Rifle Scopes New Glass. Sightron, Bushnell, Zeiss or Leopold?

[XOK-DESIGN]

So Im piecing together a new rifle which I'm thinking will be a Howa action, heavy Krieger barrel and bell and carson stock, .223 rem. As is so often the case I'm coming unstuck when it come to choosing glass. My first thought was to get a Mk4 4.5-14x50 for around $1350 in Australia. Now I'm considering getting something off the net.
Some possible options I have found are:
Zeiss conquest 4.5-14x50AO - $900 (optics planet)
Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16x50 - $700 (on special at optics planet)
Sightron SII Series - Big Sky 4-16x42mm - $930 (Australia)

The Bushnell is well priced and has good magnification range. I'v heard a lot of good things about Sightron. The Zeiss is known for its glass.
Im trying not to blow my wad on this gun, it will be used for spotlighting and range work (maybe 700 yards)
Any comments on these scopes would be appreciated, I think I am leaning towards the Zeiss. I would be particularly interested in anyones experience whith the ability of the tracking mechanisms of the scopes.

Anyone with other brand/ model sugestions feel free to weigh in, although I can't get all brands imported from the US.

And I apologise for adding another comparison thread.

Thanks in advance
Bryan

 

[Bennyboy]

Re: New Glass. Sightron, Bushnell, Zeiss or Leopold?

I have a Mark 4 Leupold and like it, but I have a SIII Sightron and LOVE it. Note it is an SIII and not an SII, so I can't comment on the SII, but I do know that this SIII is the finest optic I have ever owned--bought from Scott at Liberty Optics and got a great deal!!! It is a 6-24x50 with the MOA-2 reticle. I shoot it at 1000 yards and it is as crisp as it is when shooting at 100.
Like I said, not sure about the SII but you can't go wrong with an SIII.

 

[07zx6r]

Re: New Glass. Sightron, Bushnell, Zeiss or Leopold?

i own the bushnell 4200 and my buddy has the same sightron you referred too.. we were at a local gunshop and they had a zeiss for sale, we were both blown away at the quality of the glass..the light transition was amazing.. i cant speak for the mk4 but i cant see it being worth the extra $.

 

[TRAAV]

Re: New Glass. Sightron, Bushnell, Zeiss or Leopold?

Bushnell is coming out with some pretty nice reticles in there elite tactical line(former 4200). I have had a few of the 4200's and the ekete tactical and really liked them. As far as glass goes I think all three of them are good. For me it boils down to other options.

 

[XOK-DESIGN]

Re: New Glass. Sightron, Bushnell, Zeiss or Leopold?

Thanks for the input guys. The SIII Sightron looks the goods but its a bit more than I want too spend, at any rate I don't think I'll be getting the Mk4.

 

[cb_tikka]

Re: New Glass. Sightron, Bushnell, Zeiss or Leopold?

Only scope in the list that I don't have is the Leupy. I would pick the Zeiss.

 

[raider1v1]

Re: New Glass. Sightron, Bushnell, Zeiss or Leopold?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bennyboy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a Mark 4 Leupold and like it, but I have a SIII Sightron and LOVE it. Note it is an SIII and not an SII, so I can't comment on the SII, but I do know that this SIII is the finest optic I have ever owned--bought from Scott at Liberty Optics and got a great deal!!! It is a 6-24x50 with the MOA-2 reticle. I shoot it at 1000 yards and it is as crisp as it is when shooting at 100.
Like I said, not sure about the SII but you can't go wrong with an SIII. </div></div>

i have several SIII's and an SII. The glass and coatings are the same, the difference is in the knob feel and the mm of the tube.

the SII is a 1" tube, and the SIII is a 30mm tube. The real difference is if you will be turning the knobs. The SIII has a VERY tactile and audible click. I was using it a couple days ago at the range with gloves and could feel each click.

I was able to do a side-by-side (just at 100yds) between a Leupold and a NF NSX and we couldn't tell a difference at all. The knobs on the NF and SIII were about the same but the Leopold seemed as though they were more of a roll vs a click.

 

[JimW]

Re: New Glass. Sightron, Bushnell, Zeiss or Leopold?

I have a Zeiss you mentioned, and a Leupold Mark 4 in the same 4.5-14x50, with the M1 knobs. They are both nice. The Zeiss has slightly better resolution, while the Leupold is more compact and lighter. Both track well. Although I have nothing against Bushnell, and actuall like their Elite binoculars and their small Elite spotting scope, the Elite 6500 I once ordered I didn't feel had the same overall resolution, and returned it before mounting.

 

[whitt91]

Re: New Glass. Sightron, Bushnell, Zeiss or Leopold?

I really like my leupold, but i LOVE my Zeiss

 

[uncledog57]

Re: New Glass. Sightron, Bushnell, Zeiss or Leopold?

How about a Vortex Viper PST if you don't want to blow the wad? It has great glass and best warranty in the industry!

 

[tylerw02]

Re: New Glass. Sightron, Bushnell, Zeiss or Leopold?

I own two Zeiss 4.5-14xs. The glass is excellent, the clicks are quite nice, and it tracks like a clock. However, the SF knob on one of mine broke at one point and customer service was VERY slow. I had used them for custom knobs before and CS was great. I would certainly choose Zeiss over Leupold in every aspect except for ruggedness.

 

[markchandler]

Re: New Glass. Sightron, Bushnell, Zeiss or Leopold?

Zeiss is a good product. I have 6 conquests and 2 diavari's. The conquests track perfectly, have excellent glass and hold zero. I ladder test them all periodically and haven't had one that didn't track perfectly. The oldest conquest I own is approx. 12 years old, has been on 3 hunting rifles and has endured thousands of rounds on 300 win rifles. One is on a 375 H&H but has only fired 100 rnds or so.
I have heard of only one failing. A friend of mine, upon my recommendation, bought one and used it day in day out as a hunting guide. His 3-9x40 lasted 3 years getting the snot smacked out of it daily, in the southern alps of new zealand hunting Thar. He went back to Kahles after that.
I consider them excellent value for money and use zeiss glass exclusively in my Bino's and Spotters. Nothing beats top end Zeiss optically.

 

[1911fan]

Re: New Glass. Sightron, Bushnell, Zeiss or Leopold?

What about this one?


Looked at these at all? I'm happy with mine.


1911fan

 

[XOK-DESIGN]

Re: New Glass. Sightron, Bushnell, Zeiss or Leopold?

Thanks again for all the help. I'm going to see if I can track down a Zeiss and vortex and have a bit of a play with them. Its always good to hear the comments from those that already own the kit, everyone at my range seems to have either Leopold or NF