Rifle Scopes Hunting scope advice needed

[Beasler1]

I have an ultralight 12" 6.5 Grendel SBR for hunting whitetails, and I'd like a high-quality LPVO for it .... thinking probably something in the 1-6 SFP category, but I'm open to suggestions.

I hunt rugged forested mountain land in Vermont. Lots of scrambling around steep rocky woods, and dawn/dusk low light opportunities. Lots of potential for shots under 100, and quick snap shots while stalking. The occasional swamp, field or ledge shot gets out to 200- 300max.

My priorities are:
- Lightweight and rugged for the terrain
- Glass Quality and light transmission for dawn/dusk

Thanks fellas, for any suggestions

 

[XTREM HTR16]

SWFA SS 1-6 less expensive
Nightforce 1-8

 

[Beasler1]

Also should have mentioned ..... I like to save a dollar as much as the next guy, but I also subscribe to the 'Buy Once - Cry Once' philosophy.

 

[Beasler1]

So far looking at:

NF NX8 1-8x24
Leupold VX6HD 1-6x24
March 1-8x24 Shorty

 

[ohiofarmer]

Out of curiosity, is it a bolt or semi?

 

[Beasler1]

Semi, sorry

 

[Bobrowl]

Get a leupold VX6HD 1-6x24, you would surely love that.

 

[jda2631]

I have vortex gen 2 (non e series), an NX8, and a kahles k16i. Nx8 is the "worst" of the 3. Still a great scope, the others are just better (better eye box, better sight picture, better glass). All 3 have daylight bright red dot. IMO outside of weight, the kahles and vortex are extremely similar in performance. Kahles is more expensive and lighter weight.

If I'm buying another lpvo, between those 3 I'm going razor gen 2. Will have a gen 3 shortly to compare to them.

 

[st1650]

Really happy with my VX6HD 1-6 on my 12.5” ultra lite 300blk hunting build especially considering it was a good 800$ cheaper than the k16i or nx8 or razor II. Mine was the metric version with the zl2 locking turrets.

 

[Beasler1]

Stuck right now between the VX6HD and the NX8. Essentially the same weight. I like that the NX8 has capped windage and is 2" shorter, but the VX6HD has side focus - probably not a real issue for this SBR at <300.

Anyone have a first-hand comparison of the glass between these two?

 

[Beasler1]

Leupold web site lists the VX6HD as 16.2ozs.
Other sites list it as 13.4ozs.

Anyone weighed one?

 

[Glassaholic]

My priorities are:
- Lightweight and rugged for the terrain
- Glass Quality and light transmission for dawn/dusk

Well here's the thing - "light transmission" and "LPVO" don't really go hand in hand, that 24mm objective is going to frustrate you in dawn/dusk situations. My recommendation would be a nice MPVO with an offset RDS. There are a handful of 2-10x36/42 type scopes that are light and going to provide much better low light performance, the problem is finding one with a decent mil hash reticle. I prefer FFP scopes but if SFP works for you that opens the door to many more possibilities.

On the budget side of FFP there is the Primary Arms GLx 2.5-10x44, then there is the Trijicon Credo 2-10x36 for a little more and on the more expensive side... oh wait, there is no high end MPVO with a decent FFP mil hash reticle which I think is a gap in the industry.

On the SFP side there is the tried and true Nightforce NXS 2.5-10 scopes, EO is having a closeout on the Vortex Razor HD LH 2-10x40 HSR-4. On the high end side there is the March 1.5-15x42 which is super compact.

If you don't mind plain reticles, as I mentioned before there are a boat load of scope options out there, and if you're willing to go up to 3x at minimum power with an offset RDS, then that opens up even more possibility.

 

[Moose]

I have the NF 2.5X10 compact and it is a very nice little scope I have had it for about 2 years and plan on keeping it.I think they are selling for about $1,600 now.

 

[loveha]

On the heavier side at 25.6 oz with a 34mm tube but there is the Trijicon Credo 1-8x28

Trijicon Credo 1-8x28 FFP w/ Red/Green MRAD Segmented Circle, 34mm, Matte Black Riflescope 2900032 For Sale | SHIPS FREE - EuroOptic

FREE SHIPPING on Trijicon Credo 1-8x28 FFP w/ Red/Green MRAD Segmented Circle, 34mm, Matte Black Riflescope 2900032

www.eurooptic.com

Will be mounting one on a 12.5" 6.5CM SBR. Glass looks great, love the reticle. Just don't have any shooting time behind it for actual opinions.

 

[Beasler1]

On the high end side there is the March 1.5-15x42 which is super compact.

Thanks, Glassaholic. Excellent food for thought in your post. You've got me thinking about other options.

I'm really liking the looks of the March 1.5-15x42. Lightweight, compact, good glass and light transmission ......

 

[tag2601]

been really happy with my vortex razor hd 1-6. edge to edge bright - no thick black ring. clear and sharp. easy eye box. also have a trijicon Credo HS 1-8 thats very useable. havent put the rounds thru it that the vortex has so a little hard to compare directly.

 

[Glassaholic]

Thanks, Glassaholic. Excellent food for thought in your post. You've got me thinking about other options.

I'm really liking the looks of the March 1.5-15x42. Lightweight, compact, good glass and light transmission ......

I mentioned previously no high end FFP MPVO but forgot about USO’s FDN 1.8-10x44; however, this scope is a heavy beast, in fact the Tangent Theta TT315M (light tactical) is about the same weight and if the specs on the 1.8-10 are correct the TT 3-15 has greater FOV at 3x than the USO does at 1.8x which indicates to me the USO probably tunnels.

 

[lou400a]

If you can find the older Vortex HDLH 1.5-8 or 2-10 w/G4 reticle. I run the 1.5-8 on my 12' Grendel SBR and the 2-10 on 18" 6x45. They're super lightweight do really well in low light and would recommend them if you don't need to twist turrets or need illumination.