Help with Hunting Optic

[knighttime22]

Looking to upgrade the 10+ year old Leupold 3.5-10x50mm VX-III on a remington 700 .280 and I need some suggestions on scopes to review/watch for. This rifle will spend majority of it's time hunting whitetails in Texas although I hope to expand that footprint one day!

Things I need:
1.) Sub $1000 budget (I scour the classifieds daily so not opposed to used)
2.) Great low light performance
3.) Great glass
4.) 15-25x magnification
5.) SFP as that's all I've ever used but I'm not necessarily again FFP
6.) Favorable eye relief as this gun could get shared throughout the family

Things I want:
1.) Illuminated reticle
2.) No Christmas tree reticle, although I could probably live with it
3.) Favorable weight (I don't intend to backpack with the rifle however)
4.) Strong warranty (I'm not easy on equipment...)

I've eyeballed the Vortex Razor and Viper lines, Leupold VX5/VX6/Mrk 3/Mrk5, Zeiss Conquest 4/6, & Trijicon credo/tenmile. Really not sure what Nightforce line/lines to focus in on

 

[kkp005]

I’d focus on Trijicon, NF and Maven.
I’ve got credos in 2.5-15 and 4-16 and really like both of them..
NF demo SHVs can be found that price range
Or, Save a touch more $$ and get a maven rs 1.2

 

[knighttime22]

I’d focus on Trijicon, NF and Maven.
I’ve got credos in 2.5-15 and 4-16 and really like both of them..
NF demo SHVs can be found that price range
Or, Save a touch more $$ and get a maven rs 1.2

What's the rave with Maven's? They're limited options with SFP has kind of shied me away from them...

 

[wesfromky]

What's the rave with Maven's? They're limited options with SFP has kind of shied me away from them...

The maven RS1.2 FFP SHR-Mil reticle is very usable at lower magnifications vs many other FFP reticles. There are a few long threads about this scope on here, worth reading through. I have one and really like it. Not cheap, but it is very nice, and drop tested.

 

[kkp005]

What's the rave with Maven's? They're limited options with SFP has kind of shied me away from them...

The MIL version ffp reticle is great
They track
They maintain and hold zero

 

[Speaks]

If you are open to FFP the SWFA 3-15x42 would be my top pick in that price range. Though I tend to favor FFP so I am sure I am missing some other sfp options.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

We have a demo Leica Amplus 6 2.5-15x56i - L-Ballistic BDC MIL for only $999.99

 

[knighttime22]

The maven RS1.2 FFP SHR-Mil reticle is very usable at lower magnifications vs many other FFP reticles. There are a few long threads about this scope on here, worth reading through. I have one and really like it. Not cheap, but it is very nice, and drop tested.

The MIL version ffp reticle is great
They track
They maintain and hold zero

I'll have to dig into the Maven optics a little more I guess. I wish I could find one around me locally to at least look through, buying sight unseen makes me a little nervous.

If you are open to FFP the SWFA 3-15x42 would be my top pick in that price range. Though I tend to favor FFP so I am sure I am missing some other sfp options.

I'm seeing a lot about SWFA but I haven't been able to research them much, guess I'll add that to my list.

 

[Speaks]

I'll have to dig into the Maven optics a little more I guess. I wish I could find one around me locally to at least look through, buying sight unseen makes me a little nervous.


I'm seeing a lot about SWFA but I haven't been able to research them much, guess I'll add that to my list.

Also personally I use the Mavin rs1.2 on my main gun and bought another for a 223 I am putting together. They are a little above your price point which is why I mentioned the SWFA.

 

[knighttime22]

We have a demo Leica Amplus 6 2.5-15x56i - L-Ballistic BDC MIL for only $999.99

Thanks for the heads up! I'll look into this although I was leaning MOA just because it's what I grew up with but it doesn't seem like the swap to MIL is complicated.

 

[knighttime22]

The MIL version ffp reticle is great
They track
They maintain and hold zero

Also personally I use the Mavin rs1.2 on my main gun and bought another for a 223 I am putting together. They are a little above your price point which is why I mentioned the SWFA.

Since y'all are Maven guys if I could get the Maven RS1.2 - 2.5-15x44 FFP MOA or MIL for $925 shipped to my door you'd jump on it?

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Since y'all are Maven guys if I could get the Maven RS1.2 - 2.5-15x44 FFP MOA or MIL for $925 shipped to my door you'd jump on it?

That's a no brainer, yes. If you're used to the Leupold low light performance you'll probably want the Maven over some of the other options. Glass is damn clear.

 

[knighttime22]

That's a no brainer, yes. If you're used to the Leupold low light performance you'll probably want the Maven over some of the other options. Glass is damn clear.

My dad was always a leupold guy so that's all I've ever known...

 

[kkp005]

Since y'all are Maven guys if I could get the Maven RS1.2 - 2.5-15x44 FFP MOA or MIL for $925 shipped to my door you'd jump on it?

Yes… get the MIL… if for some reason you do not like it … you’ll have 0 issues selling it for what you have in it

 

[Speaks]

Since y'all are Maven guys if I could get the Maven RS1.2 - 2.5-15x44 FFP MOA or MIL for $925 shipped to my door you'd jump on it?

Yes I would for sure get that in the MIL version for that price. I doubt you will find anything better anywhere close to that cost.

 

[juju]

Shoulda jumped on that Leica. That was the best you could do for that money for brand new

Of your choices, Zeiss. Consider, however, that best lowlight performance doesn't happen at the high magnification you specified. Even if the scope goes to 15x56 when the sun starts to dip it's an 8x scope. What you need is the best glass you can swing, with a reticle you can see, and see around, in all conditions. Considering that, add Trijicon.

If you shop a minute you can probably get an used Meopta R1 well below budget.

 

[knighttime22]

Shoulda jumped on that Leica. That was the best you could do for that money for brand new

Of your choices, Zeiss. Consider, however, that best lowlight performance doesn't happen at the high magnification you specified. Even if the scope goes to 15x56 when the sun starts to dip it's an 8x scope. What you need is the best glass you can swing, with a reticle you can see, and see around, in all conditions. Considering that, add Trijicon.

If you shop a minute you can probably get an used Meopta R1 well below budget.

I don't know much about Leica...
Thanks for the feedback, definitely something to keep in mind. Luckily I don't necessarily have to buy a scope for the gun any time soon so I can sit and wait for the right deal!