Scope question

[henry d]

I`m looking to upgrade my scope, I shoot a T3 varmint 6.5x55 and it gets used for fox and deer and an annual target day.

 

There is nothing wrong with the Meopta Artemis 3000 3-12x56) I have except that the turrets are 1cm/click and when dialling in on the range I think I would be better off with something that has more scope. I also think that when we get to 400yds 12x mag cannot see the strikes, in fact at 300 it is hard in good conditions and in shimmer impossible.

 

What are your thoughts? Was thinking of around £1500-2000 spend (less would be nice though)?

[al4x]

I've got a Z6i in 5-30x50 that would suit you down to the ground Henry with that specification, but generally in that budget you are looking at either that or zeiss or S&B I like the fact the swaro is that bit lighter but the glass is very hard to tell apart at this level, and of course they all have magnification you can use as its clear all the way up. You are on the edge price wise and would need to shop well I bought a first gen model once the 2nd had come out and that was £500 less than retail and I saw one a few weeks back a full grand less.

 

If you don't want illuminated then you really can pick up some bargains but personally I find it very helpfull, of course Mcleods of Tain are well worth a look once you know what you want, with the benefit that certainly the Swaros have a long warranty were you to have any issues

[cooter]

If you don't mind re-zeroing your scope you could do what I do.

 

I have a Meopta and a Sightron SIII which are set up for the same rifle.

 

I use my Meopta for all things hunting related.

 

I have a TET 20moa rail which lives on the rifle, and I have TET mounts on both scopes which I have previously zeroed.

 

When I want to shoot targets I swap the scopes over, and it only takes a few shots to check zero then I am away again.

 

Although this is not cheap it would still work out less than some more expensive German glass and give you some level of flexibility.

 

 

Sightron is about half the cost of the same range Swaro, S&B or NF.

 

Using the option above you could even try a cheaper scope for targets like a FOX 10-40 which, from reports by others, seem to perform very well.

[cooter]

The fox idea isnt so good unless you want to feel like you ate losing your eyesight.

 

That made me chuckle.

 

I can't disagree with you as I have never tried to use one.

I read a post recently from someone who was shooting 1000yds with one on a .243 with great results, and there are a few people who bought them when they had a tight budget (or they were just tight), and they were very pleasantly surprised.

 

It's just an option for a scope that might sit in the cupboard for most of the year.

[Gimlet]

Nightforce NSX 5.5 - 22 X 56. New models with zerolock turrets are around £1800 but old stock with non-zerolock turrets going for £1200-1400 new or £900 S/H offer a lot of scope for the money. Perfect for range shooting to 400 yds. I use mine on my .222 at this range, as well as for foxing. Zerolocks give an audible click and stop when returned to your preset zero so zero can be reset at the range without looking at the increment marks. Older turrets are still ballistics and resettable but you have to visually check the marks to reurn to zero. I've never felt the need for zerolocks at medium range though I can see the point at long ranges where more than one revolution of the turret may be required. All NSXs are illuminated but pick a reticle with a central dot for foxing.

 

Edit: And pick an MOA model (Nightforce offer MOA or mil rad). These come calibrated at 1/4 MOA /100yds, half the size of the 10mm /100m mil rad increments on your Meopta.

Edited July 15, 2013 by Gimlet

[henry d]

Cheers guys, yes it is for up to 400 or possibly 500 yds I was thinking of.

[bullet boy]

S&B PMII would be my choice bud!Outstanding optics!

ATB Malc.

[henry d]

OK then, I have seen 2 scopes, second hand, a S&B PM2 5-25x56 and a Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x50, is the S&B really worth twice the NF?

[Gimlet]

The PM2 is a legendary scope with legendary light gathering. Nightforce aren't the brightest of the top end scopes but they're still some of the best performers at long range and high mag. The NSX will easily match your Meopta for light gathering but not a PM2. But to be fair, not much will. That said, is a PM2 twice the scope of an NSX? No, IMO. You pays your money and takes your choice though. If that extra 5 minutes of light is worth an extra grand buy the S&B.

If you're happy with the low light performance of your Meopta the Nightforce will certainly not disappoint and you'll get the extra mag and the finer increments you want.

[henry d]

Many thanks

[Beretta28g]

A schmit every time, ive got one and im now thinkinging of equiping all my rifles with em PMII are the dogs danglies

[al4x]

Both are lumps though if you use the rifle for stalking,

[henry d]

T3 varmint with a bipod and silencer...its heavy already

[henry d]

Its the 1fp p4 @ 1795, its at a place way north of here and possibly not actually in stock but on their list of scopes.

[al4x]

There is only one way to find out HD and thats to call them, from everyone I know who has used them they have had scopes delivered next day and thats down here. I'd have that over the Nightforce, but then I'd have a swaro with the BT option and save some cash

[al4x]

oh definitely don't get me wrong but the supplier with the scope listed is very good but does only change his stock levels weekly or so online, some scopes no problem as they have a good supply of second hand ones but with one listed the only way is to phone.

[Gimlet]

I used to be a Big S&B fan but must admit my confidence is on the wane. I sold one of my PMII's last week! The new nightforce tuff is looking good with far improved glass and i have two on the way to review but my current buy would be the Kahles 624i. This months GunMart has my review of it in. Schmidt are great scopes but the Kahles is biting its heels at a lot less money with a much better warranty. Go figure!

 

I will say i am a 'clockwise turret' guy these days and of course nightforce are anticlockwise but its no big deal if you are running on autopilot i suppose.

 

Which 5-25 PMII specification are you looking at, for how much, where and do they actually physically have the scope in stock?

 

I see the Kahles 624i still has those great big 10mm @100m mil-rad increments. Fine for a stalking scope with 100/150 yd zero but 3/4 inch per click at 200 m is too coarse for long range shooting IMO. 1/8 MOA is half that. Do Kahles offer the option of MOA calibration? Meopta and Nightforce do. Also, how big and fat will that FFP reticle look over an F class V bull on 24 mag at 600 yds? Nice looking scope though. But it wants to be at that end of the market.

As a point of interest why aren't mil-rad calibrated scopes offered with 5mm @ 100m with reticles to suit?

[rjimmer]

 

Do Kahles offer the option of MOA calibration?

The 624 TT does, I think.