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Varmint scope under $2000

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AdamD5329 View Drop Down
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    Posted: June/04/2010 at 08:20
Hi All,
 
This is my first post, and am very new to optics talk.
I am from Australia and currently setting up a varmint rifle.
 
its a 22-250 and will be using it anywhere out to about 500 meters.
My budget is up to around $2100 US or $2500 aus.
 
I have been told to look at:
 
swarovski z5 5-25x50
Leupold Mark4 8.5-25X50
 
I like the zeiss conquest but have been told to stay away from them.
Also looking through this forum i really like the nightforce NXS because alot of you guys have great things to say about them.
 
I want a good all round scope (Glass, Reliability, Repeatability ect) purely for hunting.
Any help would be great.
Sorry its a bit long winded.
Cheers, 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/04/2010 at 08:28
Don't know who told you to stay away from Zeiss but Id look at them.  The high power conquest with the varmint reticle is ideal for a 22-250 IMO.
Zeiss 6.5-20x50 Conquest Rifle Scope Rapid Z Varmint Zeiss 6.5-20x50 Conquest Rifle Scope
Stock # - 5214509975
  • Matte
  • Rapid Z Varmint
  • 1"
  • Side Focus
  • Target Knobs
  • Etched Glass
  • 2nd Plane
  • $150 Carl Zeiss Prepaid Visa Card
$1,074.95 
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Steelbenz View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Steelbenz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/04/2010 at 08:36
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/04/2010 at 09:07
For $2K, get Nightforce.  Any service needed on a scope in Australia is going to be a huge pain.

I've been around MANY scopes and, in my experience, nothing beats Nightforce for dependability.

The glass is good, the turrets are fantastic, and the things are almost bullet-proof. (Almost.)

I like the Sightron, I doubt you'd have problems with the Conquest, but my money would go to Nightforce on this one.  And the reticle selection is better than anything else on the market.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Steelbenz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/04/2010 at 12:41
RC is right, I'm just cheap! 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/04/2010 at 14:47
I am not a major Nightforce fan, but they make very reliable scopes with a selection of ultra-thin reticles well suited for varmint and target shooting.

For my money, I would likely go with a Sightron S3 8-32x56 though, but that is just me.

In terms of optical quality, however, Swarovski will be better than both Nightforce and Sightron (which are pretty similar in terms of glass).  Z5 does not have a whole lot of adjustment range, but with 22-250 within 500 meters, I doubt that is going to be an issue. 

Ultimately, in your price range, you have a large variety of scopes to choose from.  For $2000, I would likely be looking at Zeiss Diavari 6-24x56.  Competing designs from Swarovski and S&B are also very good, but they use slightly smaller objective lenses.  If you are looking to use high magnification a lot, larger objective lens helps.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AdamD5329 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/04/2010 at 20:30

Thanks alot guys, this has been really helpfull.

Does SWFA post to Australia?
 
Thanks,
AD 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jay 22/250 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/20/2010 at 07:36
the conquest 6.5x20x50 is a very good scope i have one on a 222 and use to have it on a 22/250. for very long range shooting your more then likely need a rail. as it doest have that much moa adjustment compared to other scopes.
 
the optics are very good tho and being a 25 mm scope tube is light compared to some scopes. i havent used a nightforce but a firend of mine has one. and said for longrange shooting its superb.
 
lots of moa adjustment and superb tracking. he also has a swaro 6x24x50 high gride with ir dot on td4s rectical.  he said this has better glass then the nightforce under the lamp when shooting.
 
but the nightforce has better suited recticals and better adjustment on the turrets. as the swaro doesnt have this. also the dot on the swaro covers long range varmints where the nightforce doesnt.
 
ior have great optics they could be worth a look. not the best looking scopes but glass it right up there.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote prkrgrp Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/25/2011 at 19:26
nikon varmint coyote special
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gregg Jacob Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/27/2011 at 08:30
I have the NF NXS 8-32X56 with the NP-2DD and for me I'm not wanting or deaming for another scope.  This just feels so right for the price.  I've looked thru and played with SB's, March, USO, and others but this just makes me feel secure in every shot. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote stickbow46 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/27/2011 at 09:13
Welcome to the OT Adam!
 
Zeiss Victory FL Diavari 4-16x50,no problem out to 500 meters.Fl glass is super even out to 1k yds.The Florite glass works wonders on small things out at long distances.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote FreeJersey Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/27/2011 at 13:11
Since you are in Australia, how about March?
This one is in your price range.
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/27/2011 at 16:08
Originally posted by koshkin koshkin wrote:

I am not a major Nightforce fan, but they make very reliable scopes with a selection of ultra-thin reticles well suited for varmint and target shooting.

For my money, I would likely go with a Sightron S3 8-32x56 though, but that is just me.

In terms of optical quality, however, Swarovski will be better than both Nightforce and Sightron (which are pretty similar in terms of glass).  Z5 does not have a whole lot of adjustment range, but with 22-250 within 500 meters, I doubt that is going to be an issue. 

Ultimately, in your price range, you have a large variety of scopes to choose from.  For $2000, I would likely be looking at Zeiss Diavari 6-24x56.  Competing designs from Swarovski and S&B are also very good, but they use slightly smaller objective lenses.  If you are looking to use high magnification a lot, larger objective lens helps.

ILya

Sorry, just can't help myself... Long version... WHY are you NOT a Nightforce fan???   Glass is not the best, but they are certainly put together well.  Lots of good design features and not too high priced for the market space they occupy.  They are performing extremely well in BR competition... Just wondering...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/27/2011 at 19:37
How did this thread from 7/2010 get resurrected?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rude Robert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/21/2011 at 13:27
I like my Leupold 8.5x25x50, i have the target/varmint reticle.  The cross hair are really thin so you can see your target better.  I shot a big with my ar15 at 565 yrds.  I took 4 rounds, although the 1shot was close to make the bird jump up in the air and come back down on the rock.  I only zeroed my .223 at 203 yrds actually.   I wasn't sure how reticle worked so after trying a couple things, since the bird really didn't fly away.  I went back to my first shot, amid the 500 yrd cross hair on it and gently this time pulled the trigger.  It was dead on accurate, although, still a lucky shot for me.  That day, I had fallen down and rolled over my ar and scope and it held zero(my ankles have been broken in the Army so they give out on some stupid things lol), my scope is mounted with a Larue tactical mount and I still made the shot.  I was very happy, even though My ar was covered in dirt and sand lol
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