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Im after a new scope to put on my .308, have been looking for a while but it seems like there is a lot of crap out there that I don't really need.
Got my eye on a Minox ZA5 HD MOA, and a Vortex Viper HS-T.
I do equal amounts of bush and tops hunting so would like something 2.5-4 x 12-16 or something like that.
Can anyone recommend a scope at around the $1000 mark that has a good warranty, good in low light and be suitable out to 300m.
Appreciated
Can't go past Vortex Viper PST
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The 2.5-10 PST would be my pick. I run a 4-16 on my SAUM but it's a bit big for the likes of 308. Especially if you're in the bush.
2.5-8 Leupold VX3i would fit the bill ??
Unless you want a dial up scope i would recommend the Vortex Diamondback HP BDC, you can work out your load and average the drop of your bullet to fit your needs with the BDC, otherwise the HS-T is a great scope, i have one in my 7mm Rem Mag and can't rate it more…
Good luck.
Mac
First decide if you want a 30mm tube or not, they are the fashionable choice at the moment but as with most things firearms its mostly hype. The only benefit of a 30 is that you'll have more travel if you are dialing for extreme ranges (well beyond sensible hunting distances, most 25.4 mm scopes will dial to at least 800m or so), the weight of the 25.4 will usually be less and tube diameter has nothing to do with light transmission despite half of what you'll read/be told on the internet.
The "made in Japan" scopes are still usually well ahead of the Chinese and Philippine ones. I've had a good run with Weaver Superslams (there is a 2-10x42) and Bushnell 6500's, and Leupolds are also hard to beat.
and a PS - I've just installed a Sightron S111 (30 mm tube) on a target rifle, and its great glass. The S11 Big sky models (25.4m tubes)are also made in Japan, and I can see one on a hunting rifle of mine very soon.
I'd be looking for a Zeiss hd5 get a good second hand one for ur budget
Bushnell Banner.
Wouldn't touch a Minox, their glass is OK but I don't think they are very reliable ( Don't even think DED's bring em in any more )
Plenty of good options around the 1k mark, go have a gander through a few & see what tickles ya
I hope you're joking?Quote:
Originally Posted by Frosty
Leupold bro, flag the Vortex. You'll get a sweet one with CDS for a grand. vx 2 4x12x40 cds is $850 and 4x12x50 cds $950. That at reloaders so shop around
You can get a VX3 4.5-14CDS for $950 if you know where the deals are...Quote:
Originally Posted by Gibo
http://i1374.photobucket.com/albums/...scpcmesik.jpeg
So share then :PQuote:
Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst
And they still have at least one at this price as of last week...
There should be a few vx3's under $1000 floating about in stores with the new vx3i out. I got quoted under 1000 on a new vx3i the other day. Vortex's are on trend at the mo but you can't beat leupold vx3 for warranty/quality for that price.
Mate just got a vx3i 3.5x10x40 for $850 new from shop. Not sure what the 4x14.5 is though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Frosty
Pretty good pricing aye, with a cds they are hard to beat. I also got a quote on a 30mm 4.4-14x40 cds which was just under $1200.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gibo
What's the difference between vx3 and vx3i?
new lens coatings and reticles
Fuck all in a real world comparison apparently. Bit like the vx-111 and the vx-3Quote:
Originally Posted by Timmay
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Ah yep. So what about these cds things... do they have zero stop or can you reset them to your zero? Are they designed for dialing
Google leupold cds. Its just an external turret designed for dailing, no zero stop.
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I don't know how much difference it makes up close but I shied away from a 4x min in favour of a 3x. Wanted a ziess hd5 or Bushnell 6500 but settled on importing a sightron stac 3-16..a lot cheaper than the above and hopefully will work well
Cheers for the info, looking at vx-3i or vx-3L. Feel free to share the shops you got the deals from tho. Found a great deal online but too impatient to wait for it to come from the states. Main rifle has no scope on it at the moment.
What did you end up going with? I'm also choosing a scope for a new 308 - have been looking at the Leupold VX2 4-12X40 AO LR. I did like the idea of CDS but does it then mean your locked in to using only one type of cartridge for the rifle to be accurate?
No CDS come in MOA, you can choose to send away for a custom turret by I choose to stick with MOA.Quote:
Originally Posted by TimK
+1 stick with moa on the CDS then u can use it on any rifle. Plenty of good scopes under $1k, especially if you are patient and buy 2nd hand. I would also try to stay with a 2, 2.5 or 3x bottom end rather than 4x given yoyu're 50% in the scrub, and I would not be worried about anything above 12x top end given your intended calibre. Apart from ones mentioned above there are plenty of 2 or 2.5 - 10x40 or 42's around like Vortex PST, Nikon Monarch, Weaver, Trijicon (hard to find but damn nice glass) or Zeiss HD5 (hard to find 2nd hand). Or in 3-12 a Burris Signature Select (older model but very good quality), Nikon Monarch, or you might find a Bushnell 2.5 -16x42 for around the $1k or less. Some of these are available with illum reticle or firedot (eg Trijicon, Weaver, Vortex PST) which are big help in bush or low light. Also dont rule out a 3-9x42 Leupold firedot. I have one on my 284 bushpig & confident out to 500 yrds. I picked up a Weaver 2.5-10x 50 with illum #4 reticle and dial up for $400 about 2 yrs ago. Glass pretty good but obviously not up with the top euro glass, but still very workable & illum dot makes up for a lot of sins at last light.
I've got a Vortex PST 2.5-10*44 that I'm about to list if you're keen. Moa reticle and dial up.
+1Quote:
Originally Posted by mikee
ahh ratshit I ended up buying a vortex 2.5x10, Was going to go for a Leupold but the warranty is better with Vortex
Cheers for the input.
I have had great success with Bushnell scopes, especially the Elite 4200 Series. I had a 2.5 -10x on a Blaser. 270. It was rugged as, went through a central North Island snowstorm without fogging and it was as bright as a Leopold VX3. I also had a Bushnell Elite 4200 4-16 on a Kimberly Pro Varmint. 204 and a lot of guys who looked through it were very impressed.
I think they are a great scope for the money. The ones ive owned track very nicely and are repeatable. The rain guard feature works really well and from what I understand also contribute to the scopes brightness.
I have a Bushnell Elite 3500 4-12 with the DOA 600 reticle on my 6.5 mm SAUM, and I am as impressed with this scope as the 4200 series.
+1 for Bushnell have 2 and cant fault them for the money
Leupold is renowned for their warranty , even second hand. Hard to beat...
Absolutely, probably the best in the business.Quote:
Originally Posted by Friwi
Bushnell All the way. Love that rainguard.
I have learnt along the years that the subject of brightness in optics has to be carefully interpreted.
Pretty much any optics at the bottom of the mid range price and up do perform well in broad day light .
It is when you look through them and compare them at the same time with better optics during the last 15 min of day light that you can truly appreciate their performances.one become a reference for the other. It is a bit like wine tasting, it is easier to compare two different wines at the same time, rather than trying to understand the complexity of one single wine on its own.
Although another element to consider is sharpness or definition, that has its importance as well.
By the way I owned two bushnells among all my leupolds :-)
I've just gone with the VX 3i 4.5-14x40mm CDS because of the new fancy Twilight Max Light Management System they have on their lenses. Worth noting that the actual magnification is 4.9-14.4