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hunting scope advise. |
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bp
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/20/2011 Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Posted: January/22/2011 at 17:34 |
I am new to the forum. I would appreciate any advise you may have on a hunting scope. I am having a 280 AI built. Light/Moderate (yes, its relative) weight rifle. Model 70 action, 24 inch # 3 barrel, McMillan stock. This is supposed to be an all-around rifle but main purpose is spot and stalk, sometimes at elevation. Most shots under 300 yds but need capabilities to 500 on deer size game. Durability, clean optics and overall rifle balance are concerns. Am looking at Nightforce 2.5-10 x 32 on heavy end, Swarovski Z3, and Leuply VX3 3.5-10x40. Are there additional scopes that I should consider?
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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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Welcome to Optics Talk!
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lucytuma
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: November/25/2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 5389 |
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The Z3 is a dandy scope and they've been reasonably discounted.
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"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
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jetwrnch
Optics Apprentice Joined: July/03/2006 Location: Knoxville, TN Status: Offline Points: 294 |
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Budget? I would think an Elite 4200 would be a good line considering the discounts. Spot and stalk often results in some huffing and puffing and wet weather, especially at elevation. The Rainguard is more resistant to having the ocular fogged due to heavy breathing in cold temps. It will still fog over a bit, but not to the point of losing the shot. A 4-16x50 can be found for $400 or less while they last. That said, my personal go to scope is a Trijicon due to good glass, fast reticle and durability. Another good scope would be the Zeiss Conquest with z600 reticle. In my opinion light rifles are hard on heavy scopes.
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bp
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/20/2011 Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Jetwrnch and all:
The rifle is not going to be cheap and the scope does not have to be either. Would like to keep under $1500 and of course the more inexpensive the better. Really depends on quality for the buck. This rifle will be shot often. Have not looked at a Trijicon and will do so. |
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jetwrnch
Optics Apprentice Joined: July/03/2006 Location: Knoxville, TN Status: Offline Points: 294 |
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http://swfa.com/Zeiss-35-10x44-Conquest-Rifle-Scope-P8667.aspx
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tman1965
Optics Master Joined: July/20/2010 Location: South Georgia Status: Offline Points: 1456 |
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+1 swaro
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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The z3 is easily the best of the three your looking at. Should meet all your criteria.
You might want to check the samplelist for a Zeiss Diavari demo as well. Sounds like a nice setup! |
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-Matt
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jetwrnch
Optics Apprentice Joined: July/03/2006 Location: Knoxville, TN Status: Offline Points: 294 |
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The Minox is a very light weight scope. That worries me. I've yet to find out why it's so much lighter than comparable models. My worry is that it could be more easily damaged by impact. Impacts are more probable from falls, etc. in real world hunting conditions. I'd much rather have a bit more weight than great glass in a beer can. Minox states their tubes are "aircraft aluminum," which could mean about anything. Keep in mind though that I hunt in difficult conditions, have fallen down more than one mountain, and have nothing else to base my fears on.
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quarterbore
Optics GrassHopper Previously Banned Troll Joined: March/13/2010 Status: Offline Points: 44 |
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I really like the Nightforce idea with the 32mm objective. I prefer low profile scopes, especially lightweight rifle for stalk and hunt and a 280 does not need really high magnification. I have a Zeiss Conquest 2.5-8x32 that is terrific scope with excellent optics and eye relief that would be perfect on that rifle and would not break the bank. However, since I bought mine, I cannot find any for sale, but they are listed on the Zeiss website. It has easily become one of my favorite scopes. The other choice would be a Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x32. I have the previous version which is terrific and from what I read this one is better. Again excellent optics and eye relief and not a bank breaker. Let us know what you get and enjoy.
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outlawskinnyd
Optics Apprentice Joined: November/28/2010 Status: Offline Points: 129 |
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ill tell you this much, the choices you listed are all winners. id pick the lighest, most structural sound scope. for me thats leupold vx3 for what i can afford. right under that i place bushnell elite for what i can afford. if i could afford a z3, which i might be able to soon, id get one. the 3-9x36, which is also my personal fav leupold vx3 scope. lots of people here swear by the conquest. just walk into some local shops see what they got...and dont base your conclusions on indoor light, ask to go outside with a salesman. even better do it at dusk and look. then go back look in light outside. then come here on swfa and order it!
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Dale Clifford
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: July/04/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5087 |
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6lb 280 Ti, gun/scope balance excellent z6 outstanding in low light as well as the 500 yd canyon shot
Edited by Dale Clifford - January/23/2011 at 18:34 |
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I love little league baseball-- it keeps the kids out of the house
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bp
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/20/2011 Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Durability is a big deal and from what I have been able to gather the Leupold, Zeiss, Swaro and NF have pretty good track records and customer service. SWFA was recommended and this forum was listed as a place to get the straight dope. Objective size is important more from mounting height, want to use low Talleys, than from weight. Since this is not a long range or tactical rifle should be ok with a 9x and 40mm or less. I need to get a look at the Swaro reticles. I have seen the others but not in a direct comparison. I am looking forward to this gun being finished this spring and getting to know it. It is made for the west where things often want to turn into an endurance contest. Hopefully, the gunsmith has come up with a good compromise between pack-ability and shoot-ability. I have a friend with an illuminated 22 power scope on a 30-338 Weatherby. I am hoping I come up with something just as cool in a completely different way. Thanks all. You gave me some things to think about. |
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Dale Clifford
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: July/04/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5087 |
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Several good game bullets come in 7mm in the .5 or above bc. It takes a something like a 30 mag or better to keep up with the 280. The Ti above uses 162 a max with bc. around .6 at 2850/2900 which takes a really good mag. The z6 is mounted pretty low for a 50 mm objective, about the only thing your going to gain with a 40 is more air under the bell.
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I love little league baseball-- it keeps the kids out of the house
Yogi Bera |
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bp
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/20/2011 Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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Dale:
Nice rifle. Mine will be a bit heavier The picture helped as the 700 ti had a fairly heavy contoured fluted barrel if I remember correctly which reticle did you go with? Bruce |
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jetwrnch
Optics Apprentice Joined: July/03/2006 Location: Knoxville, TN Status: Offline Points: 294 |
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Take a HARD look at the Trijicon 3-9x40. In my opinion it's the best overall package. Not the best glass but near the top. The reticles are what set it apart and make it a true hunting optic. Great in low light and lightening fast when it needs to be. If you're going on extended hunts, traveling, etc. they're cheap enough to carry a spare in qd rings. I always have two scopes sighted in for my main rifle "just in case." It sounds like overkill until you wipe out in a creek because your feet got caught up in some roots and you land on the scope. (Hypothetically of course) In my humble opinion as a hunter an $800 scope and a $400+ scope are better than any $1500 scope.
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