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Lightweight cool reticle Scope recommendation |
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kykamo
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/08/2016 Status: Offline Points: 53 |
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Posted: January/09/2018 at 00:28 |
Need help finding something to fit my new backpacker rifle build. I will be hunting out to 400 yards and plinking steel out to 600. I would like the scope to be around 11-12 ounces or less. Id like to spend around $500 or less and am looking for a good value. Optical quality is more important to me than turret quality because i dont spin much. Oh, and i HATE, boring duplex reticles. Must have a reticle with some hold over points.
Please help me find something guys
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bugsNbows
Optics God bowsNbugs Joined: March/10/2008 Location: North Georgia Status: Offline Points: 11200 |
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How about the Sightron Big Sky 3-12x42 with milldot reticle. It weighs 12.6 ozs. Another would be the Sightron Big Sky 3-9 x 42 with the hunter holdover reticle.It weighs 13.4 ozs.
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If we're not suppose to eat animals...how come they're made of meat?
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urbaneruralite
Optics Journeyman Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 479 |
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Leupold 2.5-8x is a classic answer. I have no coolness gauge to measure the B&C reticle.
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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What caliber? What rifle? What is your marksmanship skill level? How well do you understand drop reticles and wind calls? How often will you be shooting (rounds/year will suffice)? With that, I can begin recommendations. Short of that... |
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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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Get the 3-9x SS and call it a day
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If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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kykamo
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/08/2016 Status: Offline Points: 53 |
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I think my problem is im going to the companies main web sites and see lots of their models are being discontinued. I remeber hearing a "Big Sky" but there's none on their website. And the Leupold 2-8 cant be ordered in the B&C reticle anymore?? Curse leupold for taking away what few over priced reticle option they already had!
To Rancid Coolaid
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13181 |
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I think for what you are looking to do, you have to up the price range a bit and the weight budget a bit.
I am sorta on the record that I think holdover reticle in SFP scopes are not a good idea, so look for a FFP option. There, you best is to either get SWFA SS 3-9x42 or Burris Veracity 2-10x42. Both can be had for around $600. ILya
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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Great caliber, has some legs, and ballistics way past 600 are quite good. If you are good with mil-based reticles, I would take that every time over a "calibrated" reticle that is wrong in all but exactly one set of circumstances. A mil reticle (or MOA if you prefer) is consistent, a mil is a mil is a mil, no matter the range. I too am not a huge fan of lots of hashes with no numbers, and many make holdover reticles for us. Another piece of gear I would recommend is - well, 2 pieces: a log book for shot details and a Kestrel weather station. Nothing gets more frustrating than not having the details that explain why the zero shifted more than a mil (temp, altitude, changes in pressure); and a log book slows you down, improves the quality of your data, and makes you think about details that help make you a better marksman. I have gear for reloading, but 6.5 ammo is relatively inexpensive, and factory stuff I have found to be quite good. For hunting, I usually run 129-gr Superperformance SST, and target work is done with Prime ammo's great match stuff, 129 or 142, I forget offhand. Plinking is fun, and ringing steel at any range is very rewarding; but knowing where the shot is going based on environmental details, that is very, very confidence-inspiring. And shooting is a confidence game.
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Freedom is something you take.
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13181 |
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If you really want to go lighter, consider Leupold FX-3 6x42 fixed power scope. You can have Leupold Custom Shop put in a simple holdover reticle.
If you insist on a SFP scope, stay away from overly complicated reticle. Something with a couple of extra holds to be used at max power only is your best option. For that, consider Vortex Razor HD LH 2-10x40. I just looked and the version with G4 BDC reticle is on sale, so that may be a good option: ILya
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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Of those 2, I have lots of experience with the SS and none with the Burris. That said, if you plan to never spin turrets (and would rather not risk them spinning without you knowing), the Burris turret will better fit your purposes. I prefer a slightly busier reticle, like a Gen2 XR, but that will make the budget that much more challenging. Favorite right now is this - and it is on my 6.5 Creedmore: |
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Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13181 |
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I am very fond of Gen 2 XR, but to get that reticle you get into a substantially more expensive (and heavier) type of scope.
The Veracity is a hunting version of XTR II and the 2-10x42 is a very nice scope. ILya
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kykamo
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/08/2016 Status: Offline Points: 53 |
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Great help guys, were to start.
Rancid, i agree a lot with you and ill take your advice Koshkin, you are a sage. Guess whats sitting on my >10lbs rifle... a Veracity 2-10! And i love it. I like the "warm" image it has over my friends vortex's. My only issue iv learned is the heavy weight and, imo, short eye relief. So now im building a lightweight rifle i can carry more conveniently. Its a 18" barrel 6.5 CM, hence not a dedicated 1000 yard gun, lest i get that good. I totally agree with your points on holdover = no sfp. But for this rifle im not too worried about sfp because while hunting, ill only need to holdover past 250-300ish yards to a max of 400. Before that will be point blank range, so the reticle and mag wont be too important. When target shooting, ill be using max mag so the reticle subtensions will be calibrated. and for those 300-400 yard hunting shots, in my experience ill have time to crank the mag to full and hold over from there. What i see my option being right now are:
Thanks guys, your very helpful
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supertool73
Optics God Superstool Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 11814 |
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VX-R Patrol. SFP, mil reticle, also great mil knobs. Awesome illumination, decent glass. It is light but not 12oz light. They are $600 too.
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Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13181 |
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If you want to go smaller/lighter, I'd go for this:
In terms of optical quality, this scope runs circles around everything you listed. To the best of my knowledge, SWFA sells to Canada and UK, but you may have to call them. ILya
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kykamo
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/08/2016 Status: Offline Points: 53 |
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Son of a b*tch koshkin, your gonna make me spend more for a much better product! One that i will love forever!!!
Just in case i decide to be an idiot, out of the ones listed, what would be the best value in your opinion? Thanks everyone
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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Good advise |
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"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13181 |
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That's what I am here for. I've got that exact Razor LH HD sitting on my 458 SOCOM right now. I briefly had it on my 280Rem before, where with a 200 yard zero the reticle takes me out to 600 yards. I only shot plates that far out, but it worked well. Of the scope you listed, Sightron S2 3-9x42 and Leupold VX-3i 2.5-8x36 are your better options. ILya
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kykamo
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/08/2016 Status: Offline Points: 53 |
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NOOOOOOOOO! I just got an email from swfa international and they only ship the SS line to Canada. None else.
That was a really good deal even with conversions. Ill have to settle for less. Sightron S2 vs Leupold VX3i Any others? Thanks for the help
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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Yep, that's what I'd get. It meets the OP's stated criteria perfectly except for price.
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13181 |
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Well, I really think you should save your pennies and get the Razor HD LH. Of all the currently available "tweener" scopes, I think it is the best one. Definitely the best one I have seen. If you insist on not doing the right thing, Leupold 2.5-8x36 is probably your best option. It is a very respectable design that has been around forever and a day. It does not break any new ground, but it is perfectly serviceable and good for the money. ILya
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