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Upgrade from Zeiss 3-9x40 to??? |
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03mossy
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/03/2010 Location: Minnesota Status: Offline Points: 180 |
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Posted: March/03/2014 at 13:14 |
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I have a 3-9x40 Conquest on my custom .45 smokeless muzzleloader build. I love the clarity and performance at dusk but I am thinking about moving that scope to a different rifle and upgrading to a scope with more magnification. I want to ring this rig out this summer to 500 yards. Lots of good choices out there in the $500 range. I do not want to go backwards in glass quality. Needs to handle recoil and still hunt thick woods with as well as bean fields. So for that I am thinking something in the 4-16 power range. A few I have looked at online are the weaver super slams, vortex hs, Bushnell elites, Leopold vx3 and vxr. Thanks guys! |
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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I would speculate all of those choices would handle the recoil.
Are you dialing your drops? If so, I have found Vortex scopes (Viper, Viper PST) to have excellent tracking. they also have pretty good glass, but not up to the Conquest level. I don't have much experience with the Weaver. The VX3 is a pretty good scope, optically, with some variable eye relief. I have only looked at the VXRs and haven't used them, but I wouldn't mind trying one. Optics wise, I think your Conquest is going to be ahead of the others, with the VX3 being pretty close.
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-Matt
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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Whats your price range? That will help us sugggest the best glass for the money and features you want.
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"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
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03mossy
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/03/2010 Location: Minnesota Status: Offline Points: 180 |
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I would like to keep it under $700 if possible. And yes I would like to have the option of dialing drops |
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anweis
Optics Master Joined: January/29/2006 Status: Offline Points: 1148 |
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I was about to comment that the scopes that you mention are not head and shoulders above the Conquest. In fact, they are probably optically inferior to the Conquest. As far as durability, they are all good. Bulls beat me to it. I think that you should look into Leupold VX 6 series. Shoot the rifle a lot, and carefully, and when you find your drop at 3-4-500 and the best load, send the scope in to the Leu custom shop for a custom reticle (my prefence) or for custom dial turrets. Or, get one of the Z3 Svarovski's or Zeiss Conquest HD 5 that already have the ballistic reticle and learn how to use it (shoot a lot at 3-4-500, take notes, etc.). Is this going to be a smokeless powder rifle? Either way, there is no substitute for shooting a ton of bullets and powder. For $700 you can probably get a VX3 and custom dials made for it. You will probably spend $300 for powder and bullets while learning the bullet drop.
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03mossy
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/03/2010 Location: Minnesota Status: Offline Points: 180 |
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Here is the rig I am asking help on. Its a .45 smokeless muzzleloader built off a Stevens 200 action with a McGowan barrel. I have it dialed at 200 yards with 3 shots touching and want to really see what it can do out further.
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Peddler
Optics God Joined: July/04/2012 Location: Oswego,NY Status: Offline Points: 13526 |
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Nice rig, don'tcha love all the guys that think you have to shoot a .50. I shoot a TC G2 in .45 and have harvested 15 Whitetails with it. Never lost one.
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When you are dead, you don't know you are dead.It is difficult only for others.
It is the same when you are stupid. |
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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Some options-
Some from the samplelist. -
(I like both these Burris six X scopes. One is illuminated but the other has the ballistic plex. Both aren't ideal for dialing in though)
(can dial in and great mag range but reticle ain't ideal for hunting)
I just don't think you'll find a scope for $700ish that you can dial in, have better glass than the conquest (noticeably) and be 14X on the top in. if you will rarely dial in I'd cross that requirement/want off and it may open more options up I missed. I just skimmed though.
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"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
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03mossy
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/03/2010 Location: Minnesota Status: Offline Points: 180 |
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I will look at all the suggestions so far but I just want to clear one point up. Im not looking for better glass than the Conquest I just do not want to go to far backwards. I love that conquest I just want more magnification is all. I really am leaning towards the Vortex HS but that reticle looks like it may be to thin for hunting the edge of woods near dusk. Any thoughts on the reticle thickness? |
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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You can find a PST in your price range and gain illumination for those low light situations. |
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-Matt
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stickbow46
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: January/07/2009 Location: Benton, Pa Status: Offline Points: 4678 |
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Look at the SWFA sample list.Sometimes the new Zeiss HD scopes pop up!There is a Conquest HD5 5-25x50 #- SPL 20050 for $899.95. |
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Pearls of Wisdom are Heard not Spoken
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biggreen747
Optics Journeyman Joined: October/16/2009 Location: Colorado Status: Offline Points: 470 |
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Ok. So why not a 4.5-14 Conquest. There are a handful of them on the sample list and within your budget. Then you are giving up nothing. I've had a couple 4-16 Nikon Monarch, IMO the glass isn't even close to the Conquest. I had a 4-20 Weaver Super Slam which was an outstanding scope. The only reason I got rid of it was I had the dot reticle which was too small for what I was doing. The standard Weaver duplex is really nice though. Similar to the Conquest duplex
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We measure it with a micrometer, mark it with a crayon, and cut it with a chainsaw.
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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my monarchs and conquest are on par with each other.
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"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
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anweis
Optics Master Joined: January/29/2006 Status: Offline Points: 1148 |
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Nice rig! If you want to get to 500 yards reliably, it would be advisable to try smokeless loads and tipped, boat tail bullets. I would get that thing to 2000 fps at least. That Stevens is a very strong Savage rifle.
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03mossy
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/03/2010 Location: Minnesota Status: Offline Points: 180 |
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Thanks! This is a smokeless rig. Last fall I worked up a load with Barnes TEZ's sabotless, great bullet but fairly poor bc. Now I am shooting loads just under 2800fps with 300 grain Parker Match Hunters (they have a BC of .420) sabotless. If I go with a lighter bullet I can reach over 3000fps. This aint my grandpas front stuffer LOL.
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03mossy
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/03/2010 Location: Minnesota Status: Offline Points: 180 |
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Spending some time at lunch wearing out SWFA's web sight and I'm thinking this might be the best deal out there right now??? http://swfa.com/Nikon-4-16x42-Monarch-3-Riflescope-P61589.aspx |
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mtank
Optics Apprentice Joined: February/05/2014 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 50 |
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Another vote for the conquest 4.5x15x50.
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03mossy
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/03/2010 Location: Minnesota Status: Offline Points: 180 |
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The ones on the sample list have the rapid z800 reticle. Which looks sweet and would be great for the long shots but how well would it show up in the dark woods? |
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03mossy
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/03/2010 Location: Minnesota Status: Offline Points: 180 |
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Thanks for all the suggestions. Its a good problem to have with so many good choices. I am going to take my time with this decision as my current scope really does get the job done. This up grade is more of a want than a need Lol.
Edited by 03mossy - March/06/2014 at 07:53 |
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mtank
Optics Apprentice Joined: February/05/2014 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 50 |
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______ has the zeiss 4.5x15x50 new for 699 no tax free shipping with options on your reticle.
Please remember the rules that you agreed to when joining Optic Talk. #3 Do not advertise other retailers selling the same or similar products as SWFA, this includes posting links to other retailers for products sold by SWFA. SWFA does not provide this forum as a vehicle to redirect customers to our competition.
Edited by Skylar McMahon - March/06/2014 at 08:39 |
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