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Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,137
10 point
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10 point
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,137 |
I haven't bought a new scope since 1994. Bounced my old Burris Black Diamond off four wheelers, dropped it out of trees, and beat back briars with it. Neither end is still completely round.  So, what is the best scope you experts recommend? Budget is around $1500. My first glance choice is the Swaro Z5 5-25x BT Plex, undecided on the illuminated version or not. What else do I need to look at before making up my mind? I like the idea of the BT so when I go out west I can dial up for the longer shots. Checking with the experts before making up my mind.
Don't give up, don't ever give up!
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 13,752 Likes: 257
Booner
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Booner
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 13,752 Likes: 257 |
Hunting only? Longest shot you'll be taking?
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 24,107 Likes: 297
Freak of Nature
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Freak of Nature
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 24,107 Likes: 297 |
A Swarovski 3.5x18x44mm is a more versatile scope IMHO. Lower power setting gives larger field of view for woods hunting and 18X is plenty of magnification for long shots to 500 yards and beyond. If you don't practice shooting and know your ballistics very well you have no business taking a shot at an animal at those ranges anyhow.
Illuminated reticles have never done much for me. At last light they wash out the target even on the lowest setting. If I can't see the reticle, it's too late to be shootin.
Dying ain't much of a living boy...Josey Wales
Molon Labe
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,319 Likes: 5
Booner
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Booner
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,319 Likes: 5 |
i suggest having a roll cage built around your new scope
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 31,579 Likes: 136
Grumpy Old Man
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Grumpy Old Man
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 31,579 Likes: 136 |
I love my Meopta scopes. Best low light scopes I ever had.
I can't offer advice on Swarovski or Schmidt because I don't want to mortgage a scope.
I hate making a good first impression. There’s no way I can keep that shit up.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,375
14 point
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14 point
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,375 |
I love my Meopta scopes. Best low light scopes I ever had.
I can't offer advice on Swarovski or Schmidt because I don't want to mortgage a scope. Bought my last Schmidt for $600. You can find deals. To Wade. You would do well with a nightforce. Seeing as how rough you are on glass 😂😂😂
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 5,373 Likes: 49
12 point
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12 point
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 5,373 Likes: 49 |
I'll throw another vote for the Swarovski Z5.
Used Swarovski PV scopes and some S&B would be well under your budget, and are outstanding glass. Not likely to have an exposed turret, though. We have a number of Swarovski and Schmidt-Bender, but have only bought two new, both for my wife.
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 18,058 Likes: 43
Old Mossy Horns
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Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 18,058 Likes: 43 |
A Swarovski 3.5x18x44mm is a more versatile scope IMHO. Lower power setting gives larger field of view for woods hunting and 18X is plenty of magnification for long shots to 500 yards and beyond. If you don't practice shooting and know your ballistics very well you have no business taking a shot at an animal at those ranges anyhow.
Illuminated reticles have never done much for me. At last light they wash out the target even on the lowest setting. If I can't see the reticle, it's too late to be shootin. This ^^^. There’s one in the classifieds at nice price, NIB. i suggest having a roll cage built around your new scope Also..... THIS ^^^^. 
We’re not dead. We just smell that way. Dayum. - AC870
Yessir! I’m always gonna shoot what makes me happy and I want everyone else to do the same! If you shoot one be proud of it and don’t worry what anyone else thinks. - SJ22
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,728
14 point
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14 point
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,728 |
leupold.....either VX6 2-12x42 firedot or your choice of variable and objective with heavy duplex.
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 326
4 point
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4 point
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 326 |
Love my schmidt. Best scope I have ever owned
What the @^%^% was that?
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 15,112 Likes: 52
Old Mossy Horns
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Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 15,112 Likes: 52 |
Had many different scopes but not Schmidt or swaro - they prob at top from why read and heard but for the money - meopta makes very good scope - excellent at bringing in light
Hunt the wind - leave it better than you found it - love your neighbor as you love your self
We need prayer for our country now more than ever
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Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 295
4 point
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4 point
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 295 |
The new leupold vx5 or vx6 HD's are awesome
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,375
14 point
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14 point
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,375 |
I'll throw another vote for the Swarovski Z5.
Used Swarovski PV scopes and some S&B would be well under your budget, and are outstanding glass. Not likely to have an exposed turret, though. We have a number of Swarovski and Schmidt-Bender, but have only bought two new, both for my wife.
Huck and I both have tested a bunch of scopes over the years. Swarovskis and S&B top the list for hunting rifles imo. I think I’ve got 6 rifles now with either of those two manufacturers for glass. All those rifles utilize MPBR or ballistics reticles for distance. My two long range rifles (1K yards) Have Zeiss and Burris XTR scopes as they are better suited for dialing. No one makes a good aftermarket turret for Swarovskis and I’m not a fan of their ballistic turrets. They are repeatable and accurate but not quick like the Burris Turret. My S&B is a 2-6x42 sitting on a .444 marlin. It’s probably one of the best low light s op I’ve ever used and with the heavy post reticle I could shoot accurately at midnight lol.
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 24,107 Likes: 297
Freak of Nature
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Freak of Nature
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 24,107 Likes: 297 |
I'll throw another vote for the Swarovski Z5.
Used Swarovski PV scopes and some S&B would be well under your budget, and are outstanding glass. Not likely to have an exposed turret, though. We have a number of Swarovski and Schmidt-Bender, but have only bought two new, both for my wife.
Huck and I both have tested a bunch of scopes over the years. Swarovskis and S&B top the list for hunting rifles imo. I think I’ve got 6 rifles now with either of those two manufacturers for glass. All those rifles utilize MPBR or ballistics reticles for distance. My two long range rifles (1K yards) Have Zeiss and Burris XTR scopes as they are better suited for dialing. No one makes a good aftermarket turret for Swarovskis and I’m not a fan of their ballistic turrets. They are repeatable and accurate but not quick like the Burris Turret. My S&B is a 2-6x42 sitting on a .444 marlin. It’s probably one of the best low light s op I’ve ever used and with the heavy post reticle I could shoot accurately at midnight lol. If you ever decide to part with that S&B, I'm your man. 😀
Dying ain't much of a living boy...Josey Wales
Molon Labe
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Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 1,048
6 point
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6 point
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 1,048 |
The 30mm 4-16 viper linked in the general forum for $300 is hard to beat ..
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,375
14 point
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14 point
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,375 |
I'll throw another vote for the Swarovski Z5.
Used Swarovski PV scopes and some S&B would be well under your budget, and are outstanding glass. Not likely to have an exposed turret, though. We have a number of Swarovski and Schmidt-Bender, but have only bought two new, both for my wife.
Huck and I both have tested a bunch of scopes over the years. Swarovskis and S&B top the list for hunting rifles imo. I think I’ve got 6 rifles now with either of those two manufacturers for glass. All those rifles utilize MPBR or ballistics reticles for distance. My two long range rifles (1K yards) Have Zeiss and Burris XTR scopes as they are better suited for dialing. No one makes a good aftermarket turret for Swarovskis and I’m not a fan of their ballistic turrets. They are repeatable and accurate but not quick like the Burris Turret. My S&B is a 2-6x42 sitting on a .444 marlin. It’s probably one of the best low light s op I’ve ever used and with the heavy post reticle I could shoot accurately at midnight lol. If you ever decide to part with that S&B, I'm your man. 😀 Sorry buddy by I don’t sell. I only buy 😂
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,467 Likes: 1
8 point
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8 point
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,467 Likes: 1 |
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 12,564 Likes: 8
Doesn’t Know His Code
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Doesn’t Know His Code
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 12,564 Likes: 8 |
Buy the Swarovski in the classifieds.
Don’t worry about the BT because under 95% of hunting situations the standard plex reticle will be fine.
IKNOWMYPHUCKINGCODEDAMMITYOUDICKHEAD!!!
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 5,373 Likes: 49
12 point
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12 point
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 5,373 Likes: 49 |
I'll throw another vote for the Swarovski Z5.
Used Swarovski PV scopes and some S&B would be well under your budget, and are outstanding glass. Not likely to have an exposed turret, though. We have a number of Swarovski and Schmidt-Bender, but have only bought two new, both for my wife.
Huck and I both have tested a bunch of scopes over the years. Swarovskis and S&B top the list for hunting rifles imo. I think I’ve got 6 rifles now with either of those two manufacturers for glass. All those rifles utilize MPBR or ballistics reticles for distance. My two long range rifles (1K yards) Have Zeiss and Burris XTR scopes as they are better suited for dialing. No one makes a good aftermarket turret for Swarovskis and I’m not a fan of their ballistic turrets. They are repeatable and accurate but not quick like the Burris Turret. My S&B is a 2-6x42 sitting on a .444 marlin. It’s probably one of the best low light s op I’ve ever used and with the heavy post reticle I could shoot accurately at midnight lol. If you ever decide to part with that S&B, I'm your man. 😀 Wes, if I ever find another one, I'll call you first. Only scopes I own that are in the same league as S&B or Swarovski are older Kahles Helia and any older Zeiss Diavari from West Germany with the T* coatings. I have a Kahles Helia S 3-12 x 56 that is so old that it has a blued steel tube. I have killed pigs with it over an hour after sundown.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,375
14 point
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14 point
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,375 |
I’m a big fan of the Older Swarovski Habicht series. For the money there’s not much out there better I have 5 total
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