Rifle Scopes hunting scope recommendations

jackh

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 18, 2008
683
1
College Station, TX
this scope will possibly float between 3 rifles- 6.8 spc AR, RRA predator pursuit AR, and a rem700 sps-v in .308. i do a lot of hunting at dawn and dusk, as well as spotlighting for varmints at night. shots on the AR's are relatively close range, but id like to be able to reach out a little further with the .308 if i want to.

im interested in a zeiss conquest 3-9x50 with the z-plex reticle and Leupold 3.5-10x50 VX-3 with the duplex reticle. they are basically the same price, around $600. can anyone comment on these scopes? which of the two would yall prefer? is there a better choice in this price range? do yall prefer a duplex/z-plex or #4 reticle for this type of application? do i really NEED the 50mm objective? because i can save $200 by getting the 3-9x40 conquest with the z-plex...

thanks
 
Re: hunting scope recommendations

with respect to your desire to hunt alot at dawn/dusk: don't forget to get some flashdot or similar bright element. nothing worse than a good silhouette with the crossbar vanishing on the dark body
 
Re: hunting scope recommendations

do yall think a plex or #4 reticle is better for hunting? i am worried the plex is too coarse for my liking, but i also dont want to lose the #4 in low light situations.
 
Re: hunting scope recommendations

i prefer fd7 (s&b), which seems to be similar to A7 (premier). we use it for very rough range estimation: left to right is 1m @ 100m. left/right bar to mid therefore 1m @ 200m.

make sure to go for first focal plane (then the above always holds true).
 
Re: hunting scope recommendations

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: threetrees</div><div class="ubbcode-body">with respect to your desire to hunt alot at dawn/dusk: don't forget to get some flashdot or similar bright element. nothing worse than a good silhouette with the crossbar vanishing on the dark body </div></div>

+1
 
Re: hunting scope recommendations

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jackh</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> do i really NEED the 50mm objective? because i can save $200 by getting the 3-9x40 conquest with the z-plex...thanks </div></div>

i like the 50mm objective for more light during dusk/dawn. 40mm will do, but you might notice a difference when it gets darker. but for 200 in difference, rather go for the 50mm then.

anyone of the two having an illuminated reticle? if so, go for that one.
 
Re: hunting scope recommendations

i was looking on sportoptics.com after opticsspecialist posted on this thread and he has the best prices i have found so far. the 3.5-10x44 and 4.5-14x44 are more affordable to me now. i think the 3.5x model would fit the bill- low end for hunting up close but enough power on the top end to satisfy me. id like to keep the scope pretty low profile so im kinda leaning away from the 50mm objective models. this scope is bigger than a 44 but not too big. it is not illuminated though, i havent found any conquests that are illuminated. illumination would be nice but i dont feel like its necessary for me. i have spotlighted all my life without an illuminated scope and have been ok so far.
 
Re: hunting scope recommendations

Get the 3-9x40 or the 4.5-14x44.
The 3.5-10 isn't worth the extra $$ over the 3-9 for the very small difference.
 
Re: hunting scope recommendations

Check http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/zeiss.pl?page=521420

Zeiss Conquest 3.5-10x44 MC
Demo Unit Price: $589.99
#20 Z-Plex Available
Matte Black
Includes a Lifetime
Transferable Warranty.

Zeiss Conquest 3-9x50 MC
New Price: $599.99
Choose #4 or #20 Z-Plex
Matte Black

Demo Unit Price: $549.99
Rapid Z-600 Matte Black

Demo Unit Price: $589.99
#20 Z-Plex Stainless
Good Deals & Good Service
 
Re: hunting scope recommendations

go with the 50mm obj. for sure! Zeiss aint a bad way to go. if you have the cash, use something on your ar like an eotech with 3x magnifier thats an off brand. i have the 557 eotech and eotech 3x magnifier. its ok, but not worth the extra $$$. or an acog on the ars. i rock the ta31rco-a4 on a 20" 1 in 7 twist upper. but 1100+ for the acog i have is spendy. i have 40mm nikon buckmaster scopes, and at dusk/dawn, its a biotch. the ones i have with 50mm obj. are awesome.
 
Re: hunting scope recommendations

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jackh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">do yall prefer a plex or #4 reticle and why? </div></div>

i like the number 4 in low light, it's a classic reticle
 
Re: hunting scope recommendations

In related news, I have a Meopta Artemis 3000 3-9x42 with 30mm tube and #4A reticle I could be convinced to part with for a fair bit less than that discounted Zeiss, if you're interested.
 
Re: hunting scope recommendations

opticsspecialist- i sent you a PM

i got my new 16" predator pursuit a couple hours ago. im ready to get glass on it and whack some dogs. what mount do yall think i should get? the scope might change between guns a little bit so maybe a QD mount would be worth the money? i have read a lot of good things about Larue's LT-104, anyone have one?
 
Re: hunting scope recommendations

i have been wanting a SS 3-9x42 with the new mil quad reticle for my .308. i guess i could get that now with a QD mount and move the scope between the PP and the .308 whenever i want to. i dont really know how that could work though, the guns will not have the same zero- the rifle has a 20 or 30 moa base on it while the AR is flat top. i would have to rezero the scope every time i moved it between those two rifles right?
 
Re: hunting scope recommendations

(the rifle has a 20 or 30 moa base)
A lot of lower-end scopes will bottom out before you can get a 100yd zero, not enough travel.

Switching scopes around sucks, you can keep trac of zero for each rifle the zero will not be spot on! Really It Sucks!!
 
Re: hunting scope recommendations

i have kind of narrowed it down to a SWFA SS 3-9x42 ffp mil/mil with the new mil quad reticle or a zeiss conquest 3-9x50 with zplex reticle. the conquest is a little cheaper, but doesn't have the tactical features of the SS. i am guessing the glass in the zeiss is better though. what do yall think?
 
Re: hunting scope recommendations

Just grabbed a 4.5-14x44 Rapid z800from Sport Optics New(not refurbished) for $759.00. Comes with a $50.00 mail in rebate also.

Glass is fantastic & Conquest have a good rep for durability.