Long(ish) Second focal plane hunting scope...

[Jgill19]

Looking for a scope to put on a 300PRC main use will be Deer/Elk. I'm a novice at long range, I don't need it to be hunting capable to 1200 yards. My action will generally be 400-600 yards.. Gun is very light weight so weight on the scope is not of huge consideration.

Things I want/need:

Dependable
Second focal plane
Capped windage
minimum 15X preferably 20ish
50MM or smaller objective for a better cheek weld.
Zero stop

I am clamoring to a NXS right now. I want to get some opinions to make sure I'm not missing anything. I can get smoking deals on Leupold products but have heard some horror stories on return to zero lately, being dependable is probably the number one thing it HAS to be. Interested to get your guy's thoughts. Thanks!

 

[LaHunter]

NF NXS would be a great option. Don't overlook the NF SHV line of scopes, however. The 5-20X56mm SHV works with the NF Low Ultralite rings (same mounting height as the 50mm objective). I have a little time with 2 of these model SHV scopes and have been happy with them. The SHV line and the NXS line supposedly used the same glass, but obviously the NXS will have some features not available with the SHV scopes, and the price reflects that.

 

[Len Backus]

Moved to Scopes and Optics forum.

 

[Sevy]

I just put a Zeiss v4 4-16 on my dads rifle and it has a great zero stop imo. It's lightweight, repeatable adjustments, with a capped windage turret. Kenton industries makes custom elev. turrets for it also. Red Hawk Rifles has demo optics that are basically new with the full factory warranty for a great price.

 

[Tangent]

It sounds like you've made up your mind regarding magnification, but 15 - 20 power is A LOT for 400 - 600 yards. I'm usually on 12 - 15 when I'm shooting 1,000 yards.

 

[Buck Fever]

I have been buying FFP scopes recently and I really like the Tract Toric 30mm 4-20x50 FFP scope but they also make some 1" tube scopes with similar glass and SFP. That might be worth looking in to. Beside that I haven't been paying attention to higher end SFP scopes.

 

[Jgill19]

I agree with the 15-20 being overkill for the 400-600yds, I will be shooting 800-1000+yds on rock and steel though.

That was great information to know that the SHV in 56mm will mount at the same height as the 50mm. Does this change if you don't have a tapered barrel, and are there no mounts that you can achieve a lower mount with the 50mm. That doesn't seem quite right.

Thanks for the input thus far!

 

[gr8fuldoug]

No zero stop but 2 to look at are:

Steiner GS3 3-15x50 - 4A on sale for only $649.99

Steiner GS3 4-20x50 SF - 4A on sale for only $749.99

 

[Jgill19]

I put my hands on some nightforce scopes. Wowsers they are heavy and huge!! they had a couple of Sawro Z5's that were a nice little package. Not sure what kind of reliability they have when it comes to dialing. I really wish NF made something in a compact package with 16X mag. I am intrigued by the Huskemaw blue diamond 4-16X42. Checks all the boxes, and sounds like they are very reliable, maybe lacking a little on the glass. For a hunting scope I cant imagine it would be poor enough to not be seeing animals at a shooting distances. Anyone have experience with them?

 

[Mram10us]

A hunting partner has the vortex hslr sfp 4-16x50. Capped windage and works as advertised.

 

[jd5521]

Zeiss V6 3-18 has everything you're looking for and lightweight.

 

[Rick Richard]

Zeiss V6 3-18 has everything you're looking for and lightweight.

Exactly what I am running on my elk rifle. ZMOA reticle I do believe.

As said earlier, anything in the 20 and above might be too much magnification for deer at the yardages mentioned. At that power and 400 or so yards it will be very easy to loose the animal in the field of view.

 

[LaHunter]

I agree with the 15-20 being overkill for the 400-600yds, I will be shooting 800-1000+yds on rock and steel though.

That was great information to know that the SHV in 56mm will mount at the same height as the 50mm. Does this change if you don't have a tapered barrel, and are there no mounts that you can achieve a lower mount with the 50mm. That doesn't seem quite right.

Thanks for the input thus far!

I have a 56mm NF SHV mounted on a M700 LA with a #6 contour Krieger barrel, which is similar to a Rem Varmint contour with NF Low rings. I have another 56mm NF SHV on a M700 SA with a Rem Varmint contour barrel with NF Low rings. Both have plenty clearance, even with the NF flip up objective covers