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Can someone explain this? I find Leupold has duplex through complex mil scales, but that they are often unusable except as a single aiming point.
You have a good point. In my humble opinion (unless you are building a $5,000+ custom bolt gun) you need to spend 1 to 1.5x the cost of your rifle on a scope. That's what it's worked out for me based on my rifle inventory that has scopes. There are some really great scopes out there in the $1,000 to $1,500 range that would be a great starter scope if you are in the process of upgrading your glass. I am a hunter first and paper puncher second. True enough, there are lots of deer taken each year with $300 scopes (when I was younger and poor it's what I used). However, if there is any way you can swing it, you will not regret stepping up to good quality glass. Midway runs some great sales on scopes so keep an eye out there. I have midrange scopes (Zeiss Conquest 4, Trijicon Tenmile HX, Rudolph) all the way up to a Night Force ATCAR 5-25x56mm with 34mm tube. The ATCAR is very nice—don't get me wrong; however where I deer hunt my farthest shot is around 300 yards and my other mid-level scopes do just fine. The Trijicon Tenmile HX 5-25x50 will set you back about $1,500 and the Zeiss Conquest V4 6-24x50 about $1,200. I recently picked up the Zeiss Conquest V4 I am referring to from Midway for $800—was on sale marked $350 off (a great deal) and I have been super impressed with this optic for the money. I have it mounted and dialed in on a Benelli Lupo 6.5 PRC and I couldn't be happier. After getting it dialed in at 25 yards I backed up to 100 yards and dialed it in with only 2 shots (don't think I have ever done that before). You are approaching this the right way as many people on this forum can give you great advice. Find a reticle you like that fits your needs, do a little research on the scope and warranty, and get the most you can for what you can afford and I think you will be very happy.
First of all, very nice set-up—I am jealous…lol. I currently have (2) 6.5 PRC's (love both of them) and I was actually considering rubbing my nickels together and getting a Gunwerks rifle for my next build; however I am not sure of the caliber yet.
I hear you on the center dots but having to contend with the Christmas tree. I am a deer hunter first and I like a clean, non-busy reticle for hunting. I do have an ATCAR 5-25x56 with the regular MOAR reticle and I like it (though it is a bit heavy). However, I have 2 Trijicon Tenmile HX's in 5-25x50 that are regular MOAR reticles with small center dots and I absolutely love them for deer hunting.
Excellent choice on the Trijicon Tenmile scope. I have (2) Trijicon Tenmile HX's 5-25x50 and I absolutely love them for deer hunting. I don't have any $5,000 bolt guns which is why I used the example earlier with the gentleman that based on the value of my bolt guns, the cost of my glass worked out to 1 to 1.5x the value of my rifles. My comment was not intended to be a blanket statement because it all depends on the values of your rifles so it would be foolish to have a hard and fast rule. I just know what it worked out for me. Like you, I could probably get any scope I wanted; however I have been very impressed with my Trijicon Tenmile HX's as they suit my deer hunting needs very well.
I mentioned earlier in this thread that I just picked up a Zeiss Conquest V4 6-24x50 from Midway on sale for $800 and I am very happy with this optic. Although I prefer the center dot (like my Trijicons have) I LOVE this Zeiss so far. I have it mounted on a Benelli Lupo 6.5 PRC and it is a tack driver.
