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best non-AO scope for long range hunting? |
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mattri
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/17/2012 Location: IA Status: Offline Points: 13 |
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Posted: March/29/2012 at 20:11 |
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Looking for a scope that will be clear and bright with enough magnification to get out to 600-800 yards without an AO or sf. Prefer a basic plex reticle. Thoughts?
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RotoReuter_DM
Optics Apprentice Joined: December/09/2011 Location: WI Status: Offline Points: 296 |
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How much magnification would you like? 3-9 is plenty to hit larger game IMO. Especially if you are not wanting a parallax adjustment. More magnification worsens the effect.
Will you be turning dials to get your long range shots? |
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Old Mil ftw
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mattri
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/17/2012 Location: IA Status: Offline Points: 13 |
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Was hoping for at least 12x, but that set in stone. So far the only scope actually loked through is Rdfield's 4-12 and to e honest was pretty impressed. Which other scopes should look at the under $800 range?
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billyburl2
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: January/08/2009 Location: Cottonwood, AZ Status: Offline Points: 4015 |
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I have to agree with Roto. More zoom is going to make parallax worse. And to get out there reliably, you are going to need target turrets. IMHO, this scope is the best match.
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If it is tourist season, why can't we shoot them?
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Ernie Bishop
Optics Professional Joined: January/26/2010 Location: Gillette, WY Status: Offline Points: 765 |
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I would stay at or under 10x with a non-parallax scope. I have used a Leupold VX-3 3.5-10 successfully out to those distances. IT didn't have parallax adjustment on it.
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Ernie
"If you think you are perfect, just try walking on water." |
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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For that price and non AO I'd look hard at this scope -
Other notable options -
Also availible with Mil Dot http://swfa.com/Sightron-3-12x42-SII-Big-Sky-Riflescope-P9162.aspx and with a hunter hold over http://swfa.com/Sightron-3-12x42-SII-Big-Sky-Riflescope-P55301.aspx
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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I shoot to those ranges and further with my Swarovski 4-12X50 w/ BRH reticle. The parallax is set at 200m which minimizes parallax at longer ranges. With any scope, if your eye is perfectly centered in the exit pupil, there will be no parallax error.
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-Matt
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SD Dog
Optics Master Extraordinaire OT Scratching Post Joined: February/28/2008 Status: Offline Points: 4177 |
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Hunting buddy has this exact scope. We didn't shoot at ranges over 400yds, but it did just fine on paper/range. |
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lumberjack149
Optics Apprentice Joined: December/04/2009 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 110 |
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There is one on samplelist for $359 if youre looking at that scope
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Shenko
Optics Apprentice Joined: April/20/2008 Location: WA Status: Offline Points: 249 |
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There's the Leupold VX-2 4-12 and VX-3 4.5-14.
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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In this case less is more.
Higher magnification without some means of parallax compensation and image focus is going to make things worse, not better. The best I can think of is SS 3-9x42, although IOR 2.5-10x42 is not too shabby either. Since you want a basic plex reticle, I am guessing you are looking for something with tactile adjustable knobs. There are not a whole lot of these scopes equipped with a plex reticle (and for a good reason). Perhaps your best bet is to simply get Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 and then get a Kenton BDC knob for it. Another good option is Leupold VX-3 3.5-10x40 with CDS. Lastly, why do you insist on not getting something with AO or side-focus? ILya
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mattri
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/17/2012 Location: IA Status: Offline Points: 13 |
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Excellent replies thanks to all who have posted.
The reason that I prefer a non AO scope with a basic plex reticle is simplicity. If you eliminate as many variables as possible you limit the number of things that can go wrong at any point in time. It would seem that a scope with a set parallax, with decent, but not too much magnification would be ideal for hunting med to large game at extended ranges. With proper load development and range time a shooter would know exactly what the rifle/round will do without another ancilllary adjustment.
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vgmhunor
Optics GrassHopper Joined: August/05/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 33 |
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I am considering the Vortex Crossfire II 3-12x44 for my next project ($160). Never owned Vortex before, but the objective outside diameter fits nicely into the ring I have on my Zastava.
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mattri
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/17/2012 Location: IA Status: Offline Points: 13 |
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I haven't seen that particukar Vortex, but I have an 8-32 on my pd rifle and it is a very good scope for the money.
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Sparky
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: July/15/2007 Location: SD Status: Offline Points: 4569 |
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Most of my friends who hunt with an AO type scopes just set them for the approximate distance that they feel they will shoot at. If it is off it is not enough to make enough of a difference that it will cause them to miss. |
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JGRaider
Optics Master Joined: February/06/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1540 |
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I have a VX6 2-12x42 that is excellent. The MOA dial made hits on target out to 900 yards on my 7mag. As Bitterroot said, if you keep your eye centered there will be no parallax anyway. My buddy hit the same targets I did with his 7STW and a VX3 4.5-14x40 w/no parallax adjustment. Not a big deal IMO.
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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I just wanted to mention one thing about parallax error and magnification. I researched it a while back and found a formula to calculate it. That formula doesn't take into account magnification, implying that magnification does not increase parallax error. It only makes it more noticeable (magnification magnifies it too). It would stand to reason, though, that it is easier to get your eye to the edge of the exit pupil, when the exit pupil is small, which would mean it would get you to the maximum parallax error easier. It seems like depth of field would be the bigger problem with a high-mag scope, making the focus adjustment necessary for targets at different ranges.
Maybe ILya could chime in on this, and let me know if I am way off or not.
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-Matt
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