This is usually not me. I usually know what I want, make quick decisions and am confident in them. But this one has me stumped. I've spent a mint on scopes trying to find perfect for this rifle and I'm still not there. Rifle is a 22' barrel custom 6.5 PRC, Defiance Anti and a Bartlein #3. Weighs 6.5 lbs and I don't want to weigh it down too much. For the sake of this discussion, please lets keep it to these scope models, which I own already, or models that fit all the criteria below. Zeiss V6 3-18x50, Swarovski Z6 3-18X50, and March 2.5-25X52. FYI, I've also considered and eliminated a Nightforce NX8 2.5-20x50 (hated the eyebox), so no need mentioning that one. These are my criteria, which would you run with and why? Personal experiences only please.
Lightweight, 25oz max
30 mil tube
top end mag range in the 16-20X range
Durability/Reliability/Predictability
Track/RTZ and retain zero
Usable reticle. Not busy. Wind holds on horizontal.
SFP/MOA
prefer non illuminated (center illum only ok)
will dial, but for hunting use (not every shot) and reasonable practice out to maybe 800ish.
These are my thoughts so far:
Swaro Z6. I love everything about this scope, but don't trust it. Best glass, lightest, best reticle, best parallax adjuster, best eyebox, best FOV, and perfect zoom range. The most usable in the field by all accounts. BUT, before this thing even had a bullet fired underneath it, the turret on the scope sheared clean off in shipping and revealed the plastic erector system. That said, I also have this exact same scope on another gun and its been flawless. Tracks, and RTZ is good, but it only has 2-300 shots through it. Also has purported internet reputation of failure. I HATE the doubt in the back of my mind, but all the specs on this one are perfect and the glass, of course, is spectacular.
Zeiss V6. I also love this scope and from what I have found so far, this is probably the best value in hunting scopes. Seems to do everything pretty well and is the most cost effective. I'm not in love with the parallax adjuster or the reticle, but I can live with both. Good turrets, good FOV, good glass, forgiving eyebox, pretty user friendly. Zero personal issues with tracking and zero retention, but I know some report some issues in this regard. I have one on a 7 mag and its been used with success and not been babied. I have no reason not to trust it and MOST internet reviews attest to its durability and reliability.
March 2.5-25X52. Throw that last few X's off there, I'll never use them. I wish this were a 6X zoom erector. That said, the eyebox is workable. I actually like the parallax adjuster on this one. You know it when it's right. My biggest beef with this one is for my eyes, I can't get the reticle focused perfectly crisp. It's 90% close, but not perfect. I think Swaro and Zeiss beat it out in glass clarity, well definitely Swaro, but it could just be the reticle thing for me. This one also needs illumination as the reticle is just a touch thin to see well in low light on a dark background. It definitely feels like the most well built of the 3, and I think I trust it more with regard to tracking and zero retention. I have the most confidence in this scope taking a beating.
So folks, which are you going with and why?
Lightweight, 25oz max
30 mil tube
top end mag range in the 16-20X range
Durability/Reliability/Predictability
Track/RTZ and retain zero
Usable reticle. Not busy. Wind holds on horizontal.
SFP/MOA
prefer non illuminated (center illum only ok)
will dial, but for hunting use (not every shot) and reasonable practice out to maybe 800ish.
These are my thoughts so far:
Swaro Z6. I love everything about this scope, but don't trust it. Best glass, lightest, best reticle, best parallax adjuster, best eyebox, best FOV, and perfect zoom range. The most usable in the field by all accounts. BUT, before this thing even had a bullet fired underneath it, the turret on the scope sheared clean off in shipping and revealed the plastic erector system. That said, I also have this exact same scope on another gun and its been flawless. Tracks, and RTZ is good, but it only has 2-300 shots through it. Also has purported internet reputation of failure. I HATE the doubt in the back of my mind, but all the specs on this one are perfect and the glass, of course, is spectacular.
Zeiss V6. I also love this scope and from what I have found so far, this is probably the best value in hunting scopes. Seems to do everything pretty well and is the most cost effective. I'm not in love with the parallax adjuster or the reticle, but I can live with both. Good turrets, good FOV, good glass, forgiving eyebox, pretty user friendly. Zero personal issues with tracking and zero retention, but I know some report some issues in this regard. I have one on a 7 mag and its been used with success and not been babied. I have no reason not to trust it and MOST internet reviews attest to its durability and reliability.
March 2.5-25X52. Throw that last few X's off there, I'll never use them. I wish this were a 6X zoom erector. That said, the eyebox is workable. I actually like the parallax adjuster on this one. You know it when it's right. My biggest beef with this one is for my eyes, I can't get the reticle focused perfectly crisp. It's 90% close, but not perfect. I think Swaro and Zeiss beat it out in glass clarity, well definitely Swaro, but it could just be the reticle thing for me. This one also needs illumination as the reticle is just a touch thin to see well in low light on a dark background. It definitely feels like the most well built of the 3, and I think I trust it more with regard to tracking and zero retention. I have the most confidence in this scope taking a beating.
So folks, which are you going with and why?
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