$1000 budget scope. Need help.

[snowtoy83]

For under $1k find a Trijicon that you like and go shoot stuff. I have a Credo and a Tenmile, both reliable.

 

[Tb72]

I have a meopta optika 6 ffp 3-18x50 that checks a lot boxes. I’ve been really happy with it so far. But seems to kinda hard to find right now…..

 

[trip3k]

For under $1k find a Trijicon that you like and go shoot stuff. I have a Credo and a Tenmile, both reliable.

Not trying to hijack the thread here but how do you like the credo compared to the tenmile?

 

[snowtoy83]

Not trying to hijack the thread here but how do you like the credo compared to the tenmile?

Basically the same scope. Higher mag range on the Tenmile. The credo is 4x the Tenmile is 5x

 

[trip3k]

Basically the same scope. Higher mag range on the Tenmile. The credo is 4x the Tenmile is 5x

gotcha. have never been able to get my hands on a credo but the tenmile has always worked well

 

[Wrench]

I have or had every scope mentioned except the maven. For the money the LRHS from gap is where I would spend my money.

The trijicon is not a bad choice either....but the build quality on the bushnell is far superior....FAR.
I can't imagine anyone comparing a non hd series swfa 3-15 to anything else mentioned.....the glass sucks and the lack of zero stop with exposed moster turrets is lame.

 

[Tlwebb15]

I read a few of these but they’re either older or over my budget for this. Just picked up a new (to me) 300 win mag that I will be using for elk hunting. My only scopes have been Vortex Viper or Razors but they are a bit older now and not knowing what else is out there or if any of it is worth it, I thought I’d ask here. My range with this gun will be no more than 600 yards hunting but I will try to get out to 1000 at the range just to see if I can do it. It’s not a chassis gun but will end up getting a new stock. Haven’t decided which one yet. Not overly concerned with weight on this particular rifle as most the hunting I do these days are day hikes at the trails end or one way drop offs on end to end trails. I hunt with the main frame pack with a couple bat wings so I can haul out what I went in for. I never stay out there anymore. I’m always in camp at night. So packing this gun long distances with all my gear isn’t going to happen. I was at a Cabelas about a week ago, explaining this and the optics counter guy was telling me that the Viper PST gen 2 5-25x50 was a better bang for my buck than the razor. He didn’t even offer up a different scope. I’ve had old vx3 Leupold 4-9x30 in the past but after wrecking one and not getting anywhere with the service department I switched over to vortex. Been relatively happy with them. Then you look through your buddies Night Force and you get half pumper! But it costs as much as my daughters Subaru! So I’ve read some stuff about Maven and as much as I’d love to get a NF I think it’s just overkill for my needs at this point. For years I’ve just held over with my scopes to adjust for elevation and wind. As long as there are hash marks on the reticle I’m pretty good at getting the job done but after watching some videos I’d like to be able to dial in what I need. I’ve also watched videos from Anthalon, Gunwerks, Arken, Sig and a few others about their scope. Watched a few of the gun guys on YT who seem to test everything under the sun about what they use. Names I’ve never heard of or names I always considered super budget. So I’m here asking for some advice. My budget for this scope is 1000 bucks. Help me out please. Thanks up front for any and all help. Truly appreciate it.

I’m in the same boat. I’m following to see what you decide to purchase.

 

[trip3k]

I’m in the same boat. I’m following to see what you decide to purchase.

I find myself always in need of another scope

 

[Okie_Poke]

Basically the same scope. Higher mag range on the Tenmile. The credo is 4x the Tenmile is 5x

What Credo do you have? The main Credo I think of in this comparison is the 2.5-15, which is a 6x range. The difference that jumps out to me is ffp (tenmile) vs sfp (credo). There are a couple of ffp credos, but they are lower magnification lpvo or mpvo (2-10x36). I may be missing something or there could be a discontinued model I’m unaware of, though.

 

[ColPenguin]

I need to get my hands on the NF and the Maven.

Maven is direct to consumer. Order an RS1.2, don't mount it in rings yet, and don't order any custom trim on it. Look it over and fiddle with it.

If you don't like it call them back and tell them it's not for you and ask for an RMA number to mail it back. They don't have a demo program for rifle scopes but can return unmounted non-customized scopes for demo purposes.

I ordered an RS.2, called them up and said its not for me, I don't like the eye relief. They said, no problem, here are return instructions and send it back. They refunded credit charge upon receipt.

My opinion, they seem like friendly and good people. I ordered an RS1.2 to demo after, and kept it.

 

[snowtoy83]

What Credo do you have? The main Credo I think of in this comparison is the 2.5-15, which is a 6x range. The difference that jumps out to me is ffp (tenmile) vs sfp (credo). There are a couple of ffp credos, but they are lower magnification lpvo or mpvo (2-10x36). I may be missing something or there could be a discontinued model I’m unaware of, though.

4-16 credo spf and 5-25 tenmile spf

 

[bene-201]

Maven is direct to consumer. Order an RS1.2, don't mount it in rings yet, and don't order any custom trim on it. Look it over and fiddle with it.

If you don't like it call them back and tell them it's not for you and ask for an RMA number to mail it back. They don't have a demo program for rifle scopes but can return unmounted non-customized scopes for demo purposes.

I ordered an RS.2, called them up and said its not for me, I don't like the eye relief. They said, no problem, here are return instructions and send it back. They refunded credit charge upon receipt.

My opinion, they seem like friendly and good people. I ordered an RS1.2 to demo after, and kept it.

I did the same with some binoculars- great customer service

 

[mtnbound]

I read a few of these but their either older or over my budget for this. Just picked up a new (to me) 300 win mag that I will be using for elk hunting. My only scopes have been Vortex Viper or Razors but they are a bit older now and not knowing what else is out there or if any of it is worth it, I thought I’d ask here. My range with this gun will be no more than 600 yards hunting but I will try to get out to 1000 at the range just to see if I can do it. It’s not a chassis gun but will end up getting a new stock. Haven’t decided which one yet. Not overly concerned with weight on this particular rifle as most the hunting I do these days are day hikes at the trails end or one way drop offs on end to end trails. I hunt with the main frame pack with a couple bat wings so I can haul out what I went in for. I never stay out there anymore. I’m always in camp at night. So packing this gun long distances with all my gear isn’t going to happen. I was at a Cabelas about a week ago, explaining this and the optics counter guy was telling me that the Viper PST gen 2 5-25x50 was a better bang for my buck than the razor. He didn’t even offer up a different scope. I’ve had old vx3 Leupold 4-9x30 in the past but after wrecking one and not getting anywhere with the service department I switched over to vortex. Been relatively happy with them. Then you look through your buddies Night Force and you get half pumper! But it costs as much as my daughters Subaru! So I’ve read some stuff about Maven and as much as I’d love to get a NF I think it’s just overkill for my needs at this point. For years I’ve just held over with my scopes to adjust for elevation and wind. As long as there are hash marks on the reticle I’m pretty good at getting the job done but after watching some videos I’d like to be able to dial in what I need. I’ve also watched videos from Anthalon, Gunwerks, Arken, Sig and a few others about their scope. Watched a few of the gun guys on YT who seem to test everything under the sun about what they use. Names I’ve never heard of or names I always considered super budget. So I’m here asking for some advice. My budget for this scope is 1000 bucks. Help me out please. Thanks up front for any and all help. Truly appreciate it.

Here is a quick reference to some scopes that went through the RS Drop Test.

 

[Cornbinder]

4-16 credo spf and 5-25 tenmile spf

I have a 4x16 on my kids rifle and a 5x20 on my wife’s and I swear I can’t tell the difference between the two. Both are viper but when I go up to the top in magnification it’s not like I can see better or further.

I’m in the same boat. I’m following to see what you decide to purchase.

Right now I’m holding off until I can get to a few of the hunting conventions that are going to be on the schedule this month and next. I thought I was set on the Maven but then the Trijicon came up and then I read some reviews on this Burris that has the dope inside the scope for you. Went down a rabbit hole on that for a week. This shit is hard and I’m sure I’m overthinking it. 4X or 5X? Exposed turrets or capped? Zero stop. 50mm or is 44mm good enough? Warranty this or warranty that. Customer service. The drop test on here! My buddies NF! My other buddies mark 5! Which by the way is just freakin amazing. If it wasn’t for the drop testing on here I’d think it was the perfect scope. I’m not that easy on equipment all the time. It will be in a gun rack on the front of a quad or in the side by side getting to spots I hike from. It’s rough roads most places, mud and snow etc. I fell twice last year and once was hard enough that I thought I better check zero. Plus that scope is 2k so it’s waaay out of budget.

 

[Okie_Poke]

4-16 credo spf and 5-25 tenmile spf

Thanks. I totally forgot about the HX models.

 

[Johnwell]

…I can't imagine anyone comparing a non hd series swfa 3-15 to anything else mentioned.....the glass sucks and the lack of zero stop with exposed moster turrets is lame.

The new generation one has zero stops and you can cap one or both turrets. They’re still bigger turrets though. The glass is probably still far inferior to the other scopes mentioned; but I doubt it’s bad enough to miss.

 

[ColPenguin]

50mm or is 44mm good enough?

I think most people are convinced by marketing that they need the 50mm to gather more light in low light conditions. It was my understanding that one could dial their magnification power down to increase their exit pupil to 6mm or 7mm and beyond that there isn't much practical advantage to the human eye. If one sets their 40mm objective scope to 6x, they would have a 40mm/6x magnification =~ 6.67mm exit pupil.

Personally, I would optimize my rifle scope for weight and go with the smaller objective. The point of the rifle scope is as an aiming device and not as a spotting device. Maybe if I am at the point with shooting light that I cannot see the animal then I pass on that shot. The bigger objective lens is not going to extend available shooting light. I think you're trading off increased weight of glass on the scope with not much advantage.

I bet there are a lot of people that want to buy the biggest objective they can afford.

 

[Cornbinder]

I think most people are convinced by marketing that they need the 50mm to gather more light in low light conditions. It was my understanding that one could dial their magnification power down to increase their exit pupil to 6mm or 7mm and beyond that there isn't much practical advantage to the human eye. If one sets their 40mm objective scope to 6x, they would have a 40mm/6x magnification =~ 6.67mm exit pupil.

Personally, I would optimize my rifle scope for weight and go with the smaller objective. The point of the rifle scope is as an aiming device and not as a spotting device. Maybe if I am at the point with shooting light that I cannot see the animal then I pass on that shot. The bigger objective lens is not going to extend available shooting light. I think you're trading off increased weight of glass on the scope with not much advantage.

I bet there are a lot of people that want to buy the biggest objective they can afford.

Not sure I completely understand but I get what you’re saying. This gives me an idea though. My wife’s rifle has a 5-20x50mm on it and my kid a 4-16x44mm on it. Same brand and level. I might head down to the range and see what I can make of the difference between the two at different times and lightness at distance.

 

[ColPenguin]

Not sure I completely understand but I get what you’re saying. This gives me an idea though. My wife’s rifle has a 5-20x50mm on it and my kid a 4-16x44mm on it. Same brand and level. I might head down to the range and see what I can make of the difference between the two at different times and lightness at distance.

The maximum a human pupil will dilate is 6 to 7 mm diameter.

The exit pupil of the optic is a function of the objective diameter divided by the magnification power. 50/10 = 5mm, 50/8 = 6.25mm, etc.

Therefore, any exit pupil above 6 or 7 mm has no mechanical advantage to the shooter in low light. It would already exceed the mechanical limitations of the human eye.

 

[rfroese]

The maximum a human pupil will dilate is 6 to 7 mm diameter.

The exit pupil of the optic is a function of the objective diameter divided by the magnification power. 50/10 = 5mm, 50/8 = 6.25mm, etc.

Therefore, any exit pupil above 6 or 7 mm has no mechanical advantage to the shooter in low light. It would already exceed the mechanical limitations of the human eye.

If that is the case, wouldn't you want a bigger objective lens for any type of longer range shooting?