Rifle Scopes Advise on a High end Glass upgrade.

[kov1985]

Hi Gents.

For the past couple years I've been running a NF NXS 3.5-15X56mm on top of my 308 Templar. I'm a property owner in Australia and I get a lot of trouble/fun with feral pigs, but I've found that most of the pigs I blow away are done just on dark. They prefer the cover of darkness in the twilight hours to emerge from my crop to play and frolick in my muddy drains. This is when I lay and wait with the mosquitoes, and rarely it doesn't pay off.

My point is that even though sometimes I have to plink them from afar during the day, I'm finding the need for better low light transmission. Or more like I can justify upgrading. Another problem with the NXS is the lack of illumination adjustment. It's so bright when I turn it on, I can't see anything else during said darker hours.

So I've narrowed it down to 3 higher end scopes, and am looking for some wisdom from anyone who has had experience behind any of these. Budget - I start to cringe around the $2,500 mark...

1. Kahles K 3-12x50 MSR reticle
2. Vortex Razor HD Gen II 3-18x50
3. (If I can manage it) S+B PMII 3-12x50 metric, illuminated and with P4L fein reticle. I don't know the proper model number, but I assume they'd make it.

Firstly would any of these scopes clarity in low light take a dump of my NXS? Secondly which one would you go for and why? Thirdly, if you've got a suggestion for another scope I'd love to hear it.

Thanks for your time everyone.

 

[kov1985]

Also Tangent Theta have got me thinking, but they're still a bit new and have bugger all reticles/options. Has anyone used one of these yet?

 

[Redmanss]

First, you can adjust the illumination on your NXS. Google around about it, it's the screw under the battery cap.

Second, I don't believe any of the above listed scopes would have any significant advantage over the NXS for low light shooting. You need to step up to a x56mm objective if you want improved low light capability. Swarovski, Zeiss, or S&B Stratos is where I would be searching at.

 

[Smooth_87]

The new vortex 4.5-27 for me.

Should be the next best thing in ffp

 

[German pointer]

Not sure if you can get Steiners down where you are but I got one from Eurooptic in the link below and if they ship to OZ you will have a chunk of change and a fantasitc scope with fantastic low light capabilities and 11 settings on the IR for all day night or all night shooting

By the way I'm in Ireland

Steiner 3X-12X-56mm G2 Mil-Dot Rifle Scope 5356 for sale!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzx3DscRvwo

 

[jdr724]

Can you get within 150 yards of them?

Are you allowed to use red/green lights either handheld or weapon mounted?

If so this would be a significantly lower cost and very effective option.

 

[CSTactical]

The Kahles 3-12x has amazing glass. I have been impressed with the Vortex HD GENII form what I have seen. As for S&B they are always good to go.

Mike @ CSTACTICAL

 

[jasonfaz]

At that price point you might want to check out the IOR Valdada 3-18x50. They can be had for $1799. I've been very pleased with the Schott glass they use when it comes to light transmission. Good reticle choices, FFP, MIL/MIL or MOA/MOA. They don't illuminate the entire stadia of the reticle like NF does - just the dot - but it sounds like that may be something that you'd prefer. Just another option for your consideration...

 

[jasonfaz]

On yes, I forgot to mention they're about 3/4 of a pound lighter than the Gen II Vortex 3-18. Just in case weight comes into the decision process down the line.

 

[ptosis]

Kahles and S&B are excellent (don't know about #2, never had a chance to play with).

Another possibility in the same genre is Hensoldt 3-12x.
The glass is at least as good as S&B, that is -- as good as it gets, and the 56mm ocular gets some extra light at dusk or dawn.
Absolutely terrific scope, rugged, precise and easy, check it out.

 

[kov1985]

Thank you for your advise everyone. I thought I found a winner with the Kahles, but turns out the k312 doesn't have an illumination feature. Normally that wouldn't have mattered to me, but I'm finding I'm needing it more and more lately.

I went to my local gun shop and had a peak through some high end glass. I tried a PMII 5-25, Kahles k624, Steiner Military 5-25, and last but definately not least I had a look through a Swarovski z6i with a 50mm lens and ballistic turret (don't remember which power it was). I gotta say, Even though I have a real fetish with my tac gear, that swaro has got me thinking. Around the same coinage as a PMII, The glass blew my socks off and that illuminated dot magnifico. The glass on the other tac scopes I tried were just as bright and clear.

Does anyone here run a Swarovski z6i? Are they as good as they look and priced to be? Would you value it as useful as say a S+B PMII?

Again thanks for your time and advise, I value both.

 

[ptosis]

A friend of mine shoots IPSC rifle with a Swaro z6i 1-6x. He can choose his scopes, and I have all reasons to trust his opinion; the z6i is fantastic.
I did not have the opportunity to shoot with it, but the image quality and eyebox comfort are exceptional, 1x really is a true 1x (zero discomfort both eyes opened), I just loved the circle mark, daytime illumination is very well designed and implemented. Optics-wise, it is definitely on par with S&Bs; I am not so sure about robustness -- I am yet to see a Swaro on a .338 and (except for the Steyr AUG, of course) in military use.
This being said, I am talking about 1-6x; no idea about bigger magnifications.

 

[Diablo]

For me, the S&B 4-16 X 42 works well, and I think the S&B 4-16 X 50 is available in Australia. Only the mid-section is illuminated, the intensity can be adjusted easily by the external dial. But I don't know how much they cost down there.

I also like my Hensoldt 4-16 X 56 scopes but they aren't cheap, either.

I haven't really needed 16x in low light conditions (usually need less), and to me the S&B 3-12 X 50 or something similar seems like a good choice for the situations you describe.

 

[jaycoux]

Why dont you try a laser genetics nd3 or something like that? Mounts on your scope, cheaper than buying a new scope and works well as long as its not too cold. Seems like your return investment on a super high-end scope may not be that great.

I would even buy a pvs 14 before buying another scope.

Just my .02

 

[heavymetal777]

So I've narrowed it down to 3 higher end scopes, and am looking for some wisdom from anyone who has had experience behind any of these. Budget - I start to cringe around the $2,500 mark...

1. Kahles K 3-12x50 MSR reticle
2. Vortex Razor HD Gen II 3-18x50
3. (If I can manage it) S+B PMII 3-12x50 metric, illuminated and with P4L fein reticle. I don't know the proper model number, but I assume they'd make it.

You have an excellent scope in the Nightforce. I do not believe you will be able to find a different scope in the price range ($2500) that will outperform the NF by enough to justify buying another scope.

Your current NF has a 56mm objective. The Kahles and S&B may have better glass but with a 50mm objective it will not gather as much light. The Vortex glass IMHO is not better than the NF and since it's magnification ratio at 6X, is greater than the NF so it should not transfer as much light because of additional lenses used. You may like the Kahles or S&B better but specifically for use in low light you should stay with a 56mm objective.

The Zeiss Victory Diavari 6-24x72mm will give you better performance but at a price tag of $3700USD.

Since you have $2500 or so I would recommend getting into Night Vision or Thermal imaging. You can find a used Gen3 or really good Gen2+ unit for right around your budget. Since you said you are on private property you will be able to hunt into the night and have a distinct advantage as well.