Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials. |
Best choice in $1,200 range. |
Post Reply | Page 123> |
Author | ||||||||||||
huff143
Optics Journeyman Joined: December/08/2008 Location: Kansas City Status: Offline Points: 304 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: April/15/2009 at 21:11 |
|||||||||||
This is going on a 6.5/.284 on a Rem 700 custom. Scopes in this price range are mostly uncharted territory for me.....so I needs me some help!
The rifle will be used on targets out to 1,000 yds and make an occasional trip to the varmint/deer honey hole.
I have no immediate plans for actual competition (the rifle is more ready than I am) so a scope in the super-upper mag ranges is not needed.
The best variable I can get for this amount of $$ in a 16X to 20X-ish scope with target turrets for doping w/e is what I want.
Thanks,
Huff
p.s. I should have my new SS stuck on my Tikka soon. As promised, I'll post pics when I get back from vacation in a few weeks. Edited by huff143 - April/15/2009 at 21:13 |
||||||||||||
Tip69
Optics Master Extraordinaire Tip Stick Joined: September/27/2005 Location: Nebraska Status: Offline Points: 4155 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
Wow - sounds like fun!
|
||||||||||||
take em!
|
||||||||||||
huff143
Optics Journeyman Joined: December/08/2008 Location: Kansas City Status: Offline Points: 304 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
Hey, RC. I KNOW you play with scopes in this range....and much higher. Any input? Anyone? |
||||||||||||
helo18
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: December/02/2006 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 5620 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
I use a Burris Black Diamond 4-16 with custom turrets for my long range shooting, but for 1200 you can do better that the BD I am sure.
|
||||||||||||
To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
GEORGE WASHINGTON |
||||||||||||
cyborg
Optics God Gaseous Clay Joined: August/24/2007 Location: North Georgia Status: Offline Points: 12288 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
For the glass, the features, and the reliability, the price point for said scope. I would recommend this one. There are naturally others as well. You could also look at Leupold VXIII 30 mm series scopes and the reticles and features that are available there. The glass in the Leupold won't be as nice as the IOR, but it will be a dependable and very serviceable scope.
|
||||||||||||
With Freedom comes great responsibility, you cannot have one without the other
An armed public are citizens. A disarmed public are subjects. OATH KEEPER #8233 Support us, and join our cause. Cyborg |
||||||||||||
Al Nyhus
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/08/2009 Status: Offline Points: 127 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
Here's three I can recommend:
-Sightron 6-24X50 LR
-Leupold 6.5-20X50 VX3 (30 mm tube)
-Nightforce 5.5-22X50 NSX
|
||||||||||||
Horsemany
Optics Journeyman Joined: February/28/2008 Location: Nebraska Status: Offline Points: 643 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
Nightforce BR 12-42x. I know where there's one for $1150. Leupold 8.5-25x50 would work well too.
I don't have any experience with the big SIII sighton but they sound promising.
You'll be wanting a 30mm scope for 1000 yd work because of increased elevation range. NF and Leupold have excellent adjustment ranges. Not sure on the Sightron.
|
||||||||||||
huff143
Optics Journeyman Joined: December/08/2008 Location: Kansas City Status: Offline Points: 304 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
Thanks to all for the input. I've never looked through a Nightforce but I've heard many good things about them. The IOR that Cyborg mentioned sounds pretty promising too.
|
||||||||||||
Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
I think you are on the right track
Edited by Urimaginaryfrnd - April/17/2009 at 01:00 |
||||||||||||
"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
||||||||||||
supertool73
Optics God Superstool Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 11814 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
Downside to the Trijicon 5-20 is it only has 50 MOA of total elevation. Don't know what they were thinking when they did that. They should have at least built in 70 MOA.
|
||||||||||||
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." |
||||||||||||
Al Nyhus
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/08/2009 Status: Offline Points: 127 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
If you're wanting more top end magnification that you initially suggested, my Nightforce suggestion will be a BR series rather than the NSX. The 8-32 is a great piece of gear. Sightron also offers their LR SIII in a 8-32 with a .250 dot and 1/4' w/e adjustments if that magnification range is where you end up.
Nightforce used to offer the 5.5-22X56 in a 'BR' series (which was what all Nightforce scopes were, pre-NSX series) and a good used one of those would be excellent as well.
|
||||||||||||
jonoMT
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: November/13/2008 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 4853 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
I wouldn't go with more than 5.5X on the lower end if you're going to shoot deer in leafy Missouri. The NF BR scopes have 1/8 MOA adjustments, which is good for LR target or varmint shooting. But that might be tedious for short range adjustments. I'd consider either the NXS 5.5-22X50 or the IOR 4-14x50.
|
||||||||||||
RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
My thoughts exactly... in this price range; except I might pick the 3.5-15X50 NXS instead. I have that very IOR w/ 2nd focal MP8, and I like it a lot. I also have 2 NF NXS's, though not the 5.5-22X50. Mine are the 3.5-15X50 and 8-32X56 NXS's, and they are great for my purposes (long range varmint and target work).
|
||||||||||||
Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
||||||||||||
koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13181 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
You are in a price range that offers quite a few good options, but there are a couple of things you need to settle on before you make your final decision:
1) what magnification do you need/want on the low end of the range? 2) how much adjustment range do you need? If 6x on the low end is acceptable, I would look at the new Sightron S3 6-24x50 as one of the better bang-for-the-buck scopes out there. If you are really keen on a large and easy to us knob, then IOR 4-14x50 with the new large knob is probably the best way to go. It does not have as much high end magnification, but optical quality is exceptionally nice and that new large knob is very good. In the same magnification range, you can also get Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14x50 If you want more magnification at the top end without sacrificing low end magnification, perhaps one of the Bushnell Elite 6500 scopes is the way to go. Both 2.5-16x50 and 4.5-30x50 will work fine, except the 4.5-30x has a bit less adjustment range (50MOA, I think). If you are comfortable with a bit less adjustment range, Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x50 is yet another good option. ILya |
||||||||||||
Duce
Optics Master Joined: September/19/2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1231 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
In that price area there are some nice Zeiss and Swaro scopes on the sample list.
Duce
|
||||||||||||
Duce
|
||||||||||||
Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
I agree with Koshkin (on al but the Sightron, and there, only because I have not used and therefore cannot endorse.)
I like Nightforce, a 3-15 would do quite well for what you want.
I also like the IOR - mostly for the large knob and glass quality - but have had a few issues. When spinning up to a 1,000 yard shot, the large-format knob is a great thing, very hard to get lost - and a zero stop on a Nightforce will cost much more.
Personally, I have more confidence in NF internals than I do in IOR - but IOR is servicable and their glass is very nice for the pricerange.
I have been impressed with my Trijicon and can say I would, were I in need of such a scope, look at the 5-20 Trijicon. But, again, it is unproven; you might get the greatest scope you've ever owned, and you might not.
At the end of the day:
If you get the Nightforce, I doubt you will regret it, ever.
If you get the IOR, the price will be better, the glass will be better, and you will probably never have a problem, but...
If you get the Trijicon, it might be great, it might not.
The safe bet is Nightforce, but I too would hesitate simply because SWFA doesn't sell them - and Chris has always been more than great about Customer Service.
At the top of my recommendation would be IOR or Trijicon (limited enthusiasm for Trijicon, at least till I play with one.) Conquest wouldn't be bad, but I like the IOR and NF more.
Another option (slightly more $$) would be a Swaro AH in 4-16 - no target knobs, ballistic reticle, all sweet and creamy goodness!
Edited by Rancid Coolaid - April/16/2009 at 17:02 |
||||||||||||
Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
||||||||||||
Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
And yes, it is that nice!
At $999, it's a steal on the sample list. One hesitation would be the no target knobs, but I I'd make do.
|
||||||||||||
Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
||||||||||||
huff143
Optics Journeyman Joined: December/08/2008 Location: Kansas City Status: Offline Points: 304 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
This is very helpful stuff. At this point, I'm kind of leaning toward IOR or Nightforce. IOR has the sentimental lead because SWFA sells them. But...I haven't heard much about their repeatability. This is a biggie. Can anyone speak for the tracking of IOR scopes?The Swaros have always captured my attention. However, I haven't found one with target knobs that are even close to my price range.
I've had plenty of Sightron and Leupold scopes and had great luck with both. But, since this is my first venture in the $1000+ market I'd like to try a brand I've never had; i.e. Swaro, Zeiss, IOR, NF, etc.
|
||||||||||||
huff143
Optics Journeyman Joined: December/08/2008 Location: Kansas City Status: Offline Points: 304 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
What are the knobs like on those? I've never seen one without the caps.
|
||||||||||||
koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13181 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|||||||||||
I am pretty confident in the tracking of IORs. They are very repeatable. A couple of IORs have not had a good track record on heavy kickers (with 35mm 3-18x42 getting some publicity for that), but 4-14x50 with 30mm tube is pretty bulletproof. As far as tracking goes, my IORs have been as good as anything else out there. Swaros are very nice scopes, but if you need to use the knobs a lot, you really need a target knob. ILya |
||||||||||||
Post Reply | Page 123> |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |