Good value LR hunting scope under $1,300?

[desertbull]

The good thing about the Vortex PST is the warranty.....which you will be using a lot. Speaking from experience.

Sold my PST and went with the SHV. Quality and Glass are a huge upgrade over the PST.

 

[Winnie]

I have the SHV 4-16x56 on a 22-250, it's a r700 bdl from the late-70's that was passed down from my grandfather that was recently rebarrelled. That combo doesn't seem to heavy and is very well balanced. Although I mainly shoot it from the rail of a tower stand. Never had a problem with tracking either.

 

[Hondo64d]

Trying to decide on a new scope for my Christensen Arms Mesa in 7mm Rem Mag. Typically hunting in north Idaho where shots can range anywhere from under 100 yards in the timber for elk out to 1,000+ yards on open ridges on mulies, so mid-range magnification (3-15x & 4-16x) appear to be the sweet spot. I do have buddies who think I should opt for a 5-25x but I'm concerned about 5x being too much for hunting in the timber.
Other preferences include: 2FP(most likely), MOA (although not opposed to MIL) adjustments, well-defined reticle for range estimation, ample eye relief (3.75"-4.0") and not overly heavy.
Here's what I've come up with so far:
Nightforce SHV 4-14x50 $1,250 *1FP, though
Vortex Viper PST II 3-15x44 $900
Vortex Viper HST 4-16x44 $570
SWFA SS 3-15x42 $450 *back ordered 'till May
Zeiss Conquest V4 4-16x44 $1,000
Burris XTR-II 3-15x50 $892
Burris XTR-II 4-20x50 $977
From what I can tell all of the above seem to be solid options. Would welcome any comments from those with hands on experience with any of the above. Main concerns are solid tracking and quality of glass. Did not include Leupold - even though I own several Vari-Xs - simply because I did not care for their reticle designs.
Thanks in advance for any input you can provide.

You should also throw the Bushnell LRHSi and LRTSi into the mix. In July, GA Precision is going to have another close out special on the 4.5-18 LRHSi for $750. They are taking deposits now. That's pretty much 50% off the suggested retail.

I have had the LRHS and now have the LRTSi. They are fantastic scopes. Mine have been reliable in every way. They track perfectly, maintain zero and the glass is way above its pay grade. Would be a mistake to not give them a hard look.

John

 

[skookum]

Plus one on the Warranty with the Vortex, yeah the PST is great and all but you will be cashing that baby in at some point. I sold mine and bought a Huskemaw, it's not bad, definitely better than the PST was but I wish i would have went with the SHV and will be switching to a Nightforce. The new Burris, Vortex and Nikon's all have the same housing from the looks of it, I'm not sure if the guts are any different but there is a considerable price difference between the Nikon at $800 and the other two at $1200.

 

[Bman940]

Definitely worth taking a look at Nikon's BLACK X1000 scope. You can get into a 4-16x50 for $649 without illumination or $750 with illumination. MOA reticle can be used for holdover's or you can dial in your distances. I watched a buddy go 5 for 5 on a 8 inch plate at 750 yards using this scope. A lot of great feature's including the price.