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Tactical Scopes 101? |
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Slugger3
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/15/2012 Status: Offline Points: 29 |
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Posted: February/15/2012 at 18:18 |
Life long hunter, but newbie to owning a tactical scope.
Started doing some 800 yard shooting with my .300 Mag which has a Leupold VX3 4.5-14X CDS scope on it. When dialing the scope back to "0" after shooting, the scope never actually goes back to "0". So now I'm in the market for a tactical scope. If I'm going to spend $2000 on a scope I want the opinions of people who own them and use them on a regular basis. Which of the following scopes has the best glass, durability and will reset to "0" when I turn the dials back to "0". What do I need to look for in a great tactical scope? These are the scopes I'm interested in after doing some research. Night Force 5.5-22 SWFA SS 5-20 Zeiss Z5 5-25 with turret Thanks for your time! |
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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Do you mean Swarovski z5?
I don't know about the Z5 (I have a z3). I have spent a lot of time with the nightforce you mention and it tracks dead nuts. People that are in the know have tested the tracking of the SS and say it is good to go. I have been debating a similar scope for my 300 RUM and have finally decided to save for the SS.
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-Matt
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Sparky
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: July/15/2007 Location: SD Status: Offline Points: 4569 |
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Maybe a mounting issue which is causing it not to return to zero. You might also talk with Leupold about it. I think the Swaro Z5 will have a little better glass than the other two. I own several NF scopes and I am very happy with them. I never have a concern about returning to zero with them. I am how ever looking at a SS or possibly an USOptics as well as another NF for a new rifle. |
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ETZOK
Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/13/2008 Location: DS Louisiana Status: Offline Points: 8 |
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I agree with Matt, NF tracking is sold without a doubt. I shoot with some guys running some Z5' s as you mentioned and seem to love them, glass better quality that the Z3's from what I can tell. There are a lot of guys on here that really like the SS for sure. What exactly do you mean by Tactical Scope?
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ahiaring
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/21/2011 Location: Boise Idaho Status: Offline Points: 157 |
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If you want the tactical scope with the best glass, repeatability, and function....You should probably be looking at Schmidt Bender Police Marksman....NF, SS, Swaro are all great scopes and all are a step below a S&B.
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Slugger3
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/15/2012 Status: Offline Points: 29 |
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Yes, I meant the Swaro, sorry. By saying Tactical, I'm looking at a durable scope with alot of adjustment for elevation, it has to re-zero when I turn the turrets back to "0" and it has to have adjusting turrets for shooting out to 1000 yards. The gun is actually a hunting rifle, and I had no idea that it would be as accurate as it is out to 800 yards. I was amazed. I'd just assume spend the money for a great scope, right off the bat. I'm not saying a guy has to spend $2000 to get a good scope, but it seems that alot of the posts you guys have put up, mention the types of scopes I have listed here. And what I've read about them in various articles leads me to believe that one of these scopes is the one I probably want/need. I'm asking you guys, because I'm looking for real world usage. I want to buy the right scope, the first time. It's cheaper that way. Thanks
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stickbow46
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: January/07/2009 Location: Benton, Pa Status: Offline Points: 4678 |
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$2k is alot of money for a scope.I don't think you can go wrong with any scope in that price range!I have a Premier LT [light tactical] that is serving me very well.You might also want to take a look at the Zeiss FL line of scopes,their glass is about as good as it gets.
Good luck with your search for the perfect scope,I'm sure you will have a fun trip finding it as we all do.
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Pearls of Wisdom are Heard not Spoken
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Sapper524
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/25/2010 Status: Offline Points: 218 |
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Im a fan of US Optics, but if your looking for a SFP scope disregard. If you want zero stops, cross the SS off your list. Nightforce makes a great scope, the whole eyepiece turning with the mag ring annoys me and for $2000 plus ... Im picky about details. Can't speak to Zeiss ... haven't ever used one. One scope I didn't see on your list is Sightron. They have Mil and Moa models and for the money not a bad scope. I did a review of one I recently used on a 338 Edge. Check the link. My general ramblings on optics in general ... For my thoughts on US Optics, not specifically a long range model, but I own a SN3 in 3.8-22x44 that performs just as well. Have shot to 1320 with it no problem. I would say go USO or Nightforce if your willing to drop $2500. If you wanna stay below $2000 go with the SS. If you wanna stay below $1000 go Sightron.
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Slugger3
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/15/2012 Status: Offline Points: 29 |
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I hadn't heard about SWFA until I started looikng for a tactical scope. (Living under a rock, I know) Does SWFA makes their own glass/scopes? Or does another manufacturer make them, and SWFA puts their name on the scope? Just curious.
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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As will most all optics companies the glass is contracted out. The best glass normally is from japan or germany. SWFA has a specific criteria that the manufacture has to build their designs too, very strict tolorances and only the highest quality is acceptable to Chris. Under 2K and even some above that, the SS will have the best glass, and adjustments are true, IMO, you'd have to spend considerable more to justify the extra $ over the SS to get something like a Henny or S&B.
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Dale Clifford
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: July/04/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5087 |
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tactical scopes in use currently:
USO
2-IOR
Zeiss
S&B
3-NF
Razor
most of which were obtained prior to the release of the SWFA's 5x20-- if done again today 1/2 of them would be the SWFA 5x20 if nothing less than to standarize at an affordable level. SWFA avoids the middle man and in essence your getting an equivalent $2000 scope for their curret asking. Its comparitive value is higher than that. You won't have to "upgrade" later.
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I love little league baseball-- it keeps the kids out of the house
Yogi Bera |
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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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DALE CLIFFORD!! I'm going wash your key board off with soap for typing that!!
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If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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Dale Clifford
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: July/04/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5087 |
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your to late-- I've already been taken to the cleaners by too many other scope makers.
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I love little league baseball-- it keeps the kids out of the house
Yogi Bera |
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jonoMT
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: November/13/2008 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 4853 |
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I found that I really don't like scopes with a low end over 3X. I also don't need to go over 15X. The best scope all around that I've found for my shooting (a .308 Win used for target shooting out to 1000 yards and game out to 400), the Premier 3-15 LT has been just great. The glass is second to none and it tracks/operates just as well as any scope I've used. I had a NF 2.5-10X32, which was a great, compact scope, but the glass quality was nothing like the Premier, even in broad daylight @ 10X. When I sold off two rifles to build a single custom rig, I kept the Premier.
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Reaction time is a factor...
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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I have two of the Super Sniper 5-20x50 scopes they are great glass reliable scopes. NF glass not as good but very good mechanicals. U.S Optics is also good to go. Top of the line is Heinsoldt and Premier.
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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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Slugger3
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/15/2012 Status: Offline Points: 29 |
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Sapper524
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/25/2010 Status: Offline Points: 218 |
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A quality illuminated reticle can make all the difference in a lowlight shot. When your in serious fading light, a setting that isn't even visible during the day is just the ticket. The reticle will almost look like your battery is almost dead when you have it on the right setting. A lot of the cheap scopes that have illum don't have a setting thats low enough for real low light shooting.
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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If getting the 5-20, get illuminated. The reticle can be quite small at the bottom end (where you would be taking low light shots) and without illumination, you will lose the it in background,
Voice of experience.
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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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Sapper524
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/25/2010 Status: Offline Points: 218 |
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very good point!
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