OK...Scope hunting again?

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Sniper66

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I just closed a deal on an Anschutz 1517 Target 17HMR and it should arrive next week. Even though I have a 1517MPR, this one has a custom composite stock (which I wanted) and I got it for a really good price, so couldn't pass it up. Here's my question. My current 1517 has a Leupold VX III 3.5-10X, which I like a lot, but would like more magnification. It will mostly be a prairie dog rifle. I would like some suggestions please. I can spend up to about $500, which gives me some good options. I'm looking at:
Bushnell Forge 4-16X40 ($400)
Bushnell Forge 4-16X50 ($400)
Tract Response 4-16X42 ($424)
Tract 22Fire 4-12X42 ($194) Don't let the price fool you. It is a top notch scope.

As a dedicated prairie dog shooter, I want to shoot clearly out to 150+ yds with my HMR. I do not shoot further than that with the 17HMR; I have a .223 and .204 for those shots. Some guys do just fine with 10X and maybe 12X would be OK, but think 16X would be just right. I have the Tract listed above on a .22 and really like it a lot so included it for discussion. Any suggestions? I always appreciate the dialogue you guys bring. It helps me settle my thinking.
 
Skylerbone said:
Clearidge Ultra XP5 4.5-22.5 x 50mm, $439.99

30mm tube, resettable target turrets, side focus. Comes in Duplex, Mildot, or German #4. http://www.clearidgeoptics.com/ultra-xp5-s/1819.htm
Click to expand...

Amazing how this scope seems to meet all my needs, but for a different rifle. I'm also buying a Savage 110 Desert Tactical 6.5 Creedmoor. Could do a mildot, but really like the German #4 reticle. So, Skylerbone, what kind of experience do you have with Clearidge scopes? Anyone else?
 
Sniper66 said:
Amazing how this scope seems to meet all my needs, but for a different rifle. I'm also buying a Savage 110 Desert Tactical 6.5 Creedmoor. Could do a mildot, but really like the German #4 reticle. So, Skylerbone, what kind of experience do you have with Clearidge scopes? Anyone else?
Click to expand...

Honestly just two chances to shoot other club members’ rifles who owned them. They were the AO models but both were very nice. I first heard of them years ago when RFC members began touting their prowess. I could hardly conceive of a scope I’d never heard of, being sold direct that could possibly attract such a loyal following and yet here they are, still going strong and building on their line-up.

If I had a .22 worthy of a really good scope I’d not think twice. As is, my most expensive rig is a CZ 452 with a VX-2 4-12 x 40 AO and that belongs to my daughter. My lowly Marlin can hang with the CZ for accuracy but it’s just my squirrel gun and needs nothing fancier than the $100 Nikon I’ve got on it. Then again if I didn’t have a few dozen rimfires I might own a few nicer ones.
 
Re: Clearidge, I had never heard of them. I see they are a local MI company. Their gear seems reasonable priced. Lifetime warranty is nice as long as they are still in business. I need a new scope for a .22.
Jeff
 
I'm going to tentatively recommend this

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cabelas-instinct-hd-rifle-scope

Zeiss used to market what I think is the same scope under their Conquest line. They were always USA made by Meopta and initially sold for $550. Some years ago Zeiss dropped them in favor of a less expensive scope called the Terra, made in the Philippines. Their high end scopes have always been made in Europe.

When Zeiss dropped it Cabela's worked out a deal to sell them with a Cabela's logo on the same scope. About 3 years ago Cabela's discontinued them and sold them on clearance for $250. I have an original Zeiss and bought 2 of the Cabela's branded scopes @ $250. I can report they are in fact the exact same scope other than the badging.

They are hands down my favorite scope at any price. And over the last 2-3 years when they were not available I've been at somewhat of a loss as to what to recommend when someone asks about a scope. But it appears Cabela's has brought them back. Looking at the photo there are some minor cosmetic differences. The scope caps appear different as well as the location of the logo. But all of the other specs and the overall shape appear the same.

I ordered one yesterday and it should be in Wednesday. If it is in fact the same scope, and I believe it is, you won't be disappointed.
 
I’ve been more than pleased with my Clearidge. The Cabela’s scope is a good option unless you want AO or side focus.

AO/side focus is important to many rimfire shooters. It was important to me too when I purchased the Clearidge Ultra RM for my CZ 512. It’s still important to me now but I don’t why seeing as how it’s been set at 50 yards on my Clearidge since day one and I’ve never “touched that dial”.
 
jmr40 said:
I'm going to tentatively recommend this

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cabelas-instinct-hd-rifle-scope

Zeiss used to market what I think is the same scope under their Conquest line. They were always USA made by Meopta and initially sold for $550. Some years ago Zeiss dropped them in favor of a less expensive scope called the Terra, made in the Philippines. Their high end scopes have always been made in Europe.

When Zeiss dropped it Cabela's worked out a deal to sell them with a Cabela's logo on the same scope. About 3 years ago Cabela's discontinued them and sold them on clearance for $250. I have an original Zeiss and bought 2 of the Cabela's branded scopes @ $250. I can report they are in fact the exact same scope other than the badging.

They are hands down my favorite scope at any price. And over the last 2-3 years when they were not available I've been at somewhat of a loss as to what to recommend when someone asks about a scope. But it appears Cabela's has brought them back. Looking at the photo there are some minor cosmetic differences. The scope caps appear different as well as the location of the logo. But all of the other specs and the overall shape appear the same.

I ordered one yesterday and it should be in Wednesday. If it is in fact the same scope, and I believe it is, you won't be disappointed.
Click to expand...
If it’s not a Meopta please let me know.
 
Skylerbone, I put my Clearidge in the exact same quality class as a VX-2. So IMO your daughters rifle couldn’t be served any better with a Clearidge.

Rimfire Central is also where I heard about Clearidge.
 
cdb1 said:
If it’s not a Meopta please let me know.
Click to expand...


A cursory glance at Cabelas...score!
74B56ACC-EBE3-43E9-8938-FEDB1BB33441.png

cdb1 said:
Skylerbone, I put my Clearidge in the exact same quality class as a VX-2. So IMO your daughters rifle couldn’t be served any better
Click to expand...

I’ve not had the chance to compare them side by side but I do recall being impressed with the Clearidge both times. I also think for the money spent they represent a better value than Leupold’s current line-up.

I actually mounted my last new VX-2 this week on my old Model 70 after considering a swap on a 10/22.


My daughter’s 4-12x
8460AB53-6876-4D64-9680-7DAAE9AD5BCD.jpeg

My 6-18x
0FC6A63B-99E7-4B43-B4D9-5002FBBCB339.jpeg


1150D9CC-9B1D-44BC-9C03-44D25C9569DE.jpeg
 
If it’s not a Meopta please let me know.
Click to expand...

Fedex dropped off my Cabela's scope about an hour ago, one day early. It is the same scope as my original Zeiss Conquest and the Cabelas at least externally. No way to say for sure about internals. The biggest difference is the older versions say "Assembled in USA" and the new versions say "Made IN CZECH REPUBLIC". It was my understanding that the parts were always made in Europe and assembled here in order for them to advertise made in USA. As near as I can tell it is the same scope.

The turret caps are different and the logo's are slightly different. It says "Cabela's/Meopta" on the rear objective housing. A good photo above.
 
I've got a nitrex tr1 (Weaver Gand slam) 6-20x50 I'm about to pull off a rifle I'd let you have for half-ish the price of the op scopes. It's coming off because it is large and only has a duplex reticle.
 
Since my OP, I've done some more looking and obsessing. Thanks for your help. Also since my OP, I've been on a p-dog hunt where I shot my other 17HMR with a Leupold 3i 3.5-10X. It is a fine scope and I killed lots of dogs over 100 yds. That experience helped me conclude that 12X will be sufficient so I've decide to buy the Tract 22Fire 4-12X with T-Plex. I have one on a 22 with the BDC reticle and really like it. The glitch in this process is that the T-plex model is on back-order and may not be available until December or January. They are going to search their warehouse and try to find a demo for me. Won't know until the 18th. Could buy another BDC model and have it next week. Patient is not my strong suit. Or step up to the Response 4-16X. Decisions, decisions.
 
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