Alternative 1" scope for 30mm VX5-HD

I've just carried my Brno 7x64 on a bit of a hunt for Tahr. It's got a VX- 5HD 3-15x44 on it. Its a beaut scope, with a single lockable dial that gives enough clicks for any distance I'll ever shoot, and the illuminated reticle has me sold. The optics are as good or better than anything but the top euro stuff.

However as a person who carries their rifle a lot (saw Tahr on the trip but passed on shooting any for a variety of reasons) and doesn't shoot much I really value how my rifle feels in the hand and on the shoulder . . . . and I can't help feeling that the 30mm Leupold tube just isn't my "cup of tea" - it overpowers the rifle by the way it feels (to me) and looks.

So what are the alternatives in a 25mm tube scope that starts at 3 or 4x and can get up to 12 or 15x and is a step up in glass from the VX3 line - there is a Khales 4-12x52 Multizero on TM but I wonder if the the x52 might make it "big"(and I'd rather do a swap if possible). I'll only be dialing to 500M max.

Any thoughts

Swaro 3-10x42 with BRH reticule if its purely a hunting scope I reckon it would be the go, Don't bother wuth dialing just learn the reticule with your chosen load
My VX6HD is fantastic for long range but way too many twiddly bits for a general purpose hunting scope in my book.

Z5

Zeiss HD5 3-15x42, lockable turrets. Not sure how the glass compares to a VX3 though.

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Originally Posted by Rwt

Zeiss HD5 3-15x42, lockable turrets. Not sure how the glass compares to a VX3 though.

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But brighter than vx3, easier eyebox too

What about a Schmidt&Bender Summit? That’s a 1 inch tube.

https://www.tractoptics.com/products...ic-3-15x42-bdc

Check out Tahr's review, he rates it better than his Zeiss better optics great tracking and 2 sets of turrets.

I would look at the z3 bt
The z5 is really nice but its dam long

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Z3, light and still cheapish. That or the VX3 which are light and small as well. Z5 $ Z6 are superb but more $


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Swap you for a Zeiss HD5 5x25 mint condition

Attachment 84274

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Originally Posted by Rwt

Zeiss HD5 3-15x42, lockable turrets. Not sure how the glass compares to a VX3 though.

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Had the same thoughts as the op (30mm vx3 6.5-20 was just to much magnification when a long shot here is 300m) and went for the same suggestion here... Different turrets but happy wih the swap

For 500 - 600 yrds and a rifle you are going to carry a lot, up & down mountains - I'd being going for a light weight compact scope with good glass.
A few that spring to mind VX6 2-12 x42, or Z3 4-12x50 either BT or one with ballistic reticle, or Ziess Z3 or Lieca ER5 2-10x50.
Have a Ziess HD5 3-12x42 with Z800 reticle if that of interest for swap and some coin your way.

Leupold make a VX3i in 4.5-14x40
But do check they have parallax adjustment.
Online catalogues are ambiguous for diameter and photos.

If you really are certain you wont be dialing over 500M. I would look at something in the 2/3 to 10 range Leica sounds good in that size but to sit with your ideals you need to stay pretty short and well under 50 mm for the objective.

Thanks for the suggestions and offers guys, I need to do a bit of scheming . . . the VX-5hd is 20 oz and it would be good to shed a few but good glass isn't light glass (the Toric is 19 for example) so its not as straightforward as I was thinking it might be!

Tentman, have a look at precision optics.net. In Canada, currently have Swarovski, Z3 and Z5 on sale, Z3, in 3x12x50 is a hell of a good scope, less than a grand, you now happen to know a Canadian fellow, who can get one for you,

The Toric is 20.1 oz according to the website, which is more than the VX5 but it doesn't have CDS type dialing, so you would be going backwards.
I have a VX5 3-15 CDS that I really like, but have decided against putting one on my tahr rifle because of the weight. I was thinking VX3 or similar, so will be keen to see what you decide on.

I bought one of these, someone has to be first going on the .223. on special at CameralandNY for 4/5ths of feck all.

https://athlonoptics.com/product/rif...15x40-bdc-600/

Do you know what reticle you want?
All the scopes mentioned thus far have totally different options, if you are fussy about your reticle then that'll be a big factor.
I'd also try decide what features I wanted (lockable turrets etc) as that'll have a big impact.
Also whats more important, looks weight or scopes features/quality for it's given weight?

-The 4.5-14x40 VX3i is only 13oz and will be good for your 500m ish shooting, but to me gives up too much FOV on the low end for a hunting scope.
-The Z3 4-12x50 at 14.5oz looks to be a good middle of the road option, can get the BT model and 4w reticle which would be my choice, but doesn't have parallax adjustment (if that bothers you) and the 50mm objective will mean you need taller rings.
-Features per weight the VX6HD 2-12x42 is very hard to beat, locking turrets, illumination, 42mm so can mount it low. But the weight jumps up to 16.8oz.

For me, I'd take the weight hit and go for the VX6HD 2-12x42, has the reticles I want and good locking turrets, can mount it nice and low and the glass is good.
The biggest feature is the 2x magnification, which is fanatics for up hunting close, but may not be of interest to you if you are shooting mostly long distance.
The other great thing about the VX6HD and VX5HD is how forgiving the eye box.
I've got a VX5 3-15 like you and am more than happy to cary the extra weight given it exceeds all my other expectations.

But based on what you've said thus far a Z3 4-12x50 BT from Canada looks to be great value, if you can live with the higher mounts.

Vortex viper LH HD 3-15x42 good glass lightweight clicks a little mushy but otherwise great

see More on Razor HD LH 3-15×42 » OpticsThoughts

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Originally Posted by yerimaginaryM8

Vortex viper LH HD 3-15x42 good glass lightweight clicks a little mushy but otherwise great

see More on Razor HD LH 3-15×42 » OpticsThoughts

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Good suggestion, I'll have a proper look at those, and another forumite has offered me a look though a Z3

I've recently purchased a Swarovski 1.7-10x42 Z6. Practical magnification range, and great glass - also (theoretically) more durable than the Z3/Z5's. 16 ounces in weight.

If I were in your position, I'd also look at the Zeiss Victory 1.5-6x42 HT, and the Schmidt Bender 1.5-6x42 Zenith.

There's no need to go to 10+ magnification for general hunting if your scope has good quality glass. When I had my Z5 3-18x44, I found it overkill for most situations. I normally had it on 8x.

The VX3 Leupolds are nice, value for money scopes (and LIGHT!) - brilliant daytime scopes. But the vx5/vx6 scopes are waaay too chunky in my opinion - at least on a classic hunting rifle.

Thank @Frodo. My little Mausers both wear Kahles 2.3-7's, and I've never felt that magnification limited any of the shots I could take. However I now have the luxury of a dedicated rifle (CZ 7x64) for chasing Tahr, which is a real passion of mine. My binos are 8x, as these suit me best for finding game, and while a spotting scope might work for some people, for some reason I've never got on with them either optically, or carrying them uphill! The VZ 5-HD was superb on 15x for those occasions you want to take a closer look at something, so the aim is to duplicate it in a more compact package.

The suggestions have been great, there is so much "product" out there, I think its just a matter of stumbling round till it pops up. I'm into spec and performance so brand doesn't count much for me, if one of the less well known makers have the right thing I'll give them a go (e.g. my IOR 4x32 is a fantastic scope for its purpose).

For lightweight one inch tube:

No side focus 50mm objective then the 4-12x50 Z3.
No side focus and if a 40mm objective is ok then Vortex Razor HD LH 2-10x40. The G4 reticle is a very good hunter.
With side focus and a bit more Magnification Vortex Razor HD LH 3-15x42. ( my personal choice) or Z5 3.5-18. I have both Razor and Z5 and after a fair bit of time side by side in varying light there barely a hair between them glass wise, ( note, this is the Made in Japan LOW built Razor, not a lesser PST, Viper etc model)
The Razor is smaller, cheaper, has better adjustments and better reticle options (well I like them better).Plus the vortex defender flip ups are practically indestructible.