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Scope suggestions for me |
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Gillettehunter
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/21/2012 Location: WY Status: Offline Points: 8 |
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Posted: January/24/2012 at 16:04 |
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First post for me. New to this Forum. Have done some reading over the last month as I have had time.
I have a 6.5X06 being built and need a scope for it. This will be a moderately long range hunting set up. I'd like to use it enough to be comfortable out to 800 yards. I'm in Wy and long range opportunities are not uncommon. Weight is an issue. I want to be able to pack this rifle and I'm not as young as I used to be.... I want the scope to weigh under 20 oz or so. Budget has a little give in it. I'd prefer to keep it under $1500, but for the right optics I can stretch it some. Looking at a variable scope. Sometimes we push some timber or it may go to Africa... So a bottom end of 3 to 5 X. For longer ranges I'd prefer to be up to at least 16X. 18 or 20 would be even better. I have a couple of Conquests and like them just fine. The 3 time magnification is the biggest problem. To get to the top end magnification that I want the bottom end is too high. I also have a Minox ZA 5 in the 5X20. Like the glass. The eye box is a little small. If you get in a hurry that can be a problem. The 3 stadia lines are not too bad but won't get you out to 800 yards. My top contender has been the Swarovski Z5 in the 3.5X18. I have some time to see if I can get one from the Samplelist.... I see that Leupold has made some news with their new VX6. In a 3X18 that could work. I've had Leupolds in the past. My biggest problem has been that the eye relief changes with the magnification. Missed the opportunity to shoot at a bull elk because of that. Won't happen again. Does anyone know if the VX6 scopes have a constant amount of eye relief?? Any other scopes that I should look at? I'm open to suggestions. Thanks for any help. |
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Chris Farris II
TEAM SWFA - Admin MODERATOR Joined: August/13/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3196 |
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If it was my my choices would be first Swarovski Z5 then Leupold VX6 or Minox ZA5. The only other things I would throw in there would be maybe the Bushnell 6500. You are looking at the right options here for sure. The Swaro is the best of the group and I would say the Minox is the best Bang for the buck.
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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Just to cut through the chase I cant help you with the idea that it should be light weight but I can help with ---- you want it to be tough as nails and kill every time at 800 yds.
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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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Edited by Urimaginaryfrnd - January/24/2012 at 16:47 |
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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
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Stevey Ducks
Optics Apprentice Joined: December/03/2011 Status: Offline Points: 266 |
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I have 2, 6.5-06's and both have Leupold 12X40 FXIII's. I plan to get a 3rd one soon. I guess I have so many 6.5-06's that spending about $2,000 or more for a scope would not be practical. I often take both of them out on varmint hunts.
I guess I would be handicapped with the 12X's at close ranges but I have shot varimints under 100 yds but not in timber as the varmints were sitting on rocks. The 12X40's cost about $500 ea and weigh about 1 lb and are about 1 ft long. Depending on your barrel contour low rings will work. One of my rifles, a rebarreled Ruger 77 MKII has a #4 Douglas contour barrel (1-8) with Ruger low rings. While not exactly a fly weight it can be lugged around. The other rifle a FN Mauser has a Pac Nor #3 (1-9) with a short shank. The 12X40 FXIII's fit real good on both rifles. I keep an old 6X Burris signature with low Ruger rings on it that can be easily swapped onto the M77 with no loss of zero with some advanced notice for closer range shots. 12X40 FXIII performance under low light conditions - 30 min after sun set at the rifle range - is very close to the Zeiss scopes that I have. The FX3 scopes would pobably be an improvement over the older FXIII's. The FN has Burris Signature rings and the lower back insert is a .020 plus insert. The M 77 has no problem getting onto 600 yds at 10-12 MOA elevation with 100 yd zero and probably would adjust up to 800 but I have not shot that far with the M77. I have never felt under powered with my 12X scopes. .22 bullet holes can be spotted at 200 yds and small varmints hit at 600 yds or so. I think the 6.5-06 is one of the very best all around rifles. I shoot 100 (3350 fps) & 123 gr AMaxes (3075 fps) in my rifles. Possibly the only draw back is the 6.5-06 does not have real long barrel life and really should have (I think) a 24 inch minimum length barrel.
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Gillettehunter
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/21/2012 Location: WY Status: Offline Points: 8 |
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Has Leupold said anything about release dates on the VX-6 in the 3X18? I appreciate the comments so far. Never seems to be any "perfect" scope. Have to find what works best for you most of the time. Anyone used the Huskemaw scopes? Thanks Bruce
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Ernie Bishop
Optics Professional Joined: January/26/2010 Location: Gillette, WY Status: Offline Points: 765 |
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Bruce,
Give me a call 257-7431 I live in Gillette also.
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Ernie
"If you think you are perfect, just try walking on water." |
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