Backcountry rifle scope

[gr8fuldoug]

Sure, call me, 516-217-1000

 

[timberbuck]

What is wrong with Leupold VX3i 3.5x10x42 with CDS and windplex?
I also like the Z3 and have the 4x12x50 with BRH and it has been great.

 

[Dirtriding4life]

I manned up an ordered the SHV 3-10x42 with the MOAR illuminated reticle. The review and look at the reticle in this article sealed the deal for me https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/shv-3-10x42-riflescope/#comment-238476 I also ordered the Talley low scope rings. I will probably print out a dope chart for the rifle and learn to dial instead of getting a ballistic strip on the turret for now.

It will add some weight compared to other setups I was looking at, but the peace of mind with reliability will be worth it. Thanks for you input everyone!

 

[eamyrick]

NF does a LE price if you email them and Europtic offers a similar discount and they sell Swaro. I went with the Z3 4-12x50 and it sits in low talley rings on my tikka. It has hashes for wind holds and an elevation turret.

....ahh saw you went with the Nightforce. Solid scope.

 

[Dirtriding4life]

NF does a LE price if you email them and Europtic offers a similar discount and they sell Swaro. I went with the Z3 4-12x50 and it sits in low talley rings on my tikka. It has hashes for wind holds and an elevation turret.

....ahh saw you went with the Nightforce. Solid scope.

Yup, that’s what I did to take some sting out of the Nightforce price. That’s awesome they do that.

 

[Mike 338]

Backcountry scope...

I'm looking for help choosing a new scope for my Tikka T3 Lite in 30-06 shooting 150gr Barnes TTSX. I use it primarily for big game hunting out to 500 yards with the potential for a follow up shot a bit further. Currently it has a Vortex Diamondback 3-9x40 and I have been reaching out to 400 using the BDC effectively on 10" steel.

From what research I've done (and I could be wrong) I'm looking for...
Minimum magnification of 3.5 or less and maximum 10-12 magnification
Ability to dial elevation and account for windage with the reticle. Probably leave the windage capped.
Second focal plane because I'm not going too high with zoom and want a large reticle at lower magnification
Max weight around 22 oz
Cost around $500. I am a USFS firefighter so I have access to some deals to get me into better glass.

I possibly would order a custom elevation turret for it since my wife uses it as well. I believe considering our max desired range the most environmental factors and elevation would affect the bullet would be 2-3” @500yards. I really don't have much desire to reach out further.

Yesterday I went to Sportsman's and looked through a Nightforce SHV and Swaro Z3. Probably shouldn't have done that, but now I think I know what kind of quality I'd like to find within my budget. I looked through a Leupold VX3i and wasn't impressed. Some options I'm liking are...

Maven RS.2 2-10x38
Burris Veracity 2-10x42
Vortex Razor hdlh 2-10x40
SWFA SS 2.5-10x32 (probably not as bright as the other options?)

Thoughts? I need to email Doug at Cameraland at some point and see what they have.

Well, you did say "backcountry" so that means "not heavy or bulky". It also means "zero reliability issues" no matter what.

• The Maven: I do like it. Reticle selections on the SHR are actually useful. Capped finger adjustable turrets... nice. Very nice weight. No parallax adjustment though. Move your head around the eyebox a little at 500 yards and you'll see how important that is. I know nothing about the glass or reliability.
• I looked at that Burris Veracity and liked what I saw. That reticle though... I like 'em for combat but not for hunting.
• SWFA, also no parallax and only 2.5-ish" eye relief. It's an AR scope. Maybe a .22 scope even though it'll hold up to the recoil of a heavy magnum. Wouldn't mind seeing what a heavy magnum could do to someone else's eyebrow, he he.
• The Vortex... I kind'a like it. Of all the MOA reticles, theirs is one of the few that has the sense to space the hash marks out every 2 moa so the center of the scope isn't ridiculously cluttered. Votrex has great reticles. Fixed parallax though, set to 100 yds. Scuttlebutt on Vortex scopes is that "they can't take the torture". The '06 is no slouch in the recoil dept. Nice warranty but how's that help in the middle of nowhere? Answer: it doesn't.

Not a perfect one in the bunch. That's why I just pulled off a Leopold 3x9 vx2 off a lever-gun and put it on my backcountry 30-06. No parallax adjustment, glass at 500 yards is like looking through a glass of water, coin turn turrets and did I mention "it's silver", but... I can stack 'em at 100, dial for range provided I have a quarter in my pocket and 500 yard shots/groups are very doable as well (surprisingly so). Heck... it only weighs 11 ounces too.

If it was me, I'd take a chance on the Maven.