Scope Recommendation

So my brother just hit me up about recommending him a new scope for his .270. Current scope is a Leupold VX1 3-9x40 - nothing wrong with it except that he invariably carries it set on 9x and would like a bit more magnification at the top end. Here's what he's looking for:

• 12x or greater magnification at the top end,
• Doesn't need to go below 4x on the lower end - he'll never use it anyway,
• 1" tube if possible - he's got a nice set of steel rings and bridge mount he'd like to reuse
• Probably not parallax adjustable. He doesn't target shoot other than sighting in, and maximum range he'll shoot to would be ~350m. Having a side-focus scope is going to cost him depth of focus compared to a fixed parallax option and the amount of parallax at those ranges is not going to be an issue.
• Objective up to 50mm
• Budget up to $2k (if required).

The above is a bit different from my preferences, I'm a fan of light scopes mounted low for that kind of work (I find the Leupold VX3i 2.5-8x36 on my rifle about perfect and I generally carry it at 4x). But that's neither here nor there.

Off the top of my head I've recommended he have a look at a Meopta Meopro 4-12x50, and a Swarovski Z5 2.4-12x50. I'm steering him away from Swaro Z3's due to the reports of erector durability issues, and from the VX3i 4.5-14 because although I have one and like it, I don't see that he needs to put up with the somewhat variable eye relief when changing magnification if he's happy to carry more weight and size than the Leupold option.

So, what other choices haven't I thought of yet?

There are countless options in that price category with little criteria. Probably needs to have a think about other features he is wanting. Reticle type. Exposed or capped turrets. Probably want to be dialling with a 270 at max distance unless (350m) Has. Reticle he familiar with.
At the price and mag range stated I'd definitely go with a high quality Euro glass. Swaro, Kahles, S + B or Zeiss.

https://www.deadeyedicks.co.nz/produ...-x-50mm-lm-a7/

This one could fit the bill apart from the paralax.

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Leupold VX3i 4.5-14x40 is good value for money. I got the CDS version and the CDS dial showed up the other day.

It dials up to 600 yards on the 284-08 which is plenty.

I've also had a VX2 4-12 which was good as well

You will see the usual replies that pop up on threads like this, so here is mine.... Sightron, great value for money. Something like s3 6-24. Stac are good too, but stop at 20 power.

Buy a vx5 and some new rings

I would also go VX5 I like mine better than my Z5 I had.
Rings are cheap

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Some good thoughts, thanks guys. To answer a few points raised:
Capped turrets, not going to be dialing.
Probably simple duplex reticle. Basic holdover type like leupold B&C also a possibility as long as not cluttered. Illumination maybe, but that would definitely require 30mm tube as far as I know.
I know including 30mm tubes gives a whole world of options and he's not ruling it out - but unless he's missing out on a particularly great scope with this limitation it's another $200 he doesn't have to spend.
Kahles, S&B, Zeiss (excluding Terra), Sightron options all seem to be 30mm tube.
VX5 is parallax adjustable as well as 30mm tube - for those who have one do you manage to hunt with one set parallax setting or are you adjusting before every shot? How do you find the reduced focus depth vs a fixed parallax scope in practical use?

2-10 vx5. You can get it with a capped turret (i dont see why you would as its not like its a huge big turret anyhow and with Zero Lock theres no chance of it moving once zeroed) no parallax and beautiful to look through. Can get it with a duplex reticle or a holdover reticle. I recently got one and its an awesome wee scope.
On my bigger vx5 (3-15) I just roam round with it set on lowest mag and parallax set at 50 in case something pops out but other than that you always have time to adjust mag and parallax for a shot anyhow

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

2-10 vx5. You can get it with a capped turret (i dont see why you would as its not like its a huge big turret anyhow and with Zero Lock theres no chance of it moving once zeroed) no parallax and beautiful to look through. Can get it with a duplex reticle or a holdover reticle. I recently got one and its an awesome wee scope.
On my bigger vx5 (3-15) I just roam round with it set on lowest mag and parallax set at 50 in case something pops out but other than that you always have time to adjust mag and parallax for a shot anyhow

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3-15x is a great mag range that covers basically all hunting scenarios IMHO.

What rings is he running?. If I'm spending up to 2k on a scope I'd sure as hell make sure they're sitting In quality rings. Just a thought.

Vx5 with that budget has gotta be best bang for buck.

But yeah he could perhaps get 'better' glass with less scope features in some Euro offerings.

Not that it's probably hugely noticeable.





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Buy @Dreamers Zeiss - job done

@25/08IMP you rate the vx5 over the z5??

I'm pretty sure sightron have 1 inch tube, or they did because I owned one. But I think they stopped that model, but would guess other models still have 1 inch.
It's all up to you, but if your not dialing I would think you could get a nice scope for half that budget.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by superdiver

@25/08IMP you rate the vx5 over the z5??

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Have had a few of both, still got the VX5s...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by superdiver

@25/08IMP you rate the vx5 over the z5??

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Yip I had 2 x Z5 now I have 3 x Vx5 and no z5, as a do all scope they are great no biggie if you don't adjust paralex until at longer range.
I'm are all in Talley rings $100 per set solid as.

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I think your limiting yourself by not considering the Swarovski Z3 range of scopes .
Id be interested in knowing if anyone here has had issues with their Z3 scopes
From the research I have done it seems that there was a few problems in the USA a few years ago , but I havent found any evidence of problems in OZ and NZ .
I recently bought a Z3 3x9-36 and its a wonderful scope for the money .

VX3i 4.5-14 is a good option. I had no issues with mine and shot at distance no worries. Swaro Z5 or VX5 3-15 are on another level though..

So with a stated maximum range of 350m the existing scope set on max magnification gives the equivalent open sights picture of about 40m. With a new 12 power scope that will improve to about 30m. My respectful suggestion is if he can not hit a 12 inch target with the current set up an extra ten metres is not going to help. If I had the money burning a hole in my pocket I would spend it on more helicopter trips. Why on earth would anyone need a 12+ mag scope for the max range given?

https://www.tractoptics.com/products...3-12x42-t-plex
Phone to order, do not do this online due to the expense of the default shipping method.

I've owned two Swaro Z3's (3-9x36). Both of them had tracking issues/problems with holding zero. It was a shame because they were otherwise light and aesthetically pleasing.

I've had good results with Swaro Z5/Z6.

I have had the Z5 and now run a VX6HD. Prefer the VX5 and VX6 to z5 in all respects. I have a Z3 4-12x50 on my 223 and absolutely love it. Great scope for the money and have not had any issues.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PaulNZ

Some good thoughts, thanks guys. To answer a few points raised:
Capped turrets, not going to be dialing.
Probably simple duplex reticle. Basic holdover type like leupold B&C also a possibility as long as not cluttered. Illumination maybe, but that would definitely require 30mm tube as far as I know.
I know including 30mm tubes gives a whole world of options and he's not ruling it out - but unless he's missing out on a particularly great scope with this limitation it's another $200 he doesn't have to spend.
Kahles, S&B, Zeiss (excluding Terra), Sightron options all seem to be 30mm tube.
VX5 is parallax adjustable as well as 30mm tube - for those who have one do you manage to hunt with one set parallax setting or are you adjusting before every shot? How do you find the reduced focus depth vs a fixed parallax scope in practical use?

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when hunting I set mine to 100 that's what the ones you cant adjust are set to usually

So it looks like if sticking to good quality ~12x glass with 1" tube and fixed parallax, then it's probably limited to the Meopta, Swaro or Leupold VX3i options. I might have a yarn to him about updating to 30mm rings - its for a Voere Titan II which is not the most common rifle in the world but I believe it takes the same mounts as a small ring mauser, so there should be some options out there. Plenty for him to think about anyway.

The high mag thing just seems to be his preference - I haven't noticed him having any trouble smacking over deer with the 3-9x. He's not being talked into the need for more magnification either - of the 3 of us who normally hunt together he's already got the biggest scope (vs my 2.5-8x36 and a 1.5-6x42). But if he wants to upgrade from a VX1 for his main hunting rifle I can understand that, and if he prefers to shoot with high magnification so be it - he'll be the one paying for it and carrying it.

Thanks for all the suggestions and info.

Have you considered 2-8 Leupold with B&C reticule. Good basic scope with just enough and not too much magnification.
However it does not have all the "twiddley" bits people seem to like now ie parallax and dial up knobs blah blah.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mikee

Have you considered 2-8 Leupold with B&C reticule. Good basic scope with just enough and not too much magnification.
However it does not have all the "twiddley" bits people seem to like now ie parallax and dial up knobs blah blah.

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Not only have I considered it - that's what I run on my rifle (excluding the B&C - just the standard duplex). Works well for me, and the spiker I got on Saturday didn't seem to complain about my 'basic' scope choice either. However, it's not what my brother is looking for. Different strokes etc. etc.

if he wants to stay 1" tube the Nikon monarch range is worth a look. Similar to a vx3
paralax adjustment come in on the 12 & 16 x and greater

Zeiss? I recently put the new V4 on my rifle. Fantastic scope 4-16*44.

I have a Zeiss HD5 3-15x42 for sale.
Ticks all your boxes except no. parrelax. As others have mentioned the fixed scopes are normally to 100m (or yards) so no biggie.
http://Zeiss Conquest HD5 3-15x42 20...4&share_type=t

I like it when the OP closes out a thread rather than leaving all the contributors hanging, wondering what the result was. So FYI, I put all the options in front of him (including 30mm tubes - he did come around to the idea of replacing rings if he needed to) and he's ordered a Kahles Helia 3 4-12x44i with the illuminated '4-dot' reticle. Thanks to all those who made suggestions.