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gotboostvr
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It comes with the normal turret, you have to order the custom one. You get one free and they'll run extra off for a fee for you.
Hunting optic suggestions
- Thread starter gotboostvr
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It comes with the normal turret, you have to order the custom one. You get one free and they'll run extra off for a fee for you.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I would say the VX3 but the 2.5-8x version.
I'd choose the Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10X40 CDS-ZL. While I'm not familiar with that crosshair, I have two with the simple duplex crosshair and they work really well, both scopes can be had for under $400. And, BTW, I have a Burris FF II 4.5-14X 42mm and the glass is very good for all of your targets and costs around $200....a very good value. My Burris was mounted on a .270 so recoil is not an issue. And, of course, the Leupold would be fine too.
You might want to try a Tract scope. Link below. I have this scope on a 6.5 Creedmoor and it is truly exceptional for $424.. They call it an AR style scope, but it fits equally well on my Savage 110 6.5CM and the ballistics calculator works. This would be a step up from the others you listed for not much money. And the best customer service you'll ever encounter.
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You might want to try a Tract scope. Link below. I have this scope on a 6.5 Creedmoor and it is truly exceptional for $424.. They call it an AR style scope, but it fits equally well on my Savage 110 6.5CM and the ballistics calculator works. This would be a step up from the others you listed for not much money. And the best customer service you'll ever encounter.
response-4-16x42-bdc-308-7-62-ar-rifle-scope
Mach3.270Win
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The CDS dials are nice until you change loads and have to spend another $60 on a different cap.
And besides, when does anyone actually have time to range the animal, switch hands to your rifle, dial your scope in, and then take the shot, all while the animal you're intending to shoot stands there and waits for all that?
Give me a 3-9 or 2-10 Leupy with good glass and without any special dials. Duplex reticle. Sight it in. Know what my bullet drop is and don't shoot out past the calibers capable killing range. Keep it 6x for most situations. Aim anywhere in the kill zone. Done.
Those scopes with extra dials definitely serve a purpose, but not for most typical range hunters, IMO.
And besides, when does anyone actually have time to range the animal, switch hands to your rifle, dial your scope in, and then take the shot, all while the animal you're intending to shoot stands there and waits for all that?
Give me a 3-9 or 2-10 Leupy with good glass and without any special dials. Duplex reticle. Sight it in. Know what my bullet drop is and don't shoot out past the calibers capable killing range. Keep it 6x for most situations. Aim anywhere in the kill zone. Done.
Those scopes with extra dials definitely serve a purpose, but not for most typical range hunters, IMO.
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gotboostvr
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I could really do without the CDS dial. I'm a big fan of one-load-per-rifle, but it's easy enough to figure up and tape a dope chart to the stock or inside the flip-up cap.
I'm a fan of holding for distance, hence the non-duplex reticle. I could have done without the CDS and been perfectly happy. If there was a cheaper option without it, I would have saved some cash but it had every other feature I wanted. It's easy enough to ignore.
I'm not a Leupold hater, but not a died in the wool golden ring guy either.
I had a VX-2 2-7 iirc 20 years ago. It was good, but low light performance wasn't great.
Tried several 4x & 6x fixed powers. Adjustments workd but the clarity in dimming light always left me wanting more.
Still own two 2.5x20's. One with the heavy and one regular reticles. I like them both and replaced the heavy with the regular on my 30-30. Frankly it is perfect for that role.
I think of Leupold as the Honda of the scope world. It does what it promises. Reliable and good enough. I don't think it's ever a bad choice, particularly for the beginner.
I had a VX-2 2-7 iirc 20 years ago. It was good, but low light performance wasn't great.
Tried several 4x & 6x fixed powers. Adjustments workd but the clarity in dimming light always left me wanting more.
Still own two 2.5x20's. One with the heavy and one regular reticles. I like them both and replaced the heavy with the regular on my 30-30. Frankly it is perfect for that role.
I think of Leupold as the Honda of the scope world. It does what it promises. Reliable and good enough. I don't think it's ever a bad choice, particularly for the beginner.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Dang, what next, you gonna talk about my momma?
Wait till you try a load with a mil/moa type reticle, zeroed closed to 225 yds (some loads will vary) and every 75 yards becomes = .5 mil drop and accounts for easy wind holds as well
no twisting required.
army_eod
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Like an Impact 29 MOA reticleWait till you try a load with a mil/moa type reticle, zeroed closed to 225 yds (some loads will vary) and every 75 yards becomes = .5 mil drop and accounts for easy wind holds as well
I just have regular duplex reticles on my hunting rifles but I range animals all the time with a separate rangefinder I carry. Obviously not if it's an animal moving through the woods, but often in longer range situations the animals have no idea I'm there so I have time to get a range and prepare for a good shot. I am out west where longer shots can be pretty common, though.
Mach3.270Win
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All depends on location/terrain and the type of hunting you are doing.
I would bet any money the majority of kills are: pull gun up, crosshairs behind shoulder, squeeze trigger. All in a matter of a few seconds.
I've used other rifles with the fancy scopes and fancy dials at the range a few times. They are awesome. But I can't remember the last time I killed a deer, coyote, hog, or ram where they would have been proven beneficial.
I would bet any money the majority of kills are: pull gun up, crosshairs behind shoulder, squeeze trigger. All in a matter of a few seconds.
I've used other rifles with the fancy scopes and fancy dials at the range a few times. They are awesome. But I can't remember the last time I killed a deer, coyote, hog, or ram where they would have been proven beneficial.
95% of my shooting is point and click, but the few times I've needed to range, adjust, and shoot I've REALLY needed it. Just like MOST of the time I don't need to be able to see right at dark....cept when I do.
Archers range animals before shooting all the time, its second nature to them. I shoot instinctive, so just point and click, but I'm limited to the ranges I've practiced at and am comfortable with.....and I have to practice a lot to stay comfortable. In truth it would be more productive, and probably less risky, for me to shoot a compound and use a range finder.
BigAlShooter
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From my experience I'd go with the Vortex. My brother has a similar Vortex and it is really good at low light, I'd say better than the Leupold, but I haven't compared those exact models. I do know it was about the same as my Zeiss Conquest. One thing I've learned in hunting, don't get a high power scope and don't get an adjustable objective. Just about every deer I've shot was at 3X and I had only a few seconds to get a shot off, no time for fooling around with adjustments. Every deer was one shot, one kill.
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gotboostvr
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@BigAlShooter
Side by side the Leupold I went with was noticeably better in the poorly light store.
The 1" tube Leupold vs the 30mm Vortex was equal brightness/clarity, with a edge to the Leupold due to better AR coating. Much less glare/flare. The Leupold was also much lighter.
I do like Vortex, I've owned more of their scopes than any other manufacturer. In this side by side though, I went with the gold ring.
Where I used to hunt, I wouldn't even bother with a magnified optic. But that was thick brush and tree cover in the hills of Southern Ohio. I'm currently residing in Arizona. You can see stuff (and it see you) a looooong ways off.
Plan is, leave it on low power. If a short shot is an option that's Plan A. Extra magnification and a lazer rangefinder is Plan B.
Side by side the Leupold I went with was noticeably better in the poorly light store.
The 1" tube Leupold vs the 30mm Vortex was equal brightness/clarity, with a edge to the Leupold due to better AR coating. Much less glare/flare. The Leupold was also much lighter.
I do like Vortex, I've owned more of their scopes than any other manufacturer. In this side by side though, I went with the gold ring.
Where I used to hunt, I wouldn't even bother with a magnified optic. But that was thick brush and tree cover in the hills of Southern Ohio. I'm currently residing in Arizona. You can see stuff (and it see you) a looooong ways off.
Plan is, leave it on low power. If a short shot is an option that's Plan A. Extra magnification and a lazer rangefinder is Plan B.
cdb1
Member
I have a Conquest, VX-2, VX-R and VX-3. I’ve owned two Vipers. The Vipers were noticeably worse in low light compared to the others.
My experience is pretty much the same.
First/second hand experience - a buddy of mine is die hard Vortex. I stick with Leupold (and a zeiss on one rifle). Both of us shoot the same Remington 300 Win Mag, same loads. Both scopes did great for the first year we had them, then one day he was all over the place shooting. We went through and zeroed him out at 50 yards, just like first sight in, then worked at 100 yards. Same issue, every third of fourth shot he was off paper. Long story short, he sent it back to Vortex, and the reticle was jumping over 1 MOA on recoil. I ended up selling him a Leupold I had in my safe
My brother and I have had scopes in many different configurations and about a dozen brands. The only ones we have had insoluble troubles with were cheap Tasco and Redfield. Hated the cheap parts on low end Nikon. These all occurred many years ago when we were younger and poorer. The take-away message here is it is hard to go wrong if you spend a bit of money. Scope technology has taken giant leaps forward and very good scopes can be had for $200. Go forth my friend and have fun.
Telum Pisces
Member
Parallax adjustment on a hunting scope is annoying to me! I would rather have it fixed at the average distance and not have to fool with it. I used to have a scope that would have it set at long range and when I would need to shoot at a shorter distance, I had to mess with the adjustment to get a clear view/shot! By the time I got it right, the shot was gone! Where I hunt, I usually need to be able to get the gun up, find the animal in the scope and pull the trigger quickly! Having to adjust something else just messes up getting the shot off in time.
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