This is kind of a can of worms as there are so many nuances to what "perfect" means for any given person - and "perfect" often changes over time with regard to experience and use case, etc.
We have some awesome and amazing scopes on the market today in the LPVO class and the long range FFP class, what we are seriously lacking are really good offerings in the MPVO class and the mid-range crossover class, especially when it comes to reticle and illumination.
Here's my thoughts for existing Crossover/MPVO:
FFP 56mm objective (under 35oz)
- The Steiner T6Xi 3-18x56 is the best "new" offering, but needs a better reticle for usability at 3x (or brighter illumination)
FFP 50mm objective (under 30oz)
- TT315M 3-15x50 - probably the best offering but this design is over a decade old (but still the best) and could use a refresh or at least a reticle that works at 3x besides the mil-dot.
- The Nightforce NX8 2.5-20x50 has real potential, but reticle choices for use at 2.5x are non-existent, if NF offered the FC-DMx reticle or a variant of that blended with Mil-XT they have a real winner here.
- The Vortex Razor LHT 4.5-22x50, lightest weight FFP scope in its class, but what is up with that mag range, I don't think anyone except NRL Hunter was asking for that which was likely the target audience with this scope, if Vortex could do a LHT 3-18x50 under 23oz and offer a reticle that works at 3x... money $$$
- Burris XTR IIIi 3.3-18x50, Burris is part of the same parent ownership that owns Steiner and have shared design and reticles, but Burris needs a reticle that works at bottom mag just like Steiner.
FFP 42/44mm objective (under 25oz)
- March 1.5-15x42 with DR-TR2B dual focal plane reticle, really have nothing to complain about, yes I wish IQ was a little better at higher mags but this is a 10x erector so set your expectations accordingly, it is the best MPVO on the market to date.
- Steiner H6Xi 2-12x42 but just like the 3-18 above, the reticle is not ideal for 2x use
- Leupold almost makes the cut with weight at 26oz so worth mentioning their Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44, but like the others here, gotta have a reticle that works at bottom mag. And who uses a 35mm tube anymore???
I realize there are a couple options here and there but I left out any 4x erector designs, they are nice (or can be) but just not what the market is really demanding right now unless the price is right. Also didn't include a lot of cheap scopes
The most common theme here is the reticle, why sport optics manufacturers cannot figure out how to make a good reticle for a crossover and/or MPVO is beyond me. Bushnell did it over a decade ago with the G2H reticle - just add a circle of death to your existing long range reticle while you figure out how to do a decent crossover reticle - one that works well at bottom mag and works well at top mag.
As far as what would my "perfect scope" be for these categories, here are my thoughts:
FFP 56mm objective (under 35oz)
- 3-20x56 or close variation thereof. Would love to see something from March with a dual focal plane reticle or the FML-TR1H and with brighter illumination.
- For a few years now I've wanted Minox to take their sister company Blaser's 4-20x58 and put the ZP5 turrets and MR4 reticle in it, but Minox appears to be all but fading from the American marketplace unfortunately so I have little hope for any future Minox product to trickle into the states.
FFP 50mm objective (under 30oz)
- 3.3-20x50 or close variation thereof. Would love to see something from Vortex, either AMG or RG3 but weight has got to be under 30 and reticle has got to be usable at the bottom.
- Numerous threads have teased us with a ZCO "hunter" version of their 4-20x50 with the magic 30 (30mm tube and 30oz) but I just don't see ZCO doing anything outside of their signature 36mm tubes anytime soon.
- Would love to see TT delve into the 6x erector market and offer a TT318M 3-18x50 under or close to 30oz and to offer a reticle that works at 3x with brighter illumination and 10 mil per rev double turn turrets.
FFP 42/44mm objective (under 25oz)
- This is really the untapped market, everyone abandoned this it seems once LPVO's started getting 8x and then 10x erectors, but having good 1x and that much magnification creates issues for long range usability and now a lot are returning to an MPVO style scope. Similar to the LPVO, for a scope to succeed in this category it's got to have a reticle that works at bottom and top mags.
- Nightforce NX8 1.5-12x42 with FC-DMx would be an immediate success. They have the erector, they have the reticle, just need to make the scope.
I am hopeful that 2025 will see some of the above fantasies fulfilled...
