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ZCO or ??????

Cardboard Assassin

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 6, 2020
588
348
Canada
I have set the wheels in motion for my second build (picked up a chassis / trigger / magazines etc on the Black Friday sale and have a Terminus Zeus on order).

Trying to decide on glass. I have a real itch for a ZCO scope and have been offered a ZCO 5-27 with MPCT3 reticle for a great price (scope is a few months old but is perfect).

This build will be a trainer / for use in local competitions probably in 223 or 223AI. The local competitions are 500 max. I know ZCO is highly regarded and I dont doubt they are a great scope but as some of the competitions I plan to shoot with this rifle are benchrest style events demanding high accuracy (as opposed to simply making contact anywhere on a plate) I wonder if I would be better with a second focal plane scope with 1/8 adjustments?

A SFP scope reticle is general finer allowing for better accuracy (I prefer a fine dot in the centre for this reason on either SFP or FFP).

I already have a 10-50X Sightron S3 (which is SFP) and a 7-35X Nightforce ATACR. The ATACR has better glass but I feel like I can be more accurate with the higher magnification / finer reticle on the Sightron. To be fair I haven't had as much time behind the ATACR.

Thoughts?

Are there any SFP 1/8 scopes that are in the same league as the ZCO?

Is the reticle on the ZCO fine enough at max magnification for this style of shooting?

Does anyone find that the "Fatal Funnel" on the MPCT3 obstructs their view and hinders them from seeing trace (I suspect thats why the MPCT3X was launched and I think I would prefer it but then I would have to buy a new scope costing significantly more)?

Thanks in advance.
 
IF you mostly want to do benchrest shooting at paper targets, perhaps something more like the S&B 12-50x56 with the P4F or one of the March benchrest scopes would be something to consider.

That being said the ZCO is an excellent scope, but for pure benchrest stuff against paper, you kind of want a purpose made scope.

For all around multipurpose stuff, the ZCO would be a great one to go with.
 
IF you mostly want to do benchrest shooting at paper targets, perhaps something more like the S&B 12-50x56 with the P4F or one of the March benchrest scopes would be something to consider.

That being said the ZCO is an excellent scope, but for pure benchrest stuff against paper, you kind of want a purpose made scope.

For all around multipurpose stuff, the ZCO would be a great one to go with.

Strangely enough I know where there is the exact S&B you describe for sale for a great price (used). Whats weird about it though is that the spec is pretty much what you'd expect for a benchrest high precision gun (high magnification / P4F reticle / 1/8 clicks etc) but its in FFP?

Considering the rest of the spec I feel like SFP would be the better fit. Maybe they were offered in FFP & SFP? I haven't tried the P4F cross style reticle but I typically prefer a fine centre dot.

I suppose I could switch to my Sightron for those type of events. The ZCO seems pretty slick and I would imagine it would be a great all rounder. If the clarity is as good as they say it would likely make up for the lower magnification.
 
Strangely enough I know where there is the exact S&B you describe for sale for a great price (used). Whats weird about it though is that the spec is pretty much what you'd expect for a benchrest high precision gun (high magnification / P4F reticle / 1/8 clicks etc) but its in FFP?

Considering the rest of the spec I feel like SFP would be the better fit. Maybe they were offered in FFP & SFP? I haven't tried the P4F cross style reticle but I typically prefer a fine centre dot.

I suppose I could switch to my Sightron for those type of events. The ZCO seems pretty slick and I would imagine it would be a great all rounder. If the clarity is as good as they say it would likely make up for the lower magnification.

The P4FL has a very fine center and is uncluttered so it works well in high magnification small target settings.

If you are intent on an SFP, I would give a very close look to the March scopes, they are highly regarded in the Benchrest world.
 
The P4FL has a very fine center and is uncluttered so it works well in high magnification small target settings.

If you are intent on an SFP, I would give a very close look to the March scopes, they are highly regarded in the Benchrest world.

Thanks for the info.

I did some more searching and found someone selling an 8-80X March. Looking at the specs these scopes are built for benchrest. 80X sure is a lot of magnification but of course there will be days when dialling back will be required due to mirage etc. Anyone know what the glass quality is like on March (compared to ZCO / NF / Schmit)?

From what I have read thats where the ZCO is so strong - the glass is very high quality and cuts through the mirage well.

From what I can tell Tangent Theta scopes are in a similar league (possibly even better but they are more expensive) but I haven't looked at them as I can pick up the ZCO locally for a good price.

Schmit & Bender is up there too and it looks like they offer scopes up to 50X in FFP & SFP. Folks speak highly of their glass too.

I haven't really considered Nightforce as I already have the 7-35X ATACR and fancy trying another brand.
 
Thanks for the info.

I did some more searching and found someone selling an 8-80X March. Looking at the specs these scopes are built for benchrest. 80X sure is a lot of magnification but of course there will be days when dialling back will be required due to mirage etc. Anyone know what the glass quality is like on March (compared to ZCO / NF / Schmit)?

From what I have read thats where the ZCO is so strong - the glass is very high quality and cuts through the mirage well.

From what I can tell Tangent Theta scopes are in a similar league (possibly even better but they are more expensive) but I haven't looked at them as I can pick up the ZCO locally for a good price.

Schmit & Bender is up there too and it looks like they offer scopes up to 50X in FFP & SFP. Folks speak highly of their glass too.

I haven't really considered Nightforce as I already have the 7-35X ATACR and fancy trying another brand.
I have no experience with March, so I cannot comment there.

I have multiple copies of ZCO 5-27’s and one TT 5-25. I am happy with all of them. If I were to buy another new scope, it would be the ZCO. The TT edges out the ZCO ever so slightly in the image quality department, but they are very, very close. The TT is once again, quite a bit more money than the ZCO, but the ZCO’s are brick shithouses. Again, I like them both and I have no intention of parting with either brand.
 
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I have no experience with March, so I cannot comment there.

I have multiple copies of ZCO 5-27’s and one TT 5-25. I am happy with all of them. If I were to buy another new scope, it would be the ZCO. The TT edges out the ZCO ever so slightly in the image quality department, but they are very, very close. The TT is once again, quite a bit more money than the ZCO, but the ZCO’s are brick shithouses. Again, I like them both and I have no intention of parting with either brand.

Good to know.

Unfortunately neither brand is available where I live so its hard to get a feel for them and why folks like you with first hand experience of both are a great source of info.

Have you (or anyone) had a chance to compare to a Nightforce (I have a 7-35X ATACR)? I'm curious how they line up and how close the NF is.
 
Good to know.

Unfortunately neither brand is available where I live so its hard to get a feel for them and why folks like you with first hand experience of both are a great source of info.

Have you (or anyone) had a chance to compare to a Nightforce (I have a 7-35X ATACR)? I'm curious how they line up and how close the NF is.
I have not owned a NF scope in many years. They build a very good, very rugged product. I had an 8-32 NXS about 20 years ago. As I recall, it had a lot of chromatic aberration, but that was back in the days when most modern Alpha scopes didn’t even exist and CA was less of a hot topic. I have very little doubt that Nightforce has long since dealt with CA in a satisfactory manner. Again, I think they make a good product.

Above, you said;
”Trying to decide on glass. I have a real itch for a ZCO scope and have been offered a ZCO 5-27 with MPCT3 reticle for a great price (scope is a few months old but is perfect”.
I would strongly suggest that you snag that deal. If the deal is good enough and for some reason you don’t like it, you can probably re-sell it for what you paid. Probably less so with the Nightforce.
When I got my first ZCO and unboxed it, I was blown away. You will be too.

Again, between the ZCO, TT and Nightforce, I’d rate the ZCO on top, all things considered (including price).
 
I have not owned a NF scope in many years. They build a very good, very rugged product. I had an 8-32 NXS about 20 years ago. As I recall, it had a lot of chromatic aberration, but that was back in the days when most modern Alpha scopes didn’t even exist and CA was less of a hot topic. I have very little doubt that Nightforce has long since dealt with CA in a satisfactory manner. Again, I think they make a good product.

Above, you said;
”Trying to decide on glass. I have a real itch for a ZCO scope and have been offered a ZCO 5-27 with MPCT3 reticle for a great price (scope is a few months old but is perfect”.
I would strongly suggest that you snag that deal. If the deal is good enough and for some reason you don’t like it, you can probably re-sell it for what you paid. Probably less so with the Nightforce.
When I got my first ZCO and unboxed it, I was blown away. You will be too.

Again, between the ZCO, TT and Nightforce, I’d rate the ZCO on top, all things considered (including price).

I think I'm on the same page.

Even if I hate it for some reason I imagine I can sell it on quite easily. The seller is local to me so I can view it too. Pretty sure I'm gonna end up going the ZCO direction.

Its hard to describe glass without seeing it. I used my lowly Sightron S3 10-50X for many years and thought the glass was great. Then I got the Nightforce and when I took them both to the range I realized what a step up the NF was.

I suspect it is going to be the same with the ZCO.
 
My friend @GBMaryland is having one of the new Zeiss 5x25 scopes delivered this Wed and we are going to compare to his S&B and....uh, some other scope (can 't remember which, exactly).

haha...I told him to hurry and order a ZCO for comparison as that's really the two I'm looking at and would love to do an A/B test looking through both.
 
If you are looking for a benchrest/F-class type high magnification SFP scope, March High Master 10-60x56 is the best available in the moment.

Generally, March does high magnification really exceptionally well. Personally, I tend to use FFP stuff across the board, so I have a couple of March 5-42x56FFP scopes for applications where I want a lot of magnification.

For plate shooting, ZCO and Tangent are really exceptional (I have a couple of Tangents), but one of the things that makes them so exceptional is really excellent depth of field where you do not have to mess with side focus every time you transition to targets at different distances. The corollary of that is that achieving truly perfect focus is not as easy, since so much is at focus at the same time.

With paper shooting where you are trying to print the tiniest group (rather than make impact anywhere on the plate) and you are not as limited on time, shallower depth of field actually helps you. It is much easier to figure out where that truly optimal focus is. Higher magnification gives you shallower depth of field (that's why F/T shooters use very high magnification scopes for range finding with the parallax turret). Also some designs, like March high mag scopes have somewhat shallower depth of field that often gives you an edge for paper shooting.

ILya
 
If you are looking for a benchrest/F-class type high magnification SFP scope, March High Master 10-60x56 is the best available in the moment.

Generally, March does high magnification really exceptionally well. Personally, I tend to use FFP stuff across the board, so I have a couple of March 5-42x56FFP scopes for applications where I want a lot of magnification.

For plate shooting, ZCO and Tangent are really exceptional (I have a couple of Tangents), but one of the things that makes them so exceptional is really excellent depth of field where you do not have to mess with side focus every time you transition to targets at different distances. The corollary of that is that achieving truly perfect focus is not as easy, since so much is at focus at the same time.

With paper shooting where you are trying to print the tiniest group (rather than make impact anywhere on the plate) and you are not as limited on time, shallower depth of field actually helps you. It is much easier to figure out where that truly optimal focus is. Higher magnification gives you shallower depth of field (that's why F/T shooters use very high magnification scopes for range finding with the parallax turret). Also some designs, like March high mag scopes have somewhat shallower depth of field that often gives you an edge for paper shooting.

ILya

Thank you for the detailed reply.

The March 10-60 does have a good spec for punching paper (60X 1/8 MOA turrets etc etc).

I have an itch for a ZCO and the one locally is a good deal so I more than likely I will pick it up. I will try it for paper punching but if it isn't working I'll look at the March (ZCO will move on to another rifle).

Anyone know why the March 10-60X is considered better than the 8-80X? 80X is a LOT of magnification!
 
Thank you for the detailed reply.

The March 10-60 does have a good spec for punching paper (60X 1/8 MOA turrets etc etc).

I have an itch for a ZCO and the one locally is a good deal so I more than likely I will pick it up. I will try it for paper punching but if it isn't working I'll look at the March (ZCO will move on to another rifle).

Anyone know why the March 10-60X is considered better than the 8-80X? 80X is a LOT of magnification!

I do not think I have ever seen anyone disappointed with ZCO yet.

With March, the High Master models have their latest optical systems and they are a step up from the earlier designs. It is not all about magnifications. All March scopes are definitely on the high end, but the latest stuff has really taken a step forward.

ILya
 
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March recently announced they will have a new 8-80 High Master version in '23.
The High Master has Fluorite elements in the glass for superior image quality compared to their other scopes.
 
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You had 3 ZCO actually fail mechanically??

And this was verified by ZCO??

I can't remember his posts on this exactly but I did see it. He bought 6 scopes and then he said he had some issue with 3 of them and sent them all back to his retailer immediately without sending anything to zco ect... if I recall correctly. I don't believe any further anything was ever posted about it from him or zco.
 
In my case ...VERY disappointed .. ( and i owned 6 of them!!) 3 failed mechanically!!

OK. I have now seen one VERY disappointed with ZCO.

Look, at the very high end, there are very few duds, but I am sure they do get through QC. ZCO generally makes exceptionally nice scopes. It does not mean everyone is going to pick a ZCO. I have spent rather ridiculous amount of time with just about all high end scopes out there and I did not settle on a ZCO. It does not mean it is a bad scope. It just means that something else out there fits my preferences better.

ILya
 
OK. I have now seen one VERY disappointed with ZCO.

Look, at the very high end, there are very few duds, but I am sure they do get through QC. ZCO generally makes exceptionally nice scopes. It does not mean everyone is going to pick a ZCO. I have spent rather ridiculous amount of time with just about all high end scopes out there and I did not settle on a ZCO. It does not mean it is a bad scope. It just means that something else out there fits my preferences better.

ILya
Optically i think the ZCO is a terrific scope....i just don't trust the mechanics of the design after the multiple failures i had..

If i loose faith in an optic, i can NEVER shoot well with it...:(
 
I had info in regards to the issue ( known) from ZCO to my dealer.... we will just leave it at that...
No brother....you pretty well threw them under the bus with this:
VERY disappointed .. ( and i owned 6 of them!!) 3 failed mechanically!!
You can insist on being coy at this point, but if you do then people (including me) will def throw the BS flag.

What were the exact issues and what was ZCO's response?

I ask because if you were "VERY disappointed" then I assume you broached the issues with the manufacturer. Right?

I mean, if you bitch about them publicly (which you have) but didn't give them an opportunity to address the issues, then...as they say in AUS...you're just being a little cunt.
 
No brother....you pretty well threw them under the bus with this:

You can insist on being coy at this point, but if you do then people (including me) will def throw the BS flag.

What were the exact issues and what was ZCO's response?

I ask because if you were "VERY disappointed" then I assume you broached the issues with the manufacturer. Right?

I mean, if you bitch about them publicly (which you have) but didn't give them an opportunity to address the issues, then...as they say in AUS...you're just being a little cunt.
Mate....."Grow Up" !!
 
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Mate....."Grow Up" !!
No he's right. It's one thing if you had an experience and didn't like it or whatever and sent it back. It's another to publicly throw then under the bus and the refuse to say anything else. Now you've done it twice and have been called out for it. Everyone here is more than fine with the truth being told about any company or whatever, but throwing stuff out and not telling the whole story is not generally appreciated and for good reason. Thats especially true for the companies that support our industry and our matches and our people.
 
@gebhardt02

Calling BS on this. I know the folks at ZCO. Spoken to them many times. Had a scope repaired from damage at a match. Had new non locking elevation turrets installed. Never an issue. Always responsive. I looked up the original posts and ZCO replied to them. But nothing on the other side, so calling BS. ZCO replied on that thread and PMd a bunch of folks with questions, but this Dude still claims ZCO is "junk" wow.
 
Optically i think the ZCO is a terrific scope....i just don't trust the mechanics of the design after the multiple failures i had..

If i loose faith in an optic, i can NEVER shoot well with it...:(

Were you required to sign an NDA ?
 
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IIRC ZCO tried to reach out multiple times to this Australian customer and never got a response back. Unfortunately there is always more to the story than will be posted publicly.
Sometimes I hear directly from the customer, than ZCO and see posts from the customer online 🤦🏻‍♂️

We try to keep things professional because even when you’re right, it’s not worth it to fuel the flames. If anyone ever thinks they have an issue, ZCO USA is just a simple M-F call away and you don’t speak to some CS rep that regurgitates information from a script.
 
I looked up the original posts and ZCO replied to them. But nothing on the other side, so calling BS. ZCO replied on that thread and PMd a bunch of folks with questions, but this Dude still claims ZCO is "junk" wow.
Yeah, I just reread at that part of the ZCO thread and yes, ZCO was attentive but apparently no response from the member.
Exactally. My first call back was from Jeff himself, same day.
The only complaint I had about my ZCO 5-27 was one of the little 2mm hex head screws on the windage turret didn't have a very well made socket and needed to be replaced. Can't remember if I called or used their contact form but the next call I received was from Jeff that same day also and of course they dropped a few of those screws in the mail to me.

Cheers
 
If anyone ever thinks they have an issue, ZCO USA is just a simple M-F call away and you don’t speak to some CS rep that regurgitates information from a script.
I don’t have a ZCO, but if they made them in the T3 reticle at the time I was originally gearing up I might’ve picked up that scope. A lot of people seem to like the ZCOs and I’m not seeing a lot of stories were people have problems with them.

Actually, I hear a lot of stories in the opposite direction… Being that so-and-so called them up and they got help right away. Very much the same as Schmidt…. Whenever I call them up, I get an immediate answer.
 
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if they made them in the T3 reticle at the time I was originally gearing up I might’ve picked up that scope.
T3 as in Tremor 3? Way too much stuff on there for me....I'm easily confused! haha

I'm VERY happy with my choice of the ZCO 3x reticle that I agonized over. I had a bit of a conversation with Richard of @CSTactical, made a decision, and ordered from him and I have not regretted it a bit. Its less cluttered and busy that some other tree type reticles in my limited opinion. But, that's why manf make a wide array of reticles...a screw for every nut! haha

1674430465286.png


If I do ever have a problem in the future, I am absolutely confident that ZCO will make it right.
 
OK. I have now seen one VERY disappointed with ZCO.

Look, at the very high end, there are very few duds, but I am sure they do get through QC. ZCO generally makes exceptionally nice scopes. It does not mean everyone is going to pick a ZCO. I have spent rather ridiculous amount of time with just about all high end scopes out there and I did not settle on a ZCO. It does not mean it is a bad scope. It just means that something else out there fits my preferences better.

ILya
What are your go to scopes?
 
Tangent Theta probably agrees with me the most.
@cjs88 - Now, you do know that a TT 5-25x56 is $5-5.4K depending on the reticle selected. Now, I admit that I dropped $4,045 of dead Presidents on a ZCO so I'm not an Arkin guy throwing shade at TT. But for me, that added $1k-1.4k on top of an already breathtakingly (for me) expensive scope was a bit more than i could justify.

I do not know why Koshin favors TT......all he said is that it agrees with him the most.

So, @koshkin - can you expand and elucidate a bit on what you use these scopes for and therefore what features and characteristics you favor and exactly how these favored features and characteristics fulfill your use case better than others. Short version...just what trips your trigger about TT scopes.

Or, just tell us to quit bugging you! hahaha All good.

Cheers
 
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@cjs88 - Now, you do know that a TT 5-25x56 is $5-5.4K depending on the reticle selected. Now, I admit that I dropped $4,045 of dead Presidents on a ZCO so I'm not an Arkin guy throwing shade at TT. But for me, that added $1k-1.4k on top of an already breathtakingly (for me) expensive scope was a bit more than i could justify.

I do not know why Koshin favors TT......all he said is that it agrees with him the most.

So, @koshkin - can you expand and elucidate a bit on what you use these scopes for and therefore what features and characteristics you favor and exactly how these favored features and characteristics fulfill your use case better than others. Sort version...just what trips your trigger about TT scopes.

Or, just tell us to quit bugging you! hahaha All good.

Cheers
Bruh you literally could eyefuck my TT anytime.
 
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Bruh you literally could eyefuck my TT anytime.
Glad too. We get any decent weather, go to the club with me. Be nice to catch up with you again too.

Thanks for the offer and let’s look for a day. If we get a very nice day, maybe shoot at Fairfax on 200 & 300 yd ranges. Sadly ther is nothing longer close by.

Cheers and thanks again
 
@cjs88 - Now, you do know that a TT 5-25x56 is $5-5.4K depending on the reticle selected. Now, I admit that I dropped $4,045 of dead Presidents on a ZCO so I'm not an Arkin guy throwing shade at TT. But for me, that added $1k-1.4k on top of an already breathtakingly (for me) expensive scope was a bit more than i could justify.

I do not know why Koshin favors TT......all he said is that it agrees with him the most.

So, @koshkin - can you expand and elucidate a bit on what you use these scopes for and therefore what features and characteristics you favor and exactly how these favored features and characteristics fulfill your use case better than others. Sort version...just what trips your trigger about TT scopes.

Or, just tell us to quit bugging you! hahaha All good.

Cheers

I do have a whole series of reviews called "High End Tactical" out there which cover this exact topic in significant detail. I think at least three of them have both TT and ZCO in them.

In a nutshell:
TT has a bit more depth of field, so I need to mess with parallax less. TT has a bit better contrast and microcontrast which helps me in difficult lighting conditions (it was better in looking through mirage, side-by-side with a bunch of other scopes including ZCO). TT has more FOV at the same magnification. TT has those hypnotizing turrets that have not yet been equaled (although some are getting close). TT has less optical degradation at the edge of the adjustment.
ZCO is a touch shorter. ZCO has slightly more resolution. ZCO has a more forgiving eyebox (that is a tradeoff with FOV). ZCO turrets are lower. ZCO has a bit more adjustment range.

Reticles are a very individual choice, but ZCO reticles are not ideal for the way I shoot. TT Gen3 XR and Gen2 XR work a little better for me. I tend to use the reticle at closer distances and dial for longer distances. With ZCO reticle, the tree holds pretty much start 2 mrad down which is useless for my purposes. If I were getting a ZCO, it would be with MPCT1.

Both scopes have strengths and weaknesses. ZCO strengths are less important to me, personally, so I prefer TT for steel and March for paper. For ZCO, price difference is obviously one of the strengths. Tangent does not discounts a whole lot. From what I have seen, the new 7-35x TT, might blow everything else out of the water, but it will be even more expensive. Whether the difference is worth it to you, is a personal choice.

That having been said, once we start talking about price differences, neither TT nor ZCO is the best bang for the buck. Once money comes into the equation, I'll pick up Razor Gen3 6-36x56 or Element Theos 6-36x56.

ILya
 
Ilya:

So my question is, how do you get around the crappy I relief of higher magnification scopes?

Also, have you compared any of them?

I had a Schmidt 3-27x56 and looking through that scope was pretty difficult at full magnification because the eye relief is awful compared to a 5-25…
 
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