Rifle Scopes Talk To Me About A These Compact Scopes

[nick338]

So as the title suggests, I need a compact scope and the only one I've ever owned are several NF 4-16x42's, which is not one of the scopes I will be considering due to the minimum magnification of 20X. Above all else the most important part of this decision is the GLASS.

Scopes on the short list are:

ZCO 4-20
Kahles 328i
Schmidt and Bender 5-20 Ultra Short

I have a ZCO 5-27, have had 4 Schmidt and Bender's (4-16's and 5-25's) and a Kahles 6-24, so I know the quality of the manufacturers and what they bring to the table, however since the quality of the glass is far more important to me then other features, I need to ask from people that have owned them or done side by side comparisons.

Did I mention the glass is important? Other than that, eyebox and how easy it is to get behind is at the top of the list as well. All other features are a moot point as the scopes will do what I need them to.

 

[CSTactical]

So as the title suggests, I need a compact scope and the only one I've ever owned are several NF 4-16x42's, which is not one of the scopes I will be considering due to the minimum magnification of 20X. Above all else the most important part of this decision is the GLASS.

Scopes on the short list are:

ZCO 4-20
Kahles 328i
Schmidt and Bender 5-20 Ultra Short

I have a ZCO 5-27, have had 4 Schmidt and Bender's (4-16's and 5-25's) and a Kahles 6-24, so I know the quality of the manufacturers and what they bring to the table, however since the quality of the glass is far more important to me then other features, I need to ask from people that have owned them or done side by side comparisons.

Did I mention the glass is important? Other than that, eyebox and how easy it is to get behind is at the top of the list as well. All other features are a moot point as the scopes will do what I need them to.

All 3 are great choices for a compact scope with it possibly coming down to which reticle you prefer. The K328i might be on the long side being 14" with possibly needing a Cantilever mount and optically is good to about 20x. I've heard good things of that S&B model but it's been awhile since I've been behind one. The ZC420 is definitely easy to get behind, excellent optically overall and I prefer their reticles to any of the above.
YMMV

 

[surgeon260]

FWIW, I recently when down a similar research arc. I am waiting for Richard to get more ZC420s in stock.

 

[nick338]

All 3 are great choices for a compact scope with it possibly coming down to which reticle you prefer. The K328i might be on the long side being 14" with possibly needing a Cantilever mount and optically is good to about 20x. I've heard good things of that S&B model but it's been awhile since I've been behind one. The ZC420 is definitely easy to get behind, excellent optically overall and I prefer their reticles to any of the above.
YMMV

Richard, can you get S&B? The last time we spoke, I don't believe you were carrying them.

 

[CSTactical]

Richard, can you get S&B? The last time we spoke, I don't believe you were carrying them.

Yes we can, but I need the specific part number.

 

[Secant]

This probably won’t be all that helpful as I don’t own all three listed. But I’ve had the larger K525i, and I have the 527 and 420. My 527 outperforms the k525, and my 420 performs on par with my 527.

 

[nick338]

The K328i is more a mid-size than compact but it's still small enough for what it's going on. I just don't want to shoot myself in the foot thinking one of the 20X scopes is so optically superior that I won't miss the extra 8X that the Kahles provides.

 

[roostercogburn98]

I’m happy with my 420. Haven’t really got to run it through the paces yet, but the little shooting I’ve done with it I like.

Haven’t ran any of the others in your list, but run a few NFs. The 2-10 is probably my favorite out of the 1-4, 4-32, and 2-10 I currently own. I had an old NXS with a velocity 1000 reticle that seemed pretty decent. I’m not super thrilled with the NF1-4 though.