agonizing scope decision

[Montbars]

I have been looking desperately for a variable 1-4x or a 1.5-5x scope, and cant make a decision.
I need one that can come with turrets or a custom BDC reticle, I wont be hunting at extremely long ranges but want to be able to have fun at the range.
I am very interested in the sightron big sky 1.25-5x--everyone says that the look bright and have the best tracking. Altogether, tracking and durability might be the most important feature of this scope.
Does anyone know how to get the sightron with turrets installed? the only other thing I can think of is getting a Zeiss Diavari with turrets, which will run me about $2,000! the zeiss 1-4x is exactly what I am looking for, but I wish there was something similar for cheaper than 2 grand.
If anyone knows of a scope that has excellent tracking for under $1,000 and is compact, please let me know.

 

[jpwilly]

You know I recently saw a new Nikon socpe for the AR called the M-223 1-4x20 that might do the trick for only $250ish. It had turrets calibrated or the 223 but you could probably get that figured out for your cailber or even get a custom turret made.

 

[dakotasin]

leupold has a cds system available, or you can have a turret installed from leupold for about $50. also, you can have leupold custom build your scope from the start. just go to their site and play w/ the different options.

zeiss will install a turret on their conquest line for about $65 with shipping.

don't know about others.

 

[rcmodel]

Twiddling with target turret knobs on a hunting scope is vastly over-rated by the movie snipers.

You will find yourself out of zero at the most inopportune times & they get hung up on brush and bumped all the time.

For a low power scope like you want, you would be better served with scope caps.
Set it once & forget it!
Just learn the trajectory & hold-over at various ranges.
Or tape a trajectory drop table on the side of your ammo box or something.

Been killing Kansas coyotes out to 500 yards that way for almost 50 years.

rc

 

[nastynatesfish]

You could look at the trijicon scope line. I know ther to expensive for my taste but the have the power range your looking for and I think they run in the 700-800 dollar side of crazy

 

[TonyAngel]

If you are looking in the lower price range for a no frill scope with good tracking, the Sightron is it. I liked mine, but it does have a plain jane reticle. Now, if you're talking over $1K, look at the Nightforce 1-4X. It's as good as it get without getting stupid expensive.

The Trijicons are pretty nice, but what you're paying for is the above average glass and the illumination system. I thought the Sightron had better glass. The Nightforce will knock the socks off of both of them.

 

[Maverick223]

Without a doubt the best scope for the money with the features that you desire is the Vortex Viper-PST 1-4x24mm. It comes standard with an excellent CQB reticle (illuminated), that is matched to the adjustments (available in either Mil/Mil or MOA/MOA), also included are: target turrets, exceptional glass (about equal to the Sightron S-II IMO), rugged design, and a great warranty. It is priced at about $500.00USD.

 

[LRS_Ranger]

Here is my review on my Nightforce NXS.. I think it's pretty cool..

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=521573

 

[kwelz]

Trijicon Accupoint. The TR21 is 1.25 - 4 and the TR25 is 1-4

 

[LemmyCaution]

I second the motion for the Leupold Custom Shop. For ~$550 you can get a VXIII with a BDC reticle matched to the ballistics of your favorite load and M1 turrets. The VXIII is available in magnifications similar to those you've listed.

 

[Montbars]

The vx 3 seems like a good option, but will it track as well as a nightforce?
also what does the nightforce reticle look like when the illumination is off, is it dark black or is it kinda tough to see?

 

[Maverick223]

also what does the nightforce reticle look like when the illumination is off, is it dark black or is it kinda tough to see?

It is an etched reticle, and appears very dark when not illuminated.

 

[Sky]

I to have been looking at the Nikon scopes that were especially made for the AR type platforms. Great youtube video/Nikon promo shooting from 100, 300,400,to 600? yards I think were the ranges; transition times were less than 11 seconds for all targets. The scope has a special mount just made for the Ar. Their most expensive AR scope is less than $500 and is a 3-9x?? Looked like they were shooting at 12" metal plates. May have a few factual errors here it has been a while since I saw the video but they sold me!

 

[TonyAngel]

The Nightforce reticle is very easy to see with the illumination off. In fact, I really can't remember the last time I turned it on.

All kidding aside, if you have the money, get the Nightforce and never have to wonder about it. The only way to do better would be to spend twice as much. I spent $1500 on my rig (scope and mount) and haven't regretted it for a second. Well, actually, I chose the wrong reticle for my application and that will be corrected soon by a trip to Nightforce for a new reticle. As far as the scope itself goes, I have no regrets.

I have the 2.5-10X and at 100 yards shooting .223, I don't even use a spotting scope because I can clearly see my hits.