SShultz
Well-Known Member
Well looks like a VX6HD 4-24 fell in my lap. I'll be trading a rifle for it. I'll be reporting back to let y'all know what I think of it.
New LRH glass
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Rich Coyle
Well-Known Member
Awhile back I purchased one to go along with my Swarovski z5 5-25X53 and Bushnell 6500 4 1/2-30X50. On the deer antlers 131 yards away in the woods they all went down at the same time.
I remember the first time I looked though a high dollar scope several years ago. I had my trusty Tasco and a friend had a Kahles. Things looked bleached out in the Tasco while everything had vibrant colors in the Kahles. Today I noticed the slightest of the same thing with the three scopes. The z5 and 6500 views were whiter but still displayed great color. The VX-6 showed more than a hint more color with the increased observation of more detail in the grass.
lancetkenyon
Well-Known Member
First, you are correct in many of your points. Due to the multitude of scopes Leupold sells, they are bound to have more warranty returns. But, on average of units sold, S&B return percentage is FAR lower. Probably less than 5% of the percentage of Leupolds that get returned. Even the higher end Mark 6s are known to have many issues unfortunately.
My Leupold was $1300 15 years ago when I bought it. 5 years later, I had an issue. With about 250 rounds under it of .25-06AI in a 11# rifle. Yes, I expect a $1300 scope to be reliable. Wouldn't you? To be honest, it is one of only three scopes I have ever had issues with. The others were a $2k Steiner T5Xi and a $700 Vortex HST. I have had 7 Vortex, but only had issues with one luckily. I never recommend those either.
I have a S&B that has about 4000 rounds under it, and I bought it used. S&B makes tough, heavy, duty rated, life dependent scopes. So again, you are correct. You see far fewer warranty issues percentage wise from them. As can be expected from a $3k scope. You usually get what you pay for.
I wish Leupold was more reliable. I would love to spend my hard earned money on a US based company. But getting a bum scope once turned me off.
The OP's budget was not lost on me. I never suggested he get a S&B. But, now that you mention it, that is a stellar idea. Keep an eye open in the classifieds here, and on Snipershide and you can find used S&B Klassics, Polars, or others for $1500 on occasion.
I did not suggest a scope, as you pointed out. I just offered some advice on what I would personally stay away from. Just like I would not tell someone to go buy a used Geo Metro or Ford Pinto either.
Maybe a SWFA SS 5-20×50HD, used Kahles K624i, used Premier Heritage Light Tactical, NF, Swaro, etc.
https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/march-2-5-25x42.226149/#post-1709933
https://www.longrangehunting.com/th...4-14x56-moar-illuminated-pristine-800.225014/
https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/nightforce-nxs-3-5-15x50-zeiss-conquest-hd5-3-15x42.225314/
https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/swarovski-z5-3-18x44-with-brh-reticle.226164/
https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/nightforce-nxs-5-22x50.225408/
A bit over the price, but well worth it.
https://www.longrangehunting.com/th...mm-d7-reticle-or-3-12x54mm-d7-reticle.224922/
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lancetkenyon
Well-Known Member
Preatorian
Well-Known Member
Tract Optics
dfanonymous
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leupold has more returns because they make and source cheap materials for the guts of their scopes. Period. That being said I think maybe two scopes on their line up...that happen to have deals in the defense industry are a little beefier, but then again the mk4 was a defense contract scope and it also suffered from poor material and construction of everything that affected the diopter of the scope.
lancetkenyon
Well-Known Member
Are you saying a $1300 Tract Toric has "as good" of glass as S&B, Tangent Theta, ZCO, Minox ZP5, & Hensoldt?
I was really hoping my new Burris xtr3 3.3-18 would be the one.......very clear optics, good non sensitive eyebox and parallax, good clicks, zero stop, covered windage.......after 30 rounds from a braked 8# 300 norma improved the reticle is moving when I adjust the magnification. Headed back to Burris it is, then getting sold.
Yes, I feel the glass is just as good. A few of the scopes that were mentioned use Schott glass in their optics.
lancetkenyon
Well-Known Member
Honest question: Have you compared, side by side, a Tract with any of the aforementioned scopes? Because I will be honest too. I think, out of all of the scopes I mentioned, even I can tell the difference in some of that glass. I have looked through so many scopes of varying levels and quality, for long periods of time, really, not much compares to these optics.
Throw Premier in there, and you are talking true Alpha level glass (clarity, edge to edge, brightness, "pop", depth of field, CA control, color) in the $3k+ range.
Then, you get into mechanics, tracking, RTZ, etc.
"Schott glass" is not the end all means to a quality scope. Just because it has the name "Schott", not all are equal. There are 120 levels/types of Schott glass. Not all are used for rifle scopes, but there are still different qualities of rifle glass made by Schott. Plus coatings, installation, scope design, etc. makes a huge difference.
Rich Coyle
Well-Known Member
lancetkenyon
Well-Known Member
I have not shot behind a Minox ZA 5. I think they have actually been discontinued. But in the price range, they sold for originally, I don't think they could compare to the ZP-5 line.
I have shot behind one ZE-5i 3-15×50. Good scope. Not quite in the ZP-5 quality, but at about half the price, quite nice.
I have shot behind a few ZP-5, a couple 3-15×50 and a couple 5-25×56. Amazing scopes. Worth the price tag if you are in the $2-3k+ budget. Surprisingly, I don't own one of my own. But I would think about one if I was in the market.
I have had the S&B and the Hensoldt when I did not know better. Spend the extra, no problem, but I can't. I will take the Tract all day long for the difference in the money. Been there, done that. I am not knocking the high end world class glass at all, but when you can get glass that is as good, I will save the funds. I am a working man and I don't have the funds, so I get excited when a great deal comes along. Tract is the way to go for me, optically and tracking performance. Warranty as good as any. I even sold my Swarovski EL's for the Tract binos. I feel the quality is that good. Just trying to help the working guy and give a honest opinion.
