Thread: Scope musings

I've had vx5 and z5,z6 and z8 they are all great but I'm finding as my eyes get older I need more mag range than 15x
It really comes down to what your eyes like my z5 is the 4w reticle as the Plex is too which for range work at 600M.
Delta titanium is another good one to look at.

Sent from my CPH2531 using Tapatalk

Just something I've found.
The German style scopes with the heavy eye piece sometimes have bolt clearance issues , especially if fitted low.
Pennyless

Of the brands you mention I have owned Swarovski / Zeiss / Burris / Leupold / Meopta .
I haven’t owned the models you have mentioned.
So my comments are “ Brand “ oriented.
Over the years I have found that “ Shit Happens “ if you actually use your equipment and no matter how carefully you baby stuff things get damaged or just start having little problems that aren’t necessarily game ending but can be annoying to live with .
Long story short … in my experience Leupold has the best warranty/backup if and when things break or are damaged and that for me is definitely a factor in my decision making .
So of the brands you mentioned that I have experience with my vote goes to Leupold and Meopta ( Meopta is probably the best value for money brand of those you mentioned)
Just had a talley up of what I currently own and you can see Leupold and Meopta make up 5 of my 7 scopes .

3 x Leupold
2 x Meopta
1 x Zeiss
1 x Kahles

Originally Posted by Gkp

They are all very different scopes.
I have owned the swaro, ziess, leupold, lieca, 2 of the NF
I would own another NX8. I only sold my one to give the Schmidt and bender meta 3-18x42 a try which is awesome.
The nxs 2.5-10x42 I currently own and that will always have a place on one of my shooters.

Cheers. I'll see if I can find an NXS locally for a look. I think Hamills may have a couple NF on hand.

Originally Posted by ZQLewis

Given the price range you are looking over add in the Burris Veracity or even the Veracity PH lines in as well.

Just something to note you may find yourself compromised if you want 1 scope to cover both islands.
Shooting big game to 3-400 mtrs is one thing but moveing to 600??

NorthIsland hunting you will typically want a very black crisp and coarser retical (Iluminated ???) that is easier to see in a hurry and with poor light, ie a variant of the German #4 with 3 heavy or tapering legs leading you into a fine cross hair or red dot.
While Tops hunting down south in good daylight you may want a finer retical with more precision, but they can be harder to locate in poor lightg bush hunting situations. ie a more standard duplex or BDC/Mil dot type setup.
Z

Thanks for the reticle tip. Perhaps illumination may also help with this.
The South Island side of it would be few and far between, sadly and regarding the 600yd distance I meant that for at the range and practice, not animals

Originally Posted by chainsaw

Given your likely rifle choice - 708 or 308, then 500yds is realistic max hunting range imo. Some might argue 400. Anyhooo a 10x, 12x or 15x will do the job. So definitely include the Swaro Z5 2.4-12x50 & also GPO, Athlon & Element Helix 2-16x50 are definitely worth considering. Swaros - I have owned a couple of Z3s and still own 2 Z5s -the 2.4-12x50 and 3.5-18x44. Never had any issues with any of them, but I look after my gear pretty carefully.

The 2.4-12x50 has no parallax adjustment. Have you ever found that to be an issue and how is the FOV with a 50mm objective?

Originally Posted by Hunter_Nick

When I went through all of this the last time round, I focused on what the most desirable feature was that I couldn’t do without. After having a VX3i suffer from a wandering point of impact, for me reliability was what I was after.

Instantly that puts you into another weight (and generally cost) bracket- there’s no free lunches here. I ended up with a Maven RS1.2 and love it. Before that I was using the 2.5-10 NXS and that was great, only sold it to go to the FFP Maven. It’s heavy at about 750g, but you could hammer in nails with it.

If light weight is your priority, then the Z5 is a good option. However, like everything in life there’s a compromise to be made…. It may not be as reliable as other options. The Duley crew love them, and I’ve seen Greg state that their reliability isn’t in question, but we’ve also seen the show where they missed an animal due to a bent Swaro…..

There’s no right or wrong here, just what’s right for you.

Thanks Nick. Once I've chewed the fat long enough I'm sure I'll arrive at something I'm happy with

Originally Posted by Ground Control

Of the brands you mention I have owned Swarovski / Zeiss / Burris / Leupold / Meopta .
I haven’t owned the models you have mentioned.
So my comments are “ Brand “ oriented.
Over the years I have found that “ Shit Happens “ if you actually use your equipment and no matter how carefully you baby stuff things get damaged or just start having little problems that aren’t necessarily game ending but can be annoying to live with .
Long story short … in my experience Leupold has the best warranty/backup if and when things break or are damaged and that for me is definitely a factor in my decision making .
So of the brands you mentioned that I have experience with my vote goes to Leupold and Meopta ( Meopta is probably the best value for money brand of those you mentioned)
Just had a talley up of what I currently own and you can see Leupold and Meopta make up 5 of my 7 scopes .

3 x Leupold
2 x Meopta
1 x Zeiss
1 x Kahles

The Meopta does seem like a good contender, although heavy in comparison. It's also apparently over priced in NZ, much like the Nightforce stuff when compared with the same products across the water. Not too difficult to access in Aus though as I have some contacts there but would mean buying sight unseen.

Originally Posted by CalibreWalker

The 2.4-12x50 has no parallax adjustment. Have you ever found that to be an issue and how is the FOV with a 50mm objective?

FOV is very good on this scope and more to do with the base magnification than the objective lens size. A good FOV is one thing I prioritize on a hunting scope.
From what I understand, parallax adjustment is not really necessary on a scope with a maximum magnification of 12x or less. At least I have never found it an issue.

Originally Posted by CalibreWalker

The Meopta does seem like a good contender, although heavy in comparison. It's also apparently over priced in NZ, much like the Nightforce stuff when compared with the same products across the water. Not too difficult to access in Aus though as I have some contacts there but would mean buying sight unseen.

I just did a search over here in OZ and your correct about the prices.
The very first search showed the Meopta you are considering is $935.00 au and I’m fairly confident with a bit of searching around I could find it cheaper.
I just assumed that the pricing back in NZ would be compatible .
The Meopta people in NZ are having a lend of their customers………

Looking at your short list it I assume you want something with a 3 1/2 mag max at low power and you want something with an exposed top turret with zero lock. I suggest you take a look at the new GPO Centuri scopes.
Particularly the 3-18x44. I fits your criteria for the price of $1400. I picked one up at the Sika show and am impressed, it is my 2nd GPO scope, in my opinion their performance is well above the price they go for.
Here is a link. https://www.nzammo.co.nz/product/272...ategoryId=1701

Originally Posted by zeropak

Looking at your short list it I assume you want something with a 3 1/2 mag max at low power and you want something with an exposed top turret with zero lock. I suggest you take a look at the new GPO Centuri scopes.
Particularly the 3-18x44. I fits your criteria for the price of $1400. I picked one up at the Sika show and am impressed, it is my 2nd GPO scope, in my opinion their performance is well above the price they go for.
Here is a link. https://www.nzammo.co.nz/product/272...ategoryId=1701

That's a pretty hot contender with those numbers. Any idea what their support and warranty is like in NZ?

Originally Posted by CalibreWalker

That's a pretty hot contender with those numbers. Any idea what their support and warranty is like in NZ?

No sorry I don't really. Give the guys at NZ Ammo a call

Originally Posted by Sika 8

I have a VX-5HD on my rifle and love it (3 x 15 x 44 duplex side focus)
Spent a lot of time at the range and got my CDS done and it's a game changer, don't even have to think about it, just range dial & squeeze.

I see you have included weights etc... The VX-5HD is relatively heavy, if i were to do another rifle and was conscious of scope weight i'd go for the VX-3HD
Probably the 4.5 x 14 x 40 would be my pick.

One con on mine is the parallax dial on the LH side of the scope seems to move with the slightest of touches which is a bit annoying but something i'm used to now, mine does it and a mates doesn't so its a bit random...... Have heard others have had the same issue & I talked to Leupold in the U.S and theres no adjustment to tighten or anything so it's just a quirk of some of them.

Yes, put mine on my berg xt hunter 308 and it was too bulky for my liking. Ended up with 3-10 kahles on it.

I run a Burris 3-15HDi on a 16in T3x 308 which seems like a similar setup to what you may beafter..
It's a great one inch tube option
Lifetime warranty - take a bashing and holds true.
Illuminated + I like the reticle
Nearly half the price of a VX5i (also can pick them up on here every now and then)
Underrated glass IMO
More elevation adjustment than VX5 (80moa vs 72moa)
Parallax @ 25m - good enough for bush (Vx5 is 50m)
Push/pull and zero-stop locking turrets
Eye relief is ok.. if you're at high mag you might have more time - haven't used a VX5 on 15x, only up to 7x

Not trying to talk you into it - just my decision making process on a bush gun that'll still shoot out to... far enough

Depends on primary application.. I run a V4 on .223 & V6 on 7RM - both great, but have different requirements

As nick said - There’s no right or wrong here, just what’s right for you.