Having some unusual problems picking out a new scope for my new CZ 457 Varmint. I had decided on a Meopta. I have 4 of them, all great scopes. Bought an Optika5 4-20X50 with illuminated dot reticle. Problem: 1st one the illumination feature lit up briefly and would not come on again,...returned it. They sent a replacement and it too had the same problem. This one stayed on a bit longer, but quit. So, for now I'm looking else where for a scope and need your help. I would like similar features as the Meopta. 4-16X or thereabouts and would like a dot reticle. Would not have to be illuminated, but would like it to be. Prefer second focal plane and it will be a hunting scope, primarily squirrels, rabbits and pdogs and pests like raccoons or possums and I'll spend up to $600. Suggestions appreciated. Oh, and one inch tube since I already have the rings.
Need help picking a scope for my new CZ 457 Varmint
- Thread starter Sniper66
- Start date
Hey Loon, Oddly you are the only one who responded to my question. i usually get much more advice than I ask for. Anyway, I might choose this one if I can find the right price. Would your offer to send the 30mm rings still be available? Thought about just going cheap and put a Tract 22Fire on it. I could trade you for the 1" rings I'll have to take off if I go that route. Sometimes I make too big a deal out of slight differences between scopes. Oh well......
https://meopta.store/products/meopro-optika6-3-18x50-rd-sfp
Buzznrose
Member
I bought an Athlon for my SFAR and personally didn’t like it. I returned it to Bass Pro and replaced it with a Swamp Fox Arrowhead and like it a LOT.
YMMV
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08JD6QD7D?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
YMMV
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08JD6QD7D?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Buzznrose
Member
Sorry, not exactly the features you wanted. Check out the Warhawk
https://www.amazon.com/Swampfox-Pre...79969135&sprefix=warhawk+swamp,aps,244&sr=8-3
https://www.amazon.com/Swampfox-Pre...79969135&sprefix=warhawk+swamp,aps,244&sr=8-3
I'll check camera land
desmobob
Member
I have a Hawke Sidewinder that I really love, but the price has gone up considerably since I bought mine.
My CZ-452FS wears a 3-12x Weaver Grand Slam with side focus parallax adjustment. It is a nice scope with excellent optics that I never hear mentioned.
My CZ-452FS wears a 3-12x Weaver Grand Slam with side focus parallax adjustment. It is a nice scope with excellent optics that I never hear mentioned.
The Weaver Grand Slam scopes were very under-recognized for the quality of scope and good optics that they had. I have a bunch of scopes from Weaver, Sightron, Leupold, Burris, Clearidge, Vortex, and probably a couple others that I'm forgetting. The several Grand Slams that I have are among my most favorites. They are the Japan-built (by Light Optical Works) 4-16x44 Side Focus models that Weaver offered during the last few years they were in the optics business. They are really great scopes, and very compact considering the power range (up to 16x), clarity, and overall quality, really nice optics and pleasant to sight through.
The 4-16 is actually slightly shorter than the 4-12, and are one of the few scopes above 9x magnification that will fit low and behind the rear sights of the Hog-back CZ 452s and 455s without removing the rear sight leaf. The 4-12 will also mount low and works great, but due to the slightly longer dimension of the 4-12, the rear sight leaf needs to be removed (very simple to remove and re-install, does not affect the zero of the iron sights once re-installed) in order to mount as low as possible.
Nice ones come up for sale pretty often on e-bay, typically bringing a bit more than $400, such as this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/234939913365?hash=item36b3829495:g
hkAAOSwpT9kGKo8&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAAwErtCqKrrVgOy3AAfFETbIMauGpFYnp5OjYmqXhbtx2y1X8h4tbCKnTokkKWYtmtd6Pibz2VAu3r6hhggvSdeN+FweGdVoCtVblpVSOyj5WWy6F4KWGSGpiOECJj6yuswzWYleHr1mflX82TOLIAuhT6/PxBMB1WxIVRkPDOcIchN4XDV96BdH5YaW8VnNE9dfOrfOtWU3vg4hyjvrJEixDh3/+XC6f74NGM2g6z/8kpd5txOZutJE0OHEMKG9xFPw==|tkp:Bk9SR6zP_YTnYQ&nma=true&si=ys1n0L9frldCxSrtBhug3O1TjTw%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557The 4-12s also show up, typically selling for a little less, such as this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/256001428395?hash=item3b9adfcbab:g:EOEAAOSwAZdjj3Q1&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAAwJwJv57NtXZFY4ZdQHzw1/ZIot6Esy/UFL/1IqFKfElOxrm8SuaKcAWFLR/bznFhBBGXpCUPiW4zANgjDvCskxJWHVzIkncmq4IxNCxb/qiS/cxlmX3jpjZeWcIy6ASBfJkN/irmMpvOVh8MJzewCVpA9AV36I5gUUljt76znoFw8jsA16Nvlb4JMKqXmR5HBU4ZlwJNFcpVmKvIpHTn9bg3KYsAAtf2ZyHCLzxdh3FAlqq69b76P+SFToEYk3I7rw==|tkp:Bk9SR67P_YTnYQ&nma=true&si=ys1n0L9frldCxSrtBhug3O1TjTw%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Last edited:
The saga continues............if you followed this thread you'll see what happened with my 1st two attempts to get a scope. On the 3rd try, I ordered a Meopta Optika5 3-15X with Z-Plus reticle. Saved some money and that set-up on a Bergara BXR with ssu-sonic ammo and a great squirrel rifle is born.
OK..........You're not going to believe this! As my previous entries report, I returned two Meopta scopes because the illuminated dot in the reticle did not work. Eurooptic was very good about quickly processing my returns. I ordered a 3rd Meopta scope as indicated above; this time from Optics Planet. Today, I returned it. The reticle and the non-illuminated dot was so fine that it disappeared and became virtually invisible. I have good vision so that is not the problem. CRAP!!! I've never had these problems with any scope and it is reducing my enthusiasm for Meopta. I still really like my other 4 Meopta scopes, but enough is enough. I'm back to the drawing board. I like the looks of the Weaver Grand Slam I6turbo suggested above. Might buy another Tract Tekoa 4-16X44. The dreaded search continues.
Thats a bummer! I thought those were supposed to have like a 1.5moa center dot?
Id be interested to hear your thoughts on the Tekoas, ive never seen one, just the Torics.
The Tekoa is a really good scope. At present Tract is selling them for $499. It is a lot of scope for a modest price. It is a simple hunter's scope with a BDC reticle, crystal clear optics and rugged construction with crisp accurate adjustments. I have one on my Savage 110 6.5CM. My whole reason for looking into a different scope was because I wanted the dot reticle. They are an excellent mid-price scope.
I keep looking for something a little smaller than the Meopro on my ridgeline to save some weight, ill take a look at those.
Unfortunately the only SFP dots ive used have been Athlons and Sightrons, both were in the .25-75 moa range at max power tho.
Unfortunately the only SFP dots ive used have been Athlons and Sightrons, both were in the .25-75 moa range at max power tho.
LocoGringo
Member
I see you're familiar with Tract, but your budget prohibits my suggestion...unless you wait for a demo sale...and you're a little closer. I picked up one of my two from a demo sale and it was $994. I know it's outside of your budget, but it has everything you're looking for (except being second focal plane) and a lot more.
I, too, have a CZ457 varmint and I mounted a Toric 4-20x50 PRS (which has that center dot AND lit reticle) on it. I also replaced the factory stock with a KRG Bravo 1. That is a sweet overall setup and I don't want to change a single thing. The total package is a bit pricey, but it shoots absolutely lights out!
I, too, have a CZ457 varmint and I mounted a Toric 4-20x50 PRS (which has that center dot AND lit reticle) on it. I also replaced the factory stock with a KRG Bravo 1. That is a sweet overall setup and I don't want to change a single thing. The total package is a bit pricey, but it shoots absolutely lights out!
The final chapter: This sad tale now has a happy ending. I achieved an approximate zero with some Winchester Target-22, which is suitable for plinking and initial zeroing, but generally not very accurate by today's standards. Then I shot some CCI SV, Norma Tac-22, Norma Sub-Sonic, SK Standard Plus, SK SemiAuto, and Federal Gold Medal HV Match. As usual, the rifle chose it's own favorite. I was surprised how poorly CCI SV grouped; it shoots OK in most of my other .22s, if not great. But it was lousy in this rifle. Norma Tac-22 was good with the subsonic close behind. Both SKs were a bit better. The real hero of the group was a surprise, the Federal Gold Medal HV Match at 1200fps. The group size (10 shots at 50 yds) was <.5" with two shots slightly outside that 8-shot group. That ammo has shot OK in other guns, but this one is a WOW group. It was not a particularly good day to test ammo as it was quite windy, 15-20mph gusts. I'll repeat this exercise in the coming days with less wind and take more time, but so far I am quite happy with the new rifle; my first CZ and my 5th Tract scope, which were both excellent. Squirrels will be in danger come June. Thanks for your support and ideas along the way.
Smart.
45/30-06OKIE
Member
What rings/mount are you using? Cause I have decent rings on my CZ 457 pro varmint but they are pretty low and I've debated just getting a pic rail for it...
Similar threads
