Ok so I have a Stiller Tac 30 action. Proof research barrel. And a Manners stock that is carbon fiber as well. Total weight im guessing is 7ibs. Its a 6.5 creedmoor. What I'm looking for is the best optic for my needs. That is a lot of shooting in the prone to 1k yards. And also lots of time in the deer blind. I would say just get a S&B but I feel like it will make the gun top heavy and awkward. Maybe not though? First focal Plane is a must. Mils is preferred. I like as much magnification as I can get. So far Ive thought about S&B, Leupold Mark 8 or 6, March..but it seems like not enough support behind them even though I love there features. Let me know what you guys think!
Rifle Scopes Make a reccomendation please! BEST optic for lightweight hunting rifle.
- Thread starter TexasMade
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With a 2x7 scope, I have shot deer at 500 yards on the 2X setting, I have shot deer at 500 yards on the 7X setting, and neither the deer nor I noticed the difference. Bang flop in the lungs, bang trot trot flop in the heart.
One thing that helps is a turret knob with white glow in the dark tape with distances marked from shooting targets at that distance.
That way you know if you are going to hit the deer or antelope.
One thing that helps is a turret knob with white glow in the dark tape with distances marked from shooting targets at that distance.
That way you know if you are going to hit the deer or antelope.
check out the group buys, George Gardner from GAP and [MENTION=17825]psinclair[/MENTION] (embarrassed I don't know who Mr Sinclair works for) just finished developing a lightweight hunting scope with Bushnell. Specifically designed as a lightweight FFP hunting scope in Mil/Mil with an improved reticle. On the group buy they're basically throwing in a Bushnell LRF for an extra $50.
Here's the link on the Group Buy
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...5911-new-bushnell-3x12x44-lrhs-group-buy.html
And there's a thread for it in this section where George discusses the design/rationale behind the scope. At present the thread is about 2 below this one, but if you search for "LRHS" you should find it.
A lot of us think of it as low mag because we're used to Hubble telescopes on our rifles for "tactical scopes" but for a hunting scope the 3-12 is sweet. Metric shit-tons of four-legged creatures have fallen to rifles with hunting scopes with much less mag than that (how many of us grew up killing shit with open sights, fixed 4x, or 3-9 SFP duplex reticle scopes?)
Here's the link on the Group Buy
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...5911-new-bushnell-3x12x44-lrhs-group-buy.html
And there's a thread for it in this section where George discusses the design/rationale behind the scope. At present the thread is about 2 below this one, but if you search for "LRHS" you should find it.
A lot of us think of it as low mag because we're used to Hubble telescopes on our rifles for "tactical scopes" but for a hunting scope the 3-12 is sweet. Metric shit-tons of four-legged creatures have fallen to rifles with hunting scopes with much less mag than that (how many of us grew up killing shit with open sights, fixed 4x, or 3-9 SFP duplex reticle scopes?)
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Pat "works" for Montan Slings and Dear Old Uncle Sugar as a Govt Predator control specialist. Also guides. Basically he is always in the field chasing/shooting something. Notice I didn't say shooting "AT" something. Lucky bastid.
Pat "works" for Montan Slings and Dear Old Uncle Sugar as a Govt Predator control specialist. Also guides. Basically he is always in the field chasing/shooting something. Notice I didn't say shooting "AT" something. Lucky bastid.
Thanks Huckleberry, I was editing my post to include the link when you posted. I knew he was always killing something. I thought he was a professional guide but wasn't sure if he had ties to the industry on the builder/manufacturer side of it. I've always enjoyed his posts though, because when he weighs in on an issue it's not theory, it's "I just killed X with Y, so quit saying you need Z to make the shot".
agreed.
I should preface that I do not know Mr. Sinclair. I have just noticed here on the Hide, that when he speaks, its usually noteworthy. As for ties to the industry, George Gardner seems to hunt with him on a regular basis, and if I am not mistaken, I believe that he was one of the key field testers of the 6.5 4s in its infancy and the LRHS scope as well.
Swarovski 3.5-18x44 Z5 Riflescope
Swaro Z5 with a BRX or BRH reticle. 15.9oz.
If money was no object all of my hunting rifles would wear Swaros.
Swaro Z5 with a BRX or BRH reticle. 15.9oz.
If money was no object all of my hunting rifles would wear Swaros.
I don't want anything near that low. I've shot 1 inch bulleyes at 500 with 20 power. I dont like struggling to see little objects. I have a 1x4 vxr patrol I like to bang steel with to 500 as well, but higher magnification makes things easier.
I need to add I would like at least an 18x so that eliminates the 3x12 bushnell
Pretty much everything.
I used quite a lot of premium scopes through the years and on several ocasions I had the chance of putting the March along side scopes such as U.S. Optics, Nightforce, Kahles, Hensoldt, Schmidt & Bender, Vortex, Premier, Bushnell Tactical, IOR and so on.
As far as size is concerned, March kicks ass. I mean, you won't even get close to that size even if scopes such as Hensoldt 3-12x56, 4-16x56 or Bushnell Tactical 3.5-21x50 are, to some extent, alternatives in that range. However, they have 34mm tube and are longer and heavier. You put the March alongside with them and they will feel big. If you move to Schmidt & Bender, Nightforce, USO, IOR, Kahles and the rest, they feel like giants in comparison to it.
The clicks on the March are some of the best (if not the best) I ever tested. The turrets are low and don't get in the way and they are stiff enough so you can never rub them by mistake.
Extremely easy to use the zero stop.
The illumination is good and doesn't bleed. I normally use the low intensity module on it as it works well for me but you can allways choose a high intesity module if you wish.
Optically speaking, I find that the only scope that actually beat March are the Hensoldt. I think Premier, Kahles and S&B come pretty much on the same level but the cool thing is that March achieves that on 8x magnification range (or even 10x on some scopes) while the other ones do it on 4x and 5x magnification range. Anyone knowing anything about optics will tell you that's basically impossible but March actually did it. I think that's extremely cool.
However, you need to be very carefull and make sure that the parallax is properly adjusted. If it's not, you will loose clarity and light transmission and the picture will get quite fuzzy at the edges. This is where some people (me included in the beginning) think that March has shitty optics. IT DOES NOT! Adjust the parallax properly and you'll have great optics!
When comparing March with Hensoldt however, one would notice that March has a flatter image and looses a bit of color (I mean color not clarity) on the higher mags. Hensoldt is a giant as far as the light transmission and 3D feeling though and is second to no one.
The eye box on March is a little trickier as well and that is largely due to the big magnification range. Properly mounted though, that is a problem that will not be so big in the long run.
The field of view is not the largest but very good considerring the 8x magnification.
The biggest advantages of this scope are unbeatable though:
-most compact among all.
-lightest of all.
-fantastic all around magnification.
-amazing clicks and zero set.
To me it is also fascinating that this scope offers the same elevation travel in a 30mm body as many other scopes will offer you in 34mm and 35mm bodies. I mean, that is nothing but a work of art.
thanks for taking the time to write that up!! Which model did you actually test? I'm assuming one that only goes to 8x?
I tested several March scopes: 5-40x56, 8-80x56, 3-24x42, 1-10x24, 1-8x24, 2.5-25x42 and 10-60x52.
However, out of all these, the one that matches your criteria is the March-F 3-24x42 as that one is the most compact, FFP and Mil/Mil adjusted. The only other FFP alternatives, apart from this one, are the 5-40x56 and 1-8x24. There will be a new 3-24x52 coming somtime in April as well.
The rest are all SFP.
However, out of all these, the one that matches your criteria is the March-F 3-24x42 as that one is the most compact, FFP and Mil/Mil adjusted. The only other FFP alternatives, apart from this one, are the 5-40x56 and 1-8x24. There will be a new 3-24x52 coming somtime in April as well.
The rest are all SFP.
Thanks again! How did you feel about the eye box compared to like a vortex razor(I have 3 so I know them very well) Is it very easy to get the black shadows if you don't have your head just right?
I like the Premier Light Tactical for my hunting rifles. My 300 WSM rifle wears a S&B because it was my first high-end scope purchase and I had the XR reticle put in it. I don't find the scope too big or the rifle top heavy with that scope. I put a Premier hunter on my wife's 6CM, and I'd personally give a slight advantage on the glass side to the Premier over the S&B. I just purchased 6 of the Light Tactical scopes to make sure my next few rifles have equal glass.
CWJ
CWJ
All March scopes have a little trickier eye-box due to their large magnification ranges. This is a price you have to pay if you want a scope with such a broad magnification. However, the 3-24x is surprisingly forgivning with all this in mind. Compare to the Razor 5-20x I would say that the 3-24x is pretty much in the same range.
Mark 6 fits your criteria. I bought one, I used it, I want 2 more.
Thats good advise!! Premier Light Tactical is hard to beat love that GenII XR reticle
Wish you could still get the Hunter model they are (were) the Best value optic period.
You purchased 6x LT's for future use I like you style
Thats an endorsement in a quality product, That's saying something right there.Here's a link to a thread that recently discussed some high end scopes http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...pes/225842-nightforce-beast-vs-march-uso.html
There is some healthy discussion on the usability of the March 3-24x42 FFP.
I've owned 2 March scopes and hunted with them, All I'll say is no thanks make sure you look through one at least before you buy. They are not a for everyone and are No good for a hunting scope.
Unless you like messing with your parallax and are shooting from a bench
I replaced my March scopes with Premier LT 3-15x50 GenII XRs they are very good.
I will either get another Premier LT 3-15x50 GenII XR for my FN A1 SPR purchase, to keep it the same as all the others, or it's more likely i'll jump on the group buy for the Bushy LRHS 3-12x44
March wouldn't even be on my list.
I'm guessing you're looking for more magnification, but for me, a 2.5-10x is a near perfect hunting mag range. The new Nightforce 2.5-10x42 is high on my radar for a long range big game scope (around 22 oz. if I remember right). Long range varmints would be a different story, I'd definitely want 20x or more on the top end.
IMO, 6.5 creedmoor doesn't have enough energy for big game much past 600 yards, and big game animals at 600 yards are perfectly shoot able with 10x......
But, for higher magnification than 10x, FFP is highly desirable. The big three FFP light weights are Mk6, March, and Premier LT; take your pick. That will be a great rifle setup.... I'm jealous, I love light weight builds.
IMO, 6.5 creedmoor doesn't have enough energy for big game much past 600 yards, and big game animals at 600 yards are perfectly shoot able with 10x......
But, for higher magnification than 10x, FFP is highly desirable. The big three FFP light weights are Mk6, March, and Premier LT; take your pick. That will be a great rifle setup.... I'm jealous, I love light weight builds.
Trying to add up 'light weight hunting' with '1000yards prone'?
Why not a fixed 7x50 for a 'hunting' rifle?
Just saying.
Terry
Why not a fixed 7x50 for a 'hunting' rifle?
Just saying.
Terry
An all purpose gun..something that can be used for target practice but yet still fit in the deer blind. My 20ib surgeon is not practical for taking in the deer blind. So I'm building an all in one. I've killed coyotes at 900 plus yards. 7x would have been to tough
I'm guessing you're looking for more magnification, but for me, a 2.5-10x is a near perfect hunting mag range. The new Nightforce 2.5-10x42 is high on my radar for a long range big game scope (around 22 oz. if I remember right). Long range varmints would be a different story, I'd definitely want 20x or more on the top end.
IMO, 6.5 creedmoor doesn't have enough energy for big game much past 600 yards, and big game animals at 600 yards are perfectly shoot able with 10x......
But, for higher magnification than 10x, FFP is highly desirable. The big three FFP light weights are Mk6, March, and Premier LT; take your pick. That will be a great rifle setup.... I'm jealous, I love light weight builds.
Killed a White tail at 819 this year with my creedmoor and 140 amax. Didn't take a step. That will be the biggest animal that will be hunted. Coyotes and hogs are the biggest targets because you can shoot them year round. Think im leaning toward mk6 right now
Light weight and a lot of magnification, mil/mil FFP leaves you with the March 3-24x42, MK6 3-18x44, Premier LT 3-15x50(G2 mildot is the only reticle I would consider in this scope),or the new Bushnell that GAP and Co. spec'd. In the order highest mag to lowest.
Use this link to research the listed Optics, lots of info on here from people who actually took the time to do some write ups.
https://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=007096545427855911867:ctwic15w-oc
Long read on the 6.5 SAUM from GAP, but covers the March and the New Bushnell.
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...s/185807-new-gap-extreme-hunter-6-5-saum.html
Use this link to research the listed Optics, lots of info on here from people who actually took the time to do some write ups.
https://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=007096545427855911867:ctwic15w-oc
Long read on the 6.5 SAUM from GAP, but covers the March and the New Bushnell.
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...s/185807-new-gap-extreme-hunter-6-5-saum.html
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I guess I was thinking along lines of muleys or Elk; Creed is a rocking whitetail round for sure.
The Mk6 does sound like your best bet, excellent mag range, great warrantee, light weight and tuff. Glass is great by all accounts.
For a tactical scope that is relatively lightweight (27oz) and compact for hunting, consider the Hensoldt 3-12x56. If you need more mag, then the 4-16x56 will work as well. The excellent light gathering, lit reticle, ease of acquiring a beautiful image quickly, and very forgiving depth of field make a great low light hunting scope. It fits my purpose of a dual tactical/hunter rig perfectly (TRG 22 with 20" barrel).
It seems that Hensoldt bashing is popular these days. But if low light shooting, a generous eye box, and a damn fine image are priorities; it's worth a look. I have two and would buy another if I had a rifle in need.
TKAB
It seems that Hensoldt bashing is popular these days. But if low light shooting, a generous eye box, and a damn fine image are priorities; it's worth a look. I have two and would buy another if I had a rifle in need.
TKAB
Got fed up humping my tactical rifle during hunting season this psst year, even though the confidence level with it is very high. So I bought a little Tikka T3 lite stainless in 270wsm. Wasn't sure what scope to put on her, my Hensoldt seemed to big, although its the finest piece I own and most who have used it agree, no matter what they own. Had a MK6 3-18, although lite weight it seemed a little too big, in all honestly it doesn't really look that much out of place. In the end up, I put my 2.5-10x24 NXS on it, although this scope weighs almost as much as the MK6, anyways. Rifle topped out at 7, 2oz, killed my whitetail in the late season at a little over 300 yards. The package worked, I suppose that's all that matters. For what you want in your case its hard to beat a MK 6 or the March, was very surprised with the quality of the MK6, use it on MK12 and it gets the job done as well. As for the March with the new reticles they made themselves a viable alternative.
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I am in a similar position, looking for a "lightweight" scope to put on a 7 lb rifle, and want all the features of a "tactical" scope in a light package.
I have 3 of the Premier Lite Tacs and love them but finding another one in the config I want is almost impossible. So I looked at the March and was leaning hard that way until the new Bushnell appeared. I am going to try one. A 12x top end is plenty of mag for a big game rifle even at extended ranges.
If you absolutely have to have more power (and a few more ounces), then you have the Lite Tac, March or the Mk6 as mentioned.
The reason that I like the Swaro's and I have a 3-10x42 Z3 is that the reticle is a straight MIL holdover reticle, and not someone's interpretation of what the BDC should be. I've said this before, I shoot F-TR, I've fired literally thousands of rounds from 600, 800, 900, and 1000 yards and I know how far off my first shot usually is. Yea, I'm in the black, and sometimes I get a 10 and even rarer an X, but more often than not it's out there in the 8/9 ring somewhere.
Knowing that I don't see me, in my hunting from elevated stands or ground hunting (not shoot houses) taking shots that are over 600 yards, ever, and more likely conditions will dictate that I will be shooting inside of 400. With those conditions a Swaro has a reticle with simple .5mil hold overs up to 4.5 mils. That is more than I'll ever need with anything other than a 45-70 (which is what it's riding right now). Hunting, I prefer to hold over. It's faster, and if you are holding, you're far enough out that you can be on high power so the reticle works. Oh yea, and my Z3, 12oz.
I'll eventually put Z3s and Z5s with either BRH or BRX reticles on on my hunting rifles. I just need to get a BRH to compare with my BRX and see which I like the best.
Knowing that I don't see me, in my hunting from elevated stands or ground hunting (not shoot houses) taking shots that are over 600 yards, ever, and more likely conditions will dictate that I will be shooting inside of 400. With those conditions a Swaro has a reticle with simple .5mil hold overs up to 4.5 mils. That is more than I'll ever need with anything other than a 45-70 (which is what it's riding right now). Hunting, I prefer to hold over. It's faster, and if you are holding, you're far enough out that you can be on high power so the reticle works. Oh yea, and my Z3, 12oz.
I'll eventually put Z3s and Z5s with either BRH or BRX reticles on on my hunting rifles. I just need to get a BRH to compare with my BRX and see which I like the best.
I had a Leupold Mark 2 4-12 with 1/2 moa turrets on a 7 lb 270 WSM. Killed an antelope at 550 - tested it out to 600. - it's for sale now in the optics section as I switched it out for a new Mark AR Mil/Mil. $600 is hard to beat.
I ordered the Mark 6!! I think it was the best for me!
I see, but you could be getting into the 'multi purpose-multi useless' area though, a compromise for both intended purposes?
Agree on big rifles lugged around or in a confined space, not ideal.
Personally I'd have gone for one of the new March 3-24 x 52's, compact, nice glass, simple controls.
Brgds and have a good Xmas
Terry
I am running a NF 2.5 -10x42 MilR on my lightweight 280ai
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you guys are crazy with all the tactical scopes on "lightweight" sticks. i vote 6x42 luppy, if you want more sb 3-12 or premier LT 3-15 but thats about it. Real world hunting for big game you will never dial past 15x and want to keep your weight as low as possible, think Kimber montana. I know "hunting" style tactical rifles are popular but you only tend to see safe queens and builders who make them actually hunt with them, all the hardcore guys i run into are toting 700 Ti's and Montanas or NULa types.
I've been considering that one for a lightweight 300win. Any comments on how it stacks up against some of your other glass? Was curious how it may compare against your Kahles (not totally fair, I know) or something like a Swaro Z3, ect. I need to find a local joint that stocks the 42mm nxs and check it out, I guess.
I posted my thoughts on it ...
It is a damned nice scope
Just spent 5 days hunting with it.
It is a damned nice scope
Just spent 5 days hunting with it.
What about some fixed 6x or 10x tac scopes. Wouldn't that be much lighter?
I run a ziess 4-16x50 victory. its the cleanest and clear scope ive seen
I have a FXIII 6x42 with M1 elevation on my Montana 243AI. 6 lbs 4 oz all up!
There are a lot of other guys out there trying to shoot deer.
I would like the rest of them to have 3 pound scopes in a drag bag, while I carry a light weight scope.
I shoot most ruminants between 400 and 500 yards.
In 2008 I killed 5 mule deer with a Leupold 2x7x33 on a featherweight pre 64 M70 270
In 2009 I killed 4 mule deer with a Leupold 2x7x33 on a featherweight pre 64 M70 270
In 2010 I killed 3 mule deer with a Leupold 1.75x6.5x32 on a Ruger #1 7mmRM
In 2011 I killed 1 mule deer and one antelope with a Kahles 3x10x50 on a VZ24 7mmRM
In 2012 I killed 4 mule deer with a Leupold 2x7x33 on an 1885 falling block 257 Roberts Ackley Improved Rimmed
In 2013 I killed 1 mule deer with a Leupold 3.5x10x40 on a Rem700 7mmRM
I would kill a lot more deer now, if my son had not grown up and moved out. He could eat a lot of venison.
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