Long range hunting/shooting scope under $1000

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xmanpike

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I'm in the process of buying a Cooper rifle in 300 Win Mag and want to top with a deserving scope. I have never bought a scope over $300, most of mine are Leupold, Burris FFII, and lower priced Sightrons.

Right now I am eyeing the Swarovski Z3 4-12x with the Ballistic Turret. It runs about $899 and has fantastic reviews as well as the ability to set three other ranges of zero with the turret.

Do any of you have experience with this scope or know of something similar or better in the price range. This will by far be my most expensive rifle/scope combo and want to get it right.

Thanks for any information.
 
if you are only shooting to 600 yards or so, I would get a 4.5x14 leupold SF 30mm tubed with CDS. on my rem 700 heavy barrel in 300 win mag it works quite to 750 yards when calibrated to the load you want to shoot. a good laser range finder will be a must. eastbank.
 

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How large are your targets? If you're shooting large, generous targets, which help you identify an aiming point efficiently, you can get away with much lower quality, lower cost, lower magnification optics. If you're aiming at watermelons at 600yrds, you need a lot more scope than if you're aiming at a 24" steel gong. Are you wanting a smaller objective "hunting scope" capable of longer range work, or a large objective range ready optic?

Assuming you're looking for a large body scope for shooting moderate to large targets, not game animals: The Vortex Viper HSLR 6-24x50mm with the XLRMOA is a very reasonable scope for 600yrd shooting, even on smaller targets. It's first focal, which offers a big advantage for guys shooting at variant ranges. The Leupold VX3i 4.5-14x50mm is a well priced scope, without the bells and whistles of some of the others. I prefer the Bushnell Elite 6500 4.5-30x50mm over the VX3i, for the clarity and brightness, and of course, the zoom. Bushnell also makes a 2.5-16x50mm version which is nice for a hunting scope, because of the lower bottom end magnification. The Nightforce SHV is a good optic for the money, and the 4-14x F1 version is another optic I favor over the Leupold, but it's a lot more expensive on street value - you'll get one for under $1,000 on sale though. I'm not a fan of Nikon optics, way too many headaches (literally) from my eye trying to resolve the edge distortion in their optics, or fighting with a 14x scope which can only be ran at 12x before things got wonky - their legacy products all had really poor internal adjustment ranges too, precluding them from use on long range rigs, although they've remedied that for their newer models (some of them). The Burris XTR-II line is good, although higher than what you're wanting to spend - I've used ONE Veracity scope which I believe was serviceable and I was happy to employ it, although lacking some of the key long range features of the XTR line. The Sightron SIII line has a couple viable models, no frills for their price range, but very serviceable scopes. Personally, for a $700-1,000 scope, I'm Nightforce, Bushnell, Burris, Vortex, then Leupold, and I'd wait for sales on any one of them before I tried saving money on any other brand.
 
If you are shooting long range I would buy the scope that gives me the most elevation in MOA or mils this way it does not have to sit on top of a bulky scope mount that gives an extra 20 Moa or mil elevation. Something that would not take away from the beauty and slick lines of a Cooper Rifle.
 
How large are your targets? If you're shooting large, generous targets, which help you identify an aiming point efficiently, you can get away with much lower quality, lower cost, lower magnification optics. If you're aiming at watermelons at 600yrds, you need a lot more scope than if you're aiming at a 24" steel gong. Are you wanting a smaller objective "hunting scope" capable of longer range work, or a large objective range ready optic?

Assuming you're looking for a large body scope for shooting moderate to large targets, not game animals: The Vortex Viper HSLR 6-24x50mm with the XLRMOA is a very reasonable scope for 600yrd shooting, even on smaller targets. It's first focal, which offers a big advantage for guys shooting at variant ranges. The Leupold VX3i 4.5-14x50mm is a well priced scope, without the bells and whistles of some of the others. I prefer the Bushnell Elite 6500 4.5-30x50mm over the VX3i, for the clarity and brightness, and of course, the zoom. Bushnell also makes a 2.5-16x50mm version which is nice for a hunting scope, because of the lower bottom end magnification. The Nightforce SHV is a good optic for the money, and the 4-14x F1 version is another optic I favor over the Leupold, but it's a lot more expensive on street value - you'll get one for under $1,000 on sale though. I'm not a fan of Nikon optics, way too many headaches (literally) from my eye trying to resolve the edge distortion in their optics, or fighting with a 14x scope which can only be ran at 12x before things got wonky - their legacy products all had really poor internal adjustment ranges too, precluding them from use on long range rigs, although they've remedied that for their newer models (some of them). The Burris XTR-II line is good, although higher than what you're wanting to spend - I've used ONE Veracity scope which I believe was serviceable and I was happy to employ it, although lacking some of the key long range features of the XTR line. The Sightron SIII line has a couple viable models, no frills for their price range, but very serviceable scopes. Personally, for a $700-1,000 scope, I'm Nightforce, Bushnell, Burris, Vortex, then Leupold, and I'd wait for sales on any one of them before I tried saving money on any other brand.

Always enjoy your take on these things, while I thought I had settled on a FFP Sightron, I am now also considering the Bushnell Elite you speak of.

I am at a similar price point, and will be "stuck" with this choice for a minute! I do have a Bushnell outlet store nearby, any thoughts on where I should watch for lowest price??

Russellc
 
I would venture the Bushnell Outlet store has the best prices you'll find, I know the one in Kansas tends to beat any online retailer on price. The gap there, of course - factor in sales tax. I can almost always buy online for a lower total cost compared to local sales - but the Bushnell Outlet pricing is usually SUPER low. Personally, I get all of my Bushnell stuff straight from Bushnell, as they have great promotions for instructors. I'm not married to one supplier, MidwayUsa, Brownells, factory direct, optics planet, Joebob's, Amazon... I keep an eye on all of it, and strike when I find a sale price I like.

If a guy is willing to pay attention to his zoom or if they don't use a milling reticle for range or correction, then an SFP is serviceable, and the extreme zoom range of the Elite 6500's is very nice. There are other x6 and x5 zoom span scopes out there, but most are far more expensive than the Bushnell Elite. I have the 2.5-16 and 4.5-30 on coyote/range rifles. Very happy with them.
 
Yes, that outlet in Kansas is the one I refer to. Thanks for the suggestions!

Russellc
 
I don't know if you are set on FFP, or what kind of reticle you want, or what kind of shooting, but this Minox 5-25x56 is a good deal.

I would like FFP and that isnt my choice of reticle, but wow, that's a lot of "go" for not much "dough" with that choice! Nice! And a great bargain. Can't help but consider it.

Russellc
 
What percentage of use for hunting vs. targets? Without knowing more, I'd say that Nightforce SHV or a Trijicon Accupoint 5-20x50
 
I have a cooper Excalibur in 7mm rem mag with a swaro z5 3-18x44 with the ballistic turret. I couldn’t be happier with the rig. I think the z5 is worth the money over the z3, but i think your going to love that rig either way. The z5 is light scope and the gun balances well. Throw some Talley rings on it and it will be boringly effective.
 
I am currently using the SWFA 3-15x42. It is first focal plane with target turrets, Mil-Quad reticle and standard glass. It is holding up well and is tracks very well. $700 and free shipping.
 
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