Thread: Dial up scopes

The market has filled up with scopes with turrets from various brands. Ideally I want FFP, Mil/Mil with a Mil reticle, ideally has marks not dots.

Now I am not trusting of mid range scopes because I bought 2x Zeiss Conquest scopes right back when @Norway taught his course here. Both broke early, and I was away for six weeks at a time then. By the time I got them back from repairs it was probably a year without the rifle, counting gunsmithing and handloading, the hassles were endless.

I flogged them both off, and a couple of rifles and bought a PM2 and I really enjoyed not worrying about it, as well as the FFP turret/reticle combo and the fact the glass was so good I could shoot in the dark with it.

It sure was heavy though. I'm lost on all these new scopes. I don't know their reputations. So what should I look at? I see a lot of very nice looking scopes with low compact turrets. I'm thinking to buy in NZ given the current customs climate.

This scope will get dialed a lot. Not a 3 deer a year scope, I will use it (and dial it) constantly.

I've looked recently and couldn't find such a thing.
I wanted something a lot lighter than my PMII, so ruled out many Vortex, Leupold MK, Zeiss, Swaro Z6, Kahles etc.

I decided on a Leupold VX3i 4.5-14x40 SF 30mm with CDS.
I got cm/100m dials via custom shop at great expense.
It is only 2FP and I will have to forgo the scaling marks and either dial or hold, guessing cm on the target.
I went for a heavy duplex reticle but that's just me; I can't see fine ones in the dark.

So, it cost similar to a VX5 and took about a month and a bit on order.

I've only used it once so can't vouch for its overall quality yet.

It weighs 441g.
Glass is as good as my eyes can use.
The dials are quite easy to turn and I have already had them move a few clicks while walking, not solid like the S&B.
It has 55cm/100m per turn and no zero lock or turn indicator.
It's a compromise, mostly looking for lightness.

I'm ok with the weight. Although your scope looks like a good option.

Nx8 4x32x50
The perfect scope

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

What magnification range are you after? And do you have a max weight limit in mind?

Originally Posted by Bagheera

I've looked recently and couldn't find such a thing.
I wanted something a lot lighter than my PMII, so ruled out many Vortex, Leupold MK, Zeiss, Swaro Z6, Kahles etc.

I decided on a Leupold VX3i 4.5-14x40 SF 30mm with CDS.
I got cm/100m dials via custom shop at great expense.
It is only 2FP and I will have to forgo the scaling marks and either dial or hold, guessing cm on the target.
I went for a heavy duplex reticle but that's just me; I can't see fine ones in the dark.

So, it cost similar to a VX5 and took about a month and a bit on order.

I've only used it once so can't vouch for its overall quality yet.

It weighs 441g.
Glass is as good as my eyes can use.
The dials are quite easy to turn and I have already had them move a few clicks while walking, not solid like the S&B.
It has 55cm/100m per turn and no zero lock or turn indicator.
It's a compromise, mostly looking for lightness.

Attachment 120961

Your turret should have the little indent for a zero lock ball bearing. Once it's in there it's impossible to get it out though

Nightforce would be pretty hard to beat if money isn't an issue for you.

The MK6 on here is a bloody good option

I still rate VX5HD and VX6HD.

I’ve owned Ziess Diavari, Victories & HT and Dialyt, Z6i, NF Beast, Couple of NSX , Leica Magnus, and S&B PM11 & Zenith. Vortex Razor. All with illumination. Had a bunch of 2 tier scopes too but I won’t bother mentioning them here as I’ve been disappointed every time. I’ve had SFP and FFP and Quite like both depending on purpose.

Best turrets were NF Beast followed by High speed NSX. Also best for hammering in nails along with PM11. Best for light and sheer image quality - no competition at all Ziess 3-12x56 HT follows by Magnus. Most delicate was Z6i.

Leupy VX are not as sexy but can hang in there with them. They are My best allrounders quite light for their features and great VFM and I’ve not broken one yet. So I have 3.
Remember they actually dial .255moa. So remember to use that in your ballistic calc.

Just my 2 cents. (Although I might have a Z5 itch to scratch soon)

What's you intended use, preferred magnification range and rough budget ?

That will help to narrow things down a bit

@Tussock. I am currently having a Leupold VXR Patrol (which has as standard a tmr reticle with illuminated dot and milrad dial up turrets BUT 2nd FP ) modified by Oz custom shop to locking turrets. Leupold NZ were unaware this mod was available until I got Oz custom shop to ph them directly. Single turn locking dials are also able to be fitted to VX 3 cds scopes.

If you don't mind the weight or the price, why not just get another PMII ?

The Steiner t5xi is a pretty good buy imo.

Sorry, forgot to mention NF and Steiner. They were all out of my weight spec.

Can you still get March in NZ ? (again, a bit heavy for what I wanted)

The zeiss v6 are quite rugged. 650gr. Get one with a a20 plex type reticle and ffp isn’t a problem. Dial the wind. A mate of mine is the March rep if you want one. The nightforce nx8 is 800gr if that’s not too heavy. I think they are a great balance.
I had a mate get the mk6 leupold when they first came out and the he said it wasnt very good. Focus was very touchy And small eye box. Something to do with the short and compact the lenses are too close together. Todd Hodnett was telling me they just didn’t work good. The mk5 was much better with all their military training.