Same! Although I am building my daughter a CZ457 at the moment and will likely upgrade to a Venom on it.
What Optic Are YOU Running?
- Thread starter Malum Prohibitum
- Start date
ZCO 527 MPCT2 on Vudoo. Earlier, Vudoo wore one of three Vortex Razor 6-36x56 optics in my safe.
Why the switch: The higher the max magnification, the narrower the reticle - which can become a problem when you're trying to scan .2-mil subtensions on the clock. I learned the hard way that zooming out the Razor for wide field of view (widely-spaced / close-in targets) causes the .030-mil-wide reticle to shrink to where it's difficult to quickly discern which .2-mil subtension is which. The ZCO 527's .036-mil-wide reticle, being 20% wider, makes .2-mil subtensions easier to see at lower magnification. (Note: The tree layout of the Razor and ZCO scopes is similar, with the .2-mil subtensions all the same width straddling the vartical. The Nightforce MIL-C reticles do it better, with subtensions alternating straddling or on different sides of the vertical.)
Other likes/dislikes:
Why the switch: The higher the max magnification, the narrower the reticle - which can become a problem when you're trying to scan .2-mil subtensions on the clock. I learned the hard way that zooming out the Razor for wide field of view (widely-spaced / close-in targets) causes the .030-mil-wide reticle to shrink to where it's difficult to quickly discern which .2-mil subtension is which. The ZCO 527's .036-mil-wide reticle, being 20% wider, makes .2-mil subtensions easier to see at lower magnification. (Note: The tree layout of the Razor and ZCO scopes is similar, with the .2-mil subtensions all the same width straddling the vartical. The Nightforce MIL-C reticles do it better, with subtensions alternating straddling or on different sides of the vertical.)
Other likes/dislikes:
- Like: Of course, both scopes have superb clarity for rimfire. At centerfire ranges (>500 yards), the ZCO is marginally clearer in challenging environmental conditions - but, to me, there's definitely not $1000+ worth of difference. Both scopes have exemplary (but different) tactile feel (full disclosure: my two early-release Razors went back to have the gummy-feeling turrets fixed).
- Dislike (minor): My 5-year-old ZCO 527 has the 15-mil-per-revolution turrets, so I have to pay careful attention to avoid "over-dialing" - and the .1-mil marks are very close together so my septuagenarian eyes, again, didn't see that I mis-dialed in a match yesterday. Also, if I have to dial past 15 mils (one revolution), I have to remember to look at the smaller numbers at the top of the turret. No biggie, just takes a couple more seconds.
- Dislike: For the price of a ZCO scope, they could include a bleeping sunshade. No freaking way I'd pay the required price for one. In the VERY rare cases I need a sunshade (ZCO manages flare extremely well), I just tape an unused Vortex shade onto the bell. For those who call BS, that anyone who can pay $4k+ for a scope can lay out a few more $ for a sunshade - yeah, well, one reason I could afford a ZCO is my refusal to pay $75 for a little metal tube that Vortex includes even on cheap scopes.
I've used a S&B 5-25 PMII with Gen 2 XR reticle the last 2 years. I'll probably try one of my ZCO 5-27 this year.
On my Anschutz 64 silhouette and CZ 457MTR Athlon 10-40X56 and on my CZ457Benchrest and 2500X custom Athlon 15-60X56 Gen 1 and have a 15-60X56 Gen 2 on order. Had a Sightron Siii 10-50X60 but hated the target dot reticule other then that I was a great scope.
I run zcos for center-fire and love them but the g2 viper pst hasn't cost me any points in a rimfire match. The parallax is incredibly forgiving and it's tracked just fine for the last few years.
