and a #4 German reticle.

These set ups stretch the limit on game and the M1 to 1000 yards on targets. Makes a 30-06 and a 9.3mm viable 'longish' range hunting tools.

These combined with the use of a Leica range finder (7X optic) in the shirt pocket will get rid of $2k.

Fixed power scopes tend to be more rugged than variables, the glass in the Leupold at 6x is very good and a good range finder afford a higher percentage probability of a good hit and alternatively knowing the range ,makes an informed decision to pass on a shot.

[Darksith]

Leupold Vx-6 .... we spend significantly more time looking through our spotting scopes and binoculars than we do through our rifle scopes. Personally, i don't see a need to spend so much money on something i spend 10 seconds looking through. Also, i'm partial to leupold for rifle scopes so Vx-6 it is for my vote :)
I already have a swaro spotter and I really love my vortex binos. I have got it in my head that I won't upgrade my binos until my son is ready need a pair. My scope is a huge POS and it's time to end this nightmare. Prior to children (6 years ago) I spent a ton of time shooting and I feel I'm close to being able to get back into it, and luckily my Financials have improved since then as well...so I will spend a lot of time looking through this scope at the range. I also agree that an oversized objective seems silly if you are going to hunt with it.

I looked into the swaros Z5...only 25 MOA of adjustment is way too limiting...the next steps up are out of my budget.

I will definitely check out the vx6 line...I wish the NF shv didn't have a 56mm OL...

Keep any ideas coming...this is the only type of shopping I love lol

[.264winmag]

Vx-6 3-18x44 is gonna run a touch over the 2k new but should be a gooder! Vx-3I is just a touch over 1k and I found the vx-3 6.5-20x50 LR to be rugged and repeatable, far too much mag imo though sold it off.
Swaro and nxs considerably more as you know, although I picked a 3.5-15x56 up used a few years ago for $1100. Still see the 3.5-15x50/56 non-zero stop fs used for 1800-2200. The shv is a few hundred cheaper either way but no first hand experience, good reviews though I wish they'd do away with the 56mm obj. Note the chunk out the elevation adj. from the rocks, still has yet to lose zero and functions flawlessly:
04.photobucket.com/user/Doubleheader2/media/Bullet%20performance/28B14F82-812B-4C3C-855D-672F51B7B975.jpg.html]http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h325/Doubleheader2/Bullet%20performance/28B14F82-812B-4C3C-855D-672F51B7B975.jpg[/URL]

Built like a sherman tank, but the weight also reflects that...

Happy shopping!

[brian]

If I had 2k to spend on a scope I would buy a low powered scope like a 2-7x30mm with the very best damned lenses I could find.

[375shooter]

I already have a swaro spotter and I really love my vortex binos. I have got it in my head that I won't upgrade my binos until my son is ready need a pair. My scope is a huge POS and it's time to end this nightmare. Prior to children (6 years ago) I spent a ton of time shooting and I feel I'm close to being able to get back into it, and luckily my Financials have improved since then as well...so I will spend a lot of time looking through this scope at the range. I also agree that an oversized objective seems silly if you are going to hunt with it.

I looked into the swaros Z5...only 25 MOA of adjustment is way too limiting...the next steps up are out of my budget.

I will definitely check out the vx6 line...I wish the NF shv didn't have a 56mm OL...

Keep any ideas coming...this is the only type of shopping I love lol

I'd go with either a Leupold VX-6 3-18x44 SF CDS or a Leupold Mark 4 LR/T 4.5-14x40 (30 mm) Target. Both are under $2000.

[whitlers]

Check out the Leica line.

[todbartell]

it crowds the $2000, but probably a Leupold Vx6 2-12x42 CDS ZL (Firedot illuminated windplex) #120597....I may put one on my 280 Ackley next year

[boxhitch]

tb, do you have Nikon in the store?

[todbartell]

no sorry don't deal with Nikon

[Keta1969]

I love my Leica, 2.5x10 30MM tube. Not as common as some of the others but is crystal clear and is coated to shed water which is nice on the Island. Eight years old and no issues.

[375shooter]

Vx6 3-18x44 SF CDS $1799 + tax, free shipping - http://www.cabelas.ca/product/35461/leupold-vx-6-riflescopes

[375shooter]

it crowds the $2000, but probably a Leupold Vx6 2-12x42 CDS ZL (Firedot illuminated windplex) #120597....I may put one on my 280 Ackley next year

That's the one I ALMOST want. Not SF, though. :sad: For that reason, I'll probably go 3-18 SF CDS. Have a couple of new rifle that could use a scope like this.

[todbartell]

SF side focus/parallax adjustable?

[twoSevenO]

That's the one I ALMOST want. Not SF, though. :sad: For that reason, I'll probably go 3-18 SF CDS. Have a couple of new rifle that could use a scope like this.

Care to elaborate why you really want SF? With all scopes parallax free past 100 yards, i've never really wished for that feature.

[.264winmag]

All scopes are not parallax free past 100 yds, I wouldn't own a high power scope that didn't have parallax adjustment.
I forgot about the leu mark 4, had a 4.5-14x50 and it was superb. Kick myself for getting rid of it but was partial trade for the NF.

[375shooter]

That's the one I ALMOST want. Not SF, though. :sad: For that reason, I'll probably go 3-18 SF CDS. Have a couple of new rifle that could use a scope like this.


Care to elaborate why you really want SF? With all scopes parallax free past 100 yards, i've never really wished for that feature.


All scopes are not parallax free past 100 yds, I wouldn't own a high power scope that didn't have parallax adjustment.
I forgot about the leu mark 4, had a 4.5-14x50 and it was superb. Kick myself for getting rid of it but was partial trade for the NF.

What .264winmag says, is right. When shooting with high magnification at long range, SF/AO is required in order to get the best results, on the target or on game.

[boxhitch]

Vx6 3-18x44 SF CDS $1799 + tax, free shipping - http://www.cabelas.ca/product/35461/leupold-vx-6-riflescopes
My Nikon with similar features and more 3.5-14x40 SF FFP w/bdc came in under $500.
you don't always get what you pay for.

[.264winmag]

My Nikon with similar features and more 3.5-14x40 SF FFP w/bdc came in under $500.
you don't always get what you pay for.

Decent quality but not legendary like leupold! Leupold will destroy Nikon in repeatability tests.

[twoSevenO]

My Nikon with similar features and more 3.5-14x40 SF FFP w/bdc came in under $500.
you don't always get what you pay for.

Judging by the price you didn't get a Monarch 7. And i highly doubt that the quality of a mid line Nikon beats top of the line Leupold. Features are one thing. Overall quality is another.

[boxhitch]

Monarch doesn't hold much over the new Prostaff, trials to begin soon on the .338

[.264winmag]

http://www.nikonsportoptics.com/en/nikon-products/riflescopes/prostaff-5-3.5-14x40-sf-ffp-matte-bdc-.html

That the one you have Box? The ffp is a real bonus for using reticle as hold over at any mag. Don't have to worry so much if she don't come back to zero etc. while twisting turrets. I've had 2 nikons, neither one repeatable and both had 1" tubes which sucks for internal adjustment. Great hunting scope for mid range work for the $. Not one I would buy expecting to last a lifetime though, just my experience. In optics, unfortunately, you do get what you pay for.

[Darksith]

After shopping locally and doing a ton of research in regards to pricing I ended up choosing the swaro z5 with ballistic turret. Bass pro seems to be 20% cheaper than wholesale sports or cabelas for anything optic

https://m.basspro.com/Swarovski-Optik-Z5-Rifle-Scope/product/10207974/

[todbartell]

probably because that is USD pricing on Basspro.com

buddy of mine has the Z5 on his 7mm. He can't adjust his turret past 550 yards because of lack of elevation, but otherwise it's a really nice scope

[BMAC0]

http://www.huskemawoptics.com/bd-5-20

not that I have looked through a ton but my buddy has this and it is the nicest I have seen for under 2k!

[Darksith]

probably because that is USD pricing on Basspro.com

buddy of mine has the Z5 on his 7mm. He can't adjust his turret past 550 yards because of lack of elevation, but otherwise it's a really nice scope
lol its like lighting struck...got an email, "bass pro can not ship to your address"...you would think you select your store and shop, it would automatically convert to Canadian dollars...back to the drawing board. I am really torn between the nightforce and the swarovski...the nightforce SHV looks sweet, but I can't hold it locally, and it has a 56mm objective lense. The Swaro only has 25MOA of adjustment but looks like a simple hunting scope. Maybe I am asking too much of my scope, and should keep it hunting or target practice only. The Huskemaw does look like it is a good inbetween...has the amount of MOA adjustment I want and a 50mm tube, and is in my budget.

What are the 2 dials on the left side of the NF SHV 5-25 scope? One is obviously focus, whats the inner dial? Elevation?

[325]

I have a Swarovski Z5 3.3-18 x 44 BT. I have my turret zeroed for 200 yards, then the green, yellow and red dots set for 300,400 and 500 yards respectively. It's a great hunting scope and extremely repeatable, but is definitely not ideal for shooting beyond 600 yards.

[Darksith]

I have a Swarovski Z5 3.3-18 x 44 BT. I have my turret zeroed for 200 yards, then the green, yellow and red dots set for 300,400 and 500 yards respectively. It's a great hunting scope and extremely repeatable, but is definitely not ideal for shooting beyond 600 yards.

are you shooting a 325wsm?

[325]

are you shooting a 325wsm?

No it's on a 6.5 Creedmoor

[Keta1969]

If you get a chance check out a Leica. they have a 4-20x50 with side focus that should be around 1600 or 1700 cad.

[Darksith]

If you get a chance check out a Leica. they have a 4-20x50 with side focus that should be around 1600 or 1700 cad.

almost impossible to find a dealer

[.264winmag]

Guessing the two adjustments on the left of the shv are parallax and illuminated reticle?
After having a 6.5-20 power scope I would say anything in the 14-16 power on the high end to be more than enough magnification. I never used the 20x except to count points etc. I find myself using just 10x more often even for target shooting out past 1000 yds, huge advantage being able to spot hits easier and less jittery. There is a 4-16x50mm obj shv, as well as a 3-10x42mm by the looks of it.

[.264winmag]

Maybe todbartell has some reviews on the new vortex razor HD LH? Well under $2k, only 1" tube but still 55min of elevation adjustment.

[whitlers]

If you get a chance check out a Leica. they have a 4-20x50 with side focus that should be around 1600 or 1700 cad.

Love my ER 2.5-10x42

Wish I had sprung for the exposed elevation though. Still a great scope for up to 450 yards and their glass is unmatched!

[Keta1969]

almost impossible to find a dealer

Got mine from Italian Sporting Goods during their Dec. sale. Also think I saw a former site sponsor now stocks them, not sure about Nechako. Mines been bullet proof, was on a 300 mag for a while and had one nasty fall and no issues at all. Mine has the ballisticplex which is nice. They have more choices now but you do have to search them out. The glass is superb.

[twoSevenO]

lol its like lighting struck...got an email, "bass pro can not ship to your address"...you would think you select your store and shop, it would automatically convert to Canadian dollars...back to the drawing board. I am really torn between the nightforce and the swarovski...the nightforce SHV looks sweet, but I can't hold it locally, and it has a 56mm objective lense. The Swaro only has 25MOA of adjustment but looks like a simple hunting scope. Maybe I am asking too much of my scope, and should keep it hunting or target practice only. The Huskemaw does look like it is a good inbetween...has the amount of MOA adjustment I want and a 50mm tube, and is in my budget.

What are the 2 dials on the left side of the NF SHV 5-25 scope? One is obviously focus, whats the inner dial? Elevation?

They actually allowed you to select a canadian store on the .com (u.s.) website? That's odd.

Too bad the days of exporting scopes out of the states are over. I buy almost everything online out of the states given my close proximity to the border. But, they take exporting scopes pretty seriously these days and that's too bad.

[Darksith]

They actually allowed you to select a canadian store on the .com (u.s.) website? That's odd.

Too bad the days of exporting scopes out of the states are over. I buy almost everything online out of the states given my close proximity to the border. But, they take exporting scopes pretty seriously these days and that's too bad.

Yup...odd and frustrating.

Maybe 20x is too much, I have never owned anything past 9 on a rifle scope.

Todd, you obviously run a store...which 1? Surprised I don't know the answer...been here long enough haha.

[1899]

Zeiss Victory HT with ASV or Leica ERi if you can find a leftover model. There are places that have them still and I just bought one of the latter on clearance from $2300 to $1500.

[.264winmag]

Top of page, Nechako outdoors. They'll hook you up.