adam f Posted July 21, 2013 Report Share Posted July 21, 2013 I'm currently using a 6-24x56 Nikko Stirling Nighteater on my centrefire. It's ok. But just ok. I swapped it off my hmr when I got the rifle and its been ok, I like the big magnification, but it needs good light to function. In low light it struggles and I find myself winding the mag right back. I now find myself stalking with the gun more and more and I'm finding the limitations of the scope. So what to upgrade to? Budget is up to £500, less would be better. I'm quite keen on having adjustable mag again if possible. Suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomm Posted July 22, 2013 Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 duralyt second had for that monney, awesome scope, should be able to get one for about 425 ish if you shop around! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted July 22, 2013 Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 not quite the magnification required though, Its a very hard budget for the requirement as you do need good glass to be able to use much magnification at last light. I blew the budget a bit with my Z6i but there are some of the variables in the 6-24x50 range from swaro and the likes that come up at not much more than the budget second hand. I'd keep an eye on the stalking directory as you do get some better scopes on there from time to time. £600 and you are definitely getting into that sort of territory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wickedwickedmotox Posted July 22, 2013 Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 Id look no further than a 2.5-15, the scopes i use are 4-12x50 and a 2.5-15x 56 both swarovski and my settings are always on 8 or lower i hardly ever adjust the zoom. My advice is get a scope in this mag range and get use to lower mag levels obviously if your not long range target shooting! I do a large amount of stalking and foxing shooting 7mm08 and .243! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieT Posted July 22, 2013 Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 Unless you wish to spend a fortune it is well worth sacrificing a little magnification for bright clear glass. You don't really need ultra high magnification in a stalking scope but what you do need is good glass. A maximum of 12x is perfectly adequate if the glass is first class as it's the light gathering capabilities you're after. My vote for your budget............Duralit 3 -12 x 50 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicykillgaz Posted July 22, 2013 Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 Meopta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted July 22, 2013 Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 Andy (Camokid) on here had a Nighteater scope on his .243 but changed it for a Bushnell XLT 3-12x56 with illuminated dot and ask him he loves it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffo223 Posted July 22, 2013 Report Share Posted July 22, 2013 Docter optics 3-12x56 with dba reticle, lovely scope. Very good in low light, very good quality and identical to a ziess scope as they are made in there old east german factory. These are cheap ish scopes new but can be had for a bargain second hand. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam f Posted July 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 Thanks chaps, plenty to consider and look at. I know lots of you swear by the s&b 8x56 but I'm nervous about not being able to wind up the mag for longer shots. Will I be wowed enough by the ultra clear glass? Should I simply practise more at x8? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tharsus Posted July 23, 2013 Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 Clarity and light gathering is fantastic on the fixed German scopes but they do have thick reticles designed for stalking, not paper punching or shooting crows etc, for fox and deer out to 150/200 yards they cannot be beat imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sako7mm Posted July 23, 2013 Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 6-18 Meopta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traztaz Posted July 23, 2013 Report Share Posted July 23, 2013 Get a loojk at Aim field sports and the sightron scopes, they have some end of the line stuff on just now. Bloody good scopes for the money!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullet boy Posted July 24, 2013 Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 Take a look through the S&B 8x56-you will love it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted July 24, 2013 Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 Thanks chaps, plenty to consider and look at. I know lots of you swear by the s&b 8x56 but I'm nervous about not being able to wind up the mag for longer shots. Will I be wowed enough by the ultra clear glass? Should I simply practise more at x8? yup been there and had one fine for stalking really if you are mostly high seats and don't shoot anything over 150 yards or so but I like more magnification for longer shots and definitely for foxing. I've a mate with one at the moment and if we are sitting out together I have to leave foxes a seriously long time for him to get to where he is happy with them. Especially in daylight or under the lamp I find I take a fair few at 18x plus especially when they are 200 yards, though you do get the odd one where you forget the magnification and shoot them walking as you think they are getting far too close. Then pace it out and you work out you had left the scope wound up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mereside Posted July 24, 2013 Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 as other poster said look at sightron these are very impressive and will come in your budget if you buy from the states and they come with a lifetime warranty and not many do that now. glass is clear and for the price you are looking at you will get target turrets if you need them and 6-24-50 also if needed if you need a link to a seller in the us give me a pm i have had two off him now and comes in two weeks ,atb wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffo223 Posted July 24, 2013 Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 If you buy a sightron from the USA your warranty will mean ABSOLUTELY nothing in this country. I brought my sightron from aimfield sports in the UK, it's not worth the agro of buying outside of the UK. John at aimfield keeps a record of all scope numbers so knows what he has sold and what is a grey import, imports get no warranty. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted July 24, 2013 Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 presumably unless you send them back to the USA to the original retailer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mereside Posted July 24, 2013 Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 If you buy a sightron from the USA your warranty will mean ABSOLUTELY nothing in this country. I brought my sightron from aimfield sports in the UK, it's not worth the agro of buying outside of the UK. John at aimfield keeps a record of all scope numbers so knows what he has sold and what is a grey import, imports get no warranty. Paul rubbish thats the guff that a shop will tell you to get a sale this is worldwide i spent a long time before buying and i got the right answers back so i baught one then a month later another as they are that good. one on a 300 winmag and the other a 270 if you want to pay 2-£300 more then its up to you but they go back to sightron. you can also have custom turrets done now as well ,atb wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta28g Posted July 24, 2013 Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 It deends o what range you shoot at, I have a S&B 8x56 and love it but my max distance really is 250 yards more usually under 150yds. So its just perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffo223 Posted July 24, 2013 Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 Wayne, if you speak to John at aim field sports, the uk importers and distributor, he will tell you what I said. I was going to import one myself but if you get no warranty in the UK if there is a problem its a no from me. Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted July 24, 2013 Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 Second hand s&b 8x56. around 400. Would do everything you need. Although sometimes I wish I had more mag. Not because I 'need' it but just prefer it. Usually have the hmr on 12X all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted July 24, 2013 Report Share Posted July 24, 2013 Is the Bushnell elite 3200 still for sale in the sales section? I've got one on my 7-08 and compared to the Nighteater my mate had on his rifle it's as clear as day. Not as good as my 8x56 S&B, but not far behind it. If it wasn't good enough for stalking at first and last light I can assure you it wouldn't be on the gun! They zoom from 5x to 15x - I don't see the need for higher? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam f Posted July 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2013 Thanks Nic - saw that - quite tempting...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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