coloradokevin
Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2008
- Messages
- 3,285
I recently picked up a Tikka Scout Compact Tactical Rifle (.308 Win), and I'm currently shopping for glass for this rifle. I plan to use this rifle for shooting at target distances of 100-800 meters, and may use it for some limited big game hunting. I know that you often get what you pay for with scopes, but I also realize that the sky is the limit on price, and sometimes a more "bargain priced" optic will still do the job just fine. I'd love to have one of the more top-end options I'm listing, but I'd rather not pay twice the price of the rifle for a quality scope!
I've already done a good bit of research on my own, but I'm still weighing my options between a number of different scopes. Also, I'm completely open to other scope suggestions, as I don't have any loyalty to one particular brand!
Here are some things I'm concerned about:
-Tracking
-Accuracy
-Repeatability
-Glass quality
-Durability
-Warranty
-Price
-Ranging options (mil-dot or other range finding reticle, and I also prefer a setup that is mil/mil or moa/moa, as opposed to the all-too-popular mil/moa style).
In no particular order, here are the scopes I've considered so far:
1) Nightforce NXS 3.5-15x50 zero stop.
-sounds like a great all-around optic.
-I like the zero-stop concept.
-BUT, value is harder to justify hwen it costs twice as much as the rifle. I really don't want to spend $1650 on a scope if a lower priced option will work!
2) Leupold Mark V 3.5-10x40 M1.
-Another notable scope, though apparently not as popular as Nightforce.
-Price is still high at $1,100 for the Tactical Milling Reticle.
3) Weaver Grand Slam Tactical 3-10x40
-I'm seriously considering this scope.
-This scope is pleasingly priced at $300, and this exact setup appears to be available exclusively through Midway USA (as such, I can't look through one before buying).
-Scope has some nice features for the price, including: Mil/Mil reticle-turrets, tactical style resetable turrets, and apparently decent glass.
-The scope received good reviews through Midway customers, and also on Snipershide.
-The scope lacks a parralax adjustment, and is built on a 1-inch tube, which makes me concerned about elevation adjustment at long range.
4) Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40
-Priced nicely at $400.
-Company has a great reputation for quality glass.
-No ranging reticle at this price point.
-Turrets are similar to the type I've found on most hunting scopes, and don't appear ideal for shooting where you'll routinely have to dial in an elevation correction.
- 1-inch tube issue on this one as well
5) Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16x42 or 50mm
-Priced at $699-779 for a mil-dot reticle.
-I'm not sure if the turrets are available in mil adjustments or not, but I'm assuming they are the standard 1/4 moa, interfaced with a milling reticle.
-Scope has HUGE power adjustment range.
-Scope has a 30mm main tube.
-I don't know much about the turrets on these scopes.
6) Nikon Monarch 2.5-10x42
-The version of this scope that I've found was priced around $389.
-This scope came with a non-ranging duplex style reticle.
-I've heard that Nikon makes nice glass for the price, but I don't know anything of their tracking, accuracy, or repeatability.
7) SWFA SS (Super Sniper) 3-9x40
-I've heard that this off-brand scope has proven to be of decent quality, for a reasonable price. BUT, I've only seen reviews on their fixed power scopes.
-This model is priced at $599, and I've never seen one in person.
-Standard Mil dot reticle with Mil/Moa setup
8) SWFA SS (Super Sniper) 10x42mm Fixed Power
-Priced at an attractive $300
-Fixed 10 power may limit this scope's viability for hunting use.
-Scope has decent reviews, but I've never seen one in person.
9) Burris Xtreme Tactical XTR 3-12x50 Mil-dot
-Priced at $789
-30mm tubes
-I don't know much about this brand, but a friend recommended that I look at them as well.
10) Sightron SIII Long Range 3.5-10x44 or 6-20x50 SF
-Priced between $720-806.
-Seems to be a brand that is gaining in popularity.
-I really don't know much about this product line either.
Anyway, I'm sure that nearly everyone has an opinion on scopes, and I'll welcome any and all input on this! Buying the glass always seems more difficult than choosing the rifle, at least in my opinion
I've already done a good bit of research on my own, but I'm still weighing my options between a number of different scopes. Also, I'm completely open to other scope suggestions, as I don't have any loyalty to one particular brand!
Here are some things I'm concerned about:
-Tracking
-Accuracy
-Repeatability
-Glass quality
-Durability
-Warranty
-Price
-Ranging options (mil-dot or other range finding reticle, and I also prefer a setup that is mil/mil or moa/moa, as opposed to the all-too-popular mil/moa style).
In no particular order, here are the scopes I've considered so far:
1) Nightforce NXS 3.5-15x50 zero stop.
-sounds like a great all-around optic.
-I like the zero-stop concept.
-BUT, value is harder to justify hwen it costs twice as much as the rifle. I really don't want to spend $1650 on a scope if a lower priced option will work!
2) Leupold Mark V 3.5-10x40 M1.
-Another notable scope, though apparently not as popular as Nightforce.
-Price is still high at $1,100 for the Tactical Milling Reticle.
3) Weaver Grand Slam Tactical 3-10x40
-I'm seriously considering this scope.
-This scope is pleasingly priced at $300, and this exact setup appears to be available exclusively through Midway USA (as such, I can't look through one before buying).
-Scope has some nice features for the price, including: Mil/Mil reticle-turrets, tactical style resetable turrets, and apparently decent glass.
-The scope received good reviews through Midway customers, and also on Snipershide.
-The scope lacks a parralax adjustment, and is built on a 1-inch tube, which makes me concerned about elevation adjustment at long range.
4) Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40
-Priced nicely at $400.
-Company has a great reputation for quality glass.
-No ranging reticle at this price point.
-Turrets are similar to the type I've found on most hunting scopes, and don't appear ideal for shooting where you'll routinely have to dial in an elevation correction.
- 1-inch tube issue on this one as well
5) Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16x42 or 50mm
-Priced at $699-779 for a mil-dot reticle.
-I'm not sure if the turrets are available in mil adjustments or not, but I'm assuming they are the standard 1/4 moa, interfaced with a milling reticle.
-Scope has HUGE power adjustment range.
-Scope has a 30mm main tube.
-I don't know much about the turrets on these scopes.
6) Nikon Monarch 2.5-10x42
-The version of this scope that I've found was priced around $389.
-This scope came with a non-ranging duplex style reticle.
-I've heard that Nikon makes nice glass for the price, but I don't know anything of their tracking, accuracy, or repeatability.
7) SWFA SS (Super Sniper) 3-9x40
-I've heard that this off-brand scope has proven to be of decent quality, for a reasonable price. BUT, I've only seen reviews on their fixed power scopes.
-This model is priced at $599, and I've never seen one in person.
-Standard Mil dot reticle with Mil/Moa setup
8) SWFA SS (Super Sniper) 10x42mm Fixed Power
-Priced at an attractive $300
-Fixed 10 power may limit this scope's viability for hunting use.
-Scope has decent reviews, but I've never seen one in person.
9) Burris Xtreme Tactical XTR 3-12x50 Mil-dot
-Priced at $789
-30mm tubes
-I don't know much about this brand, but a friend recommended that I look at them as well.
10) Sightron SIII Long Range 3.5-10x44 or 6-20x50 SF
-Priced between $720-806.
-Seems to be a brand that is gaining in popularity.
-I really don't know much about this product line either.
Anyway, I'm sure that nearly everyone has an opinion on scopes, and I'll welcome any and all input on this! Buying the glass always seems more difficult than choosing the rifle, at least in my opinion
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