Top quality manufacturers

[Smokeshot]

Other than Burris, Leupold, and Vortex … I didn’t even know of the manufacturers such as Khales, Nightforce (saw the NF logo in firearms review videos and thought it’s simply NF scopes), and Zeiss until I stumbled upon SH.

Trying to learn more about quality scopes. Assuming that there are more top notch scope manufacturers (forgive my lack of knowledge). Could you please provide me with some options to look into?

 

[oldrifleman]

If you lets us know what your interests are, what the scope will be mounted on and how much you would theoretically be willing to spend, we can narrow it down. My point of reference is I am a target shooter, I started using Leupold, then NightForce and now Zero Compromise (ZCO). Each step improved my experience as well as cost more.

 

[Smokeshot]

@oldrifleman - I will be acquiring a long range rifle chambered in either 260 or 308 or maybe 6.5 CM. I looked into PRS stuff and not gonna lie, it’s intimidating. For now, I only plan to train on a private property (can place targets at 1200 yards max) and improve my skills.

Goal is to spend $3k on a rifle and $3k on the scope (currently saving up). Doesn’t matter if it’s used as long as they’re in good shape.

 

[diggler1833]

@oldrifleman - I will be acquiring a long range rifle chambered in either 260 or 308 or maybe 6.5 CM. I looked into PRS stuff and not gonna lie, it’s intimidating. For now, I only plan to train on a private property (can place targets at 1200 yards max) and improve my skills.

Goal is to spend $3k on a rifle and $3k on the scope (currently saving up). Doesn’t matter if it’s used as long as they’re in good shape.

Okay, now that you have a few parameters set we (the rest of the 'Hide) can argue over optics. Frequently these topics devolve into monkey's throwing shit pretty quickly.

I'd say that there are quite a few top-tier scope manufacturers that you can pick up a perfectly good, used example of theirs and stay at or under the $3K mark. Kahles, Nightforce (ATACR), Schmidt and Bender, perhaps even a ZCO if you get lucky (with preference to the ZCO).

New scopes; I'd probably look at the Vortex Razor HD Gen 3, Zeiss LRP S3, Kahles K624i in that order (and my experience with the K624i is non-existent). Once you can afford to swing >$2K you can really leave out the Leupold Mark 5, Burris XTR Pro, Nightforce NX8, and Steiner T6Xi stuff as you can get better.

Just my opinion, and YMMV.

 

[Secant]

Other than Burris, Leupold, and Vortex … I didn’t even know of the manufacturers such as Khales, Nightforce (saw the NF logo in firearms review videos and thought it’s simply NF scopes), and Zeiss until I stumbled upon SH.

Trying to learn more about quality scopes. Assuming that there are more top notch scope manufacturers (forgive my lack of knowledge). Could you please provide me with some options to look into?

Tangent Theta
Zero Compromise Optics
Schmidt & Bender (PM II)
March
Kahles
Minox (ZP5)
Nightforce (ATACR)
Zeiss (S3 or S5)
Vortex (Razor)
Leupold (Mk 5)

@oldrifleman - I will be acquiring a long range rifle chambered in either 260 or 308 or maybe 6.5 CM. I looked into PRS stuff and not gonna lie, it’s intimidating. For now, I only plan to train on a private property (can place targets at 1200 yards max) and improve my skills.

Goal is to spend $3k on a rifle and $3k on the scope (currently saving up). Doesn’t matter if it’s used as long as they’re in good shape.

Based on that, you might look in the PX here for a used:
ZCO 527 or 420 for +/- $3k depending on reticle & configuration
NF ATACR 7-35 for +/-$2,700
Kahles k525i for +/-$2,300
Vortex 6-36 Gen 3 Razor for +/-$2k
Minox 5-25 ZP5 for +/-$2k



Do you own, or have you budgeted for any other items? Optic mount, cleaning supplies, torque wrenches, bipod, tripod, rear/front bag(s), mags, chrono, kestrel, binos, etc? Obviously ammo.

Optic Rings/Mount = $150 - $450
Cleaning Supplies = $250
Torque Wrenches = $200+
Bipod = $200 - $800
Tripod = $800 - $1500
Front/Rear Bags = $100 - unlimited
mags = $200+
Chrono = $200 - $600
Kestrel = $600
Binos = $500 - $3000+

 

[hafejd30]

@oldrifleman - I will be acquiring a long range rifle chambered in either 260 or 308 or maybe 6.5 CM. I looked into PRS stuff and not gonna lie, it’s intimidating. For now, I only plan to train on a private property (can place targets at 1200 yards max) and improve my skills.

Goal is to spend $3k on a rifle and $3k on the scope (currently saving up). Doesn’t matter if it’s used as long as they’re in good shape.

If you’re spending $3k and decide NF go with the 7-35 atacr on the used market for around 2800. It’s a Solid optic.

I also have 527 ZCO which can be found around the $3200 mark.

There’s many many others as well like Vortex Razors, Tract Toric, Athlon Cronus BTR and Burris Pro or XTR III that can be had at lower price as well.

NF has been around a long time. Has a great reputation for hard use optics. Has seen a lot of military use as well. I consider it a great proven, built like a tank optic.

That said I don’t shoot prs. Only long range steel on my own, some fclass and mainly crop damage shooting on DNR tags for deer. I run the NF and ZCO on a pair of Accuracy International AT’s I have. The NF mil XT and ZCO mpct 3 are my reticles

I’ll second what @diggler1833 said above

 

[Smokeshot]

Do you own, or have you budgeted for any other items? Optic mount, cleaning supplies, torque wrenches, bipod, tripod, rear/front bag(s), mags, chrono, kestrel, binos, etc? Obviously ammo.

Optic Rings/Mount = $150 - $450
Cleaning Supplies = $250
Torque Wrenches = $200+
Bipod = $200 - $800
Tripod = $800 - $1500
Front/Rear Bags = $100 - unlimited
mags = $200+
Chrono = $200 - $600
Kestrel = $600
Binos = $500 - $3000+

Wow, I didn’t even think about this stuff. I guess the first step would be to get a scope and the rings. Then start looking for the rest of this stuff here in PX. Thanks for this detailed post, man.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

It's our pleasure, as a long standing supporting vendor here, to discuss the different available options and special opportunities with you. Please give a call, 516-217-1000, when you have the time to chat. Thanks

 

[hafejd30]

Wow, I didn’t even think about this stuff. I guess the first step would be to get a scope and the rings. Then start looking for the rest of this stuff here in PX. Thanks for this detailed post, man.

Do what the rest of us do and just work your way up. Trying different stuff along the way and figure out what you like.

The costly part is the rifle and optic. I started with a savage 10 in a choate stock, Sightron SIII and Harris bipod

Now I’m running AI’s, NF, ZCO etc. I upgraded as $$ permitted over the last 15 years

I would use your $$ to buy the best rifle and optic setup for what you intend to do.

Buying from the px here will save tons of money on things like custom gun parts (chassis, actions etc). Same as the other items. Then you don’t take so much of a financial hit when you sell to try something else

 

[Secant]

Wow, I didn’t even think about this stuff. I guess the first step would be to get a scope and the rings. Then start looking for the rest of this stuff here in PX. Thanks for this detailed post, man.

I agree with the above post that you can upgrade, add, and try things out as you go. And buying used is a great way to cycle through gear. But you also need a few things to get started. Ideally, we could all just buy that "right" stuff up front, but that's not reality. What's also reality is that if you are brand new, you probably will tell zero difference between a $1500 Burris Pro and a $3500 ZCO or a $1000 Tikka CTR and a $3000 custom rifle. You might end up with a ZCO on top of a custom, but you don't necessarily have to start there. It's also not a bad thing to start with the more expensive stuff either.

 

[stanley_white]

Do what the rest of us do and just work your way up. Trying different stuff along the way and figure out what you like.

Concur.

This is a journey, not a destination, and there are products that some love and others dislike with equal intensity.

Only your personal experience counts.

-Stan

 

[Convex]

WAIT...

Waiting is gonna save you some money.

U will know 10 times more about all this in the next few days/weeks/months, give due dilligence a chance, give time a chance.


I always get excited about something I think I want, I wait til I calm down and just soak it all in forcing myself to wait.
Saved myself money every time I didn't give in to impulse buying.

3 grand. Somebody around here or somewhere else has already bought what you end up buying, they won't use it/maybe use it twice, it'll mostly sit in the safe, he'll get it out a few times, fondle it, wipe the dust off it, then get a hard-on for the next new toy, and then you have what you want and essentially brand new for 2500 instead of 3 grand.

 

[oldrifleman]

WAIT...

Waiting is gonna save you some money.

U will know 10 times more about all this in the next few days/weeks/months, give due dilligence a chance, give time a chance.


I always get excited about something I think I want, I wait til I calm down and just soak it all in forcing myself to wait.
Saved myself money every time I didn't give in to impulse buying.

3 grand. Somebody around here or somewhere else has already bought what you end up buying, they won't use it/maybe use it twice, it'll mostly sit in the safe, he'll get it out a few times, fondle it, wipe the dust off it, then get a hard-on for the next new toy, and then you have what you want and essentially brand new for 2500 instead of 3 grand.

Really good advice.

 

[Smokeshot]

WAIT...

Waiting is gonna save you some money.

U will know 10 times more about all this in the next few days/weeks/months, give due dilligence a chance, give time a chance.


I always get excited about something I think I want, I wait til I calm down and just soak it all in forcing myself to wait.
Saved myself money every time I didn't give in to impulse buying.

3 grand. Somebody around here or somewhere else has already bought what you end up buying, they won't use it/maybe use it twice, it'll mostly sit in the safe, he'll get it out a few times, fondle it, wipe the dust off it, then get a hard-on for the next new toy, and then you have what you want and essentially brand new for 2500 instead of 3 grand.

Thank you for saying this. I saw a really nice M40A5 and an MPA Matrix here and even reached out to the sellers but backed out with the realization that I should wait instead of going into debt or dipping into home savings.

 

[hafejd30]

Thank you for saying this. I saw a really nice M40A5 and an MPA Matrix here and even reached out to the sellers but backed out with the realization that I should wait instead of going into debt or dipping into home savings.

If you have other friends that shoot or better yet a prs match near you it be worth it to help out there for the day or at least ask questions there

If you can get behind a few actions and chassis along with doing research here I think it be very beneficial

We all have a preference when it comes to actions and the feel of stocks vs chassis

 

[Harman117]

I know this is an optics discussion, but to add info to your caliber decision: choose 6.5 Creedmoor, buy quality ammo in bulk online to save compared to local prices.

Nothing technically wrong with your other cartridges listed but: .308 underperforms with more recoil, 260 Rem is basically 6.5 CM but more expensive and harder to get.

 

[Smokeshot]

I know this is an optics discussion, but to add info to your caliber decision: choose 6.5 Creedmoor, buy quality ammo in bulk online to save compared to local prices.

Nothing technically wrong with your other cartridges listed but: .308 underperforms with more recoil, 260 Rem is basically 6.5 CM but more expensive and harder to get.

Thank you.

 

[Numenur]

Use the search function, everything you desire to know about these scope are already here.

 

[LeftyJason]

When you are ready to buy check out this thread.

Calling all Hide Optics Vendors /brand list where to buy what

Let's have a thread of who carries what scope brands. Scope/ optics related is very loose here. Rds, lpvo, magnified, night vision, thermal, laser range finders, tripods, you name it. Some are easy because you're all posting in that brands threads (@CSTactical with ZCO). Will update next to the...

www.snipershide.com

Where to buy what brand of optic from Snipers Hide Commercial Supporters.
I keep it as updated as they send me info.

 

[Gunny89]

I agree with the above post that you can upgrade, add, and try things out as you go. And buying used is a great way to cycle through gear. But you also need a few things to get started. Ideally, we could all just buy that "right" stuff up front, but that's not reality. What's also reality is that if you are brand new, you probably will tell zero difference between a $1500 Burris Pro and a $3500 ZCO or a $1000 Tikka CTR and a $3000 custom rifle. You might end up with a ZCO on top of a custom, but you don't necessarily have to start there. It's also not a bad thing to start with the more expensive stuff either.

You just got to love SH, useful advice here.

 

[FuhQ]

Okay, now that you have a few parameters set we (the rest of the 'Hide) can argue over optics. Frequently these topics devolve into monkey's throwing shit pretty quickly.

I'd say that there are quite a few top-tier scope manufacturers that you can pick up a perfectly good, used example of theirs and stay at or under the $3K mark. Kahles, Nightforce (ATACR), Schmidt and Bender, perhaps even a ZCO if you get lucky (with preference to the ZCO).

New scopes; I'd probably look at the Vortex Razor HD Gen 3, Zeiss LRP S3, Kahles K624i in that order (and my experience with the K624i is non-existent). Once you can afford to swing >$2K you can really leave out the Leupold Mark 5, Burris XTR Pro, Nightforce NX8, and Steiner T6Xi stuff as you can get better.

Just my opinion, and YMMV.

Owning all 3 of those first mentioned scopes, and several other ones, overall performance, including glass, I’d put them in this order…

Kahles K624i, Razor Gen3, Zeiss S3, NF ATACR F1, Steiner, Burris XTR-Pro or XTR-3i.

Leopold is overhyped, and S&B is overpriced and overrated.

 

[Convex]

The intangibles matter, like do they back up their warranty, or are they impossible to get on the phone after their wonder gear malfunctions/are the bugs worked out or did they just thow it out there/do U have to wait for gen 3 for the thing to really work.

Which means you gotta buy the thing twice for it to work.

One thing March has done for me is upgrade my scope just before shipping it @ no charge for the upgrade, why can't the other folks do that, find out which ones will and which ones won't

I hate getting something that works for a wk, have to call, put on hold, wait in line at the shipper, wait for it to get to them, wait for them to fix it, wait for it to ship back, sick of that to where if I buy something and I immediately have to send it back, and if it keeps happening I just tell them to refund my money.

How robust is the gear.

You'll have to be the judge of who is reasonable and accurate around here when it comes to an assessment of gear.

One thing I do when something goes wrong w/my gear, I don't tap the button for warranty service, I click for sales to discuss getting it fixed, cuz they come on the line immediately.

 

[want2ride]

I have a number of scopes in the $1200 and under range and had an Burris XTR Pro that i sold to my brother. My brother has a number of $2-3000 scopes (Kahles, US Optics Foundation, a variety of Steiner... and a few i can't remember). From what i have seen after sampling them along side my scopes, i don't compete and he does, is that i don't need more expensive scopes for what i do. My Bushnell DMR 2, Athlon Ares ETR and BTR and Burris XTR 3's (non illuminated) are just great for range day, and do just fine even shooting to a mile. Side by side with my brother's scopes, i just can't justify the extra cost for the extra performance. I have a number of low end scopes that can function pretty nicely, but always have something that just isn't right. Whether it is the turrets, tracking, glass resolution or CA, i just can't bring myself to buy more of the Athlon Midas Tac, Arken EP5, SWFA, and i may not get rid of any, but i probably won't buy any more of the Burris XTR2's or Athlon Ares BTR. Every one of those lower line of scope i owned i have taken to 1000-1500 yards, but to me it is just worth it to buy the next step up, and not worth it to go the next step beyond. I make pretty decent money, but it all depends on priorities and if you feel that you can just jump into a $3000 scope without hands on, you are a lot more of a risk taker than i am.

That all said, i hope that you don't plan to use a target scope for hunting. IMO the narrow reticles just aren't suited to low light, low magnification with a wooded background. I hate lighted reticles. I strongly urge you to not expect one scope to be able to do it all, get a hunting scope for hunting and a target scope for target shooting.

 

[Smokeshot]

I have a number of scopes in the $1200 and under range and had an Burris XTR Pro that i sold to my brother. My brother has a number of $2-3000 scopes (Kahles, US Optics Foundation, a variety of Steiner... and a few i can't remember). From what i have seen after sampling them along side my scopes, i don't compete and he does, is that i don't need more expensive scopes for what i do. My Bushnell DMR 2, Athlon Ares ETR and BTR and Burris XTR 3's (non illuminated) are just great for range day, and do just fine even shooting to a mile. Side by side with my brother's scopes, i just can't justify the extra cost for the extra performance. I have a number of low end scopes that can function pretty nicely, but always have something that just isn't right. Whether it is the turrets, tracking, glass resolution or CA, i just can't bring myself to buy more of the Athlon Midas Tac, Arken EP5, SWFA, and i may not get rid of any, but i probably won't buy any more of the Burris XTR2's or Athlon Ares BTR. Every one of those lower line of scope i owned i have taken to 1000-1500 yards, but to me it is just worth it to buy the next step up, and not worth it to go the next step beyond. I make pretty decent money, but it all depends on priorities and if you feel that you can just jump into a $3000 scope without hands on, you are a lot more of a risk taker than i am.

That all said, i hope that you don't plan to use a target scope for hunting. IMO the narrow reticles just aren't suited to low light, low magnification with a wooded background. I hate lighted reticles. I strongly urge you to not expect one scope to be able to do it all, get a hunting scope for hunting and a target scope for target shooting.

That’s the plan. I have a Leupold MK3HD 1.5-4 that I plan to mount on a Marlin 1895 (looking to buy one but market price is double the retail price) chambered in 45-70. I usually get deer within 150 yards on the properties I hunt.

Unfortunately, I just found out that I might need a surgery and some other medical shit. Gotta spend all my firearms savings on it. I have to start from scratch now, and it might take me a couple years to save up for a nice long range rifle + scope.