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best non-AO scope for long range hunting?

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mattri View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mattri Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: best non-AO scope for long range hunting?
    Posted: March/29/2012 at 20:11
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RotoReuter_DM Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/29/2012 at 20:29
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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mattri View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mattri Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/30/2012 at 06:27
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote billyburl2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/30/2012 at 06:50
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ernie Bishop Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/30/2012 at 08:46
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/30/2012 at 09:05
For that price and non AO I'd look hard at this scope -
Minox 3-15x42 ZA5 Riflescope Minox 3-15x42 ZA5 Riflescope
Stock # - 66020
  • Matte
  • Mino-Plex
  • 1"
$498.95 
Add Minox 3-15x42 ZA5 Riflescope to Cart
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Comes with several other reticles as well
 
Other notable options -
Sightron 3-12x42 SII Big Sky Riflescope Plex Sightron 3-12x42 SII Big Sky Riflescope
Stock # - SIIB31242
  • Matte
  • Plex
  • 1"
  • Mail-In $75 Rebate
$542.95 
 
 
 
Sightron 4.5-14x50 SII Riflescope Plex Sightron 4.5-14x50 SII Riflescope
Stock # - SII4514X50
  • Matte
  • Plex
  • 1"
$385.95 
Add Sightron 4.5-14x50 SII Riflescope to Cart
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Optional Accessories:
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/30/2012 at 09:05
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.
-Matt
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SD Dog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/30/2012 at 09:13
Originally posted by SVT_Tactical<div>Other notable options - </div>
<div>
<t>
</t><table width=100%>
<t><tr>
<td class=img><a href=http://swfa.com/Sightron-3-12x42-SII-Big-Sky-Riflescope-P9161.aspx target=_blank><img src=http://swfa.com/images/siib31242t.jpg border=0 alt=Sightron 3-12x42 SII Big Sky Riflescope title=Sightron 3-12x42 SII Big Sky Riflescope /></a></td>
<td =ret=><a href=http://swfa.com/images/sightron_plex_popup.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://swfa.com/images/sightron_plex.jpg border=0 alt=Plex title=Plex /></a></td>
<td =nfo=><a href=http://swfa.com/Sightron-3-12x42-SII-Big-Sky-Riflescope-P9161.aspx target=_blank><u><font color=#0000ff size=3>Sightron 3-12x42 SII Big Sky Riflescope</font></u></a><br>
<div>Stock # - SIIB31242</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Matte</li>
<li>Plex</li>
<li>1</li>
<li>Mail-In <a href=http://www.sightron.com/index.php?action=view_document&path=%A6%DD%D4%DA%9E%D7%E6%D5%C6%97%E6%D4%D9%CC%C6%DE%9E%E2%E0%CF%C9%DC%E1%DE%E5%C7%C5%CD%E5%9E%EB%CD%D4%DC%CE%D3%E6%CB%D4%97%B7%DE%E4%CD%81%B8%D0%D6%DC%97%AF%BA%B0%CE%E7%DA%D0%D5%DE%9D%E7%D0%D1&did=1201912997 target=_blank><u><font color=#0000ff size=3>$75</font></u></a> Rebate</li></ul></div></td>
<td =buy=>
<div =price=>$542.95  </div>
<div =addtocart=><a href=javascript:__doPostBack%28ctl00$wpm$CategoryGrid$ctl04$ProductList$ctl08$Add2Cart$AC,%29 target=_blank><img src=http://swfa.com/ui/img/btnAddToCart.gif border=0 alt=Add Sightron 3-12x42 SII Big Sky Riflescope to Cart title=Add Sightron 3-12x42 SII Big Sky Riflescope to Cart /></a> <br><a href=http://swfa.com/Sightron-3-12x42-SII-Big-Sky-Riflescope-P9161.aspx target=_blank><u><font color=#0000ff size=3>More Details »</font></u></a> </div></td></tr></t></table></div><br><div> [/QUOTE SVT_Tactical
Other notable options -
Sightron Plex Sightron 3-12x42 SII Big Sky Riflescope
Stock # - SIIB31242
  • Matte
  • Plex
  • 1
  • Mail-In $75 Rebate
$542.95 

 [/QUOTE wrote:



Hunting buddy has this exact scope.  We didn't shoot at ranges over 400yds, but it did just fine on paper/range. 


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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lumberjack149 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/30/2012 at 10:28
Originally posted by SVT_Tactical SVT_Tactical wrote:

For that price and non AO I'd look hard at this scope -
Minox 3-15x42 ZA5 Riflescope Minox 3-15x42 ZA5 Riflescope
Stock # - 66020
  • Matte
  • Mino-Plex
  • 1"
$498.95 
Add Minox 3-15x42 ZA5 Riflescope to Cart
More Details »

Optional Accessories:
 

There is one on samplelist for $359 if youre looking at that scope
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Shenko View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shenko Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/30/2012 at 11:03
There's the Leupold VX-2 4-12 and VX-3 4.5-14.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/30/2012 at 11:17
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mattri Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/31/2012 at 00:13
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote vgmhunor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/31/2012 at 08:00
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mattri Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/31/2012 at 09:14
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/31/2012 at 14:25
Originally posted by mattri mattri wrote:


 
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. 


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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/31/2012 at 14:54
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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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/31/2012 at 20:38
Leupold 6x42 FX-3 Competition Hunter Riflescope Target Dot Leupold 6x42 FX-3 Competition Hunter Riflescope
Stock # - LEU66825
$469.95 
 
Leupold 8x40 FX-II Riflescope Leupold 8x40 FX-II Riflescope
Stock # - LEU000840
$379.95 
Leupold 12x40 FX-3 Riflescope Long Range Duplex Leupold 12x40 FX-3 Riflescope
Stock # - LEU66835
$529.95

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/31/2012 at 21:52
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.
-Matt
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