NF, Swaro, or Zeiss scopes, WWYB?

[Sako7STW]

Which Would You Buy and why? My dad asked me to post this question. He is looking to buy a scope to put on his .257 WBY. He will use it for western open country hunting with shots out to the 700yrd mark or so. He wants bright optics for early morning and late evening shots.....AKA that infamous extra 15 mins. He is looking at something in the 4-14, or 5-20 type ranges and been looking at 50-56mm obj and he currently has 30mm rings on the gun. He wants clarity and color of course. He has been toying with the notion of illuminated reticles as well. He really liked the Vortex Razor HD but didn't like the huge size and weight. Money doesnt seem to be a concern since he has been looking at the Z6 and Diavari's.

 

[highridge1]

Zeiss conquest 4.5-14x44 would be my choice. Excellent glass,very reliable,and track excellent.

 

[mountainman]

If it were me and money wasn't a concern, I would go with a Hensoldt in a 4-16 x56mm or the 6-24x56. That would give me everything your father is looking for and then some and give me more then 15 mins in the power hour. The 6-24x72mm would do even better, My understanding if there's a 3/4 to full moon light you can see to shoot. As for the 3 you ask about , can't say about the NF, but the swaro and zeiss should do fine. I know the zeiss will but I don't know about the new Z6, haven't looked at one but from what I read it sounds like their both about equal. Everything about these 4 scopes are top of the line.But if I wanted the best, I think I would go with the hensoldt. They never had a failure in the field and they will give more then your looking for with perfection. IMHO

 

[enigma]

I have a swarovski PH 6-24x50 with TDS reticle on my weatherby 338-378 accumark for about 5 years now never had a problem with the scope yet I've shot at lest 600-700 rounds throw the gun with that scope on it.Swarovski great scope.The scope is great at low light.

 

[T3-OleMan]

I did purchase in Dec 2010 and this is why. The only 5 ELK I saw in Oct. 2010 on my CO hunt came single file across in front of me with 10 min left on the shooting clock, on a NE slope at 9kft on a bluebird day. At 100 yds., they fed across 50 Yds into the next woods, in 5 min. First 4 I could tell were cows....time passed and # 5 eased on out and I could not make out what headgear he was wearing! Looked like at least 2.5' of vertical and that is all I could get out of my scope (CO is a No Spike state). I made a management decision on the way back to camp in the dark that I would trade the FINAL ELK hunt of my life for some glass NOW, that would not let me down in the last 5 min of shooting time on a bluebird day. My eyes are almost 70 so I ain't far from that Final hunt....lol

Did my homework in Nov. then drove 200 miles and took my T-3 338WM with a 2008_VX III LR, 4.5-14x50_30mm tube B & C on it to a store that had the Z6 and Diavari's. Got there at Sun set and for 30 min. looked through all 3 every 5 min. at a horse and fence on a hill about 150yds out. Went with the Zeiss Victory FL Diavari 4-16x50T* with Rapid Z 800 Ret.

Cost! I'm one hunt $hort now! You get what you pay for in GLASS and coatings. It's an investment in my Grandchildren! Mileage may vary!
Good Luck.

 

[RDM416]

Of the scopes I have experience with the Swaro PH series is very good in low light. A previous poster mentioned the the 6-24, I have one of those and also a 4-16. Both with a plex reticle. Very nice scopes and the plex reticle should get him out there if he does not plan to "dial".

I don't think you can go wrong with NF either. I have several and when compared side by side with my Mark 4s, Swaro's, Zeiss, Pecar...... I can't really tell much if any difference in brightness or clarity. There seems to have been several posts lately that NF scopes are sub par for "glass". Maybe it is just my eyes, but that has not been the case for the ones I have. If he is going to "dial" I would suggest taking a look at the NF.

There are the Vortex scopes and others out there that I have heard are good, but I have not looked through any so, I have no comment on them.

 

[bullfrog]

My Swaro's, Kahles, and Zeiss are all clearer, lighter, and seem better in low light than my Nightforce (Not saying the Nightforce is bad, it is still very good). The Nightforce is on my long range heavy rifle because she tracks very well and is built like a tank. The first 3 are on sporter weight hunting rifles with trajectory compensating reticles and work very well out to 600 yards. The best glass I have personally looked through is Schmidt & Bender. At almost twice the cost of the Swaro's I can't justify buying one.

 

[mtnwrunner]

Plus one on the Zeiss.................
They are all excellant but the 4.5 X 14 is hard to beat.

Randy

 

[sp6x6]

If it were me and money wasn't a concern, I would go with a Hensoldt in a 4-16 x56mm or the 6-24x56. That would give me everything your father is looking for and then some and give me more then 15 mins in the power hour. The 6-24x72mm would do even better, My understanding if there's a 3/4 to full moon light you can see to shoot. As for the 3 you ask about , can't say about the NF, but the swaro and zeiss should do fine. I know the zeiss will but I don't know about the new Z6, haven't looked at one but from what I read it sounds like their both about equal. Everything about these 4 scopes are top of the line.But if I wanted the best, I think I would go with the hensoldt. They never had a failure in the field and they will give more then your looking for with perfection. IMHO

Wow I like the way you think, I want one for my 257, or my lr rifle for that matter, just need more fun tickets $$