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Rifle Scopes Deciding on deer rifle optic

#3
What ranges are you actually hunting my friend? I have been using 1-10 lpvo's on everything for a while now, and for 500y or less, I never feel like 10x isn't enough. I don't hunt anywhere local that even has an opportunity beyond 500y, but if I did, I'd probably use a 3-18×..
 
#4
Hecouldgoalltheway said:
What ranges are you actually hunting my friend? I have been using 1-10 lpvo's on everything for a while now, and for 500y or less, I never feel like 10x isn't enough. I don't hunt anywhere local that even has an opportunity beyond 500y, but if I did, I'd probably use a 3-18×..
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350 yards max.

I dont use max mag when taking my shots, but when Im at the range with it, its nice to have 20+ for paper punching.
Same when I shoot matches, Im usually lower/mid range when shooting. I took my last deer at 250 on 10x
 
#5
Jmccracken1214 said:
350 yards max.

I dont use max mag when taking my shots, but when Im at the range with it, its nice to have 20+ for paper punching.
Same when I shoot matches, Im usually lower/mid range when shooting. I took my last deer at 250 on 10x
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I understand. I zero all of my hunting rigs at 200y, and 10x makes it hard to see holes at 200y with my eyes. The problem is that to get 20x, you need to either have a very high low end mag, or spend a bunch of money to get something with an 8x range. A leupold vx5 is pretty good for your needs though, either a 3-15 or a 4-20. The glass is excellent to my eyes, lightweight and not terribly expensive (especially if you qualify for their vet/first responder discount).
 
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#7
Hecouldgoalltheway said:
I understand. I zero all of my hunting rigs at 200y, and 10x makes it hard to see holes at 200y with my eyes. The problem is that to get 20x, you need to either have a very high low end mag, or spend a bunch of money to get something with an 8x range. A leupold vx5 is pretty good for your needs though, either a 3-15 or a 4-20. The glass is excellent to my eyes, lightweight and not terribly expensive (especially if you qualify for their vet/first responder discount).
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I have a VX5 3-15. Excellent scope, great value. I use mine for hunting and enjoy it quite a bit.
 
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#8
Tough question.

Vx5 is decent if it tracks, I like the Razor LHT 3-15 a little better though. 10x is plenty for hunting at 500yds, but you might need a separate spotter if you want to see holes in paper. I shoot my 10x out to 1000yds with a 1moa target and hit just as well as most other scopes.

I've never played around with budget scopes so I can't comment on them.

Definitely wouldnt consider the ATACR 4-20 if your thinking lightweight.
 
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#9
Will it be hunting only or will it be more of a range rifle you hunt with occasionally?
If a pure hunting then I’d consider the swaros that are on sale at a few places. Second focal but some of the best glass for the money you can get.
 
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#10
Define "light."

And if you give a $$$ range, it could help narrow down options.

NF NXS 2.5-10 or SHV 3-10 are the lightest I prefer at 20 oz.

Anything lighter just didn't stand up to turret twisting or 300 Win Mag recoil.

For more magnification, I have the Trijicon Credo HX 2.5-18 at 24-ish oz.
 
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#11
I’m just going to throw this out there as I feel it doesn’t get enough credit. The Steiner H6xi 3-18. I will tell you that the reticle is quite simply one of the most useable reticles for hunting in a FFP scope I’ve ever seen. It is currently on my primary hunting rifle.

The HMR reticle illuminates only the center section of the reticle which basically acts like a glowing red dot on 3x mag for lowlight woods shots (I’m a northeast hunter). In addition, on low magnification the reticle acts as a duplex like you traditionally see on older 2nd focal plane scopes. I’d give them a look.

For my longer range hunting rig, I use a Nightforce NX8 4-32, but the reticle lends itself much better to distance than close woods shooting.
 
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#13
Man, it just hit me. I'll tell you exactly what you're looking for. Lightweight, good mag range, not a ton of money...
You want a meopta optika 6. They are absolutely spectacular hunting optics, and absolutely nothing in that price range will compete. Spectacular glass, all of the features you'd ever want, ffp, and they weigh nothing. Maybe a 4.5-27×50 or a 3-18×50 for what you're asking for. Can be bought new for maybe $700 or less if you look around.
 
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#14
You could buy a used Leupold for less than the cost of the POS arken that will do everything a 350 yard deer rifle optic needs to do and is plenty of magnification for shooting at the range too. 2.5-8’s and 3.5-10’s are easily available around $300. Just stick with VARI-X III and VX3HD’s if you go that route. The VX-3’s and VX-3i’s were problematic and are prone to zero retention issues.
 
#16
The LHT 4.5-22 is the least bang for the buck scope I've come across so it's on a rifle I rarely use.

The Athlon Ares BTR G3 2.5-15×50 is the best I've come across for the price as far as hunting goes. If this had daylight bright illume I'd rate it as good enough that I'd put the thought out of my mind of buying any other scope for my use case regardless of price.

I got tired of spending thousands more for very small differences, or even compromised optically, and I have/ had/ or been behind, that my money is better spent elsewhere into other places than rifle scopes.

That could change if a scope comes out that fits my criteria almost perfectly but none so far yet.

Also I'm picky so why bother spending $4000 unless it has my required attributes.
 
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#17
Genin said:
I’m just going to throw this out there as I feel it doesn’t get enough credit. The Steiner H6xi 3-18. I will tell you that the reticle is quite simply one of the most useable reticles for hunting in a FFP scope I’ve ever seen. It is currently on my primary hunting rifle.

The HMR reticle illuminates only the center section of the reticle which basically acts like a glowing red dot on 3x mag for lowlight woods shots (I’m a northeast hunter). In addition, on low magnification the reticle acts as a duplex like you traditionally see on older 2nd focal plane scopes. I’d give them a look.

For my longer range hunting rig, I use a Nightforce NX8 4-32, but the reticle lends itself much better to distance than close woods shooting.
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I have the h6 3-18 on another rifle. I may have to throw that on the hunting rig. I do like that scope.

Got it early this year, euro had it marked to $999…. Had to have been an error but I do like it a lot
 
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#18
Nxs 2.5-10 if you dont need higher end mag.

Triji tenmile 3-18x44 if you like ffp, it's 24oz and extremely durable.

Triji tenmile 2.5-15x42 for sfp, 23oz.

These are all mil based.

All 3 of these scopes have minor optical tradeoffs, glass isn't superb, not the best FOV, but they are all tough as nails, hold zero and track. I have 3 of the Triji 3-18 ffp and have beat this piss out of them and they have never lost zero.
 
#19
Jmccracken1214 said:
I have the h6 3-18 on another rifle. I may have to throw that on the hunting rig. I do like that scope.

Got it early this year, euro had it marked to $999…. Had to have been an error but I do like it a lot
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I hear you on the deal. I got mine that same time for a price that was criminal. Could not pass it up and am happy I didn’t. They really are solid scopes and amazing for hunting.
 
#20
Genin said:
I hear you on the deal. I got mine that same time for a price that was criminal. Could not pass it up and am happy I didn’t. They really are solid scopes and amazing for hunting.
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After I got it and looked through it, I ran back to the computer hoping the 2-12 was marked down like that for one of my DD ar15’s but it wasn’t.

I pulled the h6 from my other rifle and put it on the hunting rig. Seekins ph3 7 prc
 
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#21
Jmccracken1214 said:
Trying to stay light, but have decent mag. range.

The cheap ass in me is looking at the Arken EPL-4 6-24 $341 shipped.


The non china cheap ass is looking at the razor LHT 4.5-22 for $1320 shipped.

Is the razor bringing an extra $1000 to the table???
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Do not buy an Arken EPL... They are absolute shit. The 2 I had were worse than the worst SH-4 I owned... DO NOT buy, you will be strongly disappointed.

Buy the Razor LHT, and yes, it is absolutely bringing another $1,000 to the table over the EPL that I wouldn't even take for free, after the ones I had.

Also, don't buy a Leupold... It's Fudd garbage.
 
#22
There are so many options, if would make your head spin.
On this site, folks love the Gucci shit, me included.
A buddy of my shoots deer and more pigs than you can count every year with a cheap 3-9 sfp hunting scope.
350 yards? A good 2-7 would take care if the hunting. (Realistically).
I have become a huge fan of the 2.5-15 power range, I like the huge field of view on low power, a good 3-15 or 3-18 will fit your requirements very well.
You may want to take a look at the Delta Stryker 3.5-21.
A 6-24 is a poor choice for hunting applications.
You can make do with a 4-16.
 
#24
 
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#29
Just FYI, you know I have top-end glass... But I run those Ziess V4's on almost all of my hunting rifles. It's the best glass in its price range, and it's lightweight, and reliable. I've never had a single issue with any Zeiss scope, and been running Zeiss' for almost 25 years, and had over a dozen of them from all different models. They are built in Japan @ LOW (according to a Zeiss rep I talked to), just like their big brother, the V6 model. They are good scopes.
 
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#30
FuhQ said:
Just FYI, you know I have top-end glass... But I run those Ziess V4's on almost all of my hunting rifles. It's the best glass in its price range, and it's lightweight, and reliable. I've never had a single issue with any Zeiss scope, and been running Zeiss' for almost 25 years, and had over a dozen of them from all different models. They are built in Japan @ LOW (according to a Zeiss rep I talked to), just like their big brother, the V6 model. They are good scopes.
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I just got an Zeiss LRP S3 6-36 and I have been super impressed with the quality of the optic. It’s the first Zeiss I’ve owned and it’s incredible so far.
 
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#32
FuhQ said:
Buy the Razor LHT, and yes, it is absolutely bringing another $1,000 to the table over the EPL that I wouldn't even take for free, after the ones I had.

Also, don't buy a Leupold... It's Fudd garbage.
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Recommends the steamiest turd Vortex has ever made. Literally the most garbage zero shifting piece of shit out there. While at the same time bashing Leupold which has some of the most solid scopes being used successfully at field matches all over the country.

But hey tell us more about what gear actually works.
 
#33
Jmccracken1214 said:
350 yards max.

I dont use max mag when taking my shots, but when Im at the range with it, its nice to have 20+ for paper punching.
Same when I shoot matches, Im usually lower/mid range when shooting. I took my last deer at 250 on 10x
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rough rule of thumb: 3x per every 100 yards.

that being said. i went with a Leupold 3-15 simple duplex on a Winchester M70 30-06. Realistically its 0-300 yard as well. I couldve shaved some weight off by going with a less magnification scope.
 
#34
Mr. F said:
Recommends the steamiest turd Vortex has ever made. Literally the most garbage zero shifting piece of shit out there. While at the same time bashing Leupold which has some of the most solid scopes being used successfully at field matches all over the country.

But hey tell us more about what gear actually works.
Click to expand...

I'd say most here would put Leupold and Vortex on the same level, Mid tier. Both have issues with zero retention on mid priced models and both make decent scopes on the top end.

In the $1,000 range there are problems. Had several Leupold scopes that wouldn't track or hold zero, same with Vortex in the same price range.
 
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