Hunting scope choice

[SVT_Tactical]

Putting together a couple lightweight hunting rigs and have narrowed down my choices to a few and want opinions. Here are the three -

1- Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x44mm FireDot Duplex

2- Leica Amplus 6 3-18x44i Ballistic BDC

3- Swarovski Z5i 3.5-18x44 - BT-4W-I

Any of y'all care to share any pro's or con's to these that would make one a clear better option? Anyone with experience with the Leica and turret, is it relatively quick like the cds and BT of the other 2?

 

[Clancy]

The Leupold WILL have turret issues that lead to a catastrophic failure.

No experience with the Leica.

The z5i is nice (has had a few tracking issues over the years) but the z5i+ is a heck of a lot nicer (problems solved) and has become my favorite very quickly.

 

[Gary in MD]

I know that you didn’t mention this brand as an option but have you looked through a Tract Optics scope? Extremely bright and clear glass and more importantly - excellent zero retention and tracking. I have several of the 3-15x50 and a 4-20x50. They are a lot of scope for the money. No middle man, you buy from the owners of the company.

 

[boltfluter]

The Leupold WILL have turret issues that lead to a catastrophic failure.

No experience with the Leica.

The z5i is nice (has had a few tracking issues over the years) but the z5i+ is a heck of a lot nicer (problems solved) and has become my favorite very quickly.

Do tell about the catastrophic failures you have experience with. Just curious is all.
Paul

 

[SVT_Tactical]

I know that you didn’t mention this brand as an option but have you looked through a Tract Optics scope? Extremely bright and clear glass and more importantly - excellent zero retention and tracking. I have several of the 3-15x50 and a 4-20x50. They are a lot of scope for the money. No middle man, you buy from the owners of the company.

I did consider them. Haven't set in stone these three only but they were near top due to weight, zero stop, adjustable turrets, cost, clarity. Weight on the similar tract is about 6oz heavier but I'm not ruling out. Really narrowing the field down and wanted to see how the Leica compared to those other two mentioned.

I want illumination, less than 25oz. 44mm obj max. Zero stop, exposed elevation turret, good reputation for warranty.

 

[Clancy]

Do tell about the catastrophic failures you have experience with. Just curious is all.
Paul

3-4” groups at 100 yards would be about the largest of the catastrophies that I’ve personally experienced. I think that’ll cover it, but I have held in my own hands many that tracked at odd values and shot 1-2” because they cannot hold up to dialing at all. I’d think it’s pretty common knowledge that Leupolds short of the Mark 5HD should be set and forgotten if you intend for the gun to shoot well.

It would seem you have no fear of scope brands. I remember another “do tell” concerning March optics in recent history.

I won’t tolerate a scope that’s prone to failure or with glass worth half its price range. Call me picky.

A little more:

It’s bad enough that although I do most of the load work for my family and friends, I won’t help if the gun wears a Leupold. Just not worth the trouble. When someone calls me with an accuracy issue, the first question I ask is “does it have a Leupold on it?”

One thing that can be not only inconvenient but also dangerous, I’ve seen two in the last year that did not return to zero after a long range shot. One was dialed 11 minutes to shoot a mule deer and stayed 5 minutes high at 100, the other was dialed for 600 on a BR (I’d guess 13.5 MOA) and didn’t return to zero at all. That guy dialed it up the full range and it came back down to zero after that, but that’s still scary.

For a 22 or a deer blind special, great little optics. Just set them and forget them, or problems will arise.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Hasn't been my experience with my first gen cds (v2) 4-12x40. Have it on my winter 17 rem (Lilja barrel) I would know if it did anything but follow the custom dial settings to 500 yards and back to zero. 10 years and counting.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

Lightweight scopes are rare these days. I had a razor LHT for a while. Didn't do it for me. I put a athlon midas tac on that gun and I like it better, especially when considering the price. It doesn't have illumination, but I never use it anyways. No illumination keeps the weight down and I like its a bit slender, so the knobs ain't poking me in the back when its slung.

I also have the tract toric. I like the locking turrets for hunting. Its just heavy. Also, i have like the prs reticle in moa. The center dot is soooooooo small.

IMHO Leupold was once the best, but they have not been keeping up.

 

[std7mag]

I don't have experience with any of @SVT_Tactical listed scopes.

But, the Swarovski Z5i that is mentioned is going to be a leftover scope. All of the Z5i scopes on Swarovski's website are 50mm objectives, not 44mm.

As far as the other 2 scopes listed..
Personally I'd stay away from the Leupold because of the duplex reticle. That and I feel like Leupold is like the Nike of scopes. You pay a higher price for the name, not for the options that you get.

As for the Leica, BDC is great! As long as your ballistics match up to it!
Thus far with all of the different cartridges that I shoot, the only one that has matched up with the BDC reticles is my 7mm-08AI with a 140gr bullet. And that with a 200 yard zero.

Someone mentioned CDS.
Those work well for A specific bullet going A specific velocity at A specific atmospheric condition.

Go from shooting near Birmington AL where it's 98°f, 90ft ASL, with 120% humidity (I know, it just feels like it) to hunting in the mountains above Aspen CO where it's 11,000ft ASL, 15°f, and 30% humidity and it's a huge difference!

And not to mention that perhaps you can't find the same reloading supplies that you set the CDS up for right before your hunt.
Example would be the bullets you were using, or couldn't find the same powder.


Or, even be like me. My 7 different 25 caliber cartridges shoot 75gr Sierra HP varmint bullets through 120gr Sierra GameKings with 100gr NBT, 110gr ELDX and 115gr Berger VLD in between. With 4 different brands of scopes to boot.
I'd need at least 50 different dials just for my 25 caliber rifles.


Almost all of my scopes now have been changed over to MOA reticles.
MOA and MIL are always MOA or MIL.

 

[troupe]

I have used the Tract scopes. Very solid scopes and way above their price range in glass quality.

 

[BigGame]

I have the Leica. It tracks well - passed a tall target test perfectly. Great glass. Nice turrets. I’ve got it on a lightweight magnum, so I wouldn’t mind a bit more eye relief. Overall very pleased.

I also have a couple Tracts and agree they punch above their class in the glass and build quality. They’re heavier, depending on how you feel about that.

 

[ELR LVR]

Putting together a couple lightweight hunting rigs and have narrowed down my choices to a few and want opinions. Here are the three -

1- Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x44mm FireDot Duplex

2- Leica Amplus 6 3-18x44i Ballistic BDC

3- Swarovski Z5i 3.5-18x44 - BT-4W-I

Any of y'all care to share any pro's or con's to these that would make one a clear better option? Anyone with experience with the Leica and turret, is it relatively quick like the cds and BT of the other 2?

Firedot, the shake awake and a nice little dot is just pure awesomeness especially in low light conditions
But that Swaro Z5 is gonna be some nice glass

 

[LBEdgin]

Leica Amplus 6 3-18x44i

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I was going to suggest a March-FX 1.5-15X42 with the dual reticle, but that's probably above your price range, looking at the riflescopes listed earlier. It is 25 ounces, and 42 mm objective and Shuriken turrets. It has illumination.

 

[Nature Boy]

Swarovski Z5i 3.5-18x44 - BT-4W-I

I have the Z6i 3-18x50 on a custom FN SPR hunting rig. There is no better glass made by mortal men.

 

[True Grit]

For hunting no one matches the color contrast or resolution like Leupold. I've heard about all the tracking problems but we've had great luck with Leupold scopes and dial regularly to a 1k yds using moa. I've never tried the CDS turret or whatever it's called.

 

[dbaird]

Putting together a couple lightweight hunting rigs and have narrowed down my choices to a few and want opinions. Here are the three -

1- Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x44mm FireDot Duplex

2- Leica Amplus 6 3-18x44i Ballistic BDC

3- Swarovski Z5i 3.5-18x44 - BT-4W-I

Any of y'all care to share any pro's or con's to these that would make one a clear better option? Anyone with experience with the Leica and turret, is it relatively quick like the cds and BT of the other 2?

Have you thought about Schmidt & Bender 1.5-6 X42-or the 3-12X42? Both amazing scopes.

 

[ISS]

I bought a Vortex SE-31801 when they first came out. It's the 3-18x44mm Illuminated version. EBR-7C reticle, with a 34mm tube. It did the tall target test on a 48" ladder within specs. It survived about sixty rounds of testing on three different 300 H&H's and one 375. Two of the 300's & the 375 are wearing one to this day.
Check warranties on any one you look at.