My brain is exploding trying to research a decent scope to put on a 7mm-08 compact rifle. I always have kept my shots to within 250yds so I haven't had to mess with adjusting the scope. This year will be my third and fourth trips out west hunting (I normally hunt Michigan where shooting distance where I hunt is less than 250) I am wanting to buy a decent optic that I can use for punching paper out to 600yds and eventually hunting medium sized game out to 500-600yds and probably steel gongs at random distances for fun. On this rifle I currently have a diavari C 3-9x36 MC so there is no knob twisting or usable reticle markings for what I am looking to get into. I was originally thinking of going to a Z5 3.8-18 BRH reticle but after researching it seems the erector can be suspect on that scope. I also looked at the NXS which led to the NX8... and also read some about the Mark 5HD 3.6-18. I have read a ton of posts on here and some shooting specific forums and all the extra info doesn't help since I am starting out clueless here.
So, hoping those with a bit of experience can chime in with what they would buy based on their experience. Also, any comments on a good hunting reticle for a mid range scope like this? I don't know if I would prefer twisting dials or ballistic style reticles, only ever used duplex type scopes. Looking for insight from others who have been here (starting out learning to shoot farther) and what works and what to avoid. Would like to keep the price under $2K but most importantly I want to buy something reliable that will work for me for many years. I won't be getting into any 1000yd stuff with this rifle either.
So, based on all my research so far, these two are kind of standing out from the crowd based on my criteria:
NXS 2.5-10x42
MK5HD 3.6-18
EDIT: I guess include NXS 3.5-15 since it is similar mag as the leupold...
the very popular SWFA 6x and 3-9x are all on backorder but I have read good things about those also.
But like I said, I have zero experience and reading specs online won't really get me very far so hoping people who have already went through this and tried a few different setups can short cut my process or at least throw a compass or map in my hand and point me in the general direction.
summary:
Primary use - Hunting
Primary distance - 100-600yds
Primary concern - reliability
secondary concern - optical quality
know I don't know - Reticle style
Budget - <$2K
Matt
So, hoping those with a bit of experience can chime in with what they would buy based on their experience. Also, any comments on a good hunting reticle for a mid range scope like this? I don't know if I would prefer twisting dials or ballistic style reticles, only ever used duplex type scopes. Looking for insight from others who have been here (starting out learning to shoot farther) and what works and what to avoid. Would like to keep the price under $2K but most importantly I want to buy something reliable that will work for me for many years. I won't be getting into any 1000yd stuff with this rifle either.
So, based on all my research so far, these two are kind of standing out from the crowd based on my criteria:
NXS 2.5-10x42
MK5HD 3.6-18
EDIT: I guess include NXS 3.5-15 since it is similar mag as the leupold...
the very popular SWFA 6x and 3-9x are all on backorder but I have read good things about those also.
But like I said, I have zero experience and reading specs online won't really get me very far so hoping people who have already went through this and tried a few different setups can short cut my process or at least throw a compass or map in my hand and point me in the general direction.
summary:
Primary use - Hunting
Primary distance - 100-600yds
Primary concern - reliability
secondary concern - optical quality
know I don't know - Reticle style
Budget - <$2K
Matt
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