Hunting scope below 3x to 15x or higher (<$2000)

[blue_ridge]

I put together a REM700 LTR, 20” 6.5 Creedmoor. It weighs 8.5# with a 0.750” muzzle. Looking for the ideal scope. So far I’ve determined the NF NX8 2.5-20 to be ideal. Before I pull the trigger, I wanted to see what else might be worth considering, especially at lower prices. Trijicon Credo 2.5-15 and USO 2.5-20 both look good, but I don’t know how they compare to NF. They both cost less and the Credo can be found used for $700-800 AND weighs 6 oz less.

My criteria is:

• 2.5X or below (Edit: really the FOV is what I’m after here. Some 3x have just as much FOV)
• 15x or more
• weighs below 30 oz, but preference points for every ounce lighter.
• either SFP or FFP is fine for my purposes
• must be mil/mil or moa/moa
• below $2000, but ideally closer to $1000
• length is not a deal breaker, but would prefer a more compact scope 12-14”

NX8 - 2.5-20x50 - 28.6 oz, 12.1”, FFP $1800-2000
Credo - 2.5-15x42 - 22.9 oz, 13.9”, SFP, $700-900
USO - 2.5-20x50 - 28.7 oz, 14.6”, FFP, $1100-1300

 

[Mike Casselton]

Have you looked at the Leica hunting scopes?
They offer them in the magnification range you're looking at. I don't know the MSRP, but they are available on the used market.

 

[alpine_troop]

I have been very happy with my Credo 2.5-15x42. IMO if SFP is ok with you for a hunting scope, it has an ideal feature set. Reticle is geared towards precision since it’s fine stadia lines all the way to the edges and a floating center dot. I dig it, and it’s mounted on a .308 for upcoming hunts.

I also have a NF NX8 4-32 FFP on a 22” 6.5 CM, but that gun is intended for longer range hunting. For your priorities of weight and price, I think the Credo would be a fine choice.

 

[koshkin]

2.5x can be a little difficult. If you are OK with SFP and 3x, Vortex Razor HD-LHT 3-15x and Leica Amplus 3-18x should be on your list as well.

If 2.5x is not negotiable, there are a few other designs out there. Both Tract and Maven have FFP 2.5-15x44 scopes. I have the Tract version and rather like it, especially for the price. On low mag, the reticle does get a little thin, but still seems usable. It is right around $1100, so it should be right in your desired price range. It is 14" long and 28 ounces.

I have it on my modern muzzleloader and I have taken it to 600 yards with good success.

Windage turret is covered. Elevation turret is locking. Tracking seems to be spot on. It is made in Japan, so I have reasonable confidence in the OEM and Tract supports their scopes well.

It sounds like you need easily adjustable turrets, but if you did not, a couple of scopes that seem to fly under the radar, but are very good for the money, are Delta Titanium HD 2.5-15x50 and 2.5-15x56. They have simple hunting reticle and covered turrets, so they are not ideal for distance. They are very good in low light though.

Lastly, if you can live with a larger objective, Meopta Meostar R2 2.5-15x56 is another excellent low light hunting scope.

ILya

 

[Baron23]

I put together a REM700 LTR, 20” 6.5 Creedmoor. It weighs 8.5# with a 0.750” muzzle. Looking for the ideal scope. So far I’ve determined the NF NX8 2.5-20 to be ideal. Before I pull the trigger, I wanted to see what else might be worth considering, especially at lower prices. Trijicon Credo 2.5-15 and USO 2.5-20 both look good, but I don’t know how they compare to NF. They both cost less and the Credo can be found used for $700-800 AND weighs 6 oz less.

My criteria is:

• 2.5X or below
• 15x or more
• weighs below 30 oz, but preference points for every ounce lighter.
• either SFP or FFP is fine for my purposes
• must be mil/mil or moa/moa
• below $2000, but ideally closer to $1000
• length is not a deal breaker, but would prefer a more compact scope 12-14”

NX8 - 2.5-20x50 - 28.6 oz, 12.1”, FFP $1800-2000
Credo - 2.5-15x42 - 22.9 oz, 13.9”, SFP, $700-900
USO - 2.5-20x50 - 28.7 oz, 14.6”, FFP, $1100-1300

Just curious...why the "below 2.5" and hence a 3 to x won't do?

 

[blue_ridge]

Just curious...why the "below 2.5" and hence a 3 to x won't do?

I’ve had several hunting situations where I had 3.5X and 4x variable scopes where I had running deer and elk in the woods. I’ve determined after practicing quick target acquisition and moving shots under 50 yards that for my personal eyesight, I want 2.5X or below. 2x is better. 1x and 1.5X don’t offer huge improvement over 2x, but for me, the difference between 2.5X and 3X is noticeable. On the high end, I could live with 10x or 12x for hunting, but when I do load development or shoot longer ranges for fun, I like 15x or higher. If I went with a 1-10x or 2-12x I would probably swap out the scope for something higher magnification for load development.

Why not find a scope that has everything I want, if it’s available at a reasonable price?

 

[Baron23]

The anvil-30 is great for shooting off but it's lacking as a dedicated glassing platform

to get a berger close to the lands

Why not find a scope that has everything I want, if it’s available at a reasonable price?

Oh, I certainly don't disagree. I was just curious. I'm an east coast guy and hunt deer in GA (mostly) and MD (some) and use a 3-15 Viper on that rifle. But, mostly distances are out at least 75 yds and I don't shoot running animals because...well, I'm just not that good! haha

Best of luck

 

[blue_ridge]

Have you looked at the Leica hunting scopes?
They offer them in the magnification range you're looking at. I don't know the MSRP, but they are available on the used market.

I did and it seemed they didn’t have reticle I liked, but since you mentioned it, I looked again and maybe they do have one reticle I like. Thanks.

 

[blue_ridge]

Oh, I certainly don't disagree. I was just curious. I'm an east coast guy and hunt deer in GA (mostly) and MD (some) and use a 3-15 Viper on that rifle. But, mostly distances are out at least 75 yds and I don't shoot running animals because...well, I'm just not that good! haha

Best of luck

Elk are much bigger and if you spend a whole morning billy goatin’ up and down the mountainside and jump a big 6x6 who was bedded down behind fallen timber, you’re gonna want at least a chance to put one on him. On that same elk hunt you might also be presented a long range shot and will appreciate the higher magnification. Keeping the rifle weight down to 10# or under helps with the billy goatin’ part.

The FOV at 2.5X is 20% larger than 3x, all things being equal (tube and objective diameter).

Was hoping to get some feedback on the USO 2.5-20. It has a 34mm tube which offers more FOV, but weighs the same as the 30mm NX8.

 

[Baron23]

if you spend a whole morning billy goatin’ up and down the mountainside and jump a big 6x6 who was bedded down behind fallen timber, you’re gonna want at least a chance to put one on him.

No worries there, mate. I'm 70 and ain't billy goating up and down the stairs in my house much less mountainsides! haha

Cheers

 

[deersniper]

Nx8 2.5-20
Or vortex 1-10

All day every day

 

[deersniper]

has a 34mm tube which offers more FOV,

That’s not how this works

 

[Denys]

There is also the March 1.5-15X42 currently available in SFP. I think that's out of the price range but it's 10 inches long and weighs 22 ounces.

 

[blue_ridge]

There is also the March 1.5-15X42 currently available in SFP. I think that's out of the price range but it's 10 inches long and weighs 22 ounces.

Wow. Pushing the limits of optical engineering!

 

[blue_ridge]

Have you looked at the Leica hunting scopes?
They offer them in the magnification range you're looking at. I don't know the MSRP, but they are available on the used market.

So after digging around on the Amplus line, I found that the 2.5-15x50 has nearly a 50 ft FOV at 2.5X. That’s about 8 ft more than the NX8. The onply other scope that even approaches that much FOV is the USO TS-20 2.5-20 with 45 ft FOV, but I can’t find much info or feedback about either the Leica or USO.

Ive also learned not to eliminate all 3x scopes because some of them have comparable FOV at 3X. For example, most of the 2.5x scopes have a FOV around 41-42 ft. The Vortex PST2 3-15x44 has 41.2ft, the Leica Amplus 3-18x44 has 40.8 ft, Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50 has 39.2 ft.

 

[Denys]

Wow. Pushing the limits of optical engineering!

Yeah. Also the FOV at 100 yards is 70 feet @ 1.5X.

 

[koshkin]

So after digging around on the Amplus line, I found that the 2.5-15x50 has nearly a 50 ft FOV at 2.5X. That’s about 8 ft more than the NX8. The onply other scope that even approaches that much FOV is the USO TS-20 2.5-20 with 45 ft FOV, but I can’t find much info or feedback about either the Leica or USO.

Ive also learned not to eliminate all 3x scopes because some of them have comparable FOV at 3X. For example, most of the 2.5x scopes have a FOV around 41-42 ft. The Vortex PST2 3-15x44 has 41.2ft, the Leica Amplus 3-18x44 has 40.8 ft, Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50 has 39.2 ft.

NX8 tunnels a little on low power. It gets to its maximum FOV at around 3.3x or thereabouts.

ILya

 

[srt-4_uk]

@Travis224 has that 1.5-15 March. I'm sure he can give you a review on it.

 

[carbonbased]

So after digging around on the Amplus line, I found that the 2.5-15x50 has nearly a 50 ft FOV at 2.5X. That’s about 8 ft more than the NX8. The onply other scope that even approaches that much FOV is the USO TS-20 2.5-20 with 45 ft FOV, but I can’t find much info or feedback about either the Leica or USO.

Ive also learned not to eliminate all 3x scopes because some of them have comparable FOV at 3X. For example, most of the 2.5x scopes have a FOV around 41-42 ft. The Vortex PST2 3-15x44 has 41.2ft, the Leica Amplus 3-18x44 has 40.8 ft, Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50 has 39.2 ft.

Yeah, that PST 3-15 is sort of amazing for the price. For hunting, I suggest one tracks down the 2d reticle version which was a custom run for some retailers. Main stadia lines are a bit thicker (.034mil) than the 2c & 7c (.03mil) and to me that’s noticeable.

I should take a look at those Amplus.

 

[blue_ridge]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. After looking at all the options, it came down to the NX8, Amplus 3-18 and Credo 2.5-15. NF is the safe pick because everything they make is rock solid. I found some firsthand reviews of the Amplus and everyone seems to love them. The 3-18 has a FOV as good as the others and is also very compact.

In the end, I chose a Credo which was for sale used at an awesome price. i didn’t see the NX8 or Amplus on sale anywhere below $1600/$1400 respectively. I got a nice Credo with some extras for half that. It has the same FOV and is lighter.

 

[carbonbased]

Yeah. Also the FOV at 100 yards is 70 feet @ 1.5X.

Haha I was just writing this as the OP told us of his decision, but perhaps it will help another.

Leica’s (discontinued?) Magnus lineup has incredible FOV numbers. I’ve attached their brochure. For example, their 1.5-10 has 85.2ft at 100yds (or did they measure that at 100 meters?).

No matter, it’s wide. SFP only. I almost bought the 1.8-12 at one point, but SFP was not for me for shooting varmints.

 

[deersniper]

chose a Credo which was

SFP?

 

[blue_ridge]

SFP?

View attachment 7951907

Actually preferred SFP for hunting. For close shots <100 yds there’s often no time to fiddle with the scope and I like to have the full sized reticle. At longer distance I can dial it out to max magnification and likely have more time to dial the clicks needed.

 

[blue_ridge]

Haha I was just writing this as the OP told us of his decision, but perhaps it will help another.

Leica’s (discontinued?) Magnus lineup has incredible FOV numbers. I’ve attached their brochure. For example, their 1.5-10 has 85.2ft at 100yds (or did they measure that at 100 meters?).

No matter, it’s wide. SFP only. I almost bought the 1.8-12 at one point, but SFP was not for me for shooting varmints.

Does this mean the Amplus line is discontinued? If so, might keep an eye out for sales.

Note to self: I need to sell a bunch of stuff.

 

[carbonbased]

Note to self: I need to sell a bunch of stuff.

Me too!

 

[notacos4u]

Here’s another option for anyone looking in the future and come upon this thread

https://www.steiner-optics.com/sites/default/files/Specifications/steiner-predator8_0.pdf

 

[Bungi]

Wow ... That Steiner Predator has impressive numbers

The 2-16x42 model has a FOV of 62 ft ... and weighs 23.4 oz.

Anyone own/use the Steiner?

 

[notacos4u]

I have the predator 4-32 and at 15X, it appears everything looks better than the razor LHT 3-15. I am not anyone special so take it with a grain of salt, but it looks good enough, that it has me actually considering purchasing the 3-24 to replace my vortex LHT. Only thing holding me back currently is I like the SCR reticle, but not sure how I feel about the E3 reticle… Once again, I’m a nobody and I’m just saying how it looks to “my” eyes. My son also thought the Steiner was way clearer and bigger site picture than the LHT at the same magnifications.

 

[Feesh]

I just put a PST Gen II 3-15 on my REM 700 300 Win Mag - they’re on sale with a discontinued reticle for $600.

 

[dogman]

I have a Leica Amplus6 2.5-15x50 scope and it is a fantastic scope with extremely clear glass.

 

[Baron23]

I just put a PST Gen II 3-15 on my REM 700 300 Win Mag - they’re on sale with a discontinued reticle for $600.

Did the same a few years ago when they moved from ERB-2 to 7.

On a 700 in 308 and I’m happy w the scope for that purpose and have had no issues w it.