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In Search Of My Ultimate Big Game Hunting Scope |
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Roy Finn
MODERATOR Steiner Junkie Joined: April/05/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4856 |
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The 4200's have the raised bar, meaning no coin slot on the 2.5-10's.
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jetwrnch
Optics Apprentice Joined: July/03/2006 Location: Knoxville, TN Status: Offline Points: 294 |
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The only 4200s you can change a reticle in are the ones with an AO. The Big Skys have a hydrophobic coating like Rainguard. There are other advantages of the Big Sky but that's the one I remember.
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supertool73
Optics God Superstool Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 11814 |
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How about Sightron Scopes. Slightly better glass than a 4200, great CS and tuff. They also have resettable to zero low turrets with caps, a mildot reticle for holdovers and good eye relief http://www.swfa.com/pc-10613-1511-new-sightron-3-12x42-sii-big-sky-riflescope.aspx
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Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.
"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own." |
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NV Hunter
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/21/2009 Status: Offline Points: 66 |
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I'm looking forward to seening the new Leica riflescopes. extra long eye relier , easy mounting, 30mm tube, side paralax adjustment, billistic plex style retice and Leica precision... Can't wait to look at one... NV Hunter
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timber
Optics Journeyman Joined: June/03/2007 Status: Offline Points: 354 |
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Leica! Me too! Idaho Scot. Another idea. Leupold 2.5-8x36 Mark 4 MR/T. SWFA has them for $929.00. |
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huff143
Optics Journeyman Joined: December/08/2008 Location: Kansas City Status: Offline Points: 304 |
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3. Sightron. What are the major differences between the SII and SII BigSky? Do they both have the exactrack system? Is it true they have target type turrets? __________________________________________________________________________ I have both. The Big Sky does have better glass, but SII is still good. Yes, they both have exactrac and it has proven very repeatable. Yes, styles of each are offered with target turrets.
Good luck with your choice and let us know what you end up with.
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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To answer your Nightforce questions: 1. Yes, the tradeoff with this scope is that you will lose some low light time vs. a larger objective, but how much depends on the scope you compare it to and the magnification setting you're using. If you keep the scope set on 5X and lower, you will not notice a drop off in low light visibility with this scope vs. another scope with 42 or 50mm objective of equivalent optical quality. Larger objectives transmit more light, but don't provide any noticeable advantage in low light vs. smaller objectives of equivalent quality until you turn up the magnification, where the larger objective still provides a reasonably large exit pupil. IMO, Nightforce falls in the Conquest / Elite 4200 optical performance class. If your hunting requires more than 5X or you prefer to use more magnification than that, a larger objective will add a few minutes worth of effective hunting time in the mornings and evenings. The choice involves deciding whether ultimate low light performance or compactness is more important to you. 2. The reticle lines of the NP-R2 are VERY thin, as are most of NF's reticles. This is great for precision shooting, but you may lose the reticle in low light, which is compensated for by illumination. 3. All NF scopes have illuminated reticles. The advantage of the 2.5-10X32 NXS is that you have an externally adjustable illumination rheostat, so you have a broad intensity range to accomodate all light conditions by rotating the knob, unlike higher powered NXS models with side parallax focus. To adjust illumination intensity on the side focus models, you have to unscrew the battery cap and adjust the rheostat with a small screwdriver, so for all practical purposes, you only have one intensity setting available with the higher powered NXS models. Edited by RifleDude - February/22/2009 at 16:02 |
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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ar15a292f
Optics Apprentice Joined: May/26/2004 Status: Offline Points: 77 |
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I would look at the Burris Signature Select 3X-10X-40mm or the 3X-12X-44mm with the Ballistic Plex Reticle. These two scopes should meet the requirements that you have listed. |
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Idaho Scot
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/16/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 125 |
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To answer your Nightforce questions: 1. Yes, the tradeoff with this scope is that you will lose some low light time vs. a larger objective, but how much depends on the scope you compare it to and the magnification setting you're using. If you keep the scope set on 5X and lower, you will not notice a drop off in low light visibility with this scope vs. another scope with 42 or 50mm objective of equivalent optical quality. Larger objectives transmit more light, but don't provide any noticeable advantage in low light vs. smaller objectives of equivalent quality until you turn up the magnification, where the larger objective still provides a reasonably large exit pupil. IMO, Nightforce falls in the Conquest / Elite 4200 optical performance class. If your hunting requires more than 5X or you prefer to use more magnification than that, a larger objective will add a few minutes worth of effective hunting time in the mornings and evenings. The choice involves deciding whether ultimate low light performance or compactness is more important to you. 2. The reticle lines of the NP-R2 are VERY thin, as are most of NF's reticles. This is great for precision shooting, but you may lose the reticle in low light, which is compensated for by illumination. 3. All NF scopes have illuminated reticles. The advantage of the 2.5-10X32 NXS is that you have an externally adjustable illumination rheostat, so you have a broad intensity range to accomodate all light conditions by rotating the knob, unlike higher powered NXS models with side parallax focus. To adjust illumination intensity on the side focus models, you have to unscrew the battery cap and adjust the rheostat with a small screwdriver, so for all practical purposes, you only have one intensity setting available with the higher powered NXS models. [/QUOTE] Very helpful info. Thank you.
As far as the zero stop turrets. If I am reading correctly if I get these I loose the option to have turret covers. For the Tough kind of conditions I will be in I would think covers would be important but I don't know the durability of the zero stop. Is it waterproof? What are your thoughts in this regard?
Thanks,
Scot E.
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brodeur272
Optics Journeyman Joined: September/23/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 609 |
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Kahles CL Multizero with a 4a reticle. My 0.02. The 3-9x42 or the 4-12x52 would be my first choices if you can find them.
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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Nightforce scopes are built like tanks, very durable, very precise adjustments. I highly recommend Nightforce NXS series scopes.
The zero stop is money well spent if you plan to dope long shots (make elevation and windage changes at the turret) as it will not allow you to spin too far - prevents getting lost on the dial. Conquest is a good scope and you would like it. The Trijicon is aplesant suprise, I like the 3-9x40 more than I thought I would, good glass for the money. The Swaro is a great scope and near perfect for what you've outlined, the ballistic reticle is fantastic, the glass is great, and all other needed elements are there - I'd do the Swaro. |
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John Barsness
Optics Optimist Joined: January/27/2009 Status: Offline Points: 785 |
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Rancid,
Just curious if you have tried a Z6 on a rifle of considerable recoil, say a .300 magnum or bigger?
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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I recently helped a friend set up a GAP non-typical hunter with a Z-6. It is a 300WM and it is a boomer. Thus far, the scope has been great.
Have you had issues? Swaro said the Z6 series is fine on heavy-recoil guns but did recommend at least 30mm tubes for heavy recoil guns. Zeiss said the same thing, Trijicon did not. I just put a Zeiss Victory on my 300WM non-typical hunter and like it allot. If these scopes fail, they usually fail early, and no problems yet. Is there something I ahve not yet considered? |
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Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
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John Barsness
Optics Optimist Joined: January/27/2009 Status: Offline Points: 785 |
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No, I was just curious, as I am in the fairly early stages of testing a Z6 myself.
I can see why Swarovski would suggest 30mm scopes on heavier kickers, as they use different erector springs in their 30mm scopes than in their 1" scopes. I am trying to run down two different stories that are apparently coming from Zeiss about which scopes are best for heavy recoil. I suspect Trijicon uses the same erector system in both the 30mm and 1" scopes.
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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Thus far, I am impressed with the Z6. I've compared it side-by-side with a Victory and a Swaro AH as well as Premier and USO. The glass is great, the tracking ain't as important but seems to be spot-on.
I like the Z6; however, when recently faced with a new scope purchase for a hard-use hunter, I went with Zeiss Victory, I just liked the scope a little more, can't say why. |
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Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
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Idaho Scot
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/16/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 125 |
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What model Swaro do you suggest? I do like the reticle design. The scope will be going on a 300wm but I am in the process of a .338 build so I guess if Swaro has durability issues among models I need to know that too? Thanks, Scot E. |
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jonoMT
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: November/13/2008 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 4853 |
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Scot, for me it came down to the Sightron SIII 3.5.-10x44 MD and the Nightforce Compact NXS 2.5-10x32. Ultimately, I went with the Nightforce. Having just got it and mounted it I haven't shot with it yet, but my objectives were much the same as yours. What I can say is that it looks and feels like a great scope. It's a little heavy (19 oz) but is fairly compact. The scope also comes with (unadvertised) polarized flip-ups standard. As Rifledude mentioned, the reticles are thin but the illumination takes care of that for me. While waiting for the mount, I took this scope out a couple times around dusk and glassed deer and other objects. Yes, the 32mm objective limits exit pupil but I don't plan on taking a shot over 300 yards as it's getting dark (and probably not over 200). In that case, I don't mind dialing down to 5-7X and employing some illumination. I did not get the zero stops, given the extra cost. It's not like I'm going to be engaging multiple targets in a combat environment...just looking to get out beyond MPBR when the occasion warrants it.
I plan to take this scope out Thursday to sight it in. I don't think I'll really get to put it or the rifle through their paces but will at least post a mini range report. |
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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Scott, My Swaro recommendation would be this: http://www.swfa.com/pc-12648-978-new-swarovski-17-10x42-z6-30mm-riflescope.aspx It has great range, 42mm objective, no adjustment for parallax, and hunting turrets. It also has their ballistic reticle - which I like allot - and is small and has good eye relief. The Nightforce you are considering is about 3 oz. heavier, has about the same eye relief, has target turrets, a 32mm objective, and illumination - for about the same price. http://www.nightforceoptics.com/SCOPES_OVERVIEW/COMPACT_NXS_MODELS_/compact2_5-10x32nxs_/compact2_5-10x32nxs_.html For a hard-use hunting rifle, either would be good. The Nightforce will hang more in a scabbard and has a parallax knob on the left side. For purity of what you want, I'd get the Z6. It is a beautigul scope and you will love the glass. |
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Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
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jonoMT
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: November/13/2008 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 4853 |
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Not in the Compact NXS line. |
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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And: I should have been more specific, you are correct. Nightforce, even the compact, have a turret on the left side, making them less scabbard-friendly. |
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Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
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