Help finding the right hunting scope

[Shane071489]

I recently purchased a Bergara b14 ridge in 6.5 creedmoor, this will be a hunting rifle with target shooting a handful of times per year. To give a background I hunt the east coast shots are 99% of the time 115 yards or less, but I plan to do a mule deer hunt out west next year for the first time and want this rifle to be capable. Stated expected shot 300 yards. I currently have a leupold vx1 and vx freedom 3x9-50 on rifles. These scopes have done everything I’ve needed and function well in low light. The scope I’ve had my eye on is a leupold vx3i 4.5x14-40, I thought this would be perfect but i would only use the higher zoom for targets but I see some people have blurriness after 10x. I really want the vortex viper 3x15-44 to be everything I need but I see the comparison has leupold glass and quality better. What do you guys recommend? Low light function and reliability are the most important factors for me. I would like to keep my cost max or below 800. I do like vortex reticle more than the leupold duplex. I don’t know if I need adjustable objective, cds, adjustable turrets, good BDC scope.

 

[brsnow]

Take a look at Swarovski Z3, in your price range.

 

[Catahoula]

I’ve got a VX-5 3-15x44 on my 270. Also considering a Z3 for the spouses rifle. The VX-5 is a nice scope for its price point. Best of choosing for yourself

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Meopta Meopro or Athlon Midas TAC would be my recommendations. I also saw some Zeiss conquest HD5's on camofire recently, I think those were decent scopes too. I bought a couple of Leupold 4.5-14's before I knew much about other scopes, the performance of mine on the eastern side of a ridge in the evening last year left me wanting a whole lot more. 300 yds is getting close to MPBR for your 6.5, so you're likely going to need either a reticle with some type of hold over system or a scope that can dial a little bit.

 

[Yote Klr]

Following

 

[N2TRKYS]

I have a few VX3Is in 3.5-10x40 and 4.5-14x40. I like them both, but wish they were all 4.5-14x40.

Fairly lightweight with great low light gathering ability. I prefer no dials and a clean, wide duplex reticle on my scopes.

Good luck with your search.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Going off of what you said, "To give a background I hunt the east coast shots are 99% of the time 115 yards or less, but I plan to do a mule deer hunt out west next year for the first time and want this rifle to be capable. Stated expected shot 300 yards." I would think your choice of a 4.5x14-40 would not serve you well.

If 99% of the time 115 yards or less then I would suggest the following scopes:

Steiner GS3 2-10x42 - 4A on sale for only $599.99

Meopta MeoStar R2 1.7-10x42 RD - BDC 2 illuminated on sale for $1,049.99

Meopta MeoStar R2 2-12x50 RD - BDC 2 Illuminated on sale for only $1,099.99

Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x42

IMO, the wider FOV for 99% of your inside 115 yards is super important and 10x is more than enough for 300 yards.

Please feel free to give us a call to discuss options and what would be right for you

 

[Rich M]

I really think that we, as people, overthink stuff. That comes from effective marketing and too many choices.

Let me tell you a story:

In 2017, had to go hunting with my backup scope due to an internal parts failure on a very expensive scope 2 weeks before the trip - the backup is a Leupold VX-2 3-9x40. Scope was set for dead hold out to 350. Opening morning I shot an antelope at 20/25 yards and then in the afternoon shot one at 340 yards.

300 yards is not a stretch for your gun or your scopes. Set your rig for dead hold and run with what you have. Or if you need to get a new one "just because", run with your gut - what'll make you happiest? You don't need a higher magnification at 300 yards.

 

[mcseal2]

I'd go Swaro Z3 if you don't plan to dial elevation, Huskemaw 3-12x if you do. Out to 300 or 350 yards dialing should not be needed. I still often do it if I have time on shots past 250 just to be more precise and confident. Your Leupold scopes are plenty capable too, but I'm not sure if the glass is as good in low light as the higher end scopes even with a smaller objective.

Gunbroker has the Huskemaw's under $800 often. I like that the Huskemaw has covered turrets and mine have dialed reliably so far. Glass on the Huskemaw isn't as good as Swaro, but I can't say it has ever cost me a shot I could have taken with a VX-6 Leupold or a Swaro Z5. I hunt whitetail in KS with one where low light is my # 1 criteria and I have been able to take every shot I've needed to.

 

[Shane071489]

Thanks everyone for the replies. The higher zoom is going t be for the occasional target shooting not for the need in hunting. I am trying to do what is impossible and to find a good hunting and target scope. I will likely take one of my scopes and put on this rifle for now. I am only upgrading to get better glass and low light functioning. My vx-freedom has very good low light, so I may just go with another one of them since they are very cost friendly. I have only had one for less than a year so it will be interesting to see how it holds up, I don’t expect it to fail. There were multiple scopes listed that I have not heard of that I will be looking into. You guys have been very helpful. I have read many articles and posts stating that a 3-9 and lower is great for hunting even with longer shots. I am going to start practicing some 300 yard shots with a 3-9 and see how stuff goes. I plan to just use an 8” plate to simulate the size of vitals.