Rifle Scopes Best "cost no object" Hunting Scope

I haven't used it - yet - but would guess the Tangent Theta hunter is probably exceptional. I do have the 3-15P and it is quite good - and I hunted the TT's cousin, the Premier hunter, in Africa several years ago and had great experiences and results.

From what I have used, it's hard to beat a Swaro Z6i. My hunters tend more toward tactical scopes; but for a pure hunter, the Z6s are great glass, good illumination system, and can take a beating without dying prematurely.
 
Depends on your hunt. If you hunt like most people hunt, as opposed to how a lot of people like to think they hunt, the Blaser 1-7 would probably be the best.
 
I (respectfully) question these recommendations. Tangents are fabulous scopes, but the average white tail is taken inside 100 yards, and the average muley and elk inside 200. It is hard to imagine thinking a rather heavy 3-15 ffp scope best for hunting. You don't want the tiny field of view at 15, and you don't want the tiny reticle at 3. And you don't want the weight. Just saying.

If you want the best possible scope, and you want to hunt with it, then fine, the Tangent is probably it. But it isn't the best hunting scope for people who actually hunt game.

If you really want to be able to reach out further, the Z8i 1.7-13 is also a great choice. I actually think the z6i line, like the 1.3-10, is better because of the weight savings. But they are both better hunting scopes than some of the denutted tactical scopes.
 
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I (respectfully) question these recommendations. Tangents are fabulous scopes, but the average white tail is taken inside 100 yards, and the average muley and elk inside 200. It is hard to imagine thinking a rather heavy 3-15 ffp scope best for hunting. You don't want the tiny field of view at 15, and you don't want the tiny reticle at 3. And you don't want the weight. Just saying.

If you want the best possible scope, and you want to hunt with it, then fine, the Tangent is probably it. But it isn't the best hunting scope for people who actually hunt game.
Respectfully disagree.

Sincerely yours,
Big Game Hunter
 
This kinda depends on whether you like FFP or SFP and on a reticle selection.

Tangent Theta Hunter 3-15x50 is a pretty remarkable scope if you want FFP.
Leica Magnus 2-12x50 has been my go to recommendation for a high end hunting scope for a while, and I have not seen anything yet to suggest otherwise.
S&B Exos 3-21x50 is really excellent optically and the new turret system has a lot to offer if you are looking to extend the range whether for hunting or for practice.

These are all worth a look for different reasons.

It kinda depends on what's important to you.

ILya
 
Tagging along.

I went from Premier 3-15 which I liked a lot to a Tangent Theta Hunter (disliked the turrets) and now running a Nightforce 4-16x42 since I had it laying around

If I bought today I think I would try the Blaser Infinity or maybe even the Swaro dS 5-25x52 P regardless I'll replace the NF 4-16 after this season.

Match rifle I run a TT Gen3 XR so not to say I don't like all Tangents but the hunter left some to be desired for me.
 
Available in either FFP or SFP.

The MOAR reticle seems most appropriate for hunting.





MOAR_20MOA_F1.png
 
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Tagging along.

I went from Premier 3-15 which I liked a lot to a Tangent Theta Hunter (disliked the turrets) and now running a Nightforce 4-16x42 since I had it laying around

If I bought today I think I would try the Blaser Infinity or maybe even the Swaro dS 5-25x52 P regardless I'll replace the NF 4-16 after this season.

Match rifle I run a TT Gen3 XR so not to say I don't like all Tangents but the hunter left some to be desired for me.
Texag, I know lots of those...

And 0842, arty, right?

As I said, I haven't run the hunter, what specifically did you not like about the turrets? I have the P and they are among my favorite turrets - favorite elevation is still the EREK from the old USO, but I don't go near USO any more...
 
I really like my Leupold mk5 5-25. Glass is great and tracking seems to be spot on. I use this on my 300wsm and is my main elk setup.

When I know I'm going to be hunting in dark timber/wooded areas my all time favorite scope is a 2.5-10x56 trijicon accupoint with the green duplex.

So many options and opinions. Good luck
 
Swaro glass is gonna be really high up on the list for light transmission. For a hunting scope having the brightest picture takes precedent over ‘tactical’ features like milling reticles and zero stops. Its the difference between being able to spot game through the scope at 4pm in one scope and 5pm in another (or at first light).
 
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On the Trijicon 2.5-10x50, agreed, great scope - and the 3-9 ain't bad either, on a budget. On the the hunting times, I disagree: the difference between okay glass and good glass is maybe 5 minutes of trigger time, and from good to great, maybe 5-10 more. Obviously, I am not talking about white-outs due to shit glass that can't deal with fading light, nor am I talking about Wal Mart glass that won't hold zero or image. If the conversation includes less-than-okay glass, iron sights is the way to go.
 
Well...that's a matter of personal preference, IMO. I've got several bolt guns to hunt with and they all are sporting different glass....lol. Mostly because they were bought at different times and budgets. A Leupold VXlll, Nikon muzzleloader scope(don't remember just what it is since it doesn't see much action, A 1985 Redfield Low Pro AccuTrack 3x9x40, IOR Valdada 3.5-18x 50...well you get the point. Buy what you like...look around....By far german glass is the best but if a budget is a big consideration Japanese glass is ok...unless your hunting the really wide open spaces and can confidently hit the mark at true long distance. S & B, Kahles, IOR Valdada are a few for long dist. you might consider if a budget is no object.
 
There is no single best anything , for everything.Scopes included.I will be in Wyoming in 7 days I will be using a S&B Klassic 4x16 it works fine in this application.Last year bear hunt Idaho , fall hunting thick woods and timber 3x9 Zeiss conquest .Every year in Texas culling does Meopta meostar r1, Hogs Texas Swarovski 1x4, Mule Deer Montana S&B us 3x20.If there was 1 perfect scope I would own it. : )It would be on my 1 perfect rifle in the 1 best caliber.
 
What, how and where you hunt has a lot to do with what is best/perfect.The mission dictates the equipment.I hope this helps more info from OP might help narrow down the over abundance of choices.
 
As stated above, your going to get a lot of different opinions but the TT has some pretty slick glass.

NF, ZCO, TT and evening Kahles you won’t go wrong!
 
I am contemplating this as well. I respect ILya as someone who has compared them. Last year I hunted with a nx8 and was pretty happy. I tagged 3 deer and an elk with it in 2019. Not a whole lot by some standards, but a decent year for me.

I bought a VX5HD but had poor tracking to i returned it. Hoping the replacement is better. If not I'll probably try the S&B EXOS