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Morning all. I am looking at updating my scope from the Nikon 4.5-14x40 currently being used. The Vortex Strike Eagle in 3-18x44, being SFP, with EBRr moa reticle holds some appeal as I like the magnification and reticle. I would appreciate comments about this scope from those who have used them.
I know someone will suggest Nightforce for my 6.5x55, but having just bought a new house and about to have a large shed built, cannot spend that amount of coin. Many thanks in advance.
Whats wrong with the nikon? Imo the extra mag is unnecessary for hunting. Second focal plane is usefull if you use a mil dot or other ranging reticle (like the ebr) and dont dial for distance otherwise it adds expense. Also some crowded reticles can be a little busy and hard to read at low power. You will probaby also be up for new rings unless the nikon is 30 mm.
Just my thoughts.
Thanks for the reply Marty Henry. Partly my sentiments too. The Nikon has excellent glass (wife has their cameras) but field of view a tad tunnellish. Have tipped over a goat at 408m after using Strelock and ranging the animal. Yes, I would need 30mm rings for a Vortex; have 1” optilocks on the Nikon.
if you change your scope put a dpt 20 moa rail on it :)
So I can try to keep up with you eh?:thumbsup:
it will give you a better choice of scope rings after the last couple of hunts you would be definitely shooting better than me i think i need glasses:roll:
I think you are confusing first & second focal plane. Traditional / "normal" scopes are second focal plane. e.g. leupold vx1 is second focal plane.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marty Henry
I agree though, FFP can be hard to read at low magnification, adds expense, and can look busy as graduations etc appear very small and fine at low magnification.
i fitted a 5-25 56mm to my 7mm RM. got a confirmed hit on a hare at 983m. nice optics for the money, sure schmidt and bender etc are better but the cost is ridiculous
Yes @ChrisW got my ones and twos confused, thankfully it doesn't happen when I go to the toilet (yet)
You said 4.5-14 so that must be a Nikon Prostaff.
Are you wanting to get more magnification or a better glass?? or larger field of view.
Staying with 1" rings you could upgrade to a Nikon Monarch 3 in 4-16x42 or 4-16x50 with side focus and either a first or second FP reticle.
I think the Monarch 5 & 7 series are 30mm tubes and are a further step up in price. (still very good value)
Remember larger tube size adds a greater range of elevation. Should not affect light or field of view. Field of view is about object lenses size & magnification.
Zq
NB Note exposed turrets in the Strike Eagle.
The scope I have is the Nikon Fieldmaster with nikoplex reticle and I am seeking a better field of view plus having some sort of drop feature. I like the nikon glass but holdover is either a guesstimate or I use the Strelok App on my phone. Can be rather fickle in that I need to aim at ‘about’ that point.
I have a 1-8 strike eagle. Not the same scope but for what it is worth the quality and clarity is impressive for the money. The model you are looking at would no doubt be even better with the larger objective.
Why? I dont get 20moa rails on hunting rifles, unless it was something with a rainbow trajectory like a 308 shooting 178s I am yet to come across a scope/rifle combination that runs out of elevation before 1000 ydsQuote:
Originally Posted by sometimes
And how many people would actually shoot at game that far out. Its a bloody long carry. My 308 with 165s is rainbow enough past 500 so thats my self imposed limit.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst
Your PROSTAFF 5 glass is very nice even if its the older Buckmaster line. You could definitely upgrade to a MONARCH 3 with a BDC retire and use Spot In for your holdovers or step up to a 30mm tube in the M-Tactical line and get a 3-12x42 in MOA/MRAD reticle, your choice. You could even step up to a BLACK X1000 which is also 30 mm and SFP. I have 3 and they work great.
Vortex will be a disappointment in the glass department if you are used to Nikon, they are after all the only company that rivals Swarovski year after year in binocular reviews so they know a thing or two about glass
Had a vortex viper 4-16 on my 270 that ran out at 550 yards. Have since added a railQuote:
Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst
Have not used a vortex scope myself but from general reading the upper end of the range is good but the Strike Eagle is from the lower end of the range.
As noted above I would doubt the glass in a 3-18 strike Eagle would be a patch on the Nikon Monarch glass.
Having said that I believe that in a lower power scope 1-4 or 2-8 type of thing you can get away with average glass and most people would not notice the difference except for a few minutes at dawn or dusk. Step into a higher power scope and all those little weaknesses become significant.
I would definitely say you are better off with a lower powered scope and good glass than a high power scope with poor glass.
ie in Leupold talk you would be better off with a VX3 4.5-14 than a VX2 6-18 for the same money
I can see bullet holes at 100 meters with my Nikon 1-4 using my almost 50 year old eyes
Zq
Digging up this old thread as I’m hoping a few more people have em nowadays. For those that have em (hopefully someone) how do you find the reticle for Hunting? And what’s the clarity like on the higher magnification?
I’m thinking of getting one to chuck on my 308 for 20-500yds if no one has anything real bad to say
If it seems "tunnelish" good chance eye reliefs incorrect for you? Maybe
@Matt-P.Nth I was going to get a strike eagle for my long range .22 but the reveiws were not very favourable and Vortex have discontinued them....I got a Diamond tactical instead and found it reliable dialling or using the reticle.
Well that could work out better as it would be easier to get past the other half being cheaper. How do you find the reticle being FFP for Hunting? Isn’t too hard to pick up the crosshairs at low magnification for snap shots?Quote:
Originally Posted by wsm junkie
Hey Matt, ive got the 6-24 that i use for small game. I have no issues with it being FFP shooting rabbits, hares and magpies out to 250m.Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt-P.Nth
Havnt really tested 6x in low light so cant comment.