currenly have a Leupold Vari-X iii 3.5x10x50 on my rifile, and have been using it for almost 15 years now. Looking to upgrade to something that brings in a little more light and can zoom in a little more.
Looking for some suggestions from everyone here on the board.
02’ Seapro 17’CC w/ 90 yamaha 2stroke
Still nothing wrong with Leupold. And the Vortex Viper PST is great. I run the 4-16x50 on my 6.8 and love it.
You’ve got to pay to play in the optics world, Nightforce, Kahles, Swaro, higher end Ziess, ect. Ive found that a quality optic is an investment not an expense.
Leupold VX6 3x18x50mm with CDS, SF, and firedot reticle is a good step up.
2012 Skeeter ZX22 Bay
Yamaha 250 hp SHO
Minnkota Riptide 101
Not a big fan of the firedot reticle but that VX6 is the cat’s pajamas.
If you don’t have that kind of budget, the new VX-3i from Leupold is a great scope. They make a 4.5-14x50 that would be right up your alley. Plus, they offer it in 1’ and 30mm tubes.
The Vari-X III is pretty much the equivalent of the VX-I series nowadays.
The Vortex and Nightforce suggestions are more of a tactical scope and tend to get away from traditional hunting reticles but they are in fact great scopes with good glass. I too own the PST Juice15 mentioned and it also sets on my AR chambered in 6.8 Rem spc.
Swarovski always gets high marks on clarity and brightness but they don’t pack the ruggedness to match the money you pay for them. Their binos are far superior to their rifle scopes. Kahles is a step (or two) below Swarovski.
Zeiss makes great glass! In fact other companies, like Swarovski, buy their glass from Zeiss. Zeiss’ bread and butter is actually medical glass for microscopes and things of that nature but their mid-to-high end rifle scopes are phenomenal.
If I had to pick from everything suggested, I’d go with the VX6. It’s one bad ass MOFO. To paraphrase Salty, “quality is an investment, not an expense.” Doesn’t matter how much of a nail driver your rifle is; if you can’t see’em, you can’t shoot’em.
In the future, where every stranger poses a potential threat, knowing the predator mindset is the only safe haven.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO
There isn’t a Leupold scope on the market worth 1k. I have a Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x56 NPR-2 reticle on my 6.5 creedmoor and my 13 year old neighbor wears the deer out with that gun, I can promise you the reticle isn’t too complicated. My next purchase will be a SHV F1 4-14x50 MOAR reticle to put on a 300 something. Saltydog has the SHV f1 and Im sure he will be along shortly to talk about it. I also didn’t mention the Kahles Helia 3-12x56 which is probably the best light gathering scope ever made if you just want a #4 reticle hunting scope, but yet again, you have to pay to play.
Why is that? Just curious. I have used my firedot on a few occasions in low light. Since legal hunting time starts one hour before sunrise and ends one hour after sunset here in SC, it can get really tough to see the crosshairs in any scope on those new moon mornings or evenings.
quote:
Originally posted by archerNot a big fan of the firedot reticle but that VX6 is the cat’s pajamas.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO
2012 Skeeter ZX22 Bay
Yamaha 250 hp SHO
Minnkota Riptide 101
quote:
Originally posted by Skeeter22Why is that? Just curious. I have used my firedot on a few occasions in low light. Since legal hunting time starts one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset here in SC, it can get really tough to see the crosshairs in any scope on those new moon mornings or evenings.
quote:
Originally posted by archerNot a big fan of the firedot reticle but that VX6 is the cat’s pajamas.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO
2012 Skeeter ZX22 Bay
Yamaha 250 hp SHO
Minnkota Riptide 101
I’m with Skeeter…I put down a big 7 point last night with the firedot that I probably would have let walk with any other glass.
Wadmalaw native
16’ Bentz-Craft Flats Boat
http://www.chuckhawks.com/recommended_riflescopes.htm
http://www.chuckhawks.com/leupold_tour.htm
http://www.chuckhawks.com/leupold_VX-6_3-18x44.htm
http://www.chuckhawks.com/nightforce_NXS_scopes.htm
2012 Skeeter ZX22 Bay
Yamaha 250 hp SHO
Minnkota Riptide 101
I’ll expound later. If you want low light, high quality hunting optics, get a Trijicon or invest in good European glass.
Leupold’s low light performance is not very good.
Vortex glass leaves a lot to be desired.
Optical clarity trumps magnification in poorer quality scopes.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
What is you take on this one: Trijicon AccuPoint 5-20x50mm Rifle Scope with Mil-Dot Crosshair and Illuminated Green Dot, 30mm Tube???
quote:
Originally posted by saltydog235I’ll expound later. If you want low light, high quality hunting optics, get a Trijicon or invest in good European glass.
Leupold’s low light performance is not very good.
Vortex glass leaves a lot to be desired.
Optical clarity trumps magnification in poorer quality scopes.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
2012 Skeeter ZX22 Bay
Yamaha 250 hp SHO
Minnkota Riptide 101
That accupoint is a great scope as long as you don’t like to dial your distance.
Explain.
quote:
Originally posted by salty849That accupoint is a great scope as long as you don’t like to dial your distance.
2012 Skeeter ZX22 Bay
Yamaha 250 hp SHO
Minnkota Riptide 101
40 moa total travel
Ah. Yup. I read that in the specs. Aint going to be shooting deer at 1000 yards in SC, so it doesn’t matter.
2012 Skeeter ZX22 Bay
Yamaha 250 hp SHO
Minnkota Riptide 101
You can put a 20 MOA mount and get way out there depending on your cartridge with 40 MOA. I do not like the green in low light or the red for that matter. The Amber is much more definitive and draws the eye a lot less than the others. Also for hunting situations, the BAC is much simpler, faster and just as accurate. Using a MillDot scope in a 2FP means it is only accurate on the mil readings at one power, max. Also your adjustments are MOA based and your reticle is mil based. You can learn to use it but, it’s not optimum.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
From what I read, the mil dots in the reticle are accurate at the 20X power setting. If I shoot 1000 yards, I would probably need 20x. Although the 300 Win Mag can do it, I seriously doubt I will be shooting deer even half that distance. So, it ought to be fine out to 300 and 400 yards. Those situations definitely could happen in some of the places I hunt.
How does it compare to the VX6 in clarity and in low light? I read a couple of reviews and watched a few on youtube. Those reviews said the VX6 was better overall in low light.
I’m going to get another scope soon to replace a Vortex CrossfireII Hog Hunter on my 308, but it is proving difficult to find a better scope than the VX6 for around the same price with the same capabilities–mainly, the illuminated dot, clarity and low light performance, and the CDS. Some folks don’t like the illuminated dot feature. After using my VX6, I don’t ever want another scope without that capability. That dot works for me in low light.
I don’t shoot long range competitively, so I don’t see the need for a $3000 scope for mostly hunting. I will get one some day, but it will be on the next rifle in a couple of years that I’m going to build along the way.
quote:
Originally posted by saltydog235You can put a 20 MOA mount and get way out there depending on your cartridge with 40 MOA. I do not like the green in low light or the red for that matter. The Amber is much more definitive and draws the eye a lot less than the others. Also for hunting situations, the BAC is much simpler, faster and just as accurate. Using a MillDot scope in a 2FP means it is only accurate on the mil readings at one power, max. Also your adjustments are MOA based and your reticle is mil based. You can learn to use it but, it’s not optimum.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so
I have an NXS, SHV F1, Trijicon Accupoint and acquired a .300 WSM with a 3X12X56 Kahles Helios C on it. The Trijicon is better than the NF in low light and it doesn’t give up much to the Kahles. It’s better than any Leupold I’ve ever owned or looked through and that includes the VX6. Ironically, Leupold, Trijicon, NF and almost every non Euro brand sources their lenses from LOW.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
I wonder how much it varies from person to person. Meaning: my eyes are different than yours or we see things differently. I had the laser eye surgery a few years back too, so I have better than 20/20 vision now. 20/15 in one eye and 20/10 in the other. For me, the VX6 is the best I have ever owned. I have not tried a NF at low light or the Trijicon. That is why I asked. However, I can see and kill deer with the VX6 after legal shooting times if I wanted too. I use my binos to tell what the size of the deer’s rack is in low light. Then, all I need is the dot to bust his butt. I shot two deer last season at about 250 yards with about 5 minutes of legal shooting time left and no moon out. So, if the Trijicon is better, I might try something different. I guess I will just have to find one in a gun shop somewhere to check it out. I don’t like dropping $1000 plus on something I have never actually seen or touched before. Thanks.
quote:
Originally posted by saltydog235I have an NXS, SHV F1, Trijicon Accupoint and acquired a .300 WSM with a 3X12X56 Kahles Helios C on it. The Trijicon is better than the NF in low light and it doesn’t give up much to the Kahles. It’s better than any Leupold I’ve ever owned or looked through and that includes the VX6. Ironically, Leupold, Trijicon, NF and almost every non Euro brand sources their lenses from LOW.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
2012 Skeeter ZX22 Bay
Yamaha 250 hp SHO
Minnkota Riptide 101
quote:
Originally posted by Skeeter22Why is that? Just curious. I have used my firedot on a few occasions in low light. Since legal hunting time starts one hour before sunrise and ends one hour after sunset here in SC, it can get really tough to see the crosshairs in any scope on those new moon mornings or evenings.
quote:
Originally posted by archerNot a big fan of the firedot reticle but that VX6 is the cat’s pajamas.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO
2012 Skeeter ZX22 Bay
Yamaha 250 hp SHO
Minnkota Riptide 101
For no other reason than I’m just not a fan of “lighted” reticles on a hunting scope. If I can’t see the reticle on a scope during low light, then I need to buy a better scope or go with a different reticle. Maybe one day my eyes might fail me to the point I need one but for the time being, I just prefer not use them.
In the future, where every stranger poses a potential threat, knowing the predator mindset is the only safe haven.
Xpress H20B Bay Series
Yamaha 115 SHO