Rifle Scopes - EXPERTS School Me!!

[trophy8]

Just an FYI. I used to hate vortex. And still hate the standard viper line and the crossfire is a joke. So before you think I'm repping something just because, think again. I was going to buy a nightforce till I used a pst. Maybe they aren't for everyone. Just trying to help out. I've seen a lot of folks that can't shoot worth a crap toting around very high end rifles and optics. Doesn't make a person any better of a shot when you get in the top tier lines side by side

[tgridley]

I understood that. I'm not stupid.

I meant which model and why.

Matt it's ok you like and bought the Vortex and its ok some people don't care for them.

[trophy8]

I have to disagree Japan glass versus German glass, German glass wins. And I have both. And if I ran over my scope I would not expect the manufacture fix it for free.

German glass? You need to do research on the new leupolds. Pretty sure most are not German glass.

What makes the PST a bang for the buck is the repeatability and return to zero the PST offers with the high speed uncapped turrets. Glass is OK with the PST, but the same priced Leupold ($650-800 range) is better glass at that price point (but you don't get the target turrets and "tactical" features).

I own both and disagree. About the glass part. Really equal. I love my leupold too

[trophy8]

Matt it's ok you like and bought the Vortex and its ok some people don't care for them.

I understand. Please read my above post.

Hate to see a guy blow $1000 when it's not necesary. I PROMISE if there was that big of a difference, a nightforce would be sitting in my gun safe.

Good luck with your scope search. I'm sure you'll make a good choice.

[tgridley]

I understand. Please read my above post.

Hate to see a guy blow $1000 when it's not necesary. I PROMISE if there was that big of a difference, a nightforce would be sitting in my gun safe.

Good luck with your scope search. I'm sure you'll make a good choice.

When you where looking for a scope you actually said " you didn't want to spend that kind of money on a NF "

[one66stang]

And if I ran over my scope I would not expect the manufacture fix it for free.

Yea but I bet you wouldn't just mail a check if they didn't charge you.

Bottom line with glass is the same as a bow. Its all subjective. Get behind them look through them all as much as you can and get the one YOU think is the best.

[trophy8]

When you where looking for a scope you actually said " you didn't want to spend that kind of money on a NF "

Yes I did. But like I said if it's needed and would make that much difference I would. If you knew me you'd understand.

[LWolken]

I'm going to buy some higher end rifle scopes for long range shooting and target shooting. Target turrets are a must, Tactical/varmint radicals, 4.5-16X50mm and higher only. I need to be able to do 600 yards one two scopes easily, and other are for reaching 1000 easily. I want to get one scope for a future bench rest rifle also, recommendations? I looked on optics planet, and well there are just way too many scopes from each brand to choose from. I need help narrowing it down to the top 3 best by each brand. Scopes will be high end Leupolds, Zeiss, and/or Schmitt and Benders. All must have parallax adjustment.. My questions are:

Just to clarify what I know/understand - What is first and second focal planes? Which is best?

Any other info I need to figure out before I buy a few of these scopes?

Any bench rest scope recommendations. It will be going on a 6mm dasher.

Leupold: What is the difference between VX3, VX4, Mark 4.... zero stop??

School me!!!!! There has been way too much new stuff and innovations come out since the last time I bought a scope!

When I go PD shooting I take (2) 243 AI, (1) 6mmBR and (1) Rem700 VSSF in .223. In my experience all the european scopes you can throw them out for one or two reasons. CM adjustments and/or first focal plane reticles are too big at magnification for my taste. First use your knobs not the reticle for holdover. They did not produce results like one would think, only extra clutter. I prefer a simple fine duplex reticle so I can spot my own shots. I really wanted to buy a Ziess Divari but I could not get it with MOA adjustments and refuse to convert between inches and cm between 4 rifles just too much numbers to crunch. A couple buddies of mine use Nightforce and MKIV's. Personally I have several Leupold Long Range models with the tall target knobs and have never felt disadvantaged. The MKIV's are not worth the extra money over Long Range Leupolds in my opinion, might as well step up to a Nightforce for that price. That being said I could almost buy too Leupolds per one Nightforce. The Nightforce scopes are a tiny bit brighter and crisper but only after extended use to my eyes. I use the 6.5-20s on my 243AI's but on the 6mmbr I use a 8.5-25 since it has a bit less recoil. I have shot over a dozen or so dogs from 700-800yds, probably half a dozen at 800+ and one confirmed kill at 1075yds that took 10 shots. On your competition rifle you may want to go with a fixed power Leupold BR series to save weight mounted in mechanical rings. Lots of good options out there. Always been happy with my Leupolds. Sightron S3 seems to get good reviews by the penny pinchers.

[scissorhands]

Well, if we are spending your money!! I would give a good look at "MARCH" scopes http://marchscopes.com/tactical-8-80-x-56.html

If I could justify a $4000 scope I would give them a look.

Rob

[labman]

My recommendations :

$1000 range - Vortex PST , Leu mk4

$1500-1800 range - NF

$2000 - Vortex razor

$2500 + range : US Optics , Premeir Reticals

$3000 + range : S&B , March ,

Good summary with the exception of Premier imho, I'm very disappointed with their quality control. They make a great reticle, but seemed to have jumped off the deep end a bit on the scope.

If $$ is no object, go with S&B, March are great scopes, but sometimes tough to find to evaluate. Us Optics are very, very nice glass.

Personally, I prefer Leupold over NF, but many don't.

The only recommendation I'd make is make sure to look through the glass before you buy. Everyone's vision is different, what looks great for one person is another person's 2nd or 3rd choice.

A zero stop is a must, fpp v 2fp is a matter of personal preference. For ranging, just make sure your turrets measure the same way your reticle does-mils-mils, inches to inches, etc.

[ducks-and-bucks]

Lab man... agreed

[Team Roper]

I would look at Huskemaw.

X2

[chief longshaft]

i shoot 1000yds with a mrak 4 on my .308 it has 70moa of space. i am going with the vortex razor hd on my 338 lapua it is a ffp with 125 moa of space and a 40moa rail so i can in theory shoot about 2400yds

front focal is better but more expensive this is if you will actually be using your mill ret.

[chief longshaft]

There you go.

When people upgrade from a NF its normally to a S&B

i knew 2 people with nigh forces on 338lapuas and the reticles broke, vortex has and etched ret so it cant break.

[Scout]

Anyone have some top tier Leupold scopes they can post a review for? Or anyone pretty savy with the leupold stuff? Like what the VX3 gives to compared to the mark 4? I know Leupold does that custom stuff, its been on my mind to maybe do that, though its not totally necessary if you can use and know your turrets. IMO. Like I said, I have that zeiss conquest and I wanna stick to that same quality and better...

I have a Leupold Mark4 Tactical gave $650 new in the box just have to find a buddy with to much stuff be carefull buying stuff online a lot of fakes out there!

I love it and will handle more than my needs to a grand.