Another 'which scope' thread...

[rbernie]

I've got up to $600 that I can drop into a scope for a 25-06 long range hunting rifle that I'm bolting together. My first instinct was to pick up a VXII and save the balance for dies and supplies, but before I finalize the budget I have several questions:

• How much is AO worth, in terms of performance between 300-500 yards? In other words, how much parallax can I expect to correct for between those distances?
• If you had to choose between a 4x12/40-AO or a 4x12/50 (non-AO) of equal quality, which would you choose and why?
• What other hunting scopes are really WORTH $500 (as opposed to simply lower-priced scopes all gussied up with farklees)? No pigs with lipstick, please - I'm looking for build quality.

Thanks....

 

[Terrierman]

I am very fond of the Elite series of rifle scopes, formerly Bausch and Lomb, which is now owned by Bushnell. The 4200 series is generally comparable to what is now VXII. That rainguard coating (antifog) really works. I also recently put a Sightron SII on a .22-250. Very bright and clear. They might be worth a look too.

 

[rbernie]

I have three Sightron SIIs and like them very much, but they don't seem quite as robust (finish quality, adjustment mechanism) as the Leupolds.

Right now, I'm vacillating between the VXII AO @ $400, the VXIII non-AO @ $450, or the Zeiss Conquest non-AO @ $450. I've learned the hard way that it's generally better to buy the cheapest house in a nice neighborhood than to buy the nicest house in a crappy neighborhood....

 

[45crittergitter]

My $.02:

I think the AO is only useful at higher powers (above about 12x). Practically, I wouldn't consider one unless I'm aiming at small targets (varmints or bullseyes) at long distance and at high magnification. Also, the AO system adds a lens, which translates into less light transmission, while the side-mounted parallax adjustment systems do not, as I understand it. I don't know how much parallax they will eliminate, as that varies from scope to scope anyway, and it requires an assumption about how far off center you will place your eye. I would look at the Elite 4200 or the VXIII.

 

[ID_shooting]

What kind of shooting?

If you are hunting big game, a bit of a strech at that range, you may want AO due to teh varied range you might be working with. If punching paper or varminting from a rest, non AO is fine. Me, I like as large as possible objective lense that doesn't get too far above the stock.

 

[Art Eatman]

Parallax isn't a problem out beyond 200 yards; little problem at 100 for most scopes. AO is most useful 100 and closer, in my experience.

I've only used a 44Mag 3x10 at my 500-yard range, with 22" steel plates. I wouldn't be concerned about 9X or 10X for any hunting, for critters of coyote size to deer/antelope.

Early morning, late evening, I've never felt I needed more than a 40mm lens.

I've shot a fair number of coyotes and jackrabbits at night, using a 2x7x32 scope. Spotlight, 50 yards at most.

FWIW,

Art