Shopping for new glass

skookum

skookum

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Nov 2, 2011
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So, I am currently in the market for some new glass. I have been doing a lot of research on several scopes and am seeking some input. I'm hoping to keep it in the $1500 price point, I get military pricing on many of the big names so this won't be an issue, of course I'm not opposed to saving money either. Some of the scopes I am looking at include:
Nightforce NXS or SHV- I know the NXS is sort of the gold standard in tracking, but I wouldn't mind better glass clarity and I the SHV makes me a little nervous as they look an awful lot like the vortex PST.
Vortex Razor Gen 1.- Heavy, I know, how do they stack up against the NXS? It sounds like a bit of a Ford vs. Chevy kinda deal.

Ziess V6- I have read great things on optical quality, but mediocre things about the Tracking.

Leupold Mk 5- Never had a mil scope, but not opposed to going to one, how do they stack up against the NXS? I'm really tempted to go this route as I get 45% off with military discount.

Annnnd on the High end: US Optics, a little more than I want to spend, and have never actually looked through one. Are you paying more for a name there or are the worth the money?

I will add that I currently have a Huskemaw 4-16, I haven't been real impressed with optical clarity in low light, I don't like the thick reticle and 1/3 moa adjustments, it's just weird. That being said, the scope has served me well, but I want to upgrade.
 
dude....everyone on here seems to need a 4000 dollar scope to get hits...I have the bushnell xrsii...I friggin love the thing...only paid 750 for it brand new.

but for your price range you will never beat the Athlon cronus….not ever.
you wont beat it with a 2500 dollar scope...

a buddy of mine has one...it is fun to watch people stick their nose in the air at him...Chinese scope...but they keep their opinions to them selves when he starts laying in the lead...

I honestly believe Athlon is the best scope in that price range...along side the bushnell dmrii
 
skookum said:
So, I am currently in the market for some new glass. I have been doing a lot of research on several scopes and am seeking some input. I'm hoping to keep it in the $1500 price point, I get military pricing on many of the big names so this won't be an issue, of course I'm not opposed to saving money either. Some of the scopes I am looking at include:
Nightforce NXS or SHV- I know the NXS is sort of the gold standard in tracking, but I wouldn't mind better glass clarity and I the SHV makes me a little nervous as they look an awful lot like the vortex PST.
Vortex Razor Gen 1.- Heavy, I know, how do they stack up against the NXS? It sounds like a bit of a Ford vs. Chevy kinda deal.

Ziess V6- I have read great things on optical quality, but mediocre things about the Tracking.

Leupold Mk 5- Never had a mil scope, but not opposed to going to one, how do they stack up against the NXS? I'm really tempted to go this route as I get 45% off with military discount.

Annnnd on the High end: US Optics, a little more than I want to spend, and have never actually looked through one. Are you paying more for a name there or are the worth the money?

I will add that I currently have a Huskemaw 4-16, I haven't been real impressed with optical clarity in low light, I don't like the thick reticle and 1/3 moa adjustments, it's just weird. That being said, the scope has served me well, but I want to upgrade.
Click to expand...


and one more thing...I bought the shv with the 56mm bell? its bigger than fifty I know...anyway...I had a real tough time getting into it on the high power settings...so I bought a dmrii with the 34mm main tube...it worked better for me...I gave the shv to my son and he cant miss with it...loves the thing. has it on his 300 winn mag...shoots 1/4 moa at 600 yards. says that is his limit on hunting range...so he doesn't even try to shoot further....but he loves the thing....me, not so much
 
The SWFA HD FFP 5-20 x 50 is quite a scope for the money. The price is $1299.95 for the non illuminated and $1499.85 for the illuminated. I have the illuminated version and really like it.

They just had a black Friday sale. The next sale will around April 15.

You can sometimes find one in the sample list page as a trade in. FYI I have purchased several condition B scopes and they are flawless in appearance and function.
https://www.samplelist.com/entire-sample-list/riflescopes.html?brand=SWFA SS



Here is a review when it first came out in 2011:

https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/swfa-super-sniper-5-20x50hd.72157/

If you look around the net you will find many folks say the SWFA lineup of HD and non HD scope turrets are strong, repeatable, return to zero. The center screw of the HD turrets are really nice as the caps will line up perfectly in any position they are moved to after zeroing. (this is something that drove me nuts with other brands)
 
Pick out the options you want, then pick a reticle. Then see what in your price range who has those options. I have the 4-14 shv in both sfp moar ill and F1 Mil ill. 6-24 PST and a PMII in 3-12. @ 600yds I can see as much detail with the PM as the Vortex on 18. 24x I can see more but you'd be surprised especially on partly cloudy conditions. Something about looking at details from sun to shade and back. Parallax is easier to find on the shv vs the vortex but not by much. The S&B I find is very easy but it also has the least power which is the case for the shv's also.
The DMR 3.5-21 is rated as a top ten buy in overall performance in the top 25 tactical scopes out. Glass is good enough good reticles and they track well with good turrets.
Razor HD's are a good option.
The 5-20 SWFA if you like the reticle is a bargain.
 
I will echo the SWFA 5x20..good scope. I will also echo the Althon Cronos..it is a very fine scope for the dollar spent. I see bushnell DMR sold from time to time in the 1000-1200 dollar mark...they are very fine scopes. I have a DRM and a ERS..they track very very good.

The mark 5 is a very good scope--I'll buy one when I get enough cabelas points this next year. I had a mark 6, it was a good scope--but sure like the Mark 5 I shot behind better.

Nightforce are good--tough--never been a fan of them though...guess a ford and chevy type thing. The ACTAR is a great, but $$$$. The NXS never lit my fire with the glass quality (to my eye anyway).

IOR that Kycarl mentioned--they are first rate. I own one of their fixed power duplex scopes and it is clear and rugged.i shot behind a 4.8x30 recon G2, a lot of scope--both size and feature wise---but I'd sure look at one to do long range work. If I ever get the chance to shoot more often at the farm...id buy a 50 and mount that recon scope on it and stretch its legs.

Good luck in your search.

Ed
 
I bought the Leupold 5-HD last spring & put it on a 300 RUM. I love that scope & will be adding more of them in the future.
I tried the Vortex Viper & sold it soon after buying it. Also have a Burris XTR II on a custom 300 Win Mag that I really like.
Thanks, Kirk
 
What are you going to use the rifle for? Distance you plan to shoot. Bolt gun? Auto loader? Caliber? Shooting from a rest or tree stand? Humping around all day? Deploying with it? Your age? (Old or young eyes play a part) Lots of good companies listed. I would need more specifics to provide a better opinion.
 
Thanks everyone for your input, and I am definitely going to take a look at the SWFA and the Bushnell as well.

JVR I am 28, putting it on a custom 300 WSM, possibly something bigger down the road for long range hunting inside 1000 and varmints/targets passed that. I do a good amount of hiking with the rifle, but am more concerned with glass clarity and function above all else.
 
I would look at sightron Siii series. Great glass. Huge accurate adjustment. Easily as good glass as nxs. The eye box is tighter than nxs. (I have owned both). Still have 2 sightrons. They also offer ffp if that interests you. Used sfp run around 500$ with lifetime warranty. If you are hooked on clarity. Save a little more money. Another grand gets you to another level. I have gone through swfa ss (non had) bushnell dmr, nxs, Zeiss hd5 viper pst, Swarovski z5–3. All useable scopes but moving to the next level to me was night and day difference. Razor hdii, Steiner Military, Kahles, Zeiss High end, Swarovski high end SB, Nightforce higher end. just to name a few I have actually owned and or used. (There are many more). Remember too. There will always be the latest and greatest next week. ( 6 Creedmoor, 6xc, 6prs, can anyone say 243?) But my 20 year old diavari's are still razor sharp. Along with my current razor, kahles and Steiner's. Good luck with your journey.
 
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