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6-20x scope, too many choices. Help!

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Optics GrassHopper
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pontus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: 6-20x scope, too many choices. Help!
    Posted: April/02/2010 at 02:26
This is my first post here. I have tried to do my homework and I have searched extensively but still need some advice before I feel confident enough to make a decision.

I'm buying a scope for my Sako P94S Range .22 LR but have a hard time choosing especially as I don't have the chance to compare the scopes or even handle them in person. I have to make the choice based on reviews and the opinions of people on forums like this.

I will use the rifle for target shooting and to some extent hunting (pigeons in particular). Looking for a medium priced high quality rifle scope with parallax adjustment in the 6-20x range

In which order would you choose among the following scopes, based on optical quality and to some extent build quality. Please don't factor in country of origin, warranty or price. I live in Finland so I don't really care if the scope is made in USA or Japan. The warranties are different here and so are the prices.

This is a list of scopes that I have found interesting, please feel free to add your favourite scope that you think would fit my needs.

Weaver Grand Slam 6-20x40
Nikon Monarch 6.5-20x44
Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24x40
Meopta Meostar 4-16x44 Tactic
Sightron S3 6-24x50
Sightron Big Sky 6-24x42
Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44
Leupold VX-II 6-18x40

I had already decided on the Nikon but then I heard that the quality of the newer Philippines made Monacrhs isn't as good as the Japan versions. Anyone know if this is true? At the moment I'm leaning towards the Weaver whis is one of the least expensive scopes listed.

Looking forward to your comments!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Teddy Bear Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/02/2010 at 15:27
I have a monarch 6-24x50 that I got about a month ago.  It does get a little hazy around 20x but still quite usable.  By far the best glass I own, but my other scopes are lower end nikons, bushnells and leupolds.  I don't know how far your planning on shooting the .22LR but 6.5-20 seems like alot of magnification for a rimfire rifle.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pontus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/03/2010 at 01:47
I've been considering Target Silhouette and the scopes used are usually quite powerful. I wonder if the Meopta would with its 4x wide-end would be a good compromise for all round use? Does the Meopta have any decent competitors with parallax adjustment?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote topbrass Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/03/2010 at 11:02
Leupold.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pontus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/03/2010 at 11:22
Would you care to elaborate, why Leupold? The build quality is probably great but are you saying that the optical quality of the Leupold is superior? The range is kind of limited compared to the others and I'm not too sure about the light gathering capabilities either, as this is a 40mm scope. The Leupold could well be the best, I just don't know and your answer is appreciated but hardly convincing.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote topbrass Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/03/2010 at 22:41
You asked if Meopta had any decent competitors.  Leupold  is, and there is info everywhere and you can go to any good gun store and see an excellent selection of Leupolds.  Something you cannot do with Meopta.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pontus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/04/2010 at 00:57
Well I did have Leupold on my list already. I have not yet seen any convincing evidence that Leupold would be better than any other scope on the list, and I have searched everywhere. I can go into a gun store here in Finland and have a look at the Meopta, and the Leupolds as well. The problem is, it is very unconveniend for me. That's why I turned to this forum.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote topbrass Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/04/2010 at 11:14

If you can see them both side by side, it is entirely up to your own good judgement.  Nobody here can make that decision for you.

Good luck!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Pontus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/04/2010 at 15:04
I could go to a gun store and do just that. But it would be both time consuming and expensive since the nearest gun store is located quite far from where I live. I work offshore on an oil rig and I would rather use my time at home doing something else than drive around. This is a discussion forum and I thought that we could discuss optics here.
 
I presented a list of optics that all have received quite good reviews. Would anyone like to discuss which of these optics I should consider and why.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote medic52 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/07/2010 at 21:16
On your list my pick would be the Bushnell Elite 4200 6x24x40...I have three of them. They are JUST a GREAT SCOPE for the money, IMHO
"The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him." G.K. Chesterton
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mpr1tbr1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/13/2010 at 22:01
Since you live so far north, what kind of light do you expect to shoot in? I noticed you have only one 50mm objective on your list. Since you are going to be putting the scope on a .22 LR I would recomend a Sightron SIII 3.5-10 x 56 with the .33 MOA illuminated dot, for lower light hunting. On mine, paralax focuses down to about 9 metres.
Mike
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/14/2010 at 08:33
most shots aren't missed because of subjective differences in glass quality. high power scopes are used in silhoutte shooting because its standing with no slings, and groups are not the object of the exercise, its tipping targets over. So a high power, sfp scope allows you to put the cross hair on the target and use the "wobble" area (just like NRA slow fire pistol theory) to get the shot off. The down side to 20x or so on a 22lr, is perspective, as the shots are close the relative change in poi caused by wind is out of proportion to the target distance. If you go leo get the v something 3 with efr not the v something 2. Better yet get the mk 4 which will give you all the elevation change you can need.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/14/2010 at 08:35
If 20 is too much, a good choice is a leo 3.5x10 with adjustable AO and a target turret.
vari something 3
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cowski Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/14/2010 at 09:18
get a 3x9x40 for hunting.the high mag would be a unusable for hunting to me.if you get a zeiss conquest or leupold,they can reset the parallax  to the range you prefer .
never corner something meaner than you are jbc
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote stickbow46 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/30/2010 at 06:16

 Minox also sells a 3-15 with Schott's glass called 5Z.

Pearls of Wisdom are Heard not Spoken
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dhenzler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/16/2016 at 13:08
I stumbled onto a brand years ago that is reasonably priced and relatively high quality.  Leapers, now known as UTG Leapers was made for air rifles.  My experience with scopes on air rifles (piston type) is that the mechanism is very hard on optics, and mounts,  More so than the recoil of a high powered rifle.  I had difficulties keeping mounts tight enough to produce groups on my 22 cal RWS.

At any rate, I do have some nice scopes, Leupold M4 8.5-25, and Weaver T-16, and so feel qualified to speak to the issues that make or break a scope.  The 6-24x50 AO Leapers is a very good scope out to 300 yards.  I could still see 30 cal bullet holes well enough to see where I was hitting with my 308.  Admittedly the coatings and finishing of lenses deteriorates the contrast, and with distance the fading of contrast and fine focus become an issue.  However to hunt squirels at distances out to 400 or perhaps 500 yards the 24x is sufficient and seeing an animal that size presents no problem.

The prices are up some from the days I bought my first, but still around $110 these are a really quality scope... way better than many that were mentioned earrlier.  I just sent back two BSA side focus 4-16x40's that had 1/8 MOA clicks... but backlash in the mechanism, and mushy clicks made it impossible to use.

I recently bought a Burris 6-20x50 E1 and it's looking good.  Side focus meant smaller Objective lens size, which allowed the scope to be mounted with medium rings... only 1.75 above the bore.

Shoot well friends

Dave
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/16/2016 at 14:40
Dave, this thread is 6 years old. Welcome to the OT.
When you are dead, you don't know you are dead.It is difficult only for others.

It is the same when you are stupid.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dhenzler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/16/2016 at 14:44
Oh well... if it's dead, bury it!
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