Rifle Scopes Zeiss toughness????

ctsmith

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 26, 2011
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Alabama
The search for a 700 yard hunting scope, with low capabilities, S&B durability, and in a moderate size and weight has turned futile.

Off the list:

* NF 2.5-10x32 - available reticles and twilight factor won't cut it.

* S&B 10X PMII - Just the package I'm looking for, except I need a variable for the South Alabama timber. 10X won't cut it.

* S&B 3-12x42 Classic Precision Hunter - Again, just the package I'm looking for except its limited to 32 cm of adjustment by the turret. 500 yards wont cut it.

* Leica ER 2.5-10x42 with elevation turret - Very close but not enough out there to have much feedback with durability. If this were the only hang up I'd give it a go, but alas, every first hand report I've read was that the elevation clicks were soft. Won't cut it.

* Leups of nearly any sort - soft springs, zero shifts, won't cut it.

Which brings me to the Zeiss Victory Diavari 2.5-10x50 with FFP #4 Reticle. It can easily be retrofitted with an elevation turret and Kenton cap of any sort. Glass is superb by all accounts. It doesn't get much better than the Zeiss verion of the German #4 in low light. Clicks are firm, positive, and in mils (I've been wanting to give mils a shot). Theres plenty of elevation adjustment. It comes in a tidy package. I'm comfortable with everything except I've not seen any reports of hard use. Have any of you guys abused them? How did they fare? Keep in mind the sole purpose I'm moving from Leups is durability, otherwise I'm content.
 
Re: Zeiss toughness????

Take a look at the March 3-24 42mm FFP. Reticle is mil/mil and comes with or without illumination. Many reviews say they hold up well under abuse. Sold by Kelbys rifles. Sole US distributor.
 
Re: Zeiss toughness????

I've got the 2.5-10x42 #8 with a Kenton knob and enjoy the shit out of it as it sounds you like yours too.
It is not abused but it is on a mainstay hunting rifle. Haven't had a chance to throw it down a mountain yet...
 
Re: Zeiss toughness????

Sib, I'll check out the March.

Jason, as far as I can tell, the Z6 ballistic turret has no reference numbers on the dial, only the three dots. Three dots with no other references wont work for me. I've done limited research but to my knowledge there is no indexed cover to replace the dot system, as far as I know you're stuck with it. Wish this wasn't the case. The Z6 1.7-10x42 with a usable turret would be the sweet!

Hutch, I don't have a Victory yet but I'm leaning that way.
 
Re: Zeiss toughness????

Sib, the March 3-24x42 is a nice scope. I wouldn't mind trying one, but not on dedicated hunting rifle. There's just to much going on for my preference. I want something with a top range of 12X or less because I don't want a parallax adjustment. I'd prefer not to have a windage adjustment, just elevation will do and keep the package nice and tidy. I do not want a reticle with a lot of activity on it nor do I want illumination. A simple, bold hunting reticle is where its at for me, the Zeiss #4 subtensions are about perfect (though if I had my choice I'd add a few mil and half mil hashes on the horizontal wire, for windage hold offs.
 
Re: Zeiss toughness????

Check out the Zeiss 60 reticule. It is what I use and for hunting; far or near its pretty darn good. Mine are illuminated but I don't use that much. My scopes are Victory ones which they do in a 4-16. All are in the 2FF which I prefer (I use a rangefinder to range when required). They can be had with full locking target turrets for when you want to dial. Point blank on my 308 is 200m and then I'll dial and can then go for tiny targets. The dot works great for both tiny and large targets but best of all its fast. Light gathering as good as it gets.

I'm not saying you have to go for a Victory as they are on the weighty side. Bin the toys by getting a simpler model to save weight.

I'm sure the 60 ret can be had in other models. Just love them as I hate any clutter in my sight picture.