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50mm high end VS. 56 mid level

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cutler686 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cutler686 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: 50mm high end VS. 56 mid level
    Posted: October/07/2012 at 11:54
Just set up my x-bolt with a Bushnell 2.5-16x50 Elite 6500 and love it.. Thanks to all who recommended the scope!!

Well now I have the itch to update the T3 lite my son uses.  I would like a high quality low light scope in the 10-12 power range in wither 50 or 56mm.  Its replacing an old Conquest in 3-9x40.  The conquest is ok, but I was always somewhat disappointed in the low light clarity when compared to the 4200 line.

My question is; Would I be better off buying a #4 Meopta 3-12x56 Meostar R1, Trijicon 2.5-10x56 Accu-Point,  OR spend a little more on a smaller Zeiss 2.5-10x50 Victory Diavari waiting for a deal on samplelist. (wanting to stay between 8-1200ish)

I am really wondering how a mid to upper level 56mm would stand up next to a higher end diavari in 50 for overall use and dusk/dawn performance.  I really like the idea of the accupoint but am a little worried about the longevity of the tritium.  I had a Ball watch the went back to the factory twice due to tritium tubes wearing out.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!
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cutler686 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cutler686 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/07/2012 at 13:51
also considering the 4A Swarovski 4-12x50 Z3, just don't want to get to caught up in brand name.  
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SVT_Tactical View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/08/2012 at 07:43
Lifespan on tritium is about 15years give or take.  Green i believe is the most durable (forgot where i read that)  Even at that, any of them will get you well past legal shooting hours.
"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bugsNbows Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/08/2012 at 07:47
Personally, I can't "feel the love" for a 56mm "hubble" on a T3 lite. I'd put a 3-9 X 40 Trijicon Accupoint with the green triangle. For low light usage, it would be great. 
If we're not suppose to eat animals...how come they're made of meat?
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ccoker View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ccoker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/08/2012 at 13:10
Are you losing the retical in very low light or want better clarity and resolution to be able to judge a deer at last light?

I hunt a very strict management property where you need to be able to 100% be able to judge a buck before pulling the trigger and the big ones we want otten don't move until after the sun goes down and so being able to distinguish between a 4.5 year old 9 point and 6.5 10 point at 300 yards at 28 minutes after sundown is crucial.

That comes with quality of glass.
I was out over the weekend hunting and watching a buck last night and had that very thing happen.

If the latter is you issue going from a Conquest to say an Accupoint 3-9x40 will get you where you want to be..
If losing the reticle is the issue then yes, it will help.
My son runs the Accupoint 3-90x40 mil dot / green dot and loves it.

I ran a Zeiss Victory FL 4-16x50 on my Nosler 280 AI last season and loved it.
However, at the last few minutes watching a deer at 3-400 yards I would have to back the magnification off to 10-12 to keep the image bright..

I ran two scopes over the weekend.
Both 42mm objectives:
S&B 1.5-6x42 Zenith Flashdot
Swarovksi Z3 3-10x42 BRH

Tell us a little more about your hunting environment and requirements



Edited by ccoker - October/08/2012 at 13:19
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cutler686 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cutler686 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/08/2012 at 17:50
I appreciate the responses.

I spend most of my time hunting from one of three large tree stands overlooking anywhere from 100-400 yards of open corn field.  The two stands I spend most of my time in are located opposite of each other on a 120 acre piece of property.  My problem is the field runs along a fairly steep grade (for a corn plot anyway) surrounded by tall oak and ceder trees. It seams as though I am out of light about 10 minuets before others in newer growth wooded areas around me.

The last few years I have compared my Conquest in 3-9x40 to my brother-in-laws 4200 and cant tell the difference between the two no matter where the sun is.  To add insult last year I compared the Conquest to my dads old Monarch that he paid $75 for at a garage sale.  To tell you the truth the difference was so minimal I vowed to get something in the 50mm 12-16 power for this year.  I bought a Bushnell 2.5-16x50 Elite 6500 recently but now that I am in the scope researching mode, I thought I would replace the glass on me backup rifle as well. 

I would like to get a notch or two above the 6500 but keep it in the 10-12 power range.  My budget is about 1k.  The 4A Swarovski 4-12x50 Z3 looks good but I am not sure if I like the 4A.  I am worried that its not thick enough (like the #4 Meopta 3-12x56 Meostar R1).

The AccuPoint seems tempting but a little gimmicky.  I mean is the glass better than the conquest, or am i paying $400+ more for a little dot of light?
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smesk403 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote smesk403 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/09/2012 at 00:02
the 56mm accupoint is one bad A.. low light scope. the trijicons in general are very very good in low light
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ccoker View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ccoker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/09/2012 at 07:03
I am sure the 4A would be fine
I didn't lose the reticle with the BRH
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cbm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/10/2012 at 06:12
Hunting fields, in my opinion, you will not get any major difference.....when I say that I mean.......significant. I have been suprised at how well my little 44mm Conquests and 40mm 4200's have stacked up against my old Swaro and Kahles 56mm for legal field hunting. I have even compared my 4200 40mm to my buddies 56mm Diavari and didn't notice a huge difference while hunting a food plot.
 
I have seen guys here tell me the difference hunting timber is noticable. I had never really thought that but this week I hunted a stand that is deep in the timber. I would say in those conditions that an alpha class scope is definately better suited. In a wide open field at dark, the mid range scopes perform well but I will back up on many of my previous posts.............in dark timber an alpha class scope could make a huge difference!
 
This is all based on the fact I have alpha bino's and what I can see with them versus what I could shoot with whatever scope is on my rifle. My Kahles 56mm would hang with my bino's in all conditions (my diavari 42mm could as well)but my 4200 will not in the dark timber. I would have said the 4200 would hang until my hunt this week and I guess I was finally in the right conditions for it to die at dark on me, when I could still see good with my Leica bino's!
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