Scope Recommendation

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Bobson

Bobson

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I realized I’ll never have the time to get out and shoot as often as I want to. So I made the time and went out twice in the last couple weeks, and finally enjoyed shooting my new Tikka in 308.

While this inevitably rekindled my “need” for a heavier barrel 308 to punch paper with, I also realized I’d like better glass. I have a 3-9x40 Leupold VX1 on the rifle currently. This glass is fine for all the hunting I’ll ever do with the Tikka, but I’d still like something better...

What sort of options are out there for “mid range” glass designed for hunters (read: a 2-3 power for the low end that’s adjustable up to just 9 or so), but still has really reliable tracking, and quality turrets with strong, tactile clicks preferably with zero stop? I’d strongly prefer an offering from Vortex or Leupold if possible.

My Leupold VX1 may or may not have reliable tracking (haven’t tested it yet), but even if it does, the adjustment knobs have borderline obnoxiously mushy clicks. I don’t have any complaints about the clarity of the glass itself. It’s a $200 scope, after all. Even still, the clarity is, to my eye, quite fine. Still, it would be nice to move into an appreciably noticeable upgrade.

The VX1 I currently have will take up residence atop the new Tikka T1x.
 
Shot my buddies Vortex HS LR 4-16x50 for a while yesterday and i would happily recommend it, I think they run about 550. Clicks were VERY positive, and seemed to track very well.
Compared to my 4-20x50 Athlon Argos the glass was brighter, tho at 100yds i couldnt tell any difference in resolution, or clarity.....actually now that i think about it, we were both running our scopes at max power, the difference in brightness would likely be partially due to that. The Vortex, had MUCH better feeling adjustments tho.
He also had a big Trijicon that I didnt care for so didnt grab the specs on (been wanting to try one of these since forever), but the Vortex easily equaled the larger, heavier Trijicon optically. I sighted that rifle for him, and while I really liked the illuminated aiming point, i think i might have the same issue with the Trijicon glass as i do with leupold. Color looked off, and it just wasnt as nice to look thru as the Vortex.
The leupolds ive owned or used in a similar range are the Mark Ar (not the mod1), and that was a very good scope. Clicks tracked well and were very positive, only thing is I only ever sighted it in and adjusted for loads, never did a lot of dialing.
Another friend of mine has a Mark 4 lr...actually i just searched for the scope as i wasnt 100% sure which one he had and found this https://www.eurooptic.com/leupold-m...ifle-scope-30mm-tube-target-duplex-56140.aspx
Im 90% sure thats the scope he has, and im also pretty sure he paid something close to 1k locally bout 6 years ago.
anyway, that scope is really nice as well.

You may also want to take a look at the Athlon brand scopes, so far ive been very impressed with the ones ive got, and the most expensive is my 4-20x50Argos at 250. Id like to try one of the higher end scopes, but they are all open turrets which i dont like. Thus im waiting for the Midas HMR to be available.
 
Zeiss Conquest HD5 3-15x42 is a nice mid level scope. The Rapid Z reticle and ballistic app are nice features, along with the side parallax adjustment.
 
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What do you know. There's a Nightforce scope in the classifieds for what I think is a good price. I don't need it. I already have one.
 
Vortex or leupold vx2. I was a big fan of Nikon prostaffs for the money until i picked up a vortex crossfire for around the same price and they were clearer, tracked better, etc. I then purchased my first leupold vx2 2-7-33 and if i ever purchased another rifle it will be wearing at minimum a vx2. I spend a lot of time punching paper and shooting woodchucks and when your on that scope for along time you start noticing the better glass helps tremendously.
 
Check out AA optics for some good deals on Vortex http://aaoptics.com/Refurbished-_c_93.html . That link is to their refurb section which has several options for what you are looking for. Several Viper variations as well as a Razor HD LH 2x10 for $500. They still come witht he lifetime warranty and I have had good experience with them.

LoonWulf also mentioned Athlon which is a good value brand as well. They remind me of Vortex in their early days and put out great stuff for the money. Camera Land New York has sales on these often and if you call they are good at helping you pick the right option for your needs
 
LoonWulf’s post brings home the point to me that everyone’s eyes are different because I see much better through Leupold glass than Vortex. Vortex on the other hand tracks better than Leupold no question, when comparing VX-3i and less expensive models to Vipers. Since I set and forget, and Leupold tracks well enough to sight a rifle in, I’ll take Leupold over Vortex. If I twisted turrets I’d probably stay away from Leupold in scopes under $800.00. And Vortex would be in the mix.

Scope brands I’d look at under $1k would be:
Tract
Burris
Vortex
Bushnell
Sightron

Over $1k the world is your oyster.
 
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