Rifle Scopes What is your favorite rifle scope?

[Jackomason]

Yeah. That's really where I'm at, either accept that it's probably the best scope for $2500 and use it for what it is or just get a ZCO420. Although, at the $2500 price point you'd think you'd atleast get a modern scope.

I'll have to revisit the ZP5 3-15. I'm really not sure how to compare durability across optics.

 

[Makinchips208]

Yeah. That's really where I'm at, either accept that it's probably the best scope for $2500 and use it for what it is or just get a ZCO420. Although, at the $2500 price point you'd think you'd atleast get a modern scope.

I'll have to revisit the ZP5 3-15. I'm really not sure how to compare durability across optics.

I’ll just add that if you are unsure how to compare durability, then in that price range virtually every scope will meet your durability needs.

I’ve had $350 leupold scopes fall off vehicles, bounce off rocks, and still hold zero.

 

[Jackomason]

I’ll just add that if you are unsure how to compare durability, then in that price range virtually every scope will meet your durability needs.

I’ve had $350 leupold scopes fall off vehicles, bounce off rocks, and still hold zero.

We're all hard on our stuff. That's not what I mean. I can tell you about the durability of all the scopes I own. But that's not the info I'm after.

 

[Dead Eye Dick]

I have been using MK5HD’s in 5x25 with the PR2 for a while. They work and I can afford them. I also own a VX5HD in 3x15 with a Bonne and Crocket reticle on my .25-06. Really nice hunting scope. Normally set it at 5-6x for a nice filed of view. Good light transmission. Nice to know I have 15x if I was needing to check out a distant animal.

I’m sure there are better, but these work for me and I can’t complain.

 

[WindstormSCR]

Modern: MarchFX Tactical 1.5-15x42 with the FML-4 reticle

All time: Hertel & Reuss 1-10 x 60 on my Mauser 66. Claw mount on it is set so that the zero is very close on any of the three barrels, .270win, .308win or .243win. I mostly use it with the .243

As for why? the low light performance and uncluttered reticle, combined with its overall light weight make it a shockingly good hunting optic for its day, even having an adjustable parallax down to a minimum of 20m (though it is capped)

pic of the optic on the lower barrel (upper barrel is a west german zeiss 1-10), and then for the curious a view of the internals of the 66, the telescoping bolt and overall light weight from using a barrel extension instead of the receiver made it pretty space age for 1965 when it was designed! Mine as far as I can find out has a manufacture date of late 1969

 

[Moose]

ZC 4x20 im spoiled with this scope.

 

[Proviteer]

I hunt, so I like my little SWFA 6x42 fixed with mil quads. Excellent reticle. Very good glass. Bomb proof. Dials reliably. Holds and returns to zero.

They are on all my rifles, from 22LR to 30.06, with the exception of my little Tikka T3X .223, which sports an SWFA 3-9 mil quad FFP. Course the AR has a T1, but it's for "gunfightin".

I'm sorry to resurrect this thread. At the range this past weekend I got behind a 12x SWFA and I was very impressed with it. Optic was bright and clear, and it adjusted very well. It was only on a 22-250 but I imagine it would hold up to much larger cartridges without complaining.

 

[MojoNixon]

I have seen the Tract optics around town, they look pretty good.

I’ve had a Tract Toric 4-20 for a couple of years now. With the exception of a slightly tight eye box I love it. I use it for my clubs F class matches. The only direct comparison I have is with my training partners Razor Gen II 4.5-27 I think it is and to my eye the Tract is better in every way except for the eyebox. My training partner was very impressed. He hasnt bought one yet but he is on a deputies budget so not a poor but not able to get what he wants anytime without his family concerns making him really be sure it’s what he wants to do financially. Would I buy one again. Absolutely.

 

[GIXXER2000]

I had the Tract 4.5-30 and was a very good scope for me. The only reason I sold it was for 22lr Benchrest shooting I wanted a SFP 1/8 moa click scope. So with the money from the Tract I got an Athlon 15-60X56 SFP scope.

 

[hkguns]

My favorite is probably the Burris RT-6.

Not because it is the best scope ever, but because it is a tremendous value that works extremely well in daylight conditions.

Just don't try to use it hunting at dusk.

 

[stanley_white]

As of this writing, Leupold MK5 5-25x56mm with the .1 MRAD thick Illuminated TMR reticle.

-Stan

 

[skatz11]

As of this writing, Leupold MK5 5-25x56mm with the .1 MRAD thick Illuminated TMR reticle.

-Stan

The illuminated TMR is underrated! I have them on my 3.6-18 MK5s on my 223 and 308 gas gun DMR style rifles. Simple and clean with a floating dot and bold and easy to see.

 

[roosterpig]

Against my better judgement, I will share that I have an old Weaver 3-10 Tac Grand Slam that I bought in college and has been tossed from rifle to rifle. Absolutely love it. Best $300 I ever spent. Still sits on a hunting AR.

Doesn’t do anything extraordinary, but its never disappointed me.

 

[StrayDog]

After this season, it's still the ZCO 4-20 and Vortex G3.

I know I would enjoy a new Khales 3-28 DLR, but can't justify its $4K price.

 

[cruiserweight]

Kahles K328i DLR is incredible. Massive field of view and the eyebox is great even at max power. Loving it.

 

[Ronws]

I think the best scope for a person, considering whatever budge they have, is if the reticle is good for your eye and how the light gathers to your eye.

That being said, I have a scope I am happy with and it draws nothing but hate and ridicule from others. I am not afraid of confrontation, it's just easier to get along by continuing to STFU.

 

[Atomic_Lobster]

The ones I have
I have an Athlon Cronus BTR I bought about 5 years or so

 

[Charger442]

I think the best scope for a person, considering whatever budge they have, is if the reticle is good for your eye and how the light gathers to your eye.

That being said, I have a scope I am happy with and it draws nothing but hate and ridicule from others. I am not afraid of confrontation, it's just easier to get along by continuing to STFU.

ior valdada?

 

[oldrifleman]

ior valdada?

I actually have 2 older 36x models, they had great glass.

 

[Ronws]

ior valdada?

I am not Overton Windex. But I once stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.

 

[snod85]

I'm a value lover. Replacing all my old (20ish years) Leupold LPS scopes on my varmint and rimfire rigs with the Leica Amplus 2.5-15x50. Does everything well for a $1,000 from scope list. The ballistic reticle is not my favorite and its SFP so not the preferred set up for most on here but checks all the boxes on what I want in a field scope. Got several in the last month and all are perfect thus far, although all are now mounted I have only put three through their paces on the bench.

 

[GhostFace]

Gen 2 Razors 3-18 & 4.5-27


It’s all I can afford and they work well….

 

[Charger442]

I'm a value lover. Replacing all my old (20ish years) Leupold LPS scopes on my varmint and rimfire rigs with the Leica Amplus 2.5-15x50. Does everything well for a $1,000 from scope list. The ballistic reticle is not my favorite and its SFP so not the preferred set up for most on here but checks all the boxes on what I want in a field scope. Got several in the last month and all are perfect thus far, although all are now mounted I have only put three through their paces on the bench.

Leica made a huge mistake pulling the Magnus from the US market. they should bring it back and conquer the segment Zeiss plays in. the premium glass, SFP, 4-16 mag range with terrific low light gathering in an upper medium price range .


Amplus is good but not quite Magnus good.

 

[Hesperidins]

I have seen the Tract optics around town, they look pretty good.

I have the Toric UHD 4.5-30x56 Mrad ELR. It checked all the feature boxes, but it's too big (size and magnification) for the rifle I bought it for... yet, I knew that was going to be the case before I bought it. And, I don't have another use for it. I like it though.

 

[Hesperidins]

Certainly not a Tier 1 like some of you have, but I really like my NX8 4-32 F1 Mil-XT.

I also am really enjoying the Steiner T6Xi 1-6.

 

[carbonbased]

Leica made a huge mistake pulling the Magnus from the US market. they should bring it back and conquer the segment Zeiss plays in. the premium glass, SFP, 4-16 mag range with terrific low light gathering in an upper medium price range .


Amplus is good but not quite Magnus good.

People suspect they pulled the Magus from the US because of the convoluted Swaro FOV patent brouhaha. #FOVgate

 

[JWG]

I like my nx8, but really, this goes for all Nightforce optics I've had. They are, optically, "serviceable", but where my real appreciation is, is that I can count on them. They dial true and retain zero. There's a lot to be said in being able to rely, whether it be on people, processes, or things.

 

[BurtG]

People suspect they pulled the Magus from the US because of the convoluted Swaro FOV patent brouhaha. #FOVgate

And swaro should be boycotted for that.

They lose when people fight their bs “patent “

 

[BurtG]

All time favorite scopes for the war on guilty animals
Vortex 1-10
Nx8 2.5-20 (the low end helps a lot especially with thermal and multiples )
ZCO420

Gas gun matches ZCO 420
PRS ZCO 420 or 527

Runner ups that I like are
Atacr 4-16x42
NXS 2.5-10


Minox 5-25 are awesome scopes. Glass second to none great turrets and reticle. Only sold mine to a buddy cause the mag ring turned the wrong way , wanted to standardize

 

[diggler1833]

Under $1,500 is my U.S. made Burris XTR III. I guess I got a good one, but it is solid, repeatable, good glass for the money, and a great reticle.

Over $1,500 and I'm a big fan of the features of the G3 Razor. It is extremely close to my 7-35 ATACR, but with a reticle my eye likes more (less is more to me). Now that they're close to $3K though I'll probably not be buying another.

I have no true "alpha glass" optics.

 

[TheJeanyus]

LPVO, Vortex Razor Gen II-E 1-6. Gets the job done at a reasonable weight. Bonus that it's brownish and fits the SCAR 17's fifty shades of FDE vibe where nothing on it actually matches.

"MPVO" (currently on my 308 hunting rifle), Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x42. Kinda the same story - effective, durable, and not too heavy.

Heavyweight target scope, Vortex Razor Gen III 6-36. Blown away by the optics for the $2300 I paid for it. It's a joy to use at the range. I'd put one on everything if it weren't for the size and weight.

My "I just enjoy using it" pick, Kahles K525i DLR. Love the parallax on top, and while I always get to enjoy a support hand windage knob as a left-handed shooter, right-handed people get the same option with the Kahles. I love the feel of the turrets. Despite all the hate, I like the SKMR4 reticle fine. The increase in FOV over the standard K525i is a noticeable improvement.

I know I'd love a K328i DLR even though they are goofy looking, but I haven't been able to stomach the price tag yet.

 

[Jackomason]

I ended up getting the ATACR 4-16. I didn't expect the turrets to be that big of a factor in how I view a scope but man, I like the Zerohold turret. Still wish they weren't translating.

Initial impression is that the ZP5 is still a little nicer to get behind but I've also been shooting that for a while now.

 

[phlegm]

Only one, regardless of application? ATACR 4-16x42

If we can expand, I like the ATACR trifecta: 1-8, 4-16, and 7-35.

 

[Jcarpenter223]

I’ve had
Athlon ergos
Vortex viper pst
Leupold mk5hd
Leupold vx6 multi gun w/ cmr2
SAI
Kahles
TT JTAC

and have shot rifles with a lot of other optics on top and the TT JTAC is absolutely my favorite. I’ve found myself not favoring tree reticles as of late. The jtac allows me to still be precise and use as much as that glass in my sight picture as can be. Zco is a solid 2nd choice

 

[Islas82]

Best all around- ZCO527
Best optically (for me)- S&B 6-36
Best bang for the buck- Vortex PST G2 5-25

 

[BurtG]

didn't expect the turrets to be that big of a factor in how I view a scope but man, I like the Zerohold turret. Still wish they weren't translating.

Thank Leupold for why that turret isn’t on their other scopes


These “patents” are out of hand

 

[phlegm]

Thank Leupold for why that turret isn’t on their other scopes


These “patents” are out of hand

I ended up getting the ATACR 4-16. I didn't expect the turrets to be that big of a factor in how I view a scope but man, I like the Zerohold turret. Still wish they weren't translating.

Interesing twist: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1071904895

For anyone concerned, this isn't my scope or my listing.

 

[hafejd30]

Interesing twist: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1071904895

For anyone concerned, this isn't my scope or my listing.

There was a contract or something that a handful of those were made for as a trial…I think

Seen another on an Accuracy International rifle

 

[carbonbased]

Thank Leupold for why that turret isn’t on their other scopes


These “patents” are out of hand

Unlike the Swaro #FOVgate patent, at least Leupold’s turret lock patent appears to be a novel take on a lock. So I don’t mind.

Novel patents encourage designers to actually design something new. Otherwise why bother? Just wait for some dumb bastard to make something amazing and then copy him. Big companies’ scale will put him out of biz.

I DO mind that NF just doesn’t get off its butt and either actually design a locking turret/use an LOW OEM locking turret or just pay a dang licensing fee to use Leupold’s design.

Of course this assumes Leupold offers NF licensing for all NF scopes and not just for the NF 4-16.

Huh, never went to Wikipedia‘a patent entry. Looks like patents were probably around for at least as far back as ancient Greece.

Patent - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Scotch_egg]

I have 3 Minox 3-15X50 MR2 only just seen the MR4’s after reading this thread. Don’t thing the 3-15 ever came with the MR4. The only scopes I would replace them with would be a Tangent Theta 3-15X50 which is the same thing on a 30mm tube. I just can’t justify the cost.

Genuinely if that was the only scope available I wouldn’t be unhappy.

I’m happy with the ZCO 5-27X56 and Schmid PM11’s if they did a 3-15X50 PM11 with the old single turn turrets that would be another contender for the every day scopes.

 

[sgtsmmiii]

1. NFO 4-16X42 ATACR
2. VTO Viper PST Gen 2 5-25X50

 

[steve123]

As a allarounder I like my Athlon Helos G2 2-12 in MIL. It's just fun to use because it's so different. I had it on a long range AR for years but went to higher magnification earlier this year. Oddly I miss the 2-12?!
But have this scope on a semiauto pcp rifle, a Steyr PRO X, and it's a perfect scope for this gun.
Put it on my Pistol Field Target gun a couple times and won state with the combo - perfect for this type of comp too and partly because 12x is the highest allowable magnification.

For Field Target air rifle comps I like my SFP Athlon Ares ETR 15-60x56. These have exceptional IQ and a thin MOA reticle. Love the daylight bright center dot.

Got out the old S&B PM2 5-25 and mounted it on my UFT Thomas air rifle. I had forgotten how nice it is.

Best glass in less expensive FFP is my Meopta Optika 6 5-30. Pretty good scope. I like the basic MD3 reticle because it's a little thicker and I can see it on lower magnification.

My Athlon Cronus G2 4.5-29's have been workhorses, and flawless, but my only critique is these sure could use better glass. Well hoping for a G3 in the future.

 

[Glassaholic]

Minox ZP5 mr4 reticle was my favorite scope ever. Wish I never got rid of it

I'm right there with you levi - ZP5 5-25x56 was revolutionary. Glass that punched way above its price point (in same ways better if not just behind TT) with one of the best reticles in the MR4 when it first came to market and a weight under 34oz making it feasible as a crossover scope. Yes, Minox had some QC issues early on and you had to send scopes to Germany for warranty work but outside of that, one of my all time favorites.

Since then, the March 4.5-28x52 has been one of my new favorites. The Shuriken (Ninja) locking turrets are phenomenal and close to TT level, glass is amazing for the range, huge FOV, under 30oz and FML-TR1 reticle even better than MR4 and most others. Scope is good on a comp gun, a gas gun and a crossover unless you need low light capabilities but with its excellent micro contrast characteristics it still does well in low light situations, oh and it's short enough to use with clipons. Another favorite is the NF ATACR 4-16x42 but the March 4.5-28 can do everything the ATACR can and offer more magnification and wider FOV so I would choose the March over the ATACR for most applications.

 

[BurtG]

Since then, the March 4.5-28x52

Better than the zco 420 ?

 

[brianf]

All joking aside the best groups I ever shot were using a lup mk4. I think 24x at the top mag.

Prob more of me being younger and shooting more but if rating by the amount of “wallet” groups. That wins hand down compared to my new 4-5k glass on rifles

 

[Jackomason]

I think the MR4 reticle is still king. Clean, simple, uniform and it still gives .2 mil increments.

I'm guessing the floating cross on the FML-TR1 is broken up in .2s?

 

[TonyAngel]

Until recently, i don't think I had a favorite scope. I mean, I've had plenty of scopes that I liked that did the job and do have a list of scopes that I dont like, but I don't have any one that I could call my favorite. I just had the one I had and it did the job.

For the last couple of years, I've been on the hunt for the perfect LPVO for me. My wants were that it be as small as possible, as light as possible, good glass, have a useful reticle and have daylight bright illumination. After buying, trying and selling MANY LPVOs, i finally decided to try a Nightforce NX8, despite all of the negative reviews. I'm glad I did. It checks all of my boxes and there isn't another LPVO on the market that does. Frankly, i don't get the negative reviews. It does its job without getting in the way and offers everything you could want. It ain't cheap, but it competes with other scopes that don't offer as much.

 

[levi8599]

I'm right there with you levi - ZP5 5-25x56 was revolutionary. Glass that punched way above its price point (in same ways better if not just behind TT) with one of the best reticles in the MR4 when it first came to market and a weight under 34oz making it feasible as a crossover scope. Yes, Minox had some QC issues early on and you had to send scopes to Germany for warranty work but outside of that, one of my all time favorites.

Since then, the March 4.5-28x52 has been one of my new favorites. The Shuriken (Ninja) locking turrets are phenomenal and close to TT level, glass is amazing for the range, huge FOV, under 30oz and FML-TR1 reticle even better than MR4 and most others. Scope is good on a comp gun, a gas gun and a crossover unless you need low light capabilities but with its excellent micro contrast characteristics it still does well in low light situations, oh and it's short enough to use with clipons. Another favorite is the NF ATACR 4-16x42 but the March 4.5-28 can do everything the ATACR can and offer more magnification and wider FOV so I would choose the March over the ATACR for most applications.

I’ll have to possibly look into that. Good stuff!

 

[NateVA]

For now it's my Razor G3 6-36x56. I just had a NF 7-35 MIL-C arrive and I like the reticle more but the eyebox of the Razor is so much more forgiving. I may end up liking the NF more once I use it on my new competition-style rifle though. And the NF will be pressed into service for my 1-2 western hunting trips every year due to zero retention paranoia. Though for eastern whitetail hunting (and .22lr practice) I will still use the Razor.

 

[Guns&WhiteWater]

ZP5 5-25 MR4 here. I have two of them and love everything about them, but do wish the reticle had 1/2 mil marks on the horizontal.

@Scotch_egg wanna sell one of your 3-15’s?