Paradox of choice paralysis....

[PaulB84]

I'm going to buy my first "really" high end optic, but am really running myself in circles.

I have a couple Leupold vx6s, an SWFA HD, a Leupold MK4, etc. Up til now that has been "high end" for me.

I'm building kind of a "one and done dream rifle". Probably a factory Proof in 7 BC. It will be exclusively a hunting rifle.


I'm looking at things like the Swaro Z8i 2.3-18, NF NX8 2.5-20, Leupold MK5s etc. (I know these are all wildly different).

What would you recommend for a "buy once cry once" optic for hunting everything from deer to antelope to moose to bear? Is the Swaro reliable/hard use enough? S&B? Trijicon Tenmile?

Durability and reliability are top of my list. Can't have a ruined hunt bc of a failure. Illuminated reticle is a must have. I like FFP but could go either way depending on turret and reticle styles. Glass quality and weight i guess are equally important, but less so than reliability. I was looking hard at the NF but read some not awesome things about the eye box and shootability.

Help! Thanks!

 

[Jason Snyder]

I’m loving my Maven RS1.2 MIL. I’d buy it again in a heartbeat.

 

[BCDJR]

Khales

 

[PaulB84]

Khales

Been trying to parse the difference between Kahles and Swarovski... seems like Swaro might have higher end glass and is lighter while the Kahles has more robust internals? But that's just based on googling.

 

[sndmn11]

SWFA HD,

NF NX8 2.5-20,

Trijicon Tenmile?

RS1.2 MIL.

Yes to these. No to the others except for the S&B; I've never tested one, but believe the commonly suggested models would retain zero.

 

[atmat]

Please do not buy yourself a Swaro or Leupold for your one-and-done dedicated hunting rifle

 

[PaulB84]

The Leupold part i get ....out of curiosity why not the Swarovski? Durability?

Please do not buy yourself a Swaro or Leupold for your one-and-done dedicated hunting rifle

 

[Marbles]

S&B. Tough and reliable with amazing glass. Fit the optic to your needs, but a Polar or PMII 3-12 would be my top choices.

 

[atmat]

The Leupold part i get ....out of curiosity why not the Swarovski? Durability?

Both of them are known for not being durable.

You don’t wanna spend a fortune on a Proof and then top it with a scope that won’t retain zero.

 

[BBob]

Durability?

Yes

 

[PaulB84]

Is S&B going to be nightforce/trijicon tough?

The polar looks incredible.

Also, am I gonna get tarred and feathered if I put a 3k optic in Talley one piece ring/bases? Them and the Leupold back country 1 piece have been my go to, but only the Talley is available in 34mm

Or should I just go back to a traditional 2 piece ring and base?

Thank you for all the advice and recommendations thus far

 

[BBob]

Or should I just go back to a traditional 2 piece ring and base?

What rifle/action are you talking?

 

[PaulB84]

Probably a Proof Elevation, or the Temu version (savage ultralight with an aftermarket stock)

 

[BBob]

Of those I’d stick with the Origin action with the factory pinned and bolted rail. Add premium rings like the Area 419 Hunter and go to town.

 

[PaulB84]

Copy that. I tend to like to get things as low as possible but this is good advice

 

[BBob]

Copy that. I tend to like to get things as low as possible but this is good advice

If APA would do another run of their rings I’d recommend them because they’re available lower but every size has been out of stock for a long time now. Makes me wonder if they’ll ever make them again or discontinue.

 

[BCDJR]

Been trying to parse the difference between Kahles and Swarovski... seems like Swaro might have higher end glass and is lighter while the Kahles has more robust internals? But that's just based on googling.

I have both and I don’t see any difference in glass. I wanted FF plane and the reticles are so much better on the Khales. There is a reason a lot of the pro shooters use Khales. Mine is the 525i and it’s the best scope I have used.

 

[Davidson51]

Most of my rifles have VX6s, but my last 2 were built with Trijicon Credo HXs. I had 1 VX6 lose its zero, I caught it before my hunt but I lost a lot of confidence in the scope. I've been really impressed with the Trijicons so far and based on reviews, I have a lot of confidence that it won't lose zero. This is the version I got, it's got the illuminated reticle, but it's SFP. There are some FFP versions, worth your consideration.

https://www.trijicon.com/products/product-family/trijicon-credo-hx-4-16x50-riflescope

 

[KenLee]

S&B Polar or Leica Amplus 6. No way would I buy a "forever scope" without spectacular low light performance.

 

[PaulB84]

After doing this thread and doing a deep dive for weeks I'm really interested in the Tenmiles. I'm also down the road from Wixom MI so they're they home team so to speak (not like that matters at all)

I have a lot of Leupold in the safe. Love the firedot reticle. Killed a pile of deer w them. But this forum has definitely convinced me to broaden my horizons

I've been running ACOGs, Accu points and RMRs for decades so I'm already a big Triji fanboy

Midway has some screaming deals on demo Swaro's, and my cousins Z8 is incredible. Privately I've always wondered about durability though

Nightforce is bombproof but the glass is disappointing and the eye box super unforgiving for a hunting application, plus the extra weight.

I'm really interested in the Tenmiles at this point

I'm torn between FFP and SFP. Normally for hunting I would say SFP but this might involve some long, relaxed (time wise) shots so maybe the FFP?

Thanks all.