Purely Hunting Rifle Scope - Need Recommendations

[rking453]

Hey folks,

I'm looking for a rifle scope to go atop a Sako 85 in 6.5x55. For the areas and conditions I hunt, I would like to keep the low end at 2x or below, 1.5 or 1.7 would be ideal. For the high end I really only need 8-10x. I do a fair amount of hunting out of a stand, but also still hunt and track on snow in the late season. Low light performance and illumination is important. I really don't want an LPVO, I want to keep it relatively light weight.

This will be my first "high quality" scope. My budget is around $1800. I have always just bought Leupold vx-3s in the past for all my rifles.

I was thinking about the Swarovski Z5i+ 2-10x42 L, but I'm now pretty discouraged after reading about a variant of that performing very poorly in testing here.

I've been reading and researching on this forum, seems like everyone always suggests a Night force. I'm sure they are nice optics, I just don't think they fit what I'm looking for here. I was trying to talk myself into a NXS - 2.5-10x42mm but I just really don't like the size of the turrets, I don't want them exposed. I will never have a shot opportunity in the areas I hunt where dialing is necessary. And frankly it is much too tactical looking for me to put a top a nice European wood stocked rifle.

Do you folks have any suggestions for an optic that would suit my needs, possibly is European made, and doesn't fail miserably on durability or tracking test?

 

[Hnthrdr]

You are looking at Trijicon credo or accupoint, NF scopes, Swfa, S&B, and a few others if your concern is durability.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

It would be my pleasure to discuss different options with you. Please feel free to give us a call, 516-217-1000, so we can assist you personally with different available options and special opportunities .

 

[JCMCUBIC]

S&B Klassic or Stratos in the 1.5-6x42 are good scopes but of course stop at 6x. The Stratos is heavier than the Klassic. The Klassic is one of the lighter 30mm scopes out there but it also has a fairly short tube. I don't think either of these are in current production so it would be the used market.

There were some 2.5-10x42 (and x32) NXS models with capped turrets produced. I would only recommend the IHR or Velocity 600 reticles for the use you mentioned. I find the other reticles offered to suffer a bit in busy backgrounds. The IHR, with illumination on, is better in low light with less of the reticle illuminated. The Velocity 600 lights the entire reticle up. I don't think either of those reticles are in current production, so again, used market.

The SHV 3-10 with Forceplex reticle is a good option if you can live with 3x being the low end. It is currently available. If 3x would work, call Doug at Cameraland.

 

[DunnCoHunter]

Trijicon Huron 2.5-10 is what I have and love it. Great glass and simple scope if you don’t want exposed turrets.

I was ready to get the nightforce SHV but another member on here told me after using the both the SHV and Huron he thought the Huron glass was better

 

[Chris in TN]

That's a tall ask in the current market.

I have a Zeiss V6 that checks a lot of boxes in theory. I've had no issues with it, I dropped it *HARD* and impacted the right side (wind turret) on the ground then the other side smacked my eyebrow hard enough to cut me, and it didn't budge, and has went on to kill stuff since then. But would I buy another one after reading the reviews here?

Kinda doubt it. I love the optics reviews here, but man they sort of ruin the whole market for you. lol.

ETA: Yeah, I'd look hard at the Trijicon offerings

 

[Mtndawger]

You might want to take a look @ tract toric 2-10x42. I have a couple and while they may not be drop test approved they are a solid scope. Not illuminated but I can’t see how it would be an issue with their reticle options. Reasonable weight @ 19 oz. Really nice glass. Capped turrets, or you can install an included uncapped tall turret if you decide you want to do a western hunt and dial. I really like the 2x option in a scope for timber or up to 150 yards. Great field of view.

 

[rking453]

That's a tall ask in the current market.

I have a Zeiss V6 that checks a lot of boxes in theory. I've had no issues with it, I dropped it *HARD* and impacted the right side (wind turret) on the ground then the other side smacked my eyebrow hard enough to cut me, and it didn't budge, and has went on to kill stuff since then. But would I buy another one after reading the reviews here?

Kinda doubt it. I love the optics reviews here, but man they sort of ruin the whole market for you. lol.

ETA: Yeah, I'd look hard at the Trijicon offerings

Yeah definitely disappointed seeing how few scopes actually hold up well, or even can hold zero, especially at higher price points. I have been looking hard at the Trijicons, I really wish they made the Credo 2-10x36 in the HX line with capped turrets. The Huron 2.5-10x40 is okay, more low end mag than I want and no illumination option. Before really diving into reviews and tests here I figured my budget would give me a large selection, but that seems to not be the case. I'm finding the mag range I'm looking for isn't too popular either, besides in Europe.

 

[rking453]

You might want to take a look @ tract toric 2-10x42. I have a couple and while they may not be drop test approved they are a solid scope. Not illuminated but I can’t see how it would be an issue with their reticle options. Reasonable weight @ 19 oz. Really nice glass. Capped turrets, or you can install an included uncapped tall turret if you decide you want to do a western hunt and dial. I really like the 2x option in a scope for timber or up to 150 yards. Great field of view.

I will take a look. If I get into western hunting I will buy a totally different rifle and optic. I want this rifle to be purely optimized for the type of hunting I do now. I hunt a lot, 30+ days a year, right on my own property or within a few minutes drive. That is why I am willing to spend a good amount here. This rifle will spend a lot of time in my hands, not just for a week or weekend every few years.

 

[Chris in TN]

Yeah definitely disappointed seeing how few scopes actually hold up well, or even can hold zero, especially at higher price points. I have been looking hard at the Trijicons, I really wish they made the Credo 2-10x36 in the HX line with capped turrets. The Huron 2.5-10x40 is okay, more low end mag than I want and no illumination option. Before really diving into reviews and tests here I figured my budget would give me a large selection, but that seems to not be the case. I'm finding the mag range I'm looking for isn't too popular either, besides in Europe.

If I were you I'd look carefully at what I could get from Schmidt&Bender. There are options under $2k.

 

[Johnwell]

If I were you I’d take a hard look at the S&B zenith 1.5-6x42. It’s right at the top of your budget on Eurooptic.

If you’d be willing to go to 2.5 or 3x on the bottom end there are a lot more options but I get the draw to lower magnification.

 

[rking453]

If I were you I’d take a hard look at the S&B zenith 1.5-6x42. It’s right at the top of your budget on Eurooptic.

If you’d be willing to go to 2.5 or 3x on the bottom end there are a lot more options but I get the draw to lower magnification.

I will definitely take a look, I might be able to live with 6x. I won't be shooting over 250 yards, but I'm rarely in a wide open space. A lot of opportunities a 150-200 through the woods where the extra mag can be helpful when trying to thread the needle so to speak when I don't get the luxury of seeing the whole deer unobstructed, just little windows between tree trunks.

 

[Mtndawger]

I think there is a meopta 1.7-10x42 for sale in the classifieds as well. I’ve had my eye on those for a while. Meopta may also still make a more economical 2-10x 42

 

[rking453]

Something that caught my eye was the Kahles Helia 1.6-8x42i. I think I would have to order it through optics-trader.eu and have it imported. It would be around $1700 after shipping and duties. Seems like the Kahles tactical series has a decent reputation here. I have no idea if their hunting line is durable and dependable though.

 

[rking453]

I think there is a meopta 1.7-10x42 for sale in the classifieds as well. I’ve had my eye on those for a while. Meopta may also still make a more economical 2-10x 42

That definitely checks a lot of boxes! I know nothing about Meopta, are they well regarded optics?