Rifle Scopes Scope for .308 X-bolt Medallion

[WVHick]

Looking for a nice deer hunting scope for a .308 Browning X-bolt. I have a max budget of $900 and I want the nicest glass possible and also something durable, since we do a lot of drives and walking and sometimes I can be clumsy. I also love to shoot, so it will be used for fun, too. I am not a huge fan of mil-dot or fancy reticles. I like the simple plex's because they just suit me better I feel for a hunting rig. If I jump something on a drive and have to shoot quickly, it's nice to have a simplistic view if you know what I mean? If it were strictly a range gun, I might consider something else. Anyhow, I probably have a max range of 400yds. These are the ones I've been looking at:

Swarovski 3-10x42 Z3 Riflescope

Leupold 4.5-14x40 VX-3 30mm Riflescope

Zeiss 2-10x42 Conquest HD5 Rifle Scope

Vortex 4-16x44 Viper HS 30mm Rifle Scope

*I can handle the simple mil-dot on the Viper scope. It seems..."cleaner".

Are the Zeiss and Swarovski worth the extra $300-$400? I am weary of buying a Z3 because I have this false fear that buying the cheapest line of a high-end brand is not something you should do. Probably irrational. I appreciate all the help. I'm young and I've never owned more than a Simmons Aetec in terms of glass quality, so this is a big purchase for me.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

BSA sweet 22

 

[WVHick]

What the hell happened to my OP? Lol.

 

[Veer_G]

Only on Thursdays ...

 

[WVHick]

Only on Thursdays ...

I edited the OP and apparently it gets moderated again, so it disappeared. My bad!

 

[ccoker]

Z3 BRH

My brother and I get to test a LOT of scopes for both tactical and hunting use.

We were speaking on Sunday and both feel that when you factor everything in, glass, usable reticle, lightweight and cost it is probably the best overall hunting scope on the market.

He has been running his on an XBOLT 25-06 for 2 seasons and considers it a keeper.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

That's more like it.

I think your looking into the right direction already. That said, the conquest line was just discontinued because there were a lot of problems. I'm not sure how many people have used the new line but with its price approaching a used diavari, a swaro, or used Schmidt I think it will be a tough sell. Leupold is known for using foreign internals (and not from good facilities) and vortex is known for failures but has a great warranty that does you no good in the woods.

A lot of proffessional guides, safari hunters, and others use Swarovski because of the reliability. These are people who can afford anything they choose. I have experience with the Z3 and Z5 lines and they are both tough and very reliable. They will take bumps and bruises and still hold together. They're great scopes with excellent glass and their BDC reticles are the only ones with even spacing not some odd 2moa, 4moa, 7moa, 11moa bullshit. You can make a mil dope card and run it. The BRH is ideal for a hunting rifle IMO, not to heavy so it obstructs game on long shots and not so thin you lose it in low light, it will get you to the last second of legal shooting light. The reticle also isn't too cluttered.

Of the 4 that would be my pick. I would also look into a NF 2.5-10x32 and used zeiss diavari and S&B models.

 

[Crosshair]

Swaro Z3.

I doubt there is better glass in any scope available under $1k. There are several other great scopes too, they just won't top the Z3 in clarity, reliability, and weight, IMO.

 

[WVHick]

So it seems the Swarovski isn't too bad. Thanks for the replies. The used route is something I never thought of. I'll have to look into this. And the entire Conquest line was discontinued? Does this include the HD5 line?

 

[redneckbmxer24]

The HD5 is the new line, the old conquest line is what was discontinued.

 

[Crosshair]

Euro optics' Black Friday Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 $329 deal offered a helluva lotta scope for the money. I probably shouldn't have been such a cheap ass and bought another.

 

[WVHick]

Do y'all think a 50mm scope would fit on an x-bolt without high rings or looking goofy?

Edit* I don't think a 50mm would benefit me too much and would just add weight.

 

[You-Two]

Man...that Z3 and BRH look like a great combo. Logging onto this site costs me money!

 

[WVHick]

Alright, so I got a chance to look at the Leupold VX-6, Swaro Z3, and Conquest HD5 at Cabelas today. The Swaro Z3 was by far the most impressive. When I put it up to look through it, it was like I was looking through a window, not a scope. The FOV seemed huge and the eye relief seemed much better than the others. It was just a lot easier to look through. Are there any other scopes under $1000 that share these features that I should be considering, as well?