I'm not sure I'm qualified to comment on anything related to "long distances". The idea of shooting a target at 1000 yds is well beyond any shot that I've practiced....but since I joined this group it doesn't seem as impossible as it once was.
I guess everything is relative and for me a long shot is 500yds, which is the longest I've practiced. I can say that the same principles apply on every shot I take that isn't from the hip, or trying to stuff my 44mag into the mouth of the grizzly....which luckily I've never had to do, but form, breathing, or optics would be the last things on my mind.
Optics are at the top of the list of equipment, and my scope needs to function flawlessly. The clarity, brightness, tracking, durability, and user friendliness all becomes more important the further you stretch out.
I haven't found one scope that is the absolute best in every measure. But there are some ultra high ends that I have not compared. My budget dictates my purchases somewhat, but the biggest reason I haven't tried Tangent or ZCO, or many others, is the reticle I prefer and it's availability. I prefer a simple crosshair with a lighted dot in the center....or something very close. I choose to dial my distances and want as little reticle in my view as possible. My eyes at age 50 are not what they were at 30. Maybe if I did shoot 1000yds or more, this preference would change..? I dunno.
In a nutshell the qualities of a great scope, for me, are easy to compare and measure. I have to admit that with the scopes I'm using the levels of difference in all categories are very small. They are all bright, super clear, track perfectly, and well built. But if I had to rank them I could..and b/c u asked, I will:
—Clarity, edge to edge distortion and color vividness......Swarovski Z8i
—Best Turrets.....hands down S&B Exos. They are perfect, firm audible clicks, and have a lock feature with large well marked dials.
—Best at dealing with sun glare....Leica Magnus, or any Leica I've ever owned.
—Best in low light....Tie b/t Swarovski Z8i and S&B Polar. If the stars are out, you could hunt a field all night with either of these, although I wouldn't recommend it.
—Most durable build.....S&B Exos. I will point out that NF comes to mind for indestructible scopes. The weight almost implies tough. The Exos is heavier at 31oz, but is still about 9oz lighter than the NF Atacr with similar magnification.
— Best eye box.....Leica Magnus......its eye box is like sliding into a feather bed on a cold night....it's perfect any way u move. And the FOV is also the widest.
***note on eye box*** I guess I assumed all higher end scopes were as easy to "get behind" as the handful that I've been using. But I was dead wrong. I'm always looking to try something new and scopes are no exception. I'm building a new light weight rig and thought I would try a scope brand that was a first for me. It was light weight, compact, and very well built. I could not have been more impressed and loved it.....until I attempted to look through it. It was clear and bright, but something wasn't right.
If my eye or the scope moved the tiniest bit, it was a blackout...at least partially to mostly.
Wanting to make sure it wasn't my imagination, I compared it side by side with my existing glass.....boy was there a huge difference.
I ran to shipping store like my hair was on fire, and returned it. I won't name names, as this thread is about the best we've tried....and I don't wanna knock another brand. It may not seem as noticeable and unusable to someone else.
If anyone wants to know which scope that was, just pm me and I'll tell u all about it.
There are a lot of good optics out there. Think about your intended use and what type of reticle fits both that usage and your eye.
Don't look at some retail MSRP and assume something is out of your price range.
Really good glass does not wear out....so buying used or as a demo is a safer method with optics than most other equipment.
Good luck...
