Shopping for new glass

[Timnterra]

I was scope shopping last night and looking for a light weight scope for a dedicated hunting rig. The top of my list is the Swarovski x5 but it is about 2x what you want to spend. However, I don't think you will ever beat the glass on Swarovski Optics. If brightness and clarity is what you are primarily looking for I think you should look at a Swarovski z5 or z6 they both can be had in 3-18 or 5-25 with an exposed elevation turret and useful moa reticle. The z5 is right under your budget @ $1399 and the z6 is about $2k.

 

[Rich Coyle]

Swarovskis are fine if you don't have something else to compare them with. I had four of the z5 5-25X52. Two had mediocre glass and two had good glass. The two with good glass were noticeably better in low light than the other two. They are all gone.

A friend brought his z6 5-30X50 over to compare with my Bushnell 6500 4 1/2-30X50 and do some low light testing. As soon as he looked though the 6500 and the z6 side by side at the deer antlers 131 yards away in the bush he said, "I always thought that was not a very good scope." l He sold it.

 

[Russ661]

Take a look here http://precisionrifleblog.com/category/optics/ for some more information. Something that no one has mentioned is warranty. If you intend on keeping the optic for a long time a lifetime no-fault warranty is what you want. Anything less I would consider a negative point.

 

[skookum]

Good article, very informative and definitely making my decision more difficult. I want to put hands on a bushnell but can't find one anywhere in my area but I did like the Leupold Mk 5 and was amazed how light it was for the size.

 

[barleydog]

Good article, very informative and definitely making my decision more difficult. I want to put hands on a bushnell but can't find one anywhere in my area but I did like the Leupold Mk 5 and was amazed how light it was for the size.

the bushnell forge lineup is great...I have tall target tested mine and it stacks up nice...
not really all that light though...kinda heavy...

 

[sp6x6]

I should have a M5 5-25x56 in a few days,Spurh mount included in deal.Would like the NF ATCR but w/mount it was plus about $1500.Some good reviews on it for price point. I would also be very happy with a IOR recon.Still more $$,this going on my plinker,replacing a Mark 4,which was ok but dont like 5mil rev.Do want a warranty as I have a Terrapin that I dropped as a spendy paper weight,$800 to generate a quote and maybe $1200 to fix.I got 3 good years out of it.Really ****es me off

 

[skookum]

Anyone have experience with Athlon? I have been doing some digging and they keep coming up and I can't find anyone that has had bad things to say about them

 

[skookum]

I should have a M5 5-25x56 in a few days,Spurh mount included in deal.Would like the NF ATCR but w/mount it was plus about $1500.Some good reviews on it for price point. I would also be very happy with a IOR recon.Still more $$,this going on my plinker,replacing a Mark 4,which was ok but dont like 5mil rev.Do want a warranty as I have a Terrapin that I dropped as a spendy paper weight,$800 to generate a quote and maybe $1200 to fix.I got 3 good years out of it.Really ****es me off

I looked at a Mk 5 yesterday and really liked it, I wish I had the DMR to compare it to.

 

[Danehunter]

Bushnell's Elite LRTS 3 - 12 x 44, either regular or illuminated is an excellent buy at around $1,100. street price. Wait until January for sales. This is a great scope with not a lot of weight and much better reticle choices than a Leupold VX5.

I use the Bushnell Elite ERS 3.5 - 21 x 50 for competition with an H59 reticle. Excellent tracking and very good glass.

Eric B.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Good article, very informative and definitely making my decision more difficult. I want to put hands on a bushnell but can't find one anywhere in my area but I did like the Leupold Mk 5 and was amazed how light it was for the size.

I'm telling you, go with the Zeiss... You won't regret the lens quality.

 

[WildBillG]

With the 45 percent discount you get I qould look at the Leupold VX6HD 3x18 model. My guess is it would fit into your budget easily.

 

[sp6x6]

They say the Mark 5 better than 6 in reviews.I have had ziess optics very good.Ill be comparing the Leo to my 3-24x52 March F1 thats on my packer,I have a SS 5-20x50 on a varmit gun,good for price optic