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Need help with multi purpose scope

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estes640 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote estes640 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Need help with multi purpose scope
    Posted: July/20/2015 at 16:31
I am trying to decide between two different scopes to be used for everything from deer hunting to long range shooting. As of right now, I am looking at the vortex viper 6.5-20×44 and the primary arms 4-14x44 mil/mil. I'm looking to put It on my 6.5 grendel I recently built. I know it's not ideal, but I am a college student, and have to pay other bills first. In a year when I'm done I will be picking up a nice us optics scope. Until then I'm stuck with something on the cheaper side. Any help or suggestions under $350 would be great.

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Sgt. D View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sgt. D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/20/2015 at 16:55

We need you to be specific about what you call long range shooting. Some are thinking 500yds and others 1000+. I'm one of those who like the higher magnification scopes for all my rifle interest. There are many here that will tell you that you don't need more than 10X even for 1000yds shooting. This is true but again I like the option to dial it up when it is practical. I have some experience with vortex viper and have been very impressed with it. Primary arms I do not. That being said, if you won't be shooting beyond 500yds 14X is reasonable and the 20X maybe a bit of over kill. Your budget does limit your options some but if you can get a vortex you like in your budget that would be my pick.

Good luck! Welcome to the OT!!

Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote estes640 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/20/2015 at 17:01
Thanks for the quick reply! And I've been shooting 1000yds with a few buddies of mine and their guns, so the goal would be to hit steel put to 1000yds. As well the vortex viper is one of their older models before the pst with the bdc reticle in it. Would the viper hs 2.5-10x44 with a v plex be better suited?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/20/2015 at 17:20
Is the low magnification of 6.5x a bit high for deer hunting in Bammers? I know it would be here in South Carolinnie in the briar patches. 

Welcome to Optics Talk and good luck! 

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estes640 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote estes640 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/20/2015 at 17:58
Most of the hunting I'll do with it will be over larger fields and when it's not I take my bow. However if the viper hs 2.5-10x44 with the v plex reticle will work and is better than the regular viper, then I have no problem picking that up. Does any one have any experience with the viper hs series vs the viper?

And for me it's WAR DAMN EAGLE, haha.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JLud Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/20/2015 at 18:30
Let me throw this option out...weaver super slam...can find on clearance and have 110 price here. 3-15 with sf and ebx reticle under 400, 2-10 with ebx under 300. I would rate optical quality above regular viper for sure, never used HS. To be the super slam clearance is a bargain and optically a very good performer.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote estes640 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/20/2015 at 18:44
Thanks for the info jlud. I'll check it out. Also, has anyone used the minox za5 HD 1.2-6x24?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote estes640 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/20/2015 at 20:10
Has anyone used the Hawke sidewinder 30 or sidewinder 30 tactical?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sgt. D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/20/2015 at 21:07
My experience with Vortex is limited, 70% comparing them for tracking. But still I like your viper 6.5-20×44 pick. And since you plan to multipurpose I wouldn't want BDC anyway. My go to deer rifle is a Sendero 300wm that I use sometime in 1000yd competitions. So I have range cards I use for each application being that I sometimes use different grain bullets between the two. BDC would prove useless. Plus I prefer mil dot reticle for hold over anyway. The last couple you mentioned I can't offer any help, sorry. But for the budget you are woking with I'd be hard pressed to stray far from Vortex. I have some high$$ scopes and the Vortex tracking is not slack in any form. I like the Weaver Slam series but I'm not confident that the tracking would be there like you need. Knowledge is power. Keep after it!!
Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote estes640 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/20/2015 at 21:40
So do you suggest going with the viper hs with the v plex reticle over the Viper with the bdc? Thanks again for all the help, I really appreciate it.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sgt. D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/20/2015 at 22:36
Unless you know you will use the recommended ammo to match the bdc reticle for both yes I would go with the V plex. But do think it thru, don't go blind based on anyone else's opinion or experience.
Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JLud Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/21/2015 at 07:14
My concern would be 6.5 low end might be a problem, and 20 power with only 44 obj lens is tough to get behind. I rarely use above 15 for a lot of things, that's why to me a 3-15 makes sense. I think the super slam or even something else will be easier to get behind and have better optical quality. Unless you plan to leave caps off and dial you'll still be picking a holdover point with a duplex type reticle and it would not be my choice for beyond MPBR. You will have a little of both with 6.5-20 in that config, but not a solid performer for either choice.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote estes640 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/21/2015 at 07:43
What about a fixed 6x42 swfa ss with either mil quad or mil dot reticle? I could live with only getting out to about 800 yards. Thanks for all the answers, Im enjoying picking yall's brains
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sgt. D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/21/2015 at 08:00
He mentioned that he uses his bow for close range shots. I can relate because I usually carry my bow when hunting deer. Anything 60yds or less that presents a shot I prefer my bow. The Ziess on my 300wm is a 6-24 and I don't recall it ever being an issue. I usually keep it on 10X anyway and since I range every shot I don't get in such a rush that I can't adjust if needed. I think, if he has any issues with the Vortex it may be low light quality depending on what lenses and coatings they use in that model. That is one aspect of Vortex I haven't had opportunity to compare.
Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote estes640 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/21/2015 at 08:21
Just out of curiosity, has anyone ever used a 1-4 or a 1-6 with a 24mm objective for lowlight condition hunting? And you are correct sgt.D, I'll shoot anything under 65 yards with my bow because I always carry it.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote urbaneruralite Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/21/2015 at 09:09
Most shots on deer in the SE are close range. 4x and 6x are too high for close range deer. If presented with a buck dogging a doe inside 100 yards, and most certainly 65 yards, I want a scope set no higher than 2.5x.

The first scope that comes to mind for your purpose and budget is the Weaver Classic 2-10x. The Weaver Super Slam 2-10x50 would for certain be perfect and within budget if caught on sale, but for some reason a certain seller fails to list it on their web.

Of your choices, I'd go the Viper and save for a micro red dot to hang off the side after having a bad experience with the high power scope on close range deer.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sgt. D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/21/2015 at 09:31

Never have that I recall. I have seen plenty of 3-9X50 Bushnell and Simmons that would be useless as early as 10 minutes before quitting time. In fact one of the best deer I've ever taken I credit my Ziess with. If I had been using my BAR 270 with the VXIII I would have had no chance. Not 100% sure that the IOR would have been up to the challenge. It was a 5 to 6 yr ole 6 point heavy beam bruiser that I had been getting on camera for the past two yrs but had never caught him during shootin hours. He would consistently show up between 10pm and 4am. do his little posing show off thing and disappear into the dark. I had hunted the spot several times during the rut thinking he might slip up. Never happened. Then I think it was the last week of season and everything had slowed down and the corn piles were the best free meals around. Decided to try him again. Got there early just incase and watch the usual 4 doe, two 4's and the young 6 munch down on the corn. They all got a belly full and moved on to other things. Still had 20, 25 minutes to last light. I think the particular set up made this a challenge for any scope. I had the main corn pile straight out in front about 280yds lookin South to North. The wood line ran from the corn pile to my left or West and made an L toward me about 100yds. I had put a smaller corn pile about mid way just incase ole bruiser didn't want to share with the runts. That put the shot in the shadows of what light might be available. Getting time to pack up I checked my watch, 3min to go. I glassed one more time. Hey, A shadow in the "very dark" shadows. I focused in and saw is was a big bodied deer but not enough light to make a rack. But he moved like a buck and I decided I was will to do a ground check. Check the watch again real quick and got the 300 up. Minute and a half to go. He's facing me munchin on corn and i'm talkin to em. "Come on man turn, don't you know time is runnin out"?? I check the watch again real quick 45 seconds. Its either shoot em straight on or he's gotta turn now. AAH, he took three steps to the right and I let er fly. Looked back to see if I could catch anything moving but with that 300 the tree and everything around is still shakin. Got the bino's up and could see belly shinin. Well whatever it is, it's down. Got down gathered up my rear and started across to see. Stepped around the corner and "that's what I'm talkin bout"!! 20" wide 20" tall heavy beam success. All them saved up dollars in that Ziess suddenly felt absolutely justified.  

That story is suppose to be in General hunting and it is But I couldn't resist.

Now I'm pumped for this season. That reminds me, Gotta order new string and cable for my bow.

Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote estes640 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/21/2015 at 14:04
Ive always thought that zeiss glass was out of the question for me, but I just found a nice used zeiss conquest in my local gun shop for around $350. Is it worth the money over the other options I have listed?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Steelbenz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/21/2015 at 15:01
Have you been over to the hard rock match just south if you? Just before you get to the barn you get off 85 on wireman road go south to society hill. 1K match this weekend. See what others are using and if you ask nice they MAY even let a Aubbie look through their scope! 😂
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/21/2015 at 15:13
Originally posted by Steelbenz Steelbenz wrote:

 See what others are using and if you ask nice they MAY even let a Aubbie look through their scope! 😂

Hahaha....Just the back sliders! Big Grin
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