I am looking for suggestions on a scope for a rifle build that is currently being worked on. My previous sheep rifle was a 300WSM on a Borden Timberline Mid Size Action with a #4 Hart Barrel and a McMillan Sporter stock. The gun has a Z5 5-25 on it and weighs in at 7lbs flat unloaded. It has served me well, but my concerns moving forward has been that the action gets pretty sticky to cycle in harsh environments and even though I haven't had issues I know the tube is pretty thin and I am worried if I ever dropped it would I have any issues. Also, I would like to switch to a FFP scope and a scope that has more vertical turret adjustment.
My new gun is a 7 PRC on a Defiant Titanium Action with a 20in Proof Research Barrel and a Pure Precision Carbon Fiber Stock. My setup is pretty light to give me some more wiggle room with scope weight. I would like to whole set-up to come in the 8-9lb range. I don't mind having something that is not ultra lightweight if its a little better on recoil and keeping on an animal. Budget really isn't a big issue. The scopes I have been considering are the Schmidt and Bender 5-25 PM II, the Kahles K525i, the Leupold Mark 5, and the Nightforce NX8 8-32. My biggest concerns are: 1. Ability to easily see the reticle at close ranges and low magnification (I have heard the NX8 is difficult to see the reticle at low mag). This is by far my biggest concerns between scopes. 2. The ability to keep a zero and track even after being dropped (I have heard the Mark 5 hasn't had the best results with drops tests). 3. If any of these scopes are not practical to be carrying in an ultra harsh environment. 4. Light gathering ability.
Any advice or experience with any of these scopes in a backcountry hunting situation would be greatly appreciated.
My new gun is a 7 PRC on a Defiant Titanium Action with a 20in Proof Research Barrel and a Pure Precision Carbon Fiber Stock. My setup is pretty light to give me some more wiggle room with scope weight. I would like to whole set-up to come in the 8-9lb range. I don't mind having something that is not ultra lightweight if its a little better on recoil and keeping on an animal. Budget really isn't a big issue. The scopes I have been considering are the Schmidt and Bender 5-25 PM II, the Kahles K525i, the Leupold Mark 5, and the Nightforce NX8 8-32. My biggest concerns are: 1. Ability to easily see the reticle at close ranges and low magnification (I have heard the NX8 is difficult to see the reticle at low mag). This is by far my biggest concerns between scopes. 2. The ability to keep a zero and track even after being dropped (I have heard the Mark 5 hasn't had the best results with drops tests). 3. If any of these scopes are not practical to be carrying in an ultra harsh environment. 4. Light gathering ability.
Any advice or experience with any of these scopes in a backcountry hunting situation would be greatly appreciated.
