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Rifle Scopes Why did it have to be Leupold...

beretta_man11

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Feb 17, 2010
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I'm looking for my next long range hunting scope. I have a few criteria that I'd like to have:
<29oz
3 to 5x on the low end (the more FOV the better)
15 power or more
exposed elevation turret with zero stop
capped (or locking) windage
illuminated
decent MOA or MIL hash reticle
Focal plane isn't a deal breaker
$2,000 and under

Only the VX5hd has checked all of those boxes.
The LRHS might work but the FOV is pretty small at 23' compared to 38' on the vx5

Anybody have any idea of what else fits this list?
 
I have. I like the v6- the weight, and glass make it very attractive, but the turrets are either both exposed, or both capped and I don't believe the windage locks.
 
The Mark 5 3.6-18 gets it done too. I have two Mark 5's Tremor 3 and a VX5HD 3-15 with the Impact 29 reticle and they're both great optics. With the SFP you don't need an illuminated reticle to pick it up in low light so I opted for the more functional reticle over one I could get illuminated.
 
CMH- you're right. It is a very close fit, the only thing, on paper- the FOV seems a bit narrow. Do you have one?
 
Vortex AMG. Love mine. It's 6 on the low end, but has a pretty good FOV for the power range. Ticks every other box of yours. The new price is higher than your budget, but I got mine used off the PX for $2000. They sell there all the time for around $2k.
 
I'm looking for my next long range hunting scope. I have a few criteria that I'd like to have:
<29oz
3 to 5x on the low end (the more FOV the better)
15 power or more
exposed elevation turret with zero stop
capped (or locking) windage
illuminated
decent MOA or MIL hash reticle
Focal plane isn't a deal breaker
$2,000 and under

Only the VX5hd has checked all of those boxes.
The LRHS might work but the FOV is pretty small at 23' compared to 38' on the vx5

Anybody have any idea of what else fits this list?

Vudu 5-25 fits all your criteria.
 
I have. I like the v6- the weight, and glass make it very attractive, but the turrets are either both exposed, or both capped and I don't believe the windage locks.
The VX6 HD 3-18 has locking windage along with locking elevation. I just bought one, looks decent, no use as of yet.
 
The VX6 HD 3-18 has locking windage along with locking elevation. I just bought one, looks decent, no use as of yet.

Miles- Do you know if the glass in the vx6 and vx5 are the same? I didn't realize the windage locked too, that's good to know!
 
Miles- Do you know if the glass in the vx6 and vx5 are the same? I didn't realize the windage locked too, that's good to know!
I cannot answer that one, quite a price diff between the 2, I could only make an assumption. I had a Mark 5 i did not use and sold, or I could look.
Leupold great on answering emails if you want to try that.
 
I cannot answer that one, quite a price diff between the 2, I could only make an assumption. I had a Mark 5 i did not use and sold, or I could look.
Leupold great on answering emails if you want to try that.
Why you sell the mk5 Milo? You just bought it! Lol
 
Why you sell the mk5 Milo? You just bought it! Lol
Crap, had a tough go getting rings, gave the kid one of my Kahles, sold the Mark 5, then bought VX3i Leupold to hunt with, Kahles was heavy. Then the kid said he did not like the Kahles, even though he was getting deadly with the .2 holds. Made a deal with him, this new leupy for the other 2 scopes, Kahles and vx3.
I just had stupid tattoo'd on my forehead today. I literally paid for 4 scopes to satisfy a 12 yr old.
 
Y
Crap, had a tough go getting rings, gave the kid one of my Kahles, sold the Mark 5, then bought VX3i Leupold to hunt with, Kahles was heavy. Then the kid said he did not like the Kahles, even though he was getting deadly with the .2 holds. Made a deal with him, this new leupy for the other 2 scopes, Kahles and vx3.
I just had stupid tattoo'd on my forehead today. I literally paid for 4 scopes to satisfy a 12 yr old.
you are a good man milo. It’s better than video games!
 
Miles- Do you know if the glass in the vx6 and vx5 are the same? I didn't realize the windage locked too, that's good to know!

Yes the glass is the same.
The price difference is due to all VX6hds had illumination and has the inbuilt level system, all come with alumia scope caps and a throw lever and all have exposed but locking elevation and windage.
 
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Really hard to beat the mark 5 for the $$. I have 3. Put a lot of hard days on mine in the backcountry in less than ideal conditions and it’s still doing awesome.
 
A question because I’m curious. If looking for a long range hunting scope, why is FOV at lowest power very important? What about clarity and resolution at high power?
 
for my use of the rifle, it will see quite a bit of time in the mississippi woods, where low power/larger FOV is nice for picking up closer animals, especially in lower light.
 
for my use of the rifle, it will see quite a bit of time in the mississippi woods, where low power/larger FOV is nice for picking up closer animals, especially in lower light.

This specifically is why i selected the STAC for hunting, the 2.5 power with 40ish FOV to 17 with 6ish feet FOV seems perfect and I can see through it well past legal shooting light. I did go with the covered turret model with illuminated reticle. I have one on my smokeless Muzzleloader and my rifles, I havent had issues in years.
 
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Turns out the whiskey5 3-15 and 5-25x52 comes pretty close to fitting the bill too, if anybody else is looking as well
 
I'm looking for my next long range hunting scope. I have a few criteria that I'd like to have:
<29oz
3 to 5x on the low end (the more FOV the better)
15 power or more
exposed elevation turret with zero stop
capped (or locking) windage
illuminated
decent MOA or MIL hash reticle
Focal plane isn't a deal breaker
$2,000 and under

Only the VX5hd has checked all of those boxes.
The LRHS might work but the FOV is pretty small at 23' compared to 38' on the vx5

Anybody have any idea of what else fits this list?

You thoughtfully listed the priorities in an order that makes sense to you (me too) for a hunting scope. I had a similar list, although mil and FFP was not optional

Even though people responded - It would be great if they listed the actual values

Here is what I ended up with:
Vortex PSTGenII 3-15
<29oz 28 oz
3 to 5x on the low end (the more FOV the better) 41.2' @100 look at some of the other suggestions under 2k this is hard to beat.
15 power or more 15X
exposed elevation turret with zero stop Exposed turrets with click-less zero and zero stop
capped (or locking) windage NO
illuminated YES
decent MOA or MIL hash reticle One of the nicest arount
Focal plane isn't a deal breaker FFP
$2,000 and under I paid $849.00 new


edited to add I really was about to spend the 2k for the VX 6 with 38' FOV but didn't like the reticles and MOA was a no go. The Mark 5HD 3.6x18 is only 28' FOV at 100
 
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Not sure if these fit all your criteria, but maybe look into Premier 3-15 (have seen a couple in the PX here recently for good prices), Steiner T5XI 3-15, or my favorite: the NF Atacr F1 4-16.
 
Diver- thank you for the very good reply. I'll revisit the PST2.

Wyzrd- I've been watching the premiers on here. I've just been leery of how it would be serviced- if it ever needed to be. I have seen them for as low as $1,200- not bad!
 
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Diver- thank you for the very good reply. I'll revisit the PST2.

Wyzrd- I've been watching the premiers on here. I've just been leery of how it would be serviced- if it ever needed to be. I have seen them for as low as $1,200- not bad!

Yes sir, I understand. If I didn’t just buy an AMG, I’d be looking very hard at getting one of those, especially at that price. If you do choose to pursue one of the Premiers, you can always call in the serial # of the scope to see if it still falls under their warranty.
 
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Very happy with my VX5hd. No regrets. Making great hunting scopes is what they do best.

I also have bought a couple of PST gen 1's for hunting scopes on my AR platforms. Love the 2-10 magnification range. Good glass, light weight,illumination,and can be found in the $500 range
 
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I'm looking for my next long range hunting scope. I have a few criteria that I'd like to have:
<29oz
3 to 5x on the low end (the more FOV the better)
15 power or more
exposed elevation turret with zero stop
capped (or locking) windage
illuminated
decent MOA or MIL hash reticle
Focal plane isn't a deal breaker
$2,000 and under

Only the VX5hd has checked all of those boxes.
The LRHS might work but the FOV is pretty small at 23' compared to 38' on the vx5

Anybody have any idea of what else fits this list?

I've got a good Leupold. But, I also have a great Nikon FX1000 that I believe fits all your requirements, except for one. The turrets don't lock, but they have very deliberate and solid clicks. You won't "adjust" them by accident.
 
I was looking for something similar and ended with the Athlon Ares BTR 2.5-15
27 oz.
2.5 low end
15 top end
Exposed elevation and zero stop
No capped windage
Illumination
Mil reticle
FFP
Bunch of used ones in the PX here for under $600
 
Remmber just because scopes have a low magnification number does not mean they have a large FOV.

Low magnification, especially in FFP scopes can do more harm than good if the reticle doesn’t offer daylight illumination or the proper reticle and the FOV is not an improvement over higher magnification options.

I would hate to buy a 3x or 4x scope and get the the same FOV as some 5-25 scopes.

The NF 4-16-42 F1 is a prime example - it has be recommended several times but only has a FOV of about 26’ that’s relatively poor considering many are over 40’. The Vortex PST gen1 is another example similar FOV to the NF were as the Gen II is up with the Stiener and SB 3-20 short (but out of the op’s price threshold).
 
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Another option could be the Vortex Razor HD LH 3-15. I’ve heard great reviews about them for a light weight hunting scope. I just wish they offered them in FFP and with an exposed/locking elevation turret.
 
Sorry OP, but I'm going to break your rule of asking a dumb question. Your title implies that you are unhappy that a Leupold fits your requirements. Can you explain why???