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

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

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. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ad81b422b7.jpg

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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.

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.

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Vx5 or vx3 with The push button stop with cds

Nothing wrong with the vx freedom with cds for dialing 400

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.

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.

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! 😀

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.

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.

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

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketpl...7?bof=LAaMXeFV

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.

A non dial scope with mil dots would be OK if first focal plane. Very foolproof.
I find it hard to keep count past about 2 dots, though. “is that the third dot or the fourth ?”
That around 400m for 308 class rounds.

Could be worth a look for you @Synthetic... maybe not the magnification you would be after, but it at least ticks twonof your boxes
https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....-scope-100449/

Ditch the SFP route for long-range dialing! While your VX Freedom 4-12x40 with CDS could work, venturing into FFP scopes will unlock your dialing potential. Consider these Vortex scopes within your $800 budget (used market is great!):

Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50 FFP: Packs serious magnification, a precise EBR-2C reticle, and capped turrets for worry-free dialing.
Strike Eagle 5-25x50 FFP: A budget-friendly option with BDC reticle for quick holds and capped turrets for dialing confidence.

Remember, FFP reticles maintain their subtensions throughout magnification, crucial for accurate holdovers at distance.

Will add the Meopta Optika6 FFP to the list. You can find some close to this price target used. If you are NZDA you get 15% off them with Kilwell.

Having had both, way better build and glass than Vortex. The glass is actually really close to a Nightforce NX8…

Greetings @Synthetic,
I think that you have all of the opinions here. I think that you need to think about what suits you and how you may integrate the longer shots with what you already do rather than treating it as a separate venture. My longer range shooting is confined to the rifle range, shooting 300 and 600 yards. Thus far, only in my second season, the scopes and rifles are what I had with ranges and wind correction dialled in. Hunting at longer ranges is different. You might want to think of it as an extension of your current hunting rather than a separate venture.
Regards Grandpamac.