Rifle Scopes First LR scope- realistic options?

[mattri]

Sure this has been covered, tried a search.

Have been shooting out to 600-1k for a couple of years with pretty good results using a bench/varmint rifle and a Weaver T-36.

Looking to build a field-type rifle for shooting at similar ranges, pushing the 1k envelope when possible. Not building a walking/stalking rifle or one that is solely a bench gun but one that can engage targets at UKDs from improvised positions etc.

Looking at glass and have some pretty basic criteria:

1) Going to be using this scope in the field, carried up and down mountains/hills, in all reasonable weather conditions. No extreme abuse, no "tactical" or combat situations.

2) Will be shooting at UKDs enough that a ranging reticle may be nice but is not a must, zero stop would be a help.

3) Low light conditions will be common, absolutely perfect glass isn't a must but better is, well, better.

So far it seems as though the NXS is a front runner. Lots of great features, probably overkill but within reason.

PSTs- Lots of folks say the glass is better than the NF, reticle choices are adequate.

Swarovski- Really like the glass, reticle choices are fine- have heard mixed reviews as far as field use.

Zeiss- Same as above really.

Sightron- Again, lots of folks really like the glass, no zero-stop but that isn't a total deal breaker- decent reticle choices.

Thoughts?

 

[scudzuki]

You need to provide a price range, or be more specific about the models you're considering.

Your generalizations are pretty accurate.

Until the ATACR and the BEAST, NF glass wasn't anything to get really excited about (good but not outstanding), but mechanically they're near or at the top, and that's what you are paying for.
Regardless of which you decide to buy, if you can find one used here, or a demo model from CameralandNY.com, eurooptics.com, or samplelist.com, you minimize the beating you'll take if you don't like it.

Joe

 

[mattri]

Thanks for the reply. So far I've looked through:

Swarovski Z5 5-25- loved the glass, don't hear much about themas far as repeatability etc.

Zeiss Conquest- same as above.

Nightforce BR and NXS- to be honest I didn't love them. I understand that they make their reputation on ruggedness and some say they are the eyes of god but I just didn't see it.

Vortex PST- Liked the glass and the zero stop. The one I looked through had the mil/mil reticle which I am undecided on but thought it was a good package.

Sightron- looked through an SIII that had great glass, it was their MOA reticle with the dot center which I'm not 100% on but willing to look at other options.

Obviously thee is no free lunch and everything is a compromise, just trying to sort out which scopes offer which features.

As far as price I'd really like to keep it under $1500 for my first go around if that is reasonable.

 

[Magstang1]

Nightforce are built to be rugged and dead reliable. I have a 3-15 NXS and it has lived up to that reputation (not that I run it incredibly hard). The minuses that may be present for you are limited options in first focal plane and limited adjustment of the illumination. The illumination is adjustable, but you set it where you want it and in the field it is either on or off. There is no intensity adjustment on the fly. That being said, the illumination is top notch and their first focal plane offering is ideal for your needs.

I own a lower tier Vortex scope and am quite pleased with it. I'm in fact considering purchasing a PST for another gun that needs some glass. It sounds like their first focal plane 4-16x50 would be just the ticket for you as well. I've never had to personally use their warranty but it seems unanimous that it is top shelf.

I guess the biggest question is, do you want to spend under $1k and buy a Vortex, or spend $1,500 or so on a NF?

 

[Crosshair]

For what you are looking for, I think the Nightforce is unnecessarily heavy. If you aren't going to need that kind of weight and robustness, I'd recommend a lighter FFP scope. I think the Leupold Mk4 4.5-14x50 would play really well. Leupold 4.5-14x50 Mark 4 ER/T 30mm Riflescope
Its 50mm objective will do well in lowlight, is mil/mil with the M5 knobs, has killer warranty and track record, and is 21 oz. Huge difference in weight compared to some other FFP tactical 50mm scopes (Bushy HDMR, SS HD, Nightforce F1, IOR, etc). There is probably some better "glass" for the $1600 price point, but not many that weight 21. oz and have the features/warranty of the Leupy.

 

[mattri]

Thanks for the heads up, I will check them out. To be honest I haven't heard great things about Leupold glass so wasn't really considering them. I have plenty of time though so no harm in looking.

 

[Vio515]

I'll toss some other options at you.

SWFA
SWFA SS 3-15x42 Tactical Rifle Scope

SWFA SS HD 5-20x50 Tactical 30mm Riflescope

A couple of guys run these where I shoot. The glass is excellent and they have been well tested and reviewed. They are a bit cheaper than the "name brand" glass out there.

I run a Razor HD and on clear days with low mirage I can see each ring of a F Class targets at the grand.

Good luck with the research.

 

[sambra]

Sub 1500 it's difficult to beat eurooptics Steiner scope prices right now: 1500$ for a 4-16x50 or 1300$ for a demo/like new 3-12 with either 50mm or 56mm (low light) objective. Optically there aren't many scopes in this price range which are on a comparable level (are there any?) But Steiner scopes are no light or small scopes, so this would the downside. Nice lightweight scope with all the features would be the Leupold Mark 6 3-18, which I would pick over a Mark 4 all day long. Liberty Optics sells them for 1750$. Under 1000$ I guess it comes down to either a Viper PST or I Sightron SIII. I would prefer the Sightron as I like the glass better, but this could be personal taste.

 

[mattri]

Great replies- thx for all the good suggestions. Weight isn't a huge issue, the gun isn't going to me a lightweight hunter so I doubt a few ounces one way or another will throw the balance off too bad.

 

[Longshot38]

Of what you mentioned the NF is a great option. The downside is weight and glass. They are heavy and the glass only above average. The Vortex is a good scope but nothing I would compare to a NF, Zeiss, or any other high end scope. As for what has been mentioned the Stieners and Leupold are both good to great optics. Leupold lost my business years ago but from what I hear they are improving these days. And the SWFA is an excellent optic for its price point. I really do like mine. The tracking is solid, the glass is good, and SWFA stand behind their product.

 

[2G5MK]

+1 for Steiner optics deals with Euro optics. I have a 3-12x56 for low light. It is awesome. I too was reluctant to try mil/mil combination. Once I tried it, I changed all of my scopes to that configuration. I have a PH 5-25x56, a Razor HD 5-20x50, and my Steiner. I love them all. I run the Steiner on my varmint rifle. It is a great scope for the money.

 

[Shanerbanner10]

how does the bushnell XRS compare against some of these optics listed above? it is darn close to your price range.

 

[mattri]

Have been looking at the SWFA 5-20x50 and really like the options so far. Do they still do group buys?

 

[2G5MK]

SWFA is running a special currently. For $1619.95 you get the 5-20x50 plus Seekins Precision Scope 30mm Rings, Atlas Precision Bipod, SWFA SS Switchview Throwlever, Butler Creek Lens Caps, and SWFA SS 50mm Sun Shade

 

[Mayhem52]

I have the same "conditional" requirements the OP does, but I can't afford Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Rolls Royce. I've tried a few of the better rated but lower priced brands and come to the conclusion for a price under $900 the best selection I've found is Sightron. The only negative with their S-III 6-24x50 MOA2 glass is lack of a zero stop. The glass is great, no edge blurring, colors remain true, good eye relief, the zero holds, tracks great, turrets easy to work and feel the clicks with gloves on, and I have shot in overcast night darkness with it with clear visuals, hitting what I aimed at. For in the dark shooting a lighted reticule would be a plus but that's not something one does often enough to justify the weight and battery.

I've used Leupold, Nightforce (8-32), and Swarovski on high end bench rest rifles belonging to others, Vortex and Nikon on my own. The Swarovski wins the competition (at the price it damn well better) but the Nightforce was at best a tie with the Sightron for optical quality. The Leupold was a little better than the Nightforce and Sightron. But again, it was a, $1800 piece of glass and the cost differential did not provide that much more benefit. My advice is to look for one of the better makers of glass you can afford with the reticule you prefer. Stay out of the basement and bargain barrel and you should do well. For me my next scopes will all be Sightron.

 

[mixonjames]

I suggest saving your money a bit more and buying a March (March Rifle Scopes Home) in the 3-24x42 which can be had for just over $2K. It's FFP, light weight, has a zero stop, and 100 MOA of adjustment. Google the reviews. I love mine and as a gunstore owner I have access to all the lines listed above and wouldn't trade it for any of them.

 

[mattri]

Looked through a PST 6-24 FFP mil/mil the other day- think it will fit my needs nicely. Best place to buy?