FFP hunting scopes

[Mthomas90]

I'm looking for my ideal hunting scope.
The features I'd like to have:
FFP
3-18ish mag range
30mm+ tube
locking elevation turret
capped windage turret
illumination would be a plus but not necessary
weight is not a huge factor to me
MOA preferred but MIL is not a problem

I had been set on getting a 3.6-18 mk5 but all the negative reviews have changed my mind on it, I think. So, what other options are out there? The lower power, FFP, and locking elevation/capped windage are the main features I am after. I browse optics often, but I feel like there has got to be something out there that compares to the mk5 with a better track record.

 

[huntnful]

ATACR 4-16X42. But has a 34mm tube. The Mark 5 you were initially looking at had a 35mm tube though.

After feeling like you once did about HAVING to have a locking elevation turret and extremely limiting my scope options, I started using non locking elevation turrets and never had a single issue. I would strongly consider removing that as a guideline.

Then you have Trijicon Tenmile
Nightforce NX8
March F 3-24X52
SWFA
Tangent Theta 315M

 

[Mthomas90]

ATACR 4-16X42. But has a 34mm tube. The Mark 5 you were initially looking at had a 35mm tube though.

After feeling like you once did about HAVING to have a locking elevation turret and extremely limiting my scope options, I started using non locking elevation turrets and never had a single issue. I would strongly consider removing that as a guideline.

Then you have Trijicon Tenmile
Nightforce NX8
March F 3-24X52
SWFA
Tangent Theta 315M

I've had the elevation turret get bumped on cheaper exposed elevation turrets a couple of times while coyote hunting causing a clean miss. I have since upgrade scopes to much better turrets.
I have never had a scope with an exposed locking elevation turret, but I really like the idea in my head anyway.

I've never handled an NX8, but I think it would be my next choice just from watching online reviews and reading about them if I went with a non-locking elevation.

Athlon Cronus and Bushnell DMR2 pro is the best scopes I currently have...

 

[huntnful]

They are nice, but I would probably get a trijicon tenmile 3-18 over the NX8.

 

[davsco]

They are nice, but I would probably get a trijicon tenmile 3-18 over the NX8.

why?

 

[Laelkhunter]

They are nice, but I would probably get a trijicon tenmile 3-18 over the NX8.

I think I read somewhere that the Trijicon Tenmile is SFP. OP stated he wanted FFP.

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I think I read somewhere that the Trijicon Tenmile is SFP. OP stated he wanted FFP.

For sure they make a FFP version in 3-18x44, both in MOA and Mils.

Mil: https://www.trijicon.com/products/product-family/trijicon-tenmile-3-18x44-long-range-riflescope

MOA (HX version): https://www.trijicon.com/products/details/tmhx1844-c-3000001

 

[Flyjunky]

You didn’t specify a price range so I’d add the Kahles 3-18 and ZCO 4-20 in the mix as well.

 

[Tim Box]

ATACR 4-16X42. But has a 34mm tube. The Mark 5 you were initially looking at had a 35mm tube though.

After feeling like you once did about HAVING to have a locking elevation turret and extremely limiting my scope options, I started using non locking elevation turrets and never had a single issue. I would strongly consider removing that as a guideline.

Then you have Trijicon Tenmile
Nightforce NX8
March F 3-24X52
SWFA
Tangent Theta 315M

So are those your favorite in that order

 

[huntnful]

why?

If you don’t need the extra magnification… I think it’s just as as dependable, but better optically. Super easy to get behind. Excellent glass. Better illumination system. And cheaper.

 

[Flyjunky]

So are those your favorite in that order

My order would be:
ZCO 4-20
TT 3-15
Kahles 3-18/Atacr 4-16
March 3-24x52
Nx8/Trijicon
SWFA

 

[Macintosh]

My order would be:
ZCO 4-20
TT 3-15
Kahles 3-18/Atacr 4-16
March 3-24x52
Nx8/Trijicon
SWFA

Since it sounds like you have some extensive experience with all of these could you give some thoughts on what it is about each of these that you have ranked them this way?

 

[Flyjunky]

Since it sounds like you have some extensive experience with all of these could you give some thoughts on what it is about each of these that you have ranked them this way?

While I’m waiting on my current build to finish I’ve been researching and playing with scopes for 8 months trying to decide. All but 2 on the list I’ve been able to mess around with, SWFA and Trijicon.

ZCO was probably the best overall package to my eyes. The TT had, maybe, better glass but without using them side by side during the same conditions it would be tough to tell. The Kahles was good but the ergonomics would be tough to get used to if you were always going back and forth with other scopes. I thought the glass was good but not as good as the TT or ZCO. The Atacr was good all around but I want more on the top end, otherwise it does everything well but is not best in any category with maybe the exception of durability. The March seemed good with the exception of losing clarity and light at the top end ( this was the 3-24x42 though and I’ve heard the 52 is better in this regard). The NX8 was maybe the “biggest” disappointment for me. The glass wasn’t very good and I had a tougher time with the eye box but I was using someone else’s rifle so that might be a big deal if it was setup for me.

Oh, the other thing with the Kahles is the short mounting area. If you have integrated rails it might present a problem.

Without using them all during the same conditions a true comparison is tough. My main intent was to just get a little familiar with them to make a more informed purchase.

 

[TNKnoxville]

I have 3 Burris Veracity FFP scopes. They are really nice. I prefer SFP but I've used mine for elk hunts the last 3 years and they worked awesome.

 

[Formidilosus]

While I’m waiting on my current build to finish I’ve been researching and playing with scopes for 8 months trying to decide. All but 2 on the list I’ve been able to mess around with, SWFA and Trijicon.

ZCO was probably the best overall package to my eyes. The TT had, maybe, better glass but without using them side by side during the same conditions it would be tough to tell. The Kahles was good but the ergonomics would be tough to get used to if you were always going back and forth with other scopes. I thought the glass was good but not as good as the TT or ZCO. The Atacr was good all around but I want more on the top end, otherwise it does everything well but is not best in any category with maybe the exception of durability. The March seemed good with the exception of losing clarity and light at the top end ( this was the 3-24x42 though and I’ve heard the 52 is better in this regard). The NX8 was maybe the “biggest” disappointment for me. The glass wasn’t very good and I had a tougher time with the eye box but I was using someone else’s rifle so that might be a big deal if it was setup for me.

Oh, the other thing with the Kahles is the short mounting area. If you have integrated rails it might present a problem.

Without using them all during the same conditions a true comparison is tough. My main intent was to just get a little familiar with them to make a more informed purchase.

How many rounds and what use on those scopes?

 

[Flyjunky]

All these scopes, except the NF, were friends/acquaintances. The NF is my hunting buddies which I’ve shot quite a bit. I was really just wanting to look through them to see reticle, twist turrets, etc. so not many rounds.

Right now my main contenders are the 4-20 zco and 4-20 Atacr. I’m not sure the extra $$ for the zco is worth it when I know the Atacr simply gets it done. I liked the Kahles but I’m not sure about the parallax location specifically, although I liked the left side windage.

 

[carter33]

I have seen a few mention a Tangent Theta, haven't posted this anywhere else yet but I mounted a TT315H to a 300PRC I put together for my dad with a prefit barrel. I torqued the ring cap screws to 18in/lb and will admit that the manual states to only torque to 15in/lb. A couple weeks prior to a big hunt the scope went tits up and the parallax quit working which left us scrambling to mount and work out a new scope.

The scope was sent back to Tangent Theta and they did fix the issue and return the scope in a reasonably timely manner. They stated that the reason it probably broke was because I tightened the ring cap screws over the 15in/lb limit. Pretty disappointed because I loved the features of the scope but I have never had an issue with any other scopes tightening the screws to 18in/lb or higher on some. For the money I will never buy or trust one again. Could it be a fluke? Sure, but for me it's a 1 for 1 failure so I'm done.

 

[Formidilosus]

All these scopes, except the NF, were friends/acquaintances. The NF is my hunting buddies which I’ve shot quite a bit. I was really just wanting to look through them to see reticle, twist turrets, etc. so not many rounds.

Right now my main contenders are the 4-20 zco and 4-20 Atacr. I’m not sure the extra $$ for the zco is worth it when I know the Atacr simply gets it done. I liked the Kahles but I’m not sure about the parallax location specifically, although I liked the left side windage.

 

[Rifles And More]

ATACR is the answer.


...or quit listening to everyone else and try the Leupold. Find out for yourself.

 

[Flyjunky]

ATACR is the answer.


...or quit listening to everyone else and try the Leupold. Find out for yourself.

I’ve used/use leupold and I haven’t had a problem…yet, but I can’t discount other’s experiences. I would love to use a MK5 but I just can’t take the chance even though I think they have a ton going for them. If the MK5 would have the durability of the NF they would rule the market. For the money their turrets and glass are tough to beat.