New to hunting, first optic

[Quadzilla32]

Hello all,

I have wanted to start hunting for a while and finally in a position to do so. I just purchased my rifle, Bergara wilderness ridge (300 WM) and started the research on an optic. There seems to be so much contradictory information out there and so many options its a little overwhelming. I will be mostly hunting in Colorado for elk and deer/antelope and reach out to 300/400 yards.

I do have access to most of the manufacturer's military discount programs. So far i have narrowed it down to a couple options, and want to stay in the price range of $1000 or less. I would like a lighter scope since the rifle is already on the heavier side but it isn't a must. The magnification I'm looking at is somewhere in the X-15-18 range

1. Vortex PST Gen II- seems to be mixed reviews on Vortex optics, some people love them some people aren't impressed and have issues.
2. Leupold VX-3/5 series- Have heard good stuff about these scopes and know the 5's are suppose to be nicer
3. Trijicon Credo- Read good reviews on these scopes and is on the more upper end of my price range.

NF comes up a lot too but they are just right out of my price range, might be worth to see if I can find a use scope from them.

any other recommendations would be welcomed

-Mike

 

[mi650]

To get Vortex out of the way, I've never been a fan. Not that there's any wrong with their stuff, particularly the mid-priced stuff and up. There isn't, I just haven't gotten on the bandwagon.

VX-5HD will serve you well, but you'll quickly get above your $1000 limit with a few bells & whistles. Especially if you want a bigger objective, which I prefer on hunting scopes. It gets dark in my woods quite early. Legal shooting light here is 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, plus I have a lot of pines. Low light performance are a high priority for me.

I'll admit to being a Trijicon fan up front. Having said that, I think you'll get a little more for your money over Leupold, specifically illumination. To my eye, glass & light gathering are both better. I've recently sold 2 VX-5s and a VX-6. About a month ago, I compared a VX-6 with a Credo side by side looking into my woods just after last light, and sold the VX-6. Granted, the Credo has a 56mm obj. and the VX-6 had 42. I've never sold a Trijicon.

Another scope to consider is the Meopta Optika6. It's going to be significantly less $$ than either Leupold or Trijicon. With discount codes, even moreso. I have sold a couple of these, and regret it. I may buy another couple, but I won't be selling them.

And yes, shop used.

If you decide to up your budget a little bit, check out the Leica Amplus. I just put 1 on 1 of my hunting rifles, and am considering buying another.

 

[Quadzilla32]

To get Vortex out of the way, I've never been a fan. Not that there's any wrong with their stuff, particularly the mid-priced stuff and up. There isn't, I just haven't gotten on the bandwagon.

VX-5HD will serve you well, but you'll quickly get above your $1000 limit with a few bells & whistles. Especially if you want a bigger objective, which I prefer on hunting scopes. It gets dark in my woods quite early. Legal shooting light here is 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, plus I have a lot of pines. Low light performance are a high priority for me.

I'll admit to being a Trijicon fan up front. Having said that, I think you'll get a little more for your money over Leupold, specifically illumination. To my eye, glass & light gathering are both better. I've recently sold 2 VX-5s and a VX-6. About a month ago, I compared a VX-6 with a Credo side by side looking into my woods just after last light, and sold the VX-6. Granted, the Credo has a 56mm obj. and the VX-6 had 42. I've never sold a Trijicon.

Another scope to consider is the Meopta Optika6. It's going to be significantly less $$ than either Leupold or Trijicon. With discount codes, even moreso. I have sold a couple of these, and regret it. I may buy another couple, but I won't be selling them.

And yes, shop used.

If you decide to up your budget a little bit, check out the Leica Amplus. I just put 1 on 1 of my hunting rifles, and am considering buying another.

Awesome, thank you for the suggestions and help. I will look into the optics you mentioned.

 

[NeHunter13]

Take a look at Maven if you haven't already. They have options in every price range. I don't have any of their scopes yet but did get a pair of their binocs and I'm super happy with them. Lots of good reviews on them. Welcome to the world of hunting, good luck!

 

[Quadzilla32]

To get Vortex out of the way, I've never been a fan. Not that there's any wrong with their stuff, particularly the mid-priced stuff and up. There isn't, I just haven't gotten on the bandwagon.

VX-5HD will serve you well, but you'll quickly get above your $1000 limit with a few bells & whistles. Especially if you want a bigger objective, which I prefer on hunting scopes. It gets dark in my woods quite early. Legal shooting light here is 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, plus I have a lot of pines. Low light performance are a high priority for me.

I'll admit to being a Trijicon fan up front. Having said that, I think you'll get a little more for your money over Leupold, specifically illumination. To my eye, glass & light gathering are both better. I've recently sold 2 VX-5s and a VX-6. About a month ago, I compared a VX-6 with a Credo side by side looking into my woods just after last light, and sold the VX-6. Granted, the Credo has a 56mm obj. and the VX-6 had 42. I've never sold a Trijicon.

Another scope to consider is the Meopta Optika6. It's going to be significantly less $$ than either Leupold or Trijicon. With discount codes, even moreso. I have sold a couple of these, and regret it. I may buy another couple, but I won't be selling them.

And yes, shop used.

If you decide to up your budget a little bit, check out the Leica Amplus. I just put 1 on 1 of my hunting rifles, and am considering buying another.

Checked out some Trijicon scopes and seems like they are all SFP, which isn't a huge deal i would just need to do more reading up on how those work. I know Trijicon is GTG and is suppose to be bomb proof.

 

[mi650]

Checked out some Trijicon scopes and seems like they are all SFP, which isn't a huge deal i would just need to do more reading up on how those work. I know Trijicon is GTG and is suppose to be bomb proof.

Ah. I didn't realize you wanted FFP. The Leupold VXs are all SFP. So is the Leica I mentioned. Trijicon and Leupold both make FFP scopes, but they're a fair amount over your budget.

The Meoptas come in either, and you'll find 3-18x50 or 56 well within your price limit.

 

[Quadzilla32]

Ah. I didn't realize you wanted FFP. The Leupold VXs are all SFP. So is the Leica I mentioned. Trijicon and Leupold both make FFP scopes, but they're a fair amount over your budget.

The Meoptas come in either, and you'll find 3-18x50 or 56 well within your price limit.

It’s not that I’m looking for just FFP I’ve just had limited experience with SFP. Honestly I’ve had very limited exposure to rifle scopes and have mainly only used red dots and low magnification optics. I would just need to read up on each scope. I plan to dial each shot if I can so maybe SFP will be better.

 

[cobbc03]

Just bought a Meopta Optika 6 from Cameraland last week, I would highly recommend that if you want to stay under your max budget by a couple hundred.

 

[BjornF16]

Quad

I’ve have/had Vortex, Leupold, SWFA, NF, Trijicon. I won’t buy another Vortex or Leupold. There are some good threads here on scope testing (as in drop testing and zero retention).

NF has good military discount program. Some scopes (e.g. the NXS 2.5-10) are pretty long lead items. The NX8 and SHV were relatively quick.

Trijicon has military pricing as well, but again long lead times. I like my Trijicon scopes.

SWFA are good scopes if you can get them. Most are on backorder.

Bushnell LRHS/LRTS are good as well.

 

[Quadzilla32]

Quad

I’ve have/had Vortex, Leupold, SWFA, NF, Trijicon. I won’t buy another Vortex or Leupold. There are some good threads here on scope testing (as in drop testing and zero retention).

NF has good military discount program. Some scopes (e.g. the NXS 2.5-10) are pretty long lead items. The NX8 and SHV were relatively quick.

Trijicon has military pricing as well, but again long lead times. I like my Trijicon scopes.

SWFA are good scopes if you can get them. Most are on backorder.

Bushnell LRHS/LRTS are good as well.

I'm able to get 30% off of trijicon and it seems like I'm leaning towards them. I can snag a 4x16 for right around $900 for accupoint or credo I forget of the op of my head.

I was only really looking at vortex because I get a pretty good discount on them.

I looked into NF and even with the discount most of their optics are still out of my price range. They seem to be awesome optics though

 

[BjornF16]

I don’t think you’ll be sorry with Trijicon. For your stated ranges, 3-9x is more than adequate. Several options in Accupoint or Credo.

 

[bmanb940]

+1 for the Meopta Optika6 line. You have a large selection of FFP scopes with varying magnifications. Meopta also has an excellent LE/Mil/First Responder program. Reach out to me if you need more info. The Oprtika6 3-18x50 is one heck of a scope and would go well on your new Bergara. I have several Meopta's on my Bergara's as do some buddies.

 

[Quadzilla32]

+1 for the Meopta Optika6 line. You have a large selection of FFP scopes with varying magnifications. Meopta also has an excellent LE/Mil/First Responder program. Reach out to me if you need more info. The Oprtika6 3-18x50 is one heck of a scope and would go well on your new Bergara. I have several Meopta's on my Bergara's as do some buddies.

I just messaged them as far as the Mil discount program. I have never heard of them before but a quick google search seems to turn over some good reviews. I will have to take a look at them since before the discount their price point is coming in little under the other scopes.

Now I just need to make the choie between FFP and SFP.

 

[Quadzilla32]

Quad

I’ve have/had Vortex, Leupold, SWFA, NF, Trijicon. I won’t buy another Vortex or Leupold. There are some good threads here on scope testing (as in drop testing and zero retention).

NF has good military discount program. Some scopes (e.g. the NXS 2.5-10) are pretty long lead items. The NX8 and SHV were relatively quick.

Trijicon has military pricing as well, but again long lead times. I like my Trijicon scopes.

SWFA are good scopes if you can get them. Most are on backorder.

Bushnell LRHS/LRTS are good as well.

how does the LRTS match up to the trijicon? With discounts they are roughly the same price and the bushnell seems to have great reviews

​

 

[Fartrell Cluggins]

I'm able to get 30% off of trijicon and it seems like I'm leaning towards them. I can snag a 4x16 for right around $900 for accupoint or credo I forget of the op of my head.

I was only really looking at vortex because I get a pretty good discount on them.

I looked into NF and even with the discount most of their optics are still out of my price range. They seem to be awesome optics though

Eurooptic has very good prices on Trijicon. They have a military discount program that can save a little off their regular prices. They beat the Trijicon military discount. Doug at Camera Land NY is a site vendor. He is heavy into Meopta and will give you a hell of a deal if you pick up the phone and call him or Neil.

 

[Fartrell Cluggins]

how does the LRTS match up to the trijicon? With discounts they are roughly the same price and the bushnell seems to have great reviews

​

LRTS are heavy, but very widely highly regarded.

 

[sndmn11]

The two nightforce scopes that are under $1k to military folks would be great choices.

 

[tcpip95]

Hello all,

I have wanted to start hunting for a while and finally in a position to do so. I just purchased my rifle, Bergara wilderness ridge (300 WM) and started the research on an optic. There seems to be so much contradictory information out there and so many options its a little overwhelming. I will be mostly hunting in Colorado for elk and deer/antelope and reach out to 300/400 yards.

I do have access to most of the manufacturer's military discount programs. So far i have narrowed it down to a couple options, and want to stay in the price range of $1000 or less. I would like a lighter scope since the rifle is already on the heavier side but it isn't a must. The magnification I'm looking at is somewhere in the X-15-18 range

1. Vortex PST Gen II- seems to be mixed reviews on Vortex optics, some people love them some people aren't impressed and have issues.
2. Leupold VX-3/5 series- Have heard good stuff about these scopes and know the 5's are suppose to be nicer
3. Trijicon Credo- Read good reviews on these scopes and is on the more upper end of my price range.

NF comes up a lot too but they are just right out of my price range, might be worth to see if I can find a use scope from them.

any other recommendations would be welcomed

-Mike

Mike,
As a veteran I am a member of Leupold’s VIP program. I have a VX-5HD 3-15x44 with the HTMR reticle on my 30-06, and just ordered a VX-5HD 1-5x24 Firedot for my Henry 45-70. I also have their binoculars as well as one of their spotting scopes. They make great glass.

 

[Fartrell Cluggins]

For added options, if you’re using a military discount I would definitely recommend meopta. I have used their mil/LE program several times; Erik is great to work with and their discount is generous. If I had your rifle set up and 1k budget this is the model I would go with (R1 4-16x44):

Where is the information on Meopta's military discount program? I'd like to get signed up.

 

[tcpip95]

Where is the information on Meopta's military discount program? I'd like to get signed up.

Here’s what I found. I just sent an email off to Barbara for details.

Good morning folks.

Meopta offers a great discount to any current/past individual with LEO or Military background. Email [email protected] and I will be happy to walk you through the process.

Barbara Bedel
Product Specialist / Key Account Manager
Meopta U.S.A.,Inc.
50 Davids Drive
Hauppauge, NY 11788
U.S.A.

Office: +1 (631) 436 5900 ext. 336
Fax: +1(631) 436-5920
Email:[email protected]
www.meoptasportsoptics.com
www.meopta.com

UPDATE: No Barbara.Bedel; email got rejected.
UPDATE-2: found the customer service email and sent off to them