This is a poll to help identify what might be some of the most sought after crossover style scopes, but let's define what type of crossover scope I'm trying to address here. Let's say you'd like a good scope for hunting big game but also like to go shoot steel to 1000 yards give or take using the same rifle. What type of scope would you be looking for (whether existing or something that hasn't hit the market yet). Let's use the following as some criteria in no particular order:
- A scope that can be at home on a hunting rifle as well as a long range rifle (this is not a dedicated competition scope)
- Magnification no greater than 4.5x at the bottom end (nothing wrong with putting a 5-25 or higher optic on your hunting rig but it really limits the functionality for many)
- Magnification of 15x or higher at top end
- FFP (sorry, SFP has very limited use for dynamic shooting environments and is not viable in this category)
- Decent FOV (scopes with wide field of view definitely have an advantage here, but should have minimal edge distortion)
- A lighter scope is preferred (shouldn't be over 35oz and preferably under 30oz)
- Have a reticle that works at bottom mag as well as top mag (this is where many FFP scopes today fail)
- Illumination that is daylight bright (can be seen under bright sunlight conditions)
- Exposed elevation turret (you have to be able to dial for distance)
- Capped or locking windage turret
- Objective no smaller than 42mm but still function excellent in low light
- Be forgiving with eyebox
- Be forgiving with DOF
- Be forgiving with parallax
- Have really good IQ with well defined contrast and clarity (doesn't have to be alpha class but not Chinese either)
I wanted to throw in a few other options in the poll but I was limited on how many options to provide, so pick the closest to what you would choose.
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Something else I'd like to know, in what order would you rank the following criteria and how much it plays a role in your choice for the above crossover scope:
- Large magnification range (examples would be the 8x scopes like March and NF NX8)
- Short magnification range (this would be your traditional 4x and 5x scopes)
- Mid magnification range (something around 6x is where you'd like to be)
- Weight under 35oz
- Weight under 30oz
- Weight under 25oz
- Objective size 56mm (the bigger the better)
- Objective size 50mm (middle of the road is best of both worlds)
- Objective size 42/44mm (smaller objective is worth the trade off to reduce weight and/or streamline the scope)
- Brightest image possible (shooting at dawn/dusk is crucial for you)
- Shorter scope length (this rig is also used for night hunting with NV/Thermal clip-on)
- Forgiving Eyebox
- Forgiving DOF
- Forgiving Parallax
- Exposed elevation turret
- Capped windage turret
- Locking turrets
- Well designed reticle that works at lowest mag and highest mag
- Tree reticle (nice not to have to dial in certain situations)
- Non-tree reticle (keep it clean)
- Daylight bright illumination
- Wide FOV
- IQ, contrast and clarity (what many of us refer to as "pop")
- Control of CA (the less chromatic aberration the better)
- I'm sure I'm forgetting something so feel free to add other important factors for you
Given the above ranking (in your order) what would be the "ideal" crossover scope for you if it doesn't already exist today?
Spreadsheet of scopes that meet the following criteria:
- FFP Hash Reticle
- 4.5x or less at bottom magnification
- 15x or more at top magnification
- Weigh 30 ounces or less (preferably under 28oz)
- Length less than 14 inches (preferably under 13.5")
- Not manufactured in China (if you need to ask you haven't been paying attention)
I have ordered these by bottom magnification at far left and increasing up to 4.5x on far right