Im no expert. But Im 64 years old & Retired and shoot at a gun range nearly every day.Ive hunted all over the USA and Canada.I got into long range shooting 4 years ago .I use FFP scopes for that.But They are not what you really want to hunt with. Get a Second Focal Plain with what ever power you need depending on where you are hunting.If its going to be long range like Prong Horns in West TX or NM with 500 yard shots get a 6-18 power or so.If you going to be hunting where its 100 yard shot a 3-9 should be fine.But you really dont want FFP scope and have to adjust the parallax and then on low power you cant see the reticle..Thats my opinion and experience. GOOD LUCK
Sub 2k long range hunting scope?
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There is a parallax on SFP as well!
GreenDecoy
Well-Known Member
My issue is not with high power scopes for hunting, although they are mostly unnecessary. My issue is with highly variable magnification range and FFP reticles for hunting. Having additional "horsepower" is great for flexibility. But I have yet to see a 6x variable with a useable FFP reticle across the range. The best I've seen has tapered crosshairs that appear to stay the same size as you "zoom". I can't remember who made that. Burris?
anyway, I have used my H59 and other Xmas tree reticles hunting. They have their place in my quiver. But it is not my first choice. my go to rifle scope is a 3.5-10 VX3i with windplex and cds. It meets all my needs. Keeps it simple. And I spend virtually no time setting up a shot.
there is no perfect scope. But the simple reliable old 3-9 duplex covers 90% of hunting shots. My high speed Bushnell 3.5-21x H59 actually covers less due to the invisible reticle at 3.5-10x. Great for precision long range. Not so great for a 100 yard first light chip shot.
GreenDecoy
Well-Known Member
I 100% agree with TX. I used my H59 on a pronghorn hunt a couple weeks ago. Was glad to have the high magnification. But a high speed PRS optic has only a niche application in certain hunting scenarios. You're better off with an optic that goes to 2-3 on the low end and 10-15 on the high end. With a CDS, a good range finder, and a SFP duplex, you can make quick and accurate shots at all hunting ranges.
vortech347
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You owe it to yourself to look at Tract. Their Toric UHD 4-20x50 is fantastic at it's price point of $1300.
It is FFP but the reticle is quite small at 4x and not overly large at 20x. For hunting at 4x in low light you need the illuminated reticle, it's that small. Which IMO is a good thing since it won't be a distraction at 20x if you ever use that high of magnification while hunting.
The glass is outstanding and the turrets track and feel really good. The only knock I've found so far is the windage knob does not lock so for hunting you may accidentally bump it and need to just make sure it's still zero'd.
I put one on my Browning X Bolt Hell's Canyon LR 6.5 PRC and can't be happier.
You can get it in MRAD or MOA.
tractoptics.com
I do have a Bushnell 4.5-18x44 LRTSi and really like that scope, too. At 1k they punch way above their weight. But the reticle is quite large at 18x. For hunting at lower powers it would work great as you don't need the illumunation down at 4.5x in low light.
A really great scope for the money.
It is FFP but the reticle is quite small at 4x and not overly large at 20x. For hunting at 4x in low light you need the illuminated reticle, it's that small. Which IMO is a good thing since it won't be a distraction at 20x if you ever use that high of magnification while hunting.
The glass is outstanding and the turrets track and feel really good. The only knock I've found so far is the windage knob does not lock so for hunting you may accidentally bump it and need to just make sure it's still zero'd.
I put one on my Browning X Bolt Hell's Canyon LR 6.5 PRC and can't be happier.
You can get it in MRAD or MOA.
TORIC UHD 30mm 4-20X50 FFP MRAD PRS Long Range Rifle Scope
The TORIC 30mm FFP 4-20X50 MRAD Long Range Rifle Scope is specifically designed for the shooter looking to maximize the performance of his cartridge.
tractoptics.com
I do have a Bushnell 4.5-18x44 LRTSi and really like that scope, too. At 1k they punch way above their weight. But the reticle is quite large at 18x. For hunting at lower powers it would work great as you don't need the illumunation down at 4.5x in low light.
A really great scope for the money.
General RE LEE
Well-Known Member
Anyone hunt with the Leupold Mark 5 FFP? I haven't hunted with mine yet but at 5x it looks like a traditional duplex SFP reticle.
There's about 8 different reticles you can purchase in the Mark5. I use a MOA type that has drop marks but not the Christmas tree type reticle. PR-1 MOA Reticle
hthunter
Well-Known Member
I have the 3.6-18x44 PR-1 MOA reticle. I really like it for range and hunting. I can see it pretty good at bottom end, but at 5xs it's definitely easy to view. 8x-9x is my favorite
Ninering62
Well-Known Member
I've been a huge fan of Shepherd Scopes for a long time, I hardly ever read or hear anyone talking about them & using them. I've had Shepherds on my 7mm Rem mag & 300 WM - Both Browning A-Bolt ll with BOSS. I had planned on putting another one on my LR ML but they were out of stock for months last yr. Optics Planet offered me the Vortex Viper PST gen ll for 700.00 TMD. It's not what I wanted, but for what it cost me, it works fine. I'm a big big fan of the Sightron siii scopes as well. They have outstanding glass, tracking, zero stop & can withstand whatever super mag you can put them on. Fantastic scope for the money. I know of some personally that have had the Viper PST gen ll fail internally on ML's & SML's. Fortunately, as of yet, I've had zero issues or complaints with that scope. Thankfully, Vortex cust serv has a great rep. One really needs to educate themselves on the optics they plan to buy & use.
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Joefrazell
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I'd go with a mark 5hd
At the end of the day....it's money and happiness! It's probably mostly ME. But I've been hunting and guiding for 45 years. I can't see a noticeable difference in T.V. between HD and regular TV today and it's the same with scopes. There were probably only four choices readily available Forty years ago and not much over 9 power. Today....look out! I don't consider 1700.00- 2000.00 dollar scopes ENTRY LEVEL by any means...so what does it boil down too? Like guns....I try out scopes....I have found HAWKE....(on one of new 6.5 creeds).very good and their price and service... EXCELLENT...glass and features every bit as good as Burris at 1/3 of the price.( Burris on my 300 Custom Mark V) But geeeeez...it's not high enough priced! Vortex PST gen 11 on my 338 TacMark Mark V...all three same options... illuminated, FFP, high power. Then I heard about ATHLON...Aries BTR....high power, illuminated CHEAP....but great reviews...500.00....glass...as far as I can see....no difference, great warranty like the rest....great tracking....bought it while in the U.S. in March.....and threw it on my new 50 bmg... flawless so far. So why did I spend $ 3700.00 on the first two.........hmmmmmm. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and if I had $5000.00 to spend on a scope...I probably would struggle to see the difference looking thru it too. Good luck with your selection! Aim small....shoot small!
Ninering62
Well-Known Member
That 50BMG is one I've dreamed of havin the op to send a few 5.00 bullets downrange. Bucketlist bigtime. Thats fantastic too that you brought another reasonably priced " workin mans budget " scope into the light for someone else to enjoy an unheard of or overlooked scope. Great perspective as well. Kind regards bud.
ID Mtn Man
Active Member
My goodness, please do not use your weapon as a spotting scope. If I catch someone scoping me, it's not going to end pretty.
Thank you my friend! It's what we are supposed to do. 50 was a Bucket for me as well....just in time to bring back to Canada to have our *%©®¥€....$_&"": Part time ex school teacher Justin Trudeau BAN IT!. BUT The BUSHMASTER is a ton of great gun and accuracy for the money. Saved me 4000.00 getting it in the Great U.S. of A. Sportsman's Warehouse....best price in the U.S.
