So I have got a lot of good information on this site, especially for this current build. I just picked up my ctr today and bravo stock is on the way. Now for scopes. I been on hunting forums a lot and some people tend to like their leupold a and say they track. This isn’t particularly for this build but what I have is a nxs, shv on the way, and I need a third. I feel like people here have a better feel for tracking and toughness than some hunters who don’t shoot as much. I am thinking of a vx5 to put on one of my hunting rigs and putting one of my nf scopes on this build. Does anyone have any experience with this scope? I am looking for durability and tracking without breaking the bank.
Rifle Scopes Leupold vx5
- Thread starter smokinbobf4
- Start date
One more thing is I had a scope break on my first elk hunt within the first hour with zero abuse and durability is now one step under tracking for me. Glass comes third.
I've got one and rate it highly. For the quality of glass, turret feel and weight I think it's hard to beat.
The glass is excellent, holds zero, dials well and returns to zero, my clicks aren't perfectly calibrated, but it has about 3% error throughout the full 38moa elevation, which I find acceptable.
I don't see that it'd be any less durable than any other scope in it's price range, I've used it on my 22lr for a few matches and used it hunting a fair bit and it hasn't been an issue.
The glass is excellent, holds zero, dials well and returns to zero, my clicks aren't perfectly calibrated, but it has about 3% error throughout the full 38moa elevation, which I find acceptable.
I don't see that it'd be any less durable than any other scope in it's price range, I've used it on my 22lr for a few matches and used it hunting a fair bit and it hasn't been an issue.
if you plan on doing any dialing for distance you will want a scope that has spot on tracking. The biggest reason you see so many NF scopes on LR or ELR rigs, isn't because NF has the best optics, but they are known for their spot on tracking. Don't get me wrong, NF optics are still very good but it's their tracking that people buy them for the most.
I think you'll have a hard time finding a scope that has great optics, tracks perfectly, is light weight, and has a reasonable price point. Generally, any scope that is known for its spot on tracking, is not going to be light.
If it were me, I'd look for a NF 3.5-15x50 NXS and be done with it. You can often find them used but in like new condition w/ZS for a pretty decent price.
I think you'll have a hard time finding a scope that has great optics, tracks perfectly, is light weight, and has a reasonable price point. Generally, any scope that is known for its spot on tracking, is not going to be light.
If it were me, I'd look for a NF 3.5-15x50 NXS and be done with it. You can often find them used but in like new condition w/ZS for a pretty decent price.
This is an option also. I do not “need” lightweight. Just thought of it as an option. I have another rifle that is lightweight only, but I prefer a little weight as I shoot better. My main idea was to put the shv on my hunting gun and then I bought this other gun so need another scope. Sticking with another nxs is probably the way to go. Just take me a little longer to save for it.
I shouldve added to my post that I also have a non HD VX6 which has perfect tracking.
Koshin has done some reviews on the VX6hd and said his had perfect tracking.
Even if the clicks aren't perfectly calibrated, of its repeatable then you can allow for it in your calculations, or if it really bothered you send it back and have the manufacturer fix it.
There are plenty of scopes out there without perfectly calibrated clicks, but most people don't do a tall target test and are just unaware.
Koshin has done some reviews on the VX6hd and said his had perfect tracking.
Even if the clicks aren't perfectly calibrated, of its repeatable then you can allow for it in your calculations, or if it really bothered you send it back and have the manufacturer fix it.
There are plenty of scopes out there without perfectly calibrated clicks, but most people don't do a tall target test and are just unaware.
Why not grab an Vortex AMG, mine tracks great, glass is pretty damn good and it's light.. I'm also a NF fan so I have no objections to what's been already stated above... I also like the locking turrets, especially on a hunting rig... JMO
I have heard good about the amg, a friend has one that I want to check out but that’s just to steep for me now
The hunting rig I want to put it on also doubles as a range gun and has shit good out to 700 so far. As far as I have taken it. So I don’t want to limit myself with a scope that isn’t meant for dialing also
Sounds like you need to decide what exactly you want out of this scope.
FFP vs SFP
Magnification range
Hunting vs targets (50/50 or 70/30 etc)
Price range
Capped vs looking turrets
Magnification range
Weight limit
There are far too many scopes with totally different strengths and weakness, not to mention cost, that you need to narrow your search/decide what is important to you.
That is true. I need to decide which one goes where and I think I did. I can answer almost all of those.
Not set on ffp or sfp. Maybe leaning toward ffp
5-25 or close
90% target
Exposed turrets
No weight limit
Hopefully not more than $1000 or I need to wait
I think I will put my shv on the hunter and get a new one for this build.
I'd look at the Vortex PST Gen 2 and Athlon Ares ETR, you could strike lucky and get a Razor Gen 2 for an amazing deal, but your unlikely to get anything less than $1400. Burris XTR 2 is another option around the $1000 mark.
There are a heap of good vendors here who could offer you a few options, also keep an eye on the buy sell page.
The Leupold VX5hd is a great scope, but there are better options for a non hunting rifle.
i agree with not getting the vx5 if it is target driven. The pst May be the route I go. I keep doing some research. I know when I was looking for my last scope I looked at the pst gen 2 vs I believe the Ares BTR, I liked the pst better. What are the differences between the etr and btr?
Simply put it's a better version of the BTR, quite a few reviews and comparisons on here and other websites.
General consensus is
Ares ETR>PST 2>Ares BTR which unsurprisingly is also the order in retail price.
Does anyone have a comparison between the luepold vx5 3-18x44 firedot and the nightforce shv 3-10x42 illuminated forceplex. Will be specifically used for hunting rifle.
I haven't compared these two side my side but I have compared the 3-10 SHV to my Vortex PST 5-25 and own a VX5hd 3-15 that I have compared to my Vortex PST.
The VX5hd compares well to the PST, both have nice glass really wide FOV and good turrets.
The 3-10 felt like a dog compared to my PST, turrets were a bit crappy, glass was pretty rubbish TBH and the FOV was lacking.
I haven't seen the illumination in the SHV, but the VX5/VX6 firedot is a fantastic reticle; super bright, very fast to pick up on low magnitication and turns itself off so don't drain the battery by leaving it on.
I have an MK4 that i picked up foe $650 on ebay. It tracks perfect. Very good glass. Only complaint is i wish it had illum
