Best Premium Hunting Scope

[PRS-JohnB]

Hey everyone. Fresh into the off season for hunting and planning towards next season already. I am wanting to learn all the pros and cons of various premium hunting scopes. Hearing from actual owners vs things i can just google myself. Shots will be 50-350 and going on a Sig Cross with a Straight Jacket Armory competition contour .308 barrel. I am trying to find the best balance that will give me superior low light ability and overall great quality to hold up for years to come. I already have a long range hunting set up with a Tangent Theta 5-25, so that is the reason for the shorter distance of 350. Most of our hunting around here is in pines and hardwoods with the occasional cut over. I am looking for higher end optics like ZCO 4-20, Tangent Theta 3-15, Kahles 328i, S&B, Swaro, etc. I can tell you right off the bat I doubt I will ever own a Vortex, Burris, Bushnell, Etc. So no hard feelings, just my 2cents. Thank You in advance for the positive and helpful responses. Also, It does not have to be a FFP optic. I just know some of the higher quality scopes tend to be FFP. a SFP would actually be most ideal in most scenarios.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

We have an open box Tangent Theta 3-15x50mm Model TT315LRH Long Range Hunter - MRAD for $3,699.99. Same as new

 

[Glassaholic]

Hey everyone. Fresh into the off season for hunting and planning towards next season already. I am wanting to learn all the pros and cons of various premium hunting scopes. Hearing from actual owners vs things i can just google myself. Shots will be 50-350 and going on a Sig Cross with a Straight Jacket Armory competition contour .308 barrel. I am trying to find the best balance that will give me superior low light ability and overall great quality to hold up for years to come. I already have a long range hunting set up with a Tangent Theta 5-25, so that is the reason for the shorter distance of 350. Most of our hunting around here is in pines and hardwoods with the occasional cut over. I am looking for higher end optics like ZCO 4-20, Tangent Theta 3-15, Kahles 328i, S&B, Swaro, etc. I can tell you right off the bat I doubt I will ever own a Vortex, Burris, Bushnell, Etc. So no hard feelings, just my 2cents. Thank You in advance for the positive and helpful responses. Also, It does not have to be a FFP optic. I just know some of the higher quality scopes tend to be FFP. a SFP would actually be most ideal in most scenarios.

Is weight an issue for you? What about reticle, do you envision using the scope at lower or bottom mag range much? I can't stand SFP scopes for most applications, but I get it that there are so few FFP scopes with reticles that work at low mag. Thoughts on what you listed...

• ZCO 4-20 - the best ultra short optically speaking, MPCT1x should be great for crossover use
• TT315M - the lightest and best optical scope in mid-range mags but not the greatest reticle selection for this mag range
• Kahles K328i (aka the boat anchor) at almost 37oz the thing is a beast, but it offers the widest FOV of any FFP scope, though 8x erector makes me nervous on how finicky it will be
• S&B just announced the new FFP Meta 3-18x42 at 27oz with SBX reticle - could be what many have been looking for (but try not to be lured by the marketing hype until we actually see them), not available until summer at the earliest. Best S&B for crossover to date is the 3-20x50, maybe best reticle for crossover is MSR2...
• Swarovski... refer to my comments on SFP above

Did a review on a lot of these ultra shorts a while back

Rifle Scopes - ZCO ZC420 v Kahles K318i v Schmidt Ultra Shorts v Minox ZP5

Three scopes walk into a bar, the first is a ZCO, the second a Kahles and the third a Schmidt… and so the joke goes, but in reality, it was 6 scopes, and Minox joined the party as well and the punchline of the joke is… well read on and we’ll get there. Right before SHOT 2018 I was thrilled to...

www.snipershide.com

 

[PRS-JohnB]

Obviously all things equal lighter is better, but low light performance is top of the list. So I would tolerate a heavier scope, even a boat anchor if it was worth it optically. My average hike to a stand is 300-500 yards. So weight won’t break me. Reticle wise I like minimal. Ideally for a hunting optic I would prefer illuminated but only the center most portion and not the full reticle bc it tends to overflow at dusk.

 

[Bangin]

Get the new Swarovski z5+i 3.5-18x50.

 

[Glassaholic]

Obviously all things equal lighter is better, but low light performance is top of the list. So I would tolerate a heavier scope, even a boat anchor if it was worth it optically. My average hike to a stand is 300-500 yards. So weight won’t break me. Reticle wise I like minimal. Ideally for a hunting optic I would prefer illuminated but only the center most portion and not the full reticle bc it tends to overflow at dusk.

Low light being top priority changes things, while 50mm generally do great in low light hard to beat physics with a larger 56mm objective. Maybe try to find yourself a nice Hensoldt 4-16x56... of the 50mm objective scopes I found the Tangent Theta 3-15x50 to be one of the brightest, coupled with the mildot reticle you might just be very happy.

 

[carbonbased]

Also, It does not have to be a FFP optic.

Obviously all things equal lighter is better, but low light performance is top of the list.

In that case I hear the S&B Polar is awfully good. I believe they also make FFP versions, but their reticles are def hunting focused…not saying that’s a bad thing.

Riflescopes: Under $3000 » OpticsThoughts

Index page

The DLO Recommendations: Riflescopes » OpticsThoughts

That is one of the number of sites that our dear @koshkin runs.

 

[PRS-JohnB]

Someone told me the polar was discontinued. I have looked at it close and like it other than the illumination dial being separate. Kinda hoping to see something new coming from them soon

 

[carbonbased]

Someone told me the polar was discontinued. I have looked at it close and like it other than the illumination dial being separate. Kinda hoping to see something new coming from them soon

I actually love that dial being separate. I own a 5-25 and find it’s just easier to adjust illum by feel vs a parallax-integrated control. Plus I thinks it looks cooler lol.

Never had any issues mounting it either.

 

[carbonbased]

Schmidt Bender Polar T96

Schmidt Bender Polar T96 Riflescopes

www.eurooptic.com

 

[ggmanning]

I put a March 1.5-15 on my main hunting rig this year. Dual SFP/FFP reticle. After a few months hunting and banging steel with it I will keep it in the stable. Like it a lot. Picky on parallax range but adapted to it easily. Good glass, great locking turrets. Typical March very compact size.

 

[Chickentoast]

Add Leica Magnus to the list if you can find one.

 

[Charger442]

Add Leica Magnus to the list if you can find one.

trash. find something else of you can

 

[PRS-JohnB]

trash. find something else of you can

Not debating your call, just curious why you say that so I can know what to look for and what to pass on

 

[Estes640]

If you can find a minox ZP5 3-15 it’s another great option.

 

[dirtybores]

I think I have or have shot with most of what your interested in. My current favorite hunting optic is the TT315M. I actually like the Gen3xr in it, but at the distances and lighting you're talking...mildot. Now if this setup will be used for anything besides hunting, I'd immediately switch my choice to the ZC420. I like the Mpct2x but 1x sounds better for what you're talkin.

I use a TT315M on a light 22 Creed, and its just a joy to use and shoot with. No downside for me. I recently traded a ZC420 away (not the scopes fault lol...other pressing projects), but it was on a heavier 308 that ironically now has an old Premier LT 3-15 in its place. So maybe I'm biased

Still own and have plenty of love for the SB 3-20 and Henny 4-16, but can also find appreciable reasons to choose the two above first in today's world. And I do like my Kahles's...something about their ergonomics just doesn't "hunt" well for me, if that makes any sense.

 

[Secant]

TT315M with Gen2mildot is the best hunting specific scope in my opinion.

 

[PRS-JohnB]

I think I have or have shot with most of what your interested in. My current favorite hunting optic is the TT315M. I actually like the Gen3xr in it, but at the distances and lighting you're talking...mildot. Now if this setup will be used for anything besides hunting, I'd immediately switch my choice to the ZC420. I like the Mpct2x but 1x sounds better for what you're talkin.

I use a TT315M on a light 22 Creed, and its just a joy to use and shoot with. No downside for me. I recently traded a ZC420 away (not the scopes fault lol...other pressing projects), but it was on a heavier 308 that ironically now has an old Premier LT 3-15 in its place. So maybe I'm biased

Still own and have plenty of love for the SB 3-20 and Henny 4-16, but can also find appreciable reasons to choose the two above first in today's world.

So optically, let’s discuss the ZCO420 vs the TT. Other than a little practice with the rifle, it will be all hunting whitetail. Any idea which one would be better at picking up detail in the shadows? Any other finite details. I am partial to the TT, but do wish it was a higher power on the upper end. At least 20x

 

[dirtybores]

My caliberated eyeballs are not high enough quality to fully appreciate what either of those scopes can do. But I guess my opinion would be:

The ZC obviously wins on the power band. I did feel I could get the ZC image "crisper". Both have forgiving dofs but the TT moreso for checking things at different distances on the same scan without adjustment. If I settled on something though, the ZC and that extra power...can't deny it. The TT image to me is "cooler" and more what I like to stay on glass with continually. Of note, when the sun was setting behind me, the ZC did always have more ocular glare than the TT.

 

[Chickentoast]

Agree with above - I had the ZCO 527 and TT 525. TT cooler image, yet somehow sacrificed nothing in contrast. Also better in low light - an extra 10 mins or so. Looked through a Leica Magnus at the range - at a mtn range behind and up at some vultures and some cows around 300 and 500 yds away. Sharp - probably more TT than ZCO, but all from memory - never owned the Magnus.

 

[Powdermonkey4]

If it is only to 550yards, just get a swaro z6 or z8 with BRXi or BRH reticle. Very light with excellent low light performance and no need to dial.

From someone who has swaros and ZCO420 for hunting. If you were going out a fair bit further, would push more towards ZCO or TT.

 

[Secant]

So optically, let’s discuss the ZCO420 vs the TT. Other than a little practice with the rifle, it will be all hunting whitetail. Any idea which one would be better at picking up detail in the shadows? Any other finite details. I am partial to the TT, but do wish it was a higher power on the upper end. At least 20x

I have both. I think the TT edges out the ZCO very very slightly in resolution. Not enough to matter. The tangent is much lighter and has a better reticle for low mag/close shots. I prefer the ZCO as a general use scope, but the Tangent for a hunting scope.

 

[JGRJR]

How is the Gen 2 mildot vs the Gen1 on the TT. Can you see them at low power 3x.

 

[Secant]

How is the Gen 2 mildot vs the Gen1 on the TT. Can you see them at low power 3x.

There’s not a Gen 1 offering. Yes, you can see the reticle on 3x.

 

[dirtybores]

TT does offer the TT315LRH model with an Mrad reticle that amounts to a reduced gen 2 mildot inside some heavy stadia lines... If 3x visibility is of peak concern.

 

[tacoman69]

Id go trijicon or nightforce. reliability is king on a hunting scope.

 

[dirtybores]

I know this was posted in jest, but don't sleep on the optical quality of the ol' Trijicon TARS!