Setup Advice

[PKTrusty]

I wish I would have come here probably before buying my rifle but I dont think I made the worst decision I could have.

I have a Daniel Defense Delta 5 with the actual stock, not the wild frame looking one in 6.5 creedmore.

I was hoping to have it as a dual purpose "Long Range" 1000yd and hunting setup. I know there is always compromise when you try to have one thing do multiple things. My question is, I have been looking at scopes and want some input on really what would be something midrange for a optic.

I realize there are plenty of used optics on sale for here. I am hesitant to buy used optics off ebay or gunbroker. Is that a valid concern or you think I am crazy?

I was focusing on like a 5-25 setup and ffp. I know everyone is going to recommend mils vs moa and I am used to MOA but comfortable with mils. I have been out of the shooting game for a while. Always ran Leupolds and considered them pretty solid. I know nightforce is solid and of course the Zeiss, Steiner, Schmidt and Bender I am sure are still great. I know guys that shoot the trijicon tenmile whatever.

What do you think about the 5-25, that accomplish what I want or any recommendations? I see all these reticle setups by manufacturer. For one scope to rule them all, 1000 yds under, hunting and some bench shooting, moa or mil, what do you recommend. $2500 is kind of my max budget. I am open to used and not interested in chinese built. Nothing about their quality just personal choice.

Thanks.

 

[Midpack]

For a dual purpose hunting, bench scope there are some pretty good options. It sounds like it's going to be more if a hunting scope in which case both the vortex razor lht 4.5x22 and the nightforce nx8 4-32 are great options with both weighing in under 30 Oz. If not one of them and the scope is going to be primarily hunting with occasional long range use I would be looking at something more in the 3x15 mag range

 

[171farm]

I agree with midpack. I personally wouldn’t want a 5x on a hunting scope. The field of view on most scopes that start in the 5-6 range makes it almost impossible to find a quick moving deer at close range. Its doable but not ideal.

I looked long and hard at the Nx8 but read too many people complain about the eye box being picky. I spoke to one of the more popular scope shops out there (just might have a presence on the forum) and they said not many Nightforce/nx8 are returned but all the ones that are seem to be over the eye box…I have no reason to not believe them on that, they offered that advice without me provoking them. Some here and other forums have expressed dissatisfaction of the eye box, but for every one that does 5 more don’t have an issue or have learned how to live with it. That scope to me checked off a lot of boxes…durability, moa, not a complete boat anchor, a nice low end mag with lots of high end but I just couldn’t pull the trigger.

 

[ggmanning]

90% of my scopes came used from this site. Buy from a long time member or one with lots of feedback. Talk to them directly...won't be a problem. Depends on what your hunting is like. If you are stalking the prarie or hunting big ag fields nothing wrong with higher start mag

 

[PKTrusty]

Thank you for the Response. I live in the west where the chance of a longer shot is likely. I ended up finding a good deal on a Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56mm F1. Try it out and see how it goes. I didnt mention and I hate to say as I like to be positive. I have some physical disabilities that may ultimately make this more of a more active range gun than a hunting gun. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Tikkaguy]

Yeah I would agree, it would depend on where you are hunting, out here in the east it’s very dense forests not a ton of visibility. Out west in the wide open 5 power Probly wouldn’t hinder you too much. Only 5-25 I ever felt wasn’t a real deal breaker on the bottom end for hunting was the minox zp5 just because of the really wide fov. Having better glass in a 15-20 power optic helps me see better than a mid range 25 power at 1000 yards. Everyone will have varying opinions. I think a 3-20/18 is a better scope. Used 3-20 pmii non ultra short would really be a killer scope for you imo. Steiner T6xi 3-18 is really nice. I have 3 lol