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recommend 2-10x scope

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wildnorthern View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wildnorthern Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: recommend 2-10x scope
    Posted: May/09/2019 at 14:37
looking for recommendations for a 2x-10x hunting scope with illumination. looking to spend under $1500. top magnification could be different but want to stay at 1.7 or 2x.
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Rancid Coolaid View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/09/2019 at 15:10
Hunting what? In what conditions? And going on what rifle?

For hunting, especially in low light, it is tough to beat the old 2.5-10 Trijicon acupoint. It is a big scope, but great illumination and very bright.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wildnorthern Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/09/2019 at 20:28
Browning bolt pro 300 wsm
Whitetail deer with most shots 25 to 100 yards.  Dawn/dusk hunting under tree canopy so lower light then open field
I’d like to go out west but who knows if I ever will and it’d be an excuse to get a new scope
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DWilly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/09/2019 at 22:29
Get the Nightforce NXS. Great scope, great reticle and great illumination adjustment. can hunt any big game with it.
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wildnorthern View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wildnorthern Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/10/2019 at 01:03
great, where can I get one for $1500
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote acudaowner Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/10/2019 at 06:55
have you thought about viper , athalon ,swfa , god there are a lot of scopes out there have you looked at any in person? even a sporting goods store could at least give you a bunch more names . recently saw someone with an eo tech and a 3x's flip magnifier shooting out to 500 yards with ease there set up could work and its illuminated or primary arms has a 6x's flip mag unless it has to be a scope . than is just more choices. all in your budget range of 1500 - and under .
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/10/2019 at 09:01
I hear great things about the Leica 2.5-10s, but have very limited time behind one - and the one was a very early one.

The trijicon would be a strong contender for that application, if not for its size. It is a big scope, and looking at the specs for that gun, it looks to be a stalking gun - is that accurate?

On the NXS, it is a good scope but the illumination system isn't great - in my opinion. That said, it is what tops my favorite field AR10, it is tough, it is dependable, it is accurate, I like the SFP reticle for the gun's use, and I don't see the need to change to something else; but I do see its deficiencies.

Given your stated purposes, I would buy this: https://www.samplelist.com/swarovski-1-7-10x42-z6-riflescope-demo-a.html?___SID=U and do so right now. It is not illuminated, and it will do exceedingly well at dawn and dusk. If you go with lesser glass AND illumination, it will not perform as well in almost every instance.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote saltydog235 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/10/2019 at 12:14
Leica Magnus can be had for $1100-$1400. Doesn’t have illumination but it’s a Magnus. I’m not saying where since it’s against the rules here.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tahqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/10/2019 at 12:26
Now that non-illuminated has been brought up, I just picked up a Swarovski PH 2.5-10 x 42 off the samplelist here and it is an outstanding scope for dawn and dusk big game hunting. I would suggest the 4A reticle it has for most low light hunting.
Doug
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/10/2019 at 12:35
Damn, I clicked on my link above and it seems to be broken.

It should take you to a Swaro 1.7-10 Z6 Swaro that is listed as "Demo-A", which usually means looks brand new.

The link is here:
https://www.samplelist.com/swarovski-1-7-10x42-z6-riflescope-demo-a.html?___SID=U
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/10/2019 at 12:53
Originally posted by tahqua tahqua wrote:

Now that non-illuminated has been brought up, I just picked up a Swarovski PH 2.5-10 x 42 off the samplelist here and it is an outstanding scope for dawn and dusk big game hunting. I would suggest the 4A reticle it has for most low light hunting.


I saw that available about 2+ weeks ago. Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wildnorthern Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/10/2019 at 16:15
if it was a 4a reticle I would be all over it, need to find a deal on one
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/10/2019 at 20:15
I know it's not the 10x top end you were looking for but I have a 1-4 with the red triangle post that I really love and this would be an excellent scope for a stalking hunting rifle. 3.9 in constant eye relief is nice for a 300 WSM. I regularly use my 1-4 at 100 and 200 yds with excellent success on a 300 WM. 
The 2.5-12.5x42 also a possible as is the 2.5-10x56 that Rancid mentioned. I have several may be more than several illuminated Trijicon products and prefer the red or green and tend to think the amber washes out when pointed toward light sources. I've had mil-dot models in the 5-20 and had some issues with the illumination but SWFA has been great to work with resolving them. The 1-6 with the red post would be my pick but the Swarovski mentioned above is a very nice scope.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wildnorthern Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/10/2019 at 20:37
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/10/2019 at 20:50
Originally posted by wildnorthern wildnorthern wrote:

if it was a 4a reticle I would be all over it, need to find a deal on one

Yeah it was a 4a, almost pulled the trigger twice, glad Doug saw it.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Peddler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/11/2019 at 04:50
i have a Leica 2.5-10 ERi 4A and love it. You can find the new model Visus in the $1500 - $1600 range.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/11/2019 at 09:00
The combination of no more than 2x on the low end, ideally 10x on the top end, plus illumination makes your choices very limited at $1500 max. This means you have 5:1 - 6:1 zoom ratio if you strictly adhere to no more than 2x on the low end. The problem here is in order to get 2x or less on the low end and also get illumination, you either have to jump down considerably in top end magnification from 10x to typically 6x or go to a 5:1 or 6:1 zoom ratio, which then puts you into a realm of scopes that retail way over your max budget.

The only (new) hunting scope I can think of that meets all of your criteria, without having to sacrifice anything is the Meopta Meostar R2 1.7-10X42. It has the magnification range you’re looking for, illumination, excellent optics, and retails for a shade under your $1500 budget. It has a BDC style reticle, however, if you’re willing to depart from a simple hunting style reticle.

If you’re willing to sacrifice low end magnification slightly and settle on 2.5x, the aforementioned Trijicon 2.5-10X56 is a nice scope with excellent low light performance that is well within your budget. However, it has one fatal flaw that has always prevented me from buying it: widely variable eye relief. ER on this scope varies from 4.1” at 2.5x all the way down to 2.8” at 10x, which I think is pretty extreme. I would not want only 2.8” of eye relief on a .300 WSM personally. I don’t know if this is an actual issue in practice or not, because I’ve never used one in the field. Those ER specs have always ensured I never got that opportunity.

If you’re willing to give up illumination and 2x max on the low end, your options open up considerably, with the Leica 2.5-10X42 being about as good as it gets. I have 2 of those scopes, and they are outstanding in every way.

If you can find a used Swarovski Z6i 1.7-10X42 in excellent condition for less than $1500, that would be the ultimate choice that meets all of your criteria. Apart from that, if you’re unwilling to compromise on one or more of your stated specs and you buy new rather than used, I think the Meopta Meostar R2 1.7-10X42 is your best choice; the only choice I can think of at $1500 max.
Ted


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/11/2019 at 09:08
Originally posted by wildnorthern wildnorthern wrote:

Opinions on this.

Outstanding scope! It of course compromises slightly on your low end mag and max price, but it’s an excellent choice.
Ted


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/11/2019 at 09:22
Originally posted by RifleDude RifleDude wrote:

Originally posted by wildnorthern wildnorthern wrote:

Opinions on this.
Outstanding scope! It of course compromises slightly on your low end mag and max price, but it’s an excellent choice.
 
I think with the Mother's Day sale.... it would be under the max budget.
take em!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/11/2019 at 10:31
Forgot about the Mother's Day sale. Yep, I think if I were the OP and was willing to give up .5x on the low end, I'd buy that scope immediately.
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