Quality scope for long range mountain rifle

[motrapper]

Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44 M5C3 FFP TMR

Pick up a Mark 5HD™ 3.6-18x44mm and you'll feel the difference. It's up to 20 ounces lighter than other riflescopes in its class, giving you an advantage in the field or at the range. The versatile 3.6-18x magnification range helps you engage close targets, while also giving you the flexibility...

www.leupold.com

 

[softtail103]

I sell a lot of Fierce rifles. Tough to beat the Zeiss V4 that they use on the long range packages. You also have the option to send it back to Fierce and have them do the long range setup. Scope and rings with custom turrets. I use Mark5 3.6-18x44 or the 5-25x56. The 5-25x56 has turrets out to 1900 yards.

 

[Schroedernd]

Love my new Razor LHT 4.5-22x50. Picking up another one for a custom build. I was set on the mark 5hd, but read quite a few comparisons giving the edge to the razor.

 

[Garyinmt]

No one ever mentions Huskemaw, but I wouldn't put anything else on a long range rifle. I have two and love them.

 

[PRCReaper]

I find this funny. I have never seen or heard of a scope over $600 that had a tracking problem, On a positive note, Vortex would fix that without a second thought.

The reticle could be a concern….as it is a tree. The capped windage would likely be an issue too.



Based on these requirements and lightweight, I'm thinking you want a VX-5/6, a March or maybe the SFP Vortex Razor LHT 3-15. I'm also thinking you want a 1pc mount like the Spuhr mount or similar for strength.

Just for clarification, you will dial wind?


What is that point? Only you know, that said, IMO over $1500 is mostly an exercise in glass quality or extreme range turrets.

I would also consider capped vs locked vs free dial windage turret. ….same for elevation. I like locking, but if I were dialing every shot, probably I would want free.

Most scopes will not track perfectly. Here are some data:

Scope Tracking Test Results 2020

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Tactical Scopes: Mechanical Performance Part 1

This is one of the last posts covering the detailed data collected over the past 4 months for an epi...

precisionrifleblog.com

 

[PRCReaper]

My votes go to March 3-24 or NF NX8 4-32. A slight edge to the March for hunting.

I've had March scopes on my hunting rifles (a 260 REM and 300WM) for years and never had a problem.

I'd love to hear some of your thoughts and experience with March 3-24 and the NX8. Specifically, can you touch on durability, tracking, eye box, and parallax?

 

[acourvil]

I can't really comment on the NX8 durability as it is a relatively new scope and I have had them only a year or so, but I have had other NF scopes and they have been bullet proof. The NX8 is lighter construction than the ATACRs and old NSX scopes, but I think they are still very solid. I've had the March scopes on in the field for years and have had no problems.

The eyebox on 50/52MM objective scopes will be more limited than a 56MM objective scope, and that is true on both the March and NX8, but neither has a particularly restrictive eyebox. The older March 42MM objective 3x24 is more restrictive, but still works well if set up properly.

Similarly, high magnification multiple scopes will have touchier parallax, but both are quite usable. And I only notice the touchiness of the parallax at the higher magnification settings. I would say the NX8 is very slightly better, but I haven't had any real issues with either.

Tracking on both is rock solid. There is an old tracking test that complained about the March tracking on a 3-24x42, but the real problem was that it used a different MIL standard (IIRC, it used NATO MILs instead of actual MILs), but all of the newer scopes use actual MILs.

Both have great glass. I think the March is slightly better for color and edge to edge; I think the NX8 is a tiny but brighter, but if you really look hard for it you can see some slight distortion at the edges for higher magnifications.

They are both great scopes. Personally, I like the NX8 slightly better for target/competition use and the March slightly better for hunting use. Partly this is the slightly different form factor, and partly it is related to the reticle (I like the March reticle better at lower magnification).

 

[Chamberman]

Durability wise, tracking, eye relief, parallax, clarity- Nightforce all the way!

There is a reason they have military contracts, and why most of the operators prefer them!

No propoganda- purely factual!

Have tried most of the scopes mentioned here- but IMHO NF is quite simply the GO- TO.

The NX-8 line is very refined- although I am not partial to the 2.5-20, it's just a little short on tube length- just not my taste.

 

[Reelamin]

Your budget allows for as much bling as you could never use it. I have looked at and used the NF, Valdata, S-B, USO, etc. and they are excellent scopes. Of those I prefer the Valdata, and I own none of them. I almost always fall back to a Leupold or Burris. I would go with a VX5 if I could get the reticle I wanted or a VX6. I own and use both and the VX6 for me is paying a lot of extra cash or crap I take off and don' use anyway.

 

[JRS3]

What about a Swarovski X5i?

 

[Aussie Hunter Steve]

For your criteria I would want locking turrets. My choice would be S&B 3-20x50 ultra short, with a simple mildot reticle. The turrets are low profile and field of view is excellent at lower powers.

 

[KRL1116]

March!

 

[spladi]

Hi folks,

I am looking to put a scope on my Fierce Edge 300 PRC rifle. I am having a hell of a time trying to figure out my options.

My requirements in order of importance:
Excellent turret tracking
Tough scope that can hold a zero after few falls
Simple reticle (no Christmas trees since I prefer to dial rather than doing hold overs)

As for glass I honestly can't tell the difference after a certain point.

I don't have a preference for FFP/SFP but I would like to be able to do close range (100 yd) off-hand shots if opportunity presents itself.

My budget is around 2.5k. Here are a few scopes that I am considering


Kahles 624i (excellent tracking but heavy at 33oz)
March 3-24x52 (nice reticle that works for off-hand shooting, 23oz, tracking is supposed to be good but here is a discussion of march scopes losing zero after a ride in ATV)
Razor LHT 4.5-22x50 (light at 21.7oz, cheap, but i'm not sure about their tracking accuracy and don't like the reticle)

I own several NF scopes, Benchrest, Competition and an NXS. I believe that the NXS is the Nightforce extra heavy duty model. I love them all but the NXS is my favorite.........sharp clear resolution at all powers absolute true tracking too.

 

[Pro2A]

If you are looking for NF I would consider the 4-16 ATACR over the 5-25 given that you said you want to be able to shoot close range…5 is a little high to me on close range, at least in the woods.

Questioning whether one can denote difference in 4x and 5x on bottom end, but Hell of a difference on top end 16x versus 25x. Don't have to use all the top end but it's there if needed for unexpected extreme long shot or for confirming target quality. Dad always referenced the old adage, "Better to have and not need rather to need and not have."