Welcome guest, is this your first visit? Create Account now to join.
  • Login:

Welcome to the NZ Hunting and Shooting Forums.

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed.

Night Vision NZ Alpine


User Tag List

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 20
Like Tree32Likes

Thread: First dial scope for hunting big game

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    Christchurch
    Posts
    600

    First dial scope for hunting big game

    Hi guys,

    Looking at getting my first dial scope for my 6.5 Creedmoor stock standard Browning Xbolt. I'm fairly familiar with utilising MPBR, but completely new when it comes to dialling.
    This setup will specifically be used to hunt big game at longer ranges in open country between 200m to 400m. I do not intend to hunt at close range with this setup, as I have other rifles for that purpose.

    Budget is $800. Mostly likely will go for secondhand to get better value for money. Don't really see the need to spend more, unless it's a significant step up. I've been using the standard VX Freedom, Bush Elite, Vortex Diamondback, etc, and never felt under scoped from a optical quality perspective.

    Would something like a VX Freedom 4-12x40 with CDS work?
    I'm thinking of keeping things simple by going with a SFP with duplex reticle.

    Any suggestions would be highly appreciated.

    Cheers

  2. #2
    Gkp
    Gkp is offline
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Queenstown
    Posts
    1,923
    I personally don't think you need a dial up scope out to 400. Have shot plenty of animals consistantly with a 9 power scope. Zeroed at 300yards

    I've got a vx3 3.5 to 10 with the red dot. Have shot reds out past 400 but haven't bothered to use the dial up yet. Good little scope
    Synthetic likes this.

  3. #3
    Member 199p's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Palmerston North
    Posts
    4,300
    I love dialing, i use it as a part of my shot process and find it's a great routine to get into.

    Even at 150y i dial, get set, and let rip. No, it's not needed, but having a good shot process is needed.

    I have a vx3hd on my 6.5cm and its a great fit, took a spiker and 300y last weekend
    4.7moa and smoked him.
    As much as i think the cm is a great allrounder, i found it's definitely not a flat shooter.

    Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk
    Bill999 and Synthetic like this.
    Konus binoculars " The power to imagine"

  4. #4
    Member zeropak's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Mangonui
    Posts
    904
    To dial distances reliably you need a scope which can handle to constant click adjustments plus a good zero stop. To get these things you really need to be looking at more like the 2k spend. That sort of money will get you something like a V4 Zeiss, Swarovski Z5, Leupold VX5, Delta titanium with the interchangeable turrets. When dialing for distance you usually have good solid rest and time to take the shot, for this I prefer a minimum magnification of 15x and more is better. This allows for a more precise hold than a lower power scope. I know plenty of deer are taken at longer ranges with basic 3-9 type scopes but look at a deer through a 9 power and then a quality scope dialed up to more like 18 power and you will never want to use 9 power again for long range work. You said you wanted a specialist long range rig so cheaper 3-9 or 4-12 $800 scopes will be marginal at the very best.
    Bagheera, mick, 6x47 and 6 others like this.
    ZeroPak Vacuum Sealers, Zero air Zero waste

  5. #5
    Member hunter Al.7mm08's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Location
    Ohakune.NZ
    Posts
    447
    If your going to dial up your scope you'll also need a range finder so you know how much to dial. If your just guess-timating you might as well stick with mpbr.

    Sent from my SM-G525F using Tapatalk
    Synthetic likes this.

  6. #6
    Member ANTSMAN's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Wellington
    Posts
    2,531
    Vx5 or vx3 with The push button stop with cds
    Synthetic likes this.

  7. #7
    Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2021
    Location
    Rotorua
    Posts
    391
    Nothing wrong with the vx freedom with cds for dialing 400
    Synthetic likes this.

  8. #8
    Member Swanny's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    New Plymouth
    Posts
    199
    Well no, you don't actually have to spend 2k to get a dial up scope. In saying that of course the more you spend the better the glass. I've been using Bushnell trophy elite 2.8 x 15 x50. They don't have zero stopp but once sighted in you loosen the screws on top of the turret and turn the dial to 0. Once you have your dope sorted out they are very dialable and return to zero perfectly. Cost 800 bucks and I've been using for probably 10yrs. On a cheap ass ruger American 6.5cm. That rig can probably out shoot my 75 sako 6.5 x 55 with a z5, although I am still working out the load for that. Have to admit I've just put a z5 on the ruger, just because I can. Actually using both scopes I decided that the z5 was crisper to look through so made the swap. That cheap as rig has taken plenty of animals to 500yds and targets to 7 and 800 plus.

  9. #9
    Member Magnus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    wellington
    Posts
    1,228
    Definitely want something with zero stop or don't bother. Thats my opinion. I run a vx5 on both hunting rifles, yes better to be had but
    Has never let me down yet.
    Synthetic likes this.
    Cursed be the ground for our sake. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for us. For out of the ground we were taken, for the dust we are... and to the dust we shall return.

  10. #10
    Member craigc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Upper Hutt
    Posts
    2,241
    Just remember that whilst you say out to 400 now as you develop your skills you’ll want to shoot further.
    A good second hand VX3i would be my choice. I dial for everything over 250.
    I’ve got VX6, VX3i, Z5, a Nikon and an Element Optic big thing on my 300 RUM.
    I reckon VX3i (or the new HD model) is the perfect compromise. I prefer 4.5-14 but if you’re younger you might get away with something like a 10 power.

    It’s great when you can regularly knock them over out to 600 yards. But I also enjoy popping one off in the bush too! 😀
    199p, BRADS and A330driver like this.

  11. #11
    Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Waikato
    Posts
    2,109
    Its not the glass that you need its the dialling and the holding zero .

    The VX3i and in my limited experience the VX5 have quite soft clicks so youd need a zero lock more than a stop as they move a few clucks rubbing on bushes hand pack and stuff. Check the feel before you buy. If looking at the swaro Z5 have a feel whether the turrets are solid or do they wobble under finger pressure ?

    My opinion is you have the right idea using a plain duplex for dialling, not any holdover reticle unless you are FFP.

    At $800 even second hand you will be getting something the previous owner found not quite ideal.

    A few years back there was a scope called superslam i think which was a bit budget ( smaller field of view than some) but did the job and people might be looking to upgrade now.
    Synthetic likes this.

  12. #12
    Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Timaru
    Posts
    966
    ahtlon midas tac 4-16 is a great scope. new 1600ish. under a grand 2nd hand if they come up. dials as well as my match scopes capped windage. very good glass.

  13. #13
    Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2019
    Location
    Hamilton
    Posts
    250
    Trade Me Listing #4458821964.
    I used one of these but with the capped turrets for a few years when I started pushing the distance. Dialled well and never had a problem with it, not a bad option when starting out.
    After a few others in between, finally settled on a VX5 3-15 - good all round scope IMHO

  14. #14
    Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Central north
    Posts
    407
    Carbine likes this.

  15. #15
    Member Marty Henry's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Tararua
    Posts
    7,135
    Consider a mil dot reticle, in conjunction with a range finder and drop chart it's plenty good enough to 400 m plus it's quicker, no twiddling with dials then forgetting to reset it, and once you understand how it works you can use it to estimate approximate range as well.
    Synthetic likes this.

 

 

Similar Threads

  1. dial up scope for PCP? Dial the NZ options?
    By Northkiwi in forum Varminting and Small Game Hunting
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 30-06-2024, 05:43 PM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Welcome to NZ Hunting and Shooting Forums! We see you're new here, or arn't logged in. Create an account, and Login for full access including our FREE BUY and SELL section Register NOW!!