Rifle Scopes Scope options for Lt Tactical/Hunting 3-15x

[kskevin]

Trying to figure out some of the better options for a scope that i can use as a hybrid for hunting and light tactical. Trying to keep it below ~$1500 but yet a very high quality piece.

Must haves:
< ~25oz
power range 3/4x on low end, 15+ on high end
open elevation turret (can be open or sealed on windage)
mil/mil turrets & reticule

Nice to Haves/Preferences (but maybe willing to compromise)
30mm tube
FFP

At this point, I've been scouring for options and about the only ones I can find that fit these needs are:
Bushnell 3x12x44 Elite Tactical Hunter - wishing the power range went up to 15x
Premier Light Tactical 3x15x50 - seems like it fits the bill perfectly but hard to find at a reasonable price
Leupold Mark6 3x18x44 - but has 34mm tube (not sure why I'm so stuck on 30mm tube)
Vortex - PST or LRH but not the level of quality i'm really wanting.

Others that are close but not quite meeting all my 'must-haves'
Steiner GS3 3x15x50 - looks like elevation turret is not of the open style
S&B Klassick 4x16x50 - doesn't have open turrets (deal killer) & no reticule options in any type of mil-dot variants (PMII is too heavy)

What am I missing in terms of options??

 

[Smooth_87]

The new t5xi steiner 3-15 should be gtg for you

 

[kskevin]

These look like they exactly fit the bill. Just read the 20p thread about them. Looks like they are not quite out yet. Anxious to read a full review.

 

[kskevin]

Any other reco's or input guys?

 

[valkyries]

Take a look at the swfa 3x15.

 

[kskevin]

i have the SWFA SS HD 5x20 and love it. Specs on the 3x15 look to match what I'm looking for. How is the glass on this model vs the 5x20 HD and how does it do in very low light (those last couple min of shooting time)? Noticed they don't market the glass as HD glass on the 3x15 model.

 

[Iron Worker]

Weaver 3x15x50MM FFP 30mm tube GREAT Glass along with all your other requirements Under 1K I have one on my AR-15 that the coyotes in my area hate. In fact after game I'll be using it for an early evening hunt after the game.

 

[5RWill]

Mark 6 gets my vote. Small, light, locking turrets (although somewhat mushy), i think Scott [MENTION=2357]LibertyOptics[/MENTION] still has them on sale for 1750$

For say a 18" 20" sendero contoured practical/tactical/hunting rifle that optic is born for. Can't wait to get my 5R cut to 18" and drop it into a manners Elite tactical with the carbon fiber fill. I think it might become my favorite rifle.

 

[Drifter™]

At this point, I've been scouring for options and about the only ones I can find that fit these needs are:
Bushnell 3x12x44 Elite Tactical Hunter - wishing the power range went up to 15x

Bushnell is reportedly working on a slightly larger and more powerful version of the LRHS.

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...r-lrhs-version-bushnell-4-5x-18x-moa-too.html

 

[Javelin]

i have the SWFA SS HD 5x20 and love it. Specs on the 3x15 look to match what I'm looking for. How is the glass on this model vs the 5x20 HD and how does it do in very low light (those last couple min of shooting time)? Noticed they don't market the glass as HD glass on the 3x15 model.

The swfa is built off of the ss model. I'm waiting on one to be shipped to me and I can give you a comparison to Mk4, swarovski z6i, and accupoint later this week if you like.

 

[kskevin]

The swfa is built off of the ss model. I'm waiting on one to be shipped to me and I can give you a comparison to Mk4, swarovski z6i, and accupoint later this week if you like.

Much appreciated javelin. Looking forward to your comparison.

 

[kskevin]

damn i like these LRHS models.... may just pull the trigger on the 3x12. I think I'd rather have more on the low end vs extending the high-end as 4.5x is just a bit much for what I'm trying to do with this scope. Although I'm really anxious to hear more on the Steiner T5xi once some guys start getting their hands on them.

 

[kskevin]

Mark 6 gets my vote. Small, light, locking turrets (although somewhat mushy), i think Scott [MENTION=2357]LibertyOptics[/MENTION] still has them on sale for 1750$

For say a 18" 20" sendero contoured practical/tactical/hunting rifle that optic is born for. Can't wait to get my 5R cut to 18" and drop it into a manners Elite tactical with the carbon fiber fill. I think it might become my favorite rifle.

How are you liking the turrets where you have to squeeze them to adjust? That is one hesitation I have no the Mark 6's.

 

[mjh30]

OP, stuck my MK6 on my Tikka for upcoming deer season. IMHO its probably one of my most versatile scopes, use it on my AR, my spare 260 whatever the need. Magnification range is great, glass is way better than I expected and as for the pinch and turn turrets well it took no time to get used to them.

 

[schlaiek]

I don't know if they are even available in Denmark, but the razor 3-18 is another option. All my experience has been with the 4.5-27, but so far I'm very happy with my purchase and I'm thinking about a 3-18 for my lightweight ar10.

 

[5RWill]

Scope options for Lt Tactical/Hunting 3-15x

shclaiek his weight class will rule out the razors.

How are you liking the turrets where you have to squeeze them to adjust? That is one hesitation I have no the Mark 6's.

As far as functioning they're simple grab and turn really. The problem I have with them is they're mushy they have a .05 play in them when locked. Took a little messing with to actually get it to line up properly when adjusting.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[valkyries]

i have the SWFA SS HD 5x20 and love it. Specs on the 3x15 look to match what I'm looking for. How is the glass on this model vs the 5x20 HD and how does it do in very low light (those last couple min of shooting time)? Noticed they don't market the glass as HD glass on the 3x15 model.

I couldn't give you a comparison between the glass in the 3x15 and anything else in the class. This is the best glass I have owned. I think it better than the Burris hunting scope on my .243 and better than my brothers Nikon. But with the great turrets, glass, warranty, reputation, I don't think it can be beat for six bills (sample list). If I remember right someone said that SWFA is coming out with a 3x15 HD model soon. That may fit the bill perfectly.

 

[kskevin]

I think I've come down to the following as my order of preference
1) see where things land on final pricing/specs on the Steiner T5xi 3x15 (and user reviews) - thanks for highlighting this option Smooth_87
2) Bushnell Elite Tactical Hunter 3x12x44
3) See what SWFA 3x15HD model specs out at that is supposedly coming out soon.

In the end, I think it will be one of these three. Thanks for the input guys.

 

[Nemain]

Not trying to make a sales pitch but i have a Premier Light Tactical 3-15x50 Gen2 illuminated that is currently sitting in an ADM mount that I have never used, I still have the box, paperwork, etc. Not sure how much to sell it for but its a darn nice scope. It's a FFP MRAD, let me know if you are interested. I ended up going with higher powered optics for what I was doing so the Premier has just been sitting around.

 

[banditbump]

Swfa puts there scopes on sale for black Friday with most models going 20% off. You can also grab swfa ss scopes off their sample list for 20% less, there last the sale the scope I wanted, the 3-15, wasn't put on sale. I called them and ask for a demo model for 20% off. They sent me what looked to me to be a brand new model less than a week later. I think it's a fantastic scope with better glass imo than nixon monarch and mid level leupolds. Not sure if it is true but I have heard the high end Bushnell scopes are made in the same factory in Japan as the swfa so the glass quality should be the same, if you are choosing between the Bushnell and the swfa go with the one with the features, reticle, and price you like best and you will not be disappointed. I can't wait to see the new steiner but I believe that would be up a notch above the swfa and Bushnell in terms of price, glass, and features.

 

[kskevin]

Found an opportunity for a brand new Kahles K312II (3-12x50) with the MSR reticle ($1600). Non illuminated, mil/mil, open turrets. Looks like it meets my 'must-haves' list with the only exception is it is slightly heavier than what I was targeting (weighs 28oz). Any experience/thoughts on this as an option for a LR Hunting optic would be appreciated.