curious what everyone considers the be the best of the best scope

[JamesnTN]

Hensoldt premier schmidt and bender USO are the top in this tier then you drop down to swarvorski Zeis March and the new NF

 

[dabibbee]

Best I've seen is Schmidt $ Bender. Look at what the largest majority of long range winners use, Schmidt
& Bender.

 

[mikecr]

Best I've seen is Schmidt $ Bender. Look at what the largest majority of long range winners use, Schmidt
& Bender.

In what shooting format is this?
It's not NBRSA or IBS or NRA

 

[flatlander]

mikecr,
The previous poster was most likely referring to practical/tactical shooters. S&B & Premier are two very popular brands used by these guys. Optical quality is very important to these shooters, but absolute accuracy in clicks & return to zero over a very wide range of distances is at least as important. Most of these guys are using FFP scopes with mil/mil reticles & knobs; other desirable features include lockable knobs and zero stops.

Not having $2500+ to spend on a S&B, I just ordered a Bushnell TE 3.5-21x50 ERS with G2DMR reticle, 10 mils per revolution, and their new Z-lok zero stop. Seems a little crazy to spend over $1600 on a Bushnell, but they've got a money-back guarantee, and the guys I've spoken with who've shot behind these scopes have a lot of positive comments. We'll see...

I've been shooting Sightron SIIIs & Vortex Viper PSTs, and for the most part, have been pretty satisfied with both. Wanted to upgrade to a scope with FFP, mil/mil, and good zero stop, and the Bushnell was one of the best scopes available at my price point. Would love to get my hands on one of Leupold's new Mk 8 5-25x56 scopes, but they're still somewhat scarce, and are priced an nearly twice what the Bushy cost me.

 

[dearlallen]

I have to say, for me, the S&B 5-25x56 is the top of the food chain......

 

[stool]

please note there is no reference to hunting.
so then comes " best in magnified optics"
i propose that the march 8-80 56mm objective, 34 main tube
starts at $3750......
BEST in my opinion for reaching out, viewing the "target", observing bullet holes

http://marchscopes.com/tactical-8-80-x-56.html

I like most find myself spending as much time drooling over high end equipment as i actually do shooting. So I started to wander what everyone considers to be the best of the best in magnified optics. Now when I say that I mean the scope that gives you the best chance of identifying a target at long range, being able to see bullet impacts and one that has a solid reputation. It seems to me when I do searches on topics like this everyone says $2000+ low power optics.(10-16x max) from my experience any leupold model, vortex and numerous others are very clear at those magnifications. Im talking about having the ability to dial the power up when conditions are right and really reach out.

 

[hogan]

Best Scope???

I am too cheap, and unable to rationalize the need to spend $$$ for one beyond $1600. I did own a NightForce 8-32 tactical for six months. Damn thing was so heavy, I sold it. Have owned Zeiss Diavari, many Leupold mark 4s and high end IOR.

Lindy Fisk remarked that what made the Schmidt & Bender scopes worth their money ($3k+) was their ability to take rugged conditions w/o having to be babied. Things like, leaving the rifle in full sun in a So. Texas Summertime and not have the heat wreck the scope. Do others work as well? If you are going to spend comparable money, and use your scopesight under demanding conditions, why take the risk of buying a brand that might not be up to the task?

Best Scope means ruggedness and durability. I have kept almost every mark4 scope I ever bought. Sold one 16x because I prefer the 10x or 6x fixed, and sold a 6x w/target dot because the reticle was too fine for field use. I like the M3 turrets and mil-dot or TMR reticles.

Pretty hard to beat Zeiss optics. The resolution and contrast are beyond compare. Hensoldt, their military/tactical line, are likely right there with S&B, IF they have given the reticle sufficient range of movement. Many of the top-line Zeiss scopesights just don't have the 75moa+ elevation or windage that makes a versatile field scope, reticle choice and turret movement that matches the reticle hashmarks or mil-dots is another matter to consider.

Vortex has done a good job coming into the market to compete with Leupold and NightForce. The Razor scopes are well received and have a strong track record in the field. Similarly, Sightron is very well rated for value and performance, at least their S-III line and best quality scopes.

Probably the element most critical to best performance is the scope mount system. Spend your first-dollars on something from Richard Near, and then shop for your scope with what remains. Having the The Best mount system pays more dividends performancewise than a super-duper scope in a mount system that isn't squared perfectly and kept to tolerances below .0003".

I tend to see the scope as a sight and not a lens system that I demand best resolution from. I am not counting the hairs in someguys facial mole at 1000yds, or determining if the range target I'm shooting at was printed 600dpi or 300dpi. Most important in my book is Rock Steady in mount system and reliable reticle movements that are always consistent, at a weight of 20oz or less.

 

[mattt]

Best scope ever,I would have to say the Bausch lomb Balvar target scopes from the 1970,s I have a couple nightforce br and a comp and my balvar 32x looks better. I wouldnt sell it ever.

 

[LarryDScott]

SIGHTRON. LDS