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Opinions sought on short range hunting scope

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Boomholzer View Drop Down
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    Posted: August/29/2013 at 20:50
Hi all,
 
I am soliciting some feedback and opinions on a hunting riflescope(s):
- Compact & Lightweight.  I would pay more to get it under 11" 
- Variable magnification within the 1-10x power range.  I'd like the low end to be 1-2x.
- Less than 40mm Objective.  28-32mm is ideal for a exit pupil >5mm @ 4x
- Decent/Best low light performance
- Adverse weather performance/coatings
- Ambiguous BDC reticle preferred but not required
- Relatively lower cost  <$400
 
Applications:  Two short rifles for all day carry.  Game shots over 75yrds are rare.
16" .260 Ruger Compact fireball blaster 
20" CZ Mannlicher 6.5x55 (Primary aspect for solicitation for now)
 
Here is what I was reviewing.  I think so far my favorites are the Weaver, the Bushnell, and the Leupold VX-II with the BDC.  My only Leupolds are Mk4s so hard to compare.
Maybe I missed something or there is clear winner. Thanks in advance for the help.
 
Leupold 2-7x28mm Ultralight Riflescope
Duplex
*8.5oz and 10.5" Yeah
Leupold VX-II 2-7x33mm
Long Range Duplex
also 2-7x28mm
Leupold UltimateSlam
**What is the deal with "SLAMS" and riflescopes?  It is like Denny's breakfast.  Trying to better Weaver?
Leupold VX-III
2.5-8x32mm
*VX-III optically superior to VX-II enough to smile about?
 
Weaver Classic V 2-10x38mm
Ballistic-X Reticle
* I have a 1-3x24mm Weaver Classic V on a 44Mag brush rifle and LIKE it.
* Like that 2-10x power range
* Like the reticle
* Wish it was 32mm OBJ but 38mm would certainly work fine.
 
Bushnell Elite 2-7x32mm
Only a duplex reticle available
* I've long been a Bushnell fan owning at least 8 Bushy riflescopes but things can change. 
Is this comparable to a 3200 Elite or a 4200??
* ~1" shorter than the Weaver and smaller OBJ
*Best coatings???
Vortex Diamondback 1.75-5x32mm  and 2-7x35mm
Favored BDC Reticle
* I've had a few Vortexs (Razor x2, Viper, PST, Crossfire) and anything lower then the Razor never impressed me.
* My gut assumption based on limited experience is that the Weaver and the Bushnell are optically and mechanically superior.
 
Redfield 2-7x33mm Revolution
Accu-Range Reticle
* VXII in a different wrapper???  Low on the list.
 
Minox ZA5 1.5-8x32mm
* Getting out of the price range and the reviews seem mixed. 
* I have  a pair of Minox Binos and they rock. 
* More focused on the previous options above.
 
Thanks Folks!
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ccoker View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ccoker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/30/2013 at 07:21


I would probably skip the BDC and go with a #4

I have tested this scope and it has held up extremely well in low light even compared to much more expensive scopes..

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote magshooter1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/30/2013 at 07:38
I'm confused.  Title of OP says short range yet, you are looking at scopes with BDC reticles.  This is contradictory to short range.  Short range to me says low power and heavy reticle.  My preferred short range scopes are 2-7's; I have a VX-1 with Heavy Duplex on a Ruger .44 Carbine and a VX-II with #4 reticle on a Marlin 336 in .35 Rem.  I also have Monarch 2-7's on a BLR in .358 Win., Ruger M77 RSI in .308 and a CZ 550FS in 6.5x55.  2x is plenty wide enough FOV for thick wood and 7X is good for much longer shots if needed.  I have used both the Vari-X III 1.5-5x20 and 1.75-6x32, both would also fit your usage.  There are other brands that would work also; Redfield Revolution, Bushnell Elite & Legend HD, Vortex Diamondback, Weaver Classic V (I have a Weaver Classid V7 on my grandfather's SMLE .303 Brit. and am very satisfied with it) and Nikon Monarch come to mind in your price range.
Some people are educated BEYOND their intelligence.
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ccoker View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ccoker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/30/2013 at 07:52
agreed...

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/30/2013 at 09:23
This plus it has a fire dot reticle.

http://swfa.com/Leupold-125-4x20-VX-R-30mm-Riflescope-P48030.aspx
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/30/2013 at 09:58
Originally posted by ccoker ccoker wrote:



I would probably skip the BDC and go with a #4

I have tested this scope and it has held up extremely well in low light even compared to much more expensive scopes..



+1
That's a great little scope!
Ted


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ccoker View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ccoker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/30/2013 at 10:10
Yeah, my brother runs on on his 6.8
I should just get one to have on hand..

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/30/2013 at 10:21
What's this??? 

Optics Talk forum, world renowned for it's disdain for all things Leupold, recommending a.....VX-R??  Big Grin

Put me down for a VX-R recommendation too. I love my 3-9x Fire Dot.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Alan Robertson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/30/2013 at 10:24
That Leupold sounds pretty good.

For a short range scope, there are also some great 1.5-6x scopes out there, as well as some 1-4x, although the 1.5-6x are often available with 40-42mm objectives, which helps in low light.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ccoker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/30/2013 at 10:51
I love a 1.5-6x42, my favorite hunting scope is a S&B in that config.
Meopta makes a nice one as well
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/30/2013 at 13:18
Originally posted by cheaptrick cheaptrick wrote:

What's this??? 

Optics Talk forum, world renowned for it's disdain for all things Leupold, recommending a.....VX-R??  Big Grin



Sorry I must have had a geriatric moment.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/30/2013 at 14:33
I've got a 1.5-6 X 42 30mm Monarch Gold on my TC G2 .45 in Talley mounts. Just thought I'd post something different.

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ccoker View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ccoker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/30/2013 at 14:47
Do you like it?
I always wanted to try one of those
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/30/2013 at 14:58
Originally posted by ccoker ccoker wrote:

Do you like it?
I always wanted to try one of those


I'm sure the muzzleloader is overscoped but it makes a great package. There are times when I hunt with that instead of one of my other rifles. It's great in low light conditions.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bugsNbows Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/30/2013 at 17:23
Sure, tout the Monarch and garner curry with Cheaptrick (Mark). We know how the game is played. LOL.
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JD548 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JD548 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/30/2013 at 17:28
@ 75 yards ?

your not going to need more than a 4x

how about a weaver k4?--

or one of the many 1-4x big game/dangerous game 30mm scopes?

lots of them with the german #4 in um too and many are illuminated.

the 2-7x scopes will also do fine-  there are plenty of nice ones most of them are plex though.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ccoker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/30/2013 at 17:55
Agree on not needed more than 4x for 75 -100 yard shots as well.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Alan Robertson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/30/2013 at 19:08
Hello Boomholzer,
I'd run over to the sample list and never look back... here're a few that seem right up your alley and they have a whole lot more:

http://www.samplelist.com/-P64079.aspx

http://www.samplelist.com/-P64903.aspx   

http://www.samplelist.com/-P61928.aspx  
 



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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/31/2013 at 04:35
Originally posted by bugsNbows bugsNbows wrote:

Sure, tout the Monarch and garner curry with Cheaptrick (Mark). We know how the game is played. LOL.


Actually Ric my buddy is a Nikon rep and I get mine at his sample price.

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JD548 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JD548 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/31/2013 at 08:42
now i have a vortex diamondback , a vortex viper both in 2-7x

and a minox ZA5 1.5-8x

all of them are good scopes and they all have advantages disadvantages.

the vortex diamondback is very bright and very clear , good solid turrets with solid clicks seems to track ok.

it has shorter eye relief than the viper and a wider FOV  i think its actual mag @ 2X is more like 1.75x

it has a little bit of that rolly-polly look around the edges  down @ 2x everywhere else it is as clear as a bell.

the vortex viper is a fine scope in 2-7x , much longer eye relief , very precise --but no longer around new.

the minox 1.5-8x has very clear glass , its 1.5X is a true 1.5x , very long eye relief 4"+

that very long eye relief makes for a tighter FOV , and it sort of has a tight eye box , for my use on an ar-15 it was kind of fiddely to set up.


it has a little bit of that rollie-pollie  that the 2-7x diamond back has @2x --though barely visible.

the minox 1.5-8x is set up more for operating in the higher mag ranges --= i really prefer this scope when shooting @ magnifications 5x and above over the viper/diamondbacks  . it does offer good use at lower settings about as good as the vipers/diamondbacks lower though it more narrow view is not optimum for the low end. this is one of the things they gave up to get that extra eye relief-- i figure.

all of the above are good scopes -- i didn't send any of them back , i seriously thought about sending the minox ZA5 1.5-7x32 back --after i got it set up properly and learned its tricks --i am considering another one--LOL maybe a 2-10 50>--LOL!

a scope you didn't mention that i think would be worth a look-- the diamondback 1.75-5x32

if it is anything like the 2-7x diamondback it should fill the bill very well.

there is a redfield revolution on the sample list for $140 and a burris 2-7x 35 for $119

their worth considering at least--

since you all ready have a weaver 1-3x --you might look to another one of those for 75 yard shots.

the 7x-8x and so on are going to be more than needed for 75 yards hunting --thought they do help when punching paper at that range--



Edited by JD548 - August/31/2013 at 08:51
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