Making myself mental, choosing new scope.

[Field_2_Fork]

Hello All,
I'm buying a 6.5-284 Cooper with a custom barrel, along with that I would like a new scope, something with more magnification than I currently have. I'd also like some exposed turrets and likely illumination.

I am primarily a hunter in the prairies of Southern Alberta, but I hope to shoot longer distances at sometime, there's a range not too far from here that is 600m. I've recently joined a rather informal bench rest league here, max is 300m.

I've spent the past week reading EVERY thread on here and other places, and am having a hard time making a decision. I don't want to be a pain but some experience or advice would certainly be appreciated.

I need to stay under $2k.

I've always wanted a Leupold VX-5, approx $1800. I currently have a number of VX-3 and VX-R, all of which do fine for me. A VX-5 in 3-15x44 is nice and light, zero lock, no windage turret. Concern here is that despite being a fairly die-hard Leupy fan, perhaps they aren't keeping up with some of the competition.

Next consideration, and high on my list is a Sightron SIII 6-24x50, approx $1600. Weight is good at 24oz, both turrets, illuminated, a little longer than some others. I wonder is the FOV is too small for hunting? I have a 4-16x50 Big Sky SII (I think that's the model) for a number of years now, no complaints though it's on a .243 that I don't shoot all that often.

Next up is a Swarovski Z5i, upwards of $2000. Very light, seemingly excellent glass from what I've read, elevation turret possible but I've read it isn't that great? Concerns here are how rugged are they, and 1" tube seems small.

I've done some looking at Athlon, though it seems a little more tactical. Haven't given much thought to Vortex, Bushnell, Nikon etc, they just don't feel right. Perhaps I'm one of the Leupold snobs out there, though that may be an oxymoron.

Thanks for any help!

 

[1911mag]

Leupold Mark 4 with illumination would be my choice. Still out there used for sale.

 

[JEFFPPC]

You might want to consider a NF BR 12x42x56 with illuminated reticle. Used about 1100.00 to 1200.00. Good glass and bright.

 

[Ranger188]

PM @lancexxx here for the best price on a Sightron scope.
Might help sway you to it.

 

[KY_Windage]

You're going mental because, whether you realize it or not, you are trying to get both a light hunting scope and a powerful bench scope in one buy, and there is no scope made that is not going to be a compromise on one or the other. 6x is not too much for scanning/hunting, but 24x is not enough for me to comfortably shoot targets with.

But of course, you can make anything work. You might look at the NF NX8 4-32x50. At 29 oz I would not call it light, and I prefer SFP over FFP, but at least the power range would be good for what you want. A used NXS 8-32x56 can be found for under $2K, and 8x is prolly not too much on the open prairie, but could you stand 34 oz? 30mm tube, though, so the rings are not too heavy or expensive.

Sorry, I'm a NF guy, with no interest in Leup's, Sightrons, etc.

 

[afret]

You might also look at the Vortex AMG. 6-24x50. The FOV at 6X is supposed to be pretty good.

 

[Txhillbilly]

I've just never trusted Leupold scopes to track worth a damn. Some guy's love them,but there are so many other scopes that have great glass,and track excellent.

Do you want a FFP o SFP reticle? That will help in the suggestions.

There are plenty of used high end scopes on the market right now. I just sold my Revic PMR 428 and picked up a lightly used S&B PM II for a very good price.

I like Sightron,and have 4 - SIII's and a SII,but Sightron seems to stay about 5 years behind everyone else in the scope business when it comes to new features on their scopes.

Athlon makes some very good scopes. The Cronus series will hang right with a lot of scopes that cost $1k more,but the turrets aren't as crisp and audible. I also have an Ares BTR that I like a lot,it's like a better version of the Sigtron SIII.

You might also look at the new Tract Toric UHD scope,it's a lot of scope for the price,plus it has locking turrets that will work great for a hunting scope with exposed turrets. It's not light weight at 41 ounces,but it cost about $1700 so it's in your price range.

 

[Gary in MD]

If you are spending that kind of money go NF.

 

[tominboise]

If you are going to bench shoot and hunt, I'd buy two scopes. A decent quality 3-9, 4-12 scope for hunting (Leupie, Zeiss conquest, etc) and then put your $$ into a target scope.

My two cents.

 

[Field_2_Fork]

Yes, I realize I'm asking a lot here, too much in fact. The $2K limit is in Canadian, so that's about $500 US these days. (ok, not quite but close)

Happened to be in a local shop today (not much selection here) and they had a new Vortex Razor LHT 3-15x42 in stock. Under $1500, looks like a nice MOA / T - type reticle. That got me thinking a little. Seems like the Vortex version of the VX-5, for a little less money. I didn't get a chance to look through it, maybe tomorrow.

The 15 magnification should be plenty for me to get my feet wet with some longer shooting and plenty for hunting. Possibly the VX-5 or the Vortex...hmmm.

 

[TrapperBR549]

My son and I are headed to Montana this fall and are currently getting equipment ready. My son built a .300prc and topped it with the Vortex you mentioned. I bought a M70 extreme weather in .300 win and mounted a VX5 on it. So far there isn't a clear winner, they are both excellent scopes and we are both happy. I would just much rather buy the USA designed and manufactured version that the Chinese copy, even if I have to spend slightly more.

On another note, if Leupold made the VX5 in a 1" tube I would have gone that route. For my purposes the 30mm is of no value to me. I have plenty of adjustment to shoot elk as far away as I would ever want to so the scope is just a lot bigger and heavier than I need.

 

[284winner]

Hello All,
I'm buying a 6.5-284 Cooper with a custom barrel, along with that I would like a new scope, something with more magnification than I currently have. I'd also like some exposed turrets and likely illumination.

I am primarily a hunter in the prairies of Southern Alberta, but I hope to shoot longer distances at sometime, there's a range not too far from here that is 600m. I've recently joined a rather informal bench rest league here, max is 300m.

I've spent the past week reading EVERY thread on here and other places, and am having a hard time making a decision. I don't want to be a pain but some experience or advice would certainly be appreciated.

I need to stay under $2k.

I've always wanted a Leupold VX-5, approx $1800. I currently have a number of VX-3 and VX-R, all of which do fine for me. A VX-5 in 3-15x44 is nice and light, zero lock, no windage turret. Concern here is that despite being a fairly die-hard Leupy fan, perhaps they aren't keeping up with some of the competition.

Next consideration, and high on my list is a Sightron SIII 6-24x50, approx $1600. Weight is good at 24oz, both turrets, illuminated, a little longer than some others. I wonder is the FOV is too small for hunting? I have a 4-16x50 Big Sky SII (I think that's the model) for a number of years now, no complaints though it's on a .243 that I don't shoot all that often.

Next up is a Swarovski Z5i, upwards of $2000. Very light, seemingly excellent glass from what I've read, elevation turret possible but I've read it isn't that great? Concerns here are how rugged are they, and 1" tube seems small.

I've done some looking at Athlon, though it seems a little more tactical. Haven't given much thought to Vortex, Bushnell, Nikon etc, they just don't feel right. Perhaps I'm one of the Leupold snobs out there, though that may be an oxymoron.

Thanks for any help!

Your price quote on the SIII 6-24x50 is way off. Anywhere from 800-1200.00 can be expected on that model depending on some options. I think for a scope in the 800-900.00 range, the 19oz Leupold VX5HD 3-15x44 is hard to beat. Lightweight, solid good quality scope. I think it does live up to the Leupold reputation quality wise and at a fair price. It's the scope I will be putting on my next lightweight hunting rifle build.