Long Range Scope help.

[DMAG]

I have been looking at getting my first 4x-18x ish powered scope. I will use this scope to hunt with and for fun. Everybody I know says NightForce optics, but at 1600 to 2 grand, I just don't think I could swing it. Are there any other scopes that can really hang with them? If they are truly worth that kind of money, I will just keep saving, but if there are other brands that are real close for 1/2 the money, I would probably go that route. Im not trying to go cheap, just the most scope for the money. If you guys suggest night force, then keep saving is what Il do. Thanks for your help!!!

 

[Rubberduck270]

You wanting just a high magnification scope or one to crank turrets on?

 

[infoman jr.]

SWFA makes a good scope for the money.

Vortex is also a good choice.

 

[Jcalder]

Ziess conquest 5-20x50

 

[Jcalder]

Midway has a sale on the vortex viper 4-16x44 with their v-plex for $339

 

[Deer Assassin]

zeiss conquest 6.5-20x50

 

[Rackseeker]

zeiss conquest 6.5-20x50

X2, seen them on sale for $599 the other day

 

[rdl65]

I have 2 Zeiss Conquest scopes, but I upgraded from Zeiss to Nightforce on my .243 I had built . I had wanted one for years, so I saved up, sold the Zeiss and finally took the plunge.

Zeiss is an excellent scope but it is not a Nightforce. I have never regretted buying the Nightforce.

 

[Deer Assassin]

I have 2 Zeiss Conquest scopes, but I upgraded from Zeiss to Nightforce on my .243 I had built . I had wanted one for years, so I saved up, sold the Zeiss and finally took the plunge.

Zeiss is an excellent scope but it is not a Nightforce. I have never regretted buying the Nightforce.

oh i agree

 

[megalomaniac]

hmm.

I have 2 Nightforces...

an 8-32x56 NSX... paid $1200 for it used. Never regretted it.

another 3-15x56 NSX... paid $500 for it used. Still loving that deal!

Keep an eye out on snipershide for used ones... they are indestructible. No reason to buy new. I would stay away from the 12-42x models... they really aren't usable past 30x or so unless you have perfect ambient light.

 

[DMAG]

I have converted to Zeiss over the past few years, but never dropped this kind of cash on a scope. Man you can drop some cash on scopes. I knew you could just never thought I would be in that boat. Thanks megalomaniac for the tip Il check em out!

 

[mr.big]

i am gonna get the new burris xtr ii 8-40

 

[Stumpy]

Vortex viper PST 6-24x50 FFP msrp of $999
Matching reticle and turrets
Illuminated reticle
Good glass
Tracks amazingly
Awesome warranty! If you ever needed it. Basically if there is ever anything functionally wrong with the scope they take care of it, quickly, no questions asked.

I have used them but don't own one yet. Several friends of mine have several of the pst's and they are very very pleased with them. My friends I'm referring to are also zeiss, NF, and swaro owners.
All of them agree that they are not quite a NF but as far as tracking and features that is what they compare them too. And they are 600-800 less than the NF.

 

[Model70Man]

Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 would be a good choice in the $600-650 price range.

 

[infoman jr.]

Vortex viper PST 6-24x50 FFP msrp of $999

That's my next scope.

 

[JimFromTN]

I have the Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50 SFP. Great scope. Another one to consider would be Sightron SIII 6-24x50. The Sightron SIII is killer glass.

 

[pseshooter300]

Does anyone on here have any swfa scopes? These scopes are getting very popular fast with long range shooting.

 

[infoman jr.]

Does anyone on here have any swfa scopes? These scopes are getting very popular fast with long range shooting.

I have the 10x42 with side focus on my .308 bolt gun. It's a fine scope with a great reticle.

 

[JimFromTN]

I have the swfa 3-15x42. Great glass. On par with Vortex Viper PST, maybe a little clearer.

 

[DMAG]

Vortex warranty is hard to beat. Those SWFA scopes have gotten very good reviews online. I don't know anybody locally that has an SWFA scope.

 

[JimFromTN]

SWFA warranty is really good too. If I had to say one negative thing about mine, it would be that the reticle is so fine that I feel like I need to be wearing reading glasses to see the hash marks, but my eyes are getting old and I need to wear reading glasses to see anything small close up anymore.

 

[mr.big]

I changed my mind and got the Sightron 8-32 with 2MOA reticle,,

 

[TraumaSlave]

Bang for the buck? Millet. What? Who? No body ever mentions Millet. Great glass and mechanics for a fraction of the price of those Brand fluffy kittens scopes.

 

[Headhunter]

Kahles

 

[Deer Assassin]

Kahles

other than zeiss that would be my second choice

 

[Model70Man]

March makes one heck of a long range scope.

 

[mr.big]

March makes one heck of a long range scope.

I shot two rifles with 8-80 power March scopes last Sunday,,one a Viper SS 284 the other a Shilen DGA 22BR,,those scopes make the NF line look like 70`s model Tasco`s,,
one had a 1/16th dot that was just unreal,,aim small miss small,,

 

[Headhunter]

one story relating to kahles. Zeiss would be second to kahles for sure. Kahles is the oldest optics company on the planet. they know glass.

I was watching a hunting show last year that did a segment on goat hunting in the Alps. They told a story about a guy that shot a goat and put his weapon down to get the goat, he became disoriented while getting the goat and couldn't locate his weaopn afterwards. Same guy was goat hunting later and found a rotted stock, corroded barrel and scope and realized it was his weapon. THe scope was in perfect internal condition, although having been buried in snow the body was pretty messed up. Long story short, the scope was lost for something like 20 years in a snowfield in the Alps. Seals were still good, optics tight -- it was a Kahles.

 

[mr.big]

about 300 rounds in and dialed up and down to 800 several times and up to 1200 and maxed out last Sunday and the8-32 Sightron hasnt missed a beat,,I picked it up used off Accurate shooter for 650 and there is no way in my mind the 8-32 NF NXS Daddy has on his Sako 260 is any better,,much less a grand better,,

if there was some way to use both without knowing which was which I doubt you could tell much if any difference,,the HF is a heck of a scope I am not saying that but it doesnt do anything for me the Sightron wont,,I will let you know if anything goes wrong the next 500 rounds

 

[DMAG]

The sightron seems to be a great bang for a buck. Looking forward to the overall review Mr.big, thanks for keeping us up date on the gear!