Help with new scope decision

[bsills]

Gents I am getting a custom built 25-06 froma friend. I need some optics for the top of it and am not sure what to get. I hunt South Texas and we have 400+ yard senderos at every stand. So I was thinking that I want a high power scope that could kind of double as a spotting scope. The ones that seem to be discussed the most are the Luepold and Zeiss. I am leaning toward a 4.5X14X50 but need all the advise I can get. THANKS!!!!

And what rings to mount it with

[canny]

I have the leupold 4.5x14x50 VXIII on my remington 7mm and i love it. Very clear and lighter than some of the others of equal magnification. IMO for the money leupold scopes are at the top of the list. Thats all i put on my rifles

[bsills]

I have luepold on my other rifles and like them also.

[dac6933]

Burris or Nikon if it was me

[gonehuntin]

I have 6.5x20x50 leupold's on all my long range guns. I personally don't think you can ever have enough magnification when shooting at long distance's,plus the higher power help's when you are judging bucks.

[turbowhunter]

I have the zeiss conquest 4.5-14x44 and think it is a lot of scope for the money. It is much brighter than a Leupold VX-III with a 50mm objective. I do like the eye relief and the B&C reticle of the Leupold though.

[Luck_of_the_Draw]

I just put a Bushnell 6500 on my Ar. The 2.5 - 16 X 42 is very nice. It covers alot of range.

[PHC]

I have leupold, zeiss, kahles, and nikon. Leupold good, but many that see a lot of them will tell you that their quality control has suffered over the last few years. The zeiss conquest line is good glass. I've also been impressed with the new Nikon Monarch line - they are a lot of scope for the money and seem to be as good as some twice their cost. Nightforce is one to look at also and is by far the toughest with great ballistic reticles but they are heavy - really good scopes though.

Agree with the 20x+ on the top end - and would recommend a ballistic reticle. Once you learn whatever the type is you can really dial in your holdover.

On rings would go with talley, leupold dual dovetail, or tactical rings like Badger Ord. Have the rings lapped.

[Indianhunter]

Both Zeiss and Leupold you will not go wrong with, At those distances i would get something that goes to at least 14 or 16 power and then practice that far. Burris also makes an extremely quality scope and will prob be a few bucks cheaper than Zeiss

[Bily Lovec]

are you willing to spend $1k+ on a scope ?

[elhefe]

I have the Zeiss Conquest on my .280. It's the 3x9x50. Didn't think scopes made that much difference until I got some quality glass! I love it. I think I paid $600 for it at Carter's Country in Houston.

[PHC]

few more thoughts

If weight and $ are not big issues, and you don't mind the tactical turrets, I'd give Nightforce a look. Check out the NP-R2 reticle.

If cost is important but you still want great quality - Nikon Monarch in 5-20x44, 6-24x50, or 8-32x50ED, with the BDC reticle. I'd give that last one a hard look in any case, as it has nikon's ED glass and really seems to fit what you are looking for.

Leupold may be a good solution - they certainly have any option you could ever want - I would just really run it through the ringer before you rely on it (as you really should with any scope) - shoot a couple boxes through adjusting the elevation and windage to make sure the scope adjustments track as they should and shoot at various power settings. I like the Varmint Hunter reticle better than B&C. The custom shop can also give you a custom reticle specific to your caliber and load.

If you are wanting a "spotting scope" I would go with 20x or higher - 14x won't tell you drastically more than 10x binos

Also, I greatly prefer side focus as opposed to adjustable objective for the parallax/focus adjustment. Much easier to use in the field.

[PHC]

One last comment - which is not to say you don't already have this covered - shooting at 400 yards is no joke - wind is a major factor, as is practice from hunting type rests and positions. Know your range certain (rangefinder) and know the ballistics for your load/gun including windage (mine are printed and taped to my rifle).

Good luck!

[Big8]

I have luepold and ziess on all my guns and I went out on the limb and bought a meopta for my 300 sendero and absolutely love it. Check them out.

[stryker93]

Zeiss conquest would be a good choice. IMHO much better glass than a comparably priced leupold. I have heard good things about the nikon ed glass also.