What does the group consider to be the ideal steel/hunting dual use scope? I currently run an NF ATACR 7-35 w/ mil-xt reticle. I love everything about it except the size & weight. Curious if there's anything else that could go toe-to-toe in regards to ruggedness, durability , tracking , Xmas tree reticle, but in a smaller & lighter package. I like but don't need the top end magnification. I've owned the AMG, but sold it as it was an moa model. That is probably the closest to what I'm looking for that I've come across, but I didn't get to beat on it to test durability. Any others worth a look?
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Rifle Scopes ideal dual use steel/hunting scope?
- Thread starter Winny94
- Start date
I can’t recommend based on durability since I have never broken a scope in my whole life and that includes some cheap
Simmons scope on my ruger 10/22.
For a FFP crossover scope I think it is hard to beat a Bushnell LRTSI or a Nightforce SHV 4-14 F1. The LRTSI I think is the better of the two due to the smaller size and thicker reticle.
The AMG doesn’t fit the bill for me because of the thin reticle. Makes a good target scope at the range but gives up too much usability/versatility in other areas for me consider it anything other than a lighter weight target scope.
Simmons scope on my ruger 10/22.
For a FFP crossover scope I think it is hard to beat a Bushnell LRTSI or a Nightforce SHV 4-14 F1. The LRTSI I think is the better of the two due to the smaller size and thicker reticle.
The AMG doesn’t fit the bill for me because of the thin reticle. Makes a good target scope at the range but gives up too much usability/versatility in other areas for me consider it anything other than a lighter weight target scope.
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With FFP crossover scopes that are a little lighter, you should be looking at AMG 6-24x50, Tangent Theta TT315M 3-15x50 and potentially March 3-24x52.
I happened to have and like all three and they have their advantages and disadvantages. It kinda comes down to what you are looking for.
ILya
I happened to have and like all three and they have their advantages and disadvantages. It kinda comes down to what you are looking for.
ILya
Is a Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18 worth considering as well?
I went with the LRHSi for a dual use scope on my 6.5x47.
The reticle is a little thicker than I would like but still fine enough for precision shooting that's compared to what I was more used to that had a 1/4 MOA center dot.
I accidentally found out how durable they are as well. I had the rifle next to my loading bench checking length to lands with a few different bullets on a tripod in a Hogg saddle.
Long story short my two dogs were showing off for me how tough they are wrestling around with each other and knocked the rifle out of the saddle. It bounced off of the recoil pad on the floor then landed on the elevation turret bending it and bent the sun shade.
I took it to the range the next day just out of curiosity to see if it would still be functional. Shot a five round group with the only shift noted from previous zero of .2 mil left.
It's boxed up waiting to be sent to Bushnell to be inspected and repaired.
The reticle is a little thicker than I would like but still fine enough for precision shooting that's compared to what I was more used to that had a 1/4 MOA center dot.
I accidentally found out how durable they are as well. I had the rifle next to my loading bench checking length to lands with a few different bullets on a tripod in a Hogg saddle.
Long story short my two dogs were showing off for me how tough they are wrestling around with each other and knocked the rifle out of the saddle. It bounced off of the recoil pad on the floor then landed on the elevation turret bending it and bent the sun shade.
I took it to the range the next day just out of curiosity to see if it would still be functional. Shot a five round group with the only shift noted from previous zero of .2 mil left.
It's boxed up waiting to be sent to Bushnell to be inspected and repaired.
I will probably be the least qualified commentator on this entire thread..... but for me it’s a 4-16x42 F1 ATACR. Perfect blend of size, magnification, and features.
I put a 6-24 amg on my 7 Saum and have been very happy. Still a little heavier than I wanted, but has all of the features.
I us the Bushnell LRTSI 4.4-18 as a dual purpose scope and I'm pretty happy with it. It's a great scope and you can often score one for a very good price.
You've already got the answer.. mil AMG. I have thought about selling mine a few times, and everytime I do I look at the reticle, the glass, the turrets and the weight and change my mind.
Tangent Theta TT315M 3-15×50.
From jackrabbits @ 10 yards on 3x, to pronghorn @ 445 yards on 7x, to steel @ 1500 yards on 15x, to rocks from 545 to 1771 yards on 6-15x. Plenty of scope for all you will ever need.
Best glass out there, amazing turrets, fairly small and lightweight, good reticle.
From jackrabbits @ 10 yards on 3x, to pronghorn @ 445 yards on 7x, to steel @ 1500 yards on 15x, to rocks from 545 to 1771 yards on 6-15x. Plenty of scope for all you will ever need.
Best glass out there, amazing turrets, fairly small and lightweight, good reticle.
the Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44 I am using is pretty small and light at just over 12" and only 26 oz.
maybe not in the same class as some others, but good enough for me, and had the H59 reticle I am familiar with already.
maybe not in the same class as some others, but good enough for me, and had the H59 reticle I am familiar with already.
Yes, if the reticles work for you. The OP said he wants a Christmas tree reticle.
I liked Mark5 3.6-18x44 quite a bit, but for a crossover FFP scope, it is nice to have an illuminated reticle for low magnification use. With Mark 5 only TMR and Tremor3 are available with illumiantion.
TMR is an aging design, but it works fine if you like simple milling reticles (which I generally do). Tremor3 is sorta nauseating, to put it mildly, so it is not my cup of tea.
ILya
I’ve been using the Mk5 3-18 all summer, and I’ll use it the fall for hunting. It’s not the holy grail, but has been good so far.
Debating whether I suck it up and grab a Tangent Theta next year or ‘slum it’ with an XTRIII, lol.
Debating whether I suck it up and grab a Tangent Theta next year or ‘slum it’ with an XTRIII, lol.
Broken record here, but I also use the Leupold Mark 5 HD 3.6-18. It is very lightweight, compact, and the glass on mine is awesome. Makes for a light and effective package IMO.
I’ve been looking to replace my lrtsi, a few thousand dollars later and I still can’t find what I would consider an upgrade for a dual use scope.And just when i decided to stick with my LRTSI scopes you guys show me these.
But like you I won’t spend a few thousand dollars on a single scope but rather a few. The lrtsi glass is no slouch, the illumination is good for low light shooting, the mag range is acceptable, the turrets lock and zero stop, it’s a perfect compromise.
Wise words.
I really like my LRTSI scopes. I screwed up and sold one to a member here about a month ago. I since bought two more to replace the one I sold. ? i won’t let them go this time. For the price of the leupold I could buy two more LRTsI. I like to try new things. That is why I am very active in the exchange here. Always buying and selling. Probably 100 transactions in the last year and a half. I may see if someone would trade for a Razor gen ii. Just to try it out.
"Slum it"?..... pffftt..
The TT is pretty tough to beat. Can't go wrong there.
If the 18x XTR3 looks as good in low light as the 30x does, the illuminated version at <$1800 is going to be a pretty sweet hunting scope. Great glass and features, 13" in length, 28ozs.
Yeah, when I look at the XTR3 specs, it’s hard to justify the extra $ for a TT....but then again I’ve got a Ti/Ca build in the works that’s hard to justify too, lol."Slum it"?..... pffftt..
The TT is pretty tough to beat. Can't go wrong there.
If the 18x XTR3 looks as good in low light as the 30x does, the illuminated version at <$1800 is going to be a pretty sweet hunting scope. Great glass and features, 13" in length, 28ozs.
Ao
Sorry brother, don’t have the TMR but have looked through one and it is much thicker than razors
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