Rifle Scopes Please help recommend a good hunting scope for a light 270 WSM

[DarinR]

Hello,

I would like to put a smaller but really well built scope with excellent glass, tracking, water reisistance, customer support and not have excessively heavy weight. I prefer a reticle like the Zeiss Z-600, S&B TDS or a NF Velocity Reticle style over a simple duplex. I would prefer less than 21 oz for weight. I like what I see with the following scopes:

S&B Classic 3-12x42 w/ TDS reticle
March Hunter 2.5-25x42
Zeiss Victory Diavari 2.5-10x42


Most reviews for the March scopes are very positive, especially regarding their light weight and excellent glass. I don't believe I need 25x for this hunting scope but since it doesn't penalize me on weight, size or much on price, I would consider it. Plus, I could move it to a tactical rifle also when I wanted to. I am concerned about the negative eye box comments, since I would mostly use this scope in 2.5-15, I am not sure if this would cause me trouble. Also, I try to maintain a very consistent cheekweld when hunting but sometime situations can make this impossible. I am curious how the 3 scopes above compare "eye box" wise.

I believe the S&G would edge out the Zeiss Diavari in the ruggedness department but not necessarily in the quality of glass. As far as quality of glass, I am looking for good light gathering at low to little light. I believe the 50mm objectives will beat the 42mm's all other factors being equal but I wish to keep this scope on the smaller side and close to the bore axis. I anticipate any lowlight use to be on a lower power where I understand the smaller objective should not matter as much.

Please mention any scopes that you believe might work better than those mentioned above.

As far as lit reticles, nice but not a necessity for this rifle.

As far as price, I don't want to spend more than necessary but if the S&B Classic or the March comes out far ahead, the price won't stop the purchase.

Thanks for your input!

Darin

 

[bohem]

Just a thought, but I have been thoroughly impressed with the low light capabilities of this:

Steiner 2.5-10x42 Predator Scope

In the list above I haven't been behind the March, but I felt the lowlight capability on the Zeiss was superior to the S&B. I would rank the Steiner option in the middle between them, but the price tag difference has me really thinking on the Steiner more and put the money towards more ammo.

Price being a key component to my decision, that's how I'd do it. If the money was no object then I've been hard pressed to beat Zeiss' glass quality in their primier level hunting scopes.

The hunting scopes don't need anywhere near the elevation and windage adjustment range that the precision, long range scopes do. They need to track as well, but a scope with a 100yd zero and 20MOA of "up" puts you out to about 750yd even with a 308, that's a pretty solid shot distance for darn near any hunting situations.

 

[DarinR]

Bohem,

Thanks! That Steiner scope looks like a great deal for what I am wanting. I am not very familiar with their scopes. No have looked through a few of their binoculars and they seemed on par with my Zeiss Classic 7x42. The light gathering on my binoculars is incredible.

Thanks,
Darin

 

[D_TROS]

Just got the Steiner 2-10 mounted up couple weeks ago. Haven't done a full review yet but I will. So far this scope is really put together well. The rect has cascading dots to compensate for wind at the vertical hashes for holdover. (if that makes sense. Kinda like a mild horus.) The eye relief is the best I have ever seen in a hunting scope. Blows away any Zeiss I have looked through. It is truly amazing. Glass wise, it compares nicely with my Zeiss Conquest. I am waiting to compare it with my friends Swaro Z6. I don't expect it to be as clear, but I bet you a pretty penny it is very close.

Weighs in at 18 ozs. Has 100 moa elev and I feel like I could pound a nail in the wall. Only other scope I would try that with is maybe the S&B.

Anyways, all the scopes above are good stuff. But for half the price...

oil on scope is from rings.

Regards,
DT

 

[DarinR]

D_TROS,

That scope looks great on that rifle. The base looks like it couldn't be 1/4" longer.

Thanks,
Darin

 

[ccoker]

Sounds like you want to use the reticle for longer shots vs dial.

Have you looked at the Swarovski z3 or z5 with the BHR reticle?

Another option would be a Leica.

I run a 280AI and it and the 270WSM are about identical ballistically.

I have a hard time finding a BDC reticle that matches up including the Steiner's reticle.

 

[DarinR]

Sounds like you want to use the reticle for longer shots vs dial.

Have you looked at the Swarovski z3 or z5 with the BH reticle?

Another option would be a Leica.

I run a 280AI and it and the 270WSM are about identical ballistically.

I have a hard time finding a BDC reticle that matches up including the Steiner's reticle.

ccoker,

I like the Z3 and Z5.

I agree that the reticle's BDC feature most likely won't match. The "300 yard" line might actually be 280 or 320 for example but you just check the distances and keep a cheatsheet handy.

Have you used the Leicas? If you have, how would you say they compare to the others?

Have fun killing hogs!

Thanks,
Darin

 

[ccoker]

I have not used the lecia but from all accounts they have outstanding glass. I was looking at the specs yesterday and am considering get one one.

Another option is the Kahles Helia C 3-12x56 mildot FFP or KXI 4d dot 3.5-10

I have ran both and liked them a lot.

 

[ccoker]

I should add I am apprehensive about some reticles being bold enough for low light use. The BRH works in low light.

 

[ccoker]

Double checked the reticle info
Assuming the Steiner S1 is the same as the Burris E1 then a 270 WSM or 280AI shooting a 140g bullet at 3150 running a 200 yard zero them the data does match fairly well.

I am going to see about getting one to test.

 

[DarinR]

ccoker,

I had read yesterday that Burris was making the Steiner Predator scopes in Colorado. Don't know if it is true but if it is, it might help support the reticle consistency.

Darin