Best 2x10/2x12ish scope for the money?

[Axle2010]

I have Vx6 1-6 on a 416 and a 375. I have vx6 2-12 on another 375. And a Vx6 4-24 on a 6.5 PRC. I’m a big big fan.

Steiner are made in USA now with German glass so gonna try that predator 8 next too. T5xi 1-5 has served me well for 7-8 years now. It’s a robust scope.

I’ve tried them all. Just like to use US stuff when I can. Swaro was it years ago when all the best glass was cut in Europe. Just don’t think that’s the case anymore. 4k for swaro full kit kind of silly imo.

The only possible issue I see with the Steiner is lack of elevation, I think it only has 40 MOA of dial ability. I'm going to put it on a beautiful Browning BAR in 338 WM which isn't a super long range round but hopefully it'll be a good 6-700 yard set up. Idk if 40 moa will dial that far.

 

[WAB]

@Daisy
All these bdc and dial in turrets are great for wasting time.
Unless you know EXACTLY the velocity, bullet bc and bdc subtensions they are a waste. To know you have to actually shoot it and figure them out.
Dial in my be OK with the Leupold CDS but you still need all the above info.
A good old fashioned duplex reticle and sight in for Max PBR and you should be fine with most cartridges out to 275 to 350 yards and that a fair poke. A backline hold will take you out to 400 to 450 yards.
Simple aim shoot collect.
I tried one of those bells and whistles scopes, dang even had an inbuilt bubble level. By the time I got it sorted on a deer I didn't even have to shoot it.
THE BLOODY THING DIED OF OLD AGE FIRST,
That scope did one hunt then went down the road to some young fella that really wanted it
I went back to the time proven SIMPLE duplex.
Bob

They’re specialty scopes for specific applications. Why you would ever need one inside 400 yards is beyond me. However, in their place they are useful tools.

 

[Axle2010]

They’re specialty scopes for specific applications. Why you would ever need one inside 400 yards is beyond me. However, in their place they are useful tools.

And see I don't really want to hunt that far (except for feral pigs) but I keep thinking about follow up shots or shooting pests at range. I've got the Zeiss on my 300 that's probably good for 1k yards but no reason to limit other capable rifles with short range optics.

 

[CBH Australia]

@Axle2010
Better to be broke and happy than rich as and unhappy .
Then again I don't know to many rich people that are unhappy
Come to think of it I don't know any rich people either.
Bob

Bob,
Not aiming to be broke, long way off being rich but wouldn't knock it back given the chance, but I think somewhere in the middle ground I would like to have experiences to make memories because it's all can take with me and they will be my own.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bob,
Not aiming to be broke, long way off being rich but wouldn't knock it back given the chance, but I think somewhere in the middle ground I would like to have experiences to make memories because it's all can take with me and they will be my own.

@CBH Australia
Chris I've been on the bones of my arse paying off a house at 18% interest working at the time and because it was a govt job I was earning less than a married man with 2 kids. I was married with 2 kids at the time.
We never went with out because I hunted and bartered my labour for goods. Was broke financially but rich in a lot of ways a rich person couldn't understand.
Now at my stage of life I'm still not rich but not poor either. All the experiences I've had in life being flat broke upto if I want something I can have it within reason. These times have given me a lot of good memories over time.
The best memories are when I was flat broke and the friends I made. These people were friends because when TSHTF they were still there and still are today.
I found over my life the harder I had to work for things the more I appreciated them and the longer the memories last. Things gifted to me by friends mean more than anything. This can be as simple as just giving up some time to help instead of saying I'm busy. Memories like kindness last a lifetime.
Money without the joy of earning it is meaningless. The more you have the more you can loose so your always watching your back.
I'll just remain poor to moderately comfortable with no worries, a shit ton of good memories and be happy.
Even the shittiest day is a good day because at least I'm still alive, have friends and great memories that no one can take away.
Ah the musings of an old fart, how boring.
Bob

 

[Jon Glajchen]

If you can find one, this Kahles offering is one of my favorites for a .375 . . .

View attachment 550830

I have the Khales Helia C 2.5-10x50 on my 375 H&H and a Swarovski Z6 1.7-10x42 non illuminated on my 8x57. Both are fantastic scopes and I would be hard pressed to say which is better. The Kahles is FFP if the you prefer that.

 

[Daisy]

@Daisy
All these bdc and dial in turrets are great for wasting time.
Unless you know EXACTLY the velocity, bullet bc and bdc subtensions they are a waste. To know you have to actually shoot it and figure them out.
Dial in my be OK with the Leupold CDS but you still need all the above info.
A good old fashioned duplex reticle and sight in for Max PBR and you should be fine with most cartridges out to 275 to 350 yards and that a fair poke. A backline hold will take you out to 400 to 450 yards.
Simple aim shoot collect.
I tried one of those bells and whistles scopes, dang even had an inbuilt bubble level. By the time I got it sorted on a deer I didn't even have to shoot it.
THE BLOODY THING DIED OF OLD AGE FIRST,
That scope did one hunt then went down the road to some young fella that really wanted it
I went back to the time proven SIMPLE duplex.
Bob

Bob. I agree with most of what you say with just a few exceptions.

You say that you have to have EXACT data to make a ballistic turret work, but then you do a backline holdover on the shot, a complete guesstimate.

Truth is you don’t have to have exact figures. If you play with a ballistic calculator/dope, you’ll see being off by 100fps doesn’t change shot that much until you get out to insane distances. So your shot might differ by half an inch at 500 yards? But that is WAAAAY more precise than a guesstimate holdover.

I’m a big believer in doing what works! For me, using my range finder to get precise distance then dialing my elevation to that number and shooting is the easiest way I have found.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bob. I agree with most of what you say with just a few exceptions.

You say that you have to have EXACT data to make a ballistic turret work, but then you do a backline holdover on the shot, a complete guesstimate.

Truth is you don’t have to have exact figures. If you play with a ballistic calculator/dope, you’ll see being off by 100fps doesn’t change shot that much until you get out to insane distances. So your shot might differ by half an inch at 500 yards? But that is WAAAAY more precise than a guesstimate holdover.

I’m a big believer in doing what works! For me, using my range finder to get precise distance then dialing my elevation to that number and shooting is the easiest way I have found.

@Daisy
I agree with what you say.
I chronograph all my loads so I know the velocity of every caliber I own. I use a bakistic calculator to work out my MPBR. Then I shoot at those distances to verify.
It's something all hunters should do to verify their rifles capabilities.
I do have a laser range finder but rarely use it as if it's that far I need to it's probably past my comfortable shooting distance.
A dead on hold is usually sufficient for my hunting. A backline hold still allows for a shot in the vital zone on a lot of game at longer ranges .
My 25 is sighted 2 5 in high at 100 with Barnes 100gn TTSX this puts it spot on at 300and 8 inches low at 400. A back line hold extends the range to around 450yds. MV is a chronoed 3,660fps. That's a long way in the bush. If I have to shoot further I stalk closer .
That's what hunting is for me. I prefer 200 or less but it's nice to know I can reach out further IF needed.
Bob

 

[Daisy]

@Daisy
I agree with what you say.
I chronograph all my loads so I know the velocity of every caliber I own. I use a bakistic calculator to work out my MPBR. Then I shoot at those distances to verify.
It's something all hunters should do to verify their rifles capabilities.
I do have a laser range finder but rarely use it as if it's that far I need to it's probably past my comfortable shooting distance.
A dead on hold is usually sufficient for my hunting. A backline hold still allows for a shot in the vital zone on a lot of game at longer ranges .
My 25 is sighted 2 5 in high at 100 with Barnes 100gn TTSX this puts it spot on at 300and 8 inches low at 400. A back line hold extends the range to around 450yds. MV is a chronoed 3,660fps. That's a long way in the bush. If I have to shoot further I stalk closer .
That's what hunting is for me. I prefer 200 or less but it's nice to know I can reach out further IF needed.
Bob

I think we are on same page my man. I rarely shoot past 300 so do pretty much what you do 99% of time.

I am doing a long distance elk hunt next year so will use a ballistic dial. My 375 and 416 calibers I just won’t shoot past about 250!

Thanks for all your info on the board.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I think we are on same page my man. I rarely shoot past 300 so do pretty much what you do 99% of time.

I am doing a long distance elk hunt next year so will use a ballistic dial. My 375 and 416 calibers I just won’t shoot past about 250!

Thanks for all your info on the board.

@Daisy I would say 95% of game I have shot would be less than 200yds and 1% at 400 or more.
That's in around close to 50 odd years of huntung.
A hell of a lot was 100yds and less with a 22lr on small game.
Bob

 

[Jim Golden]

When I was looking for one, I went to a shop that had various Swarovski's, Zeiss, and Leupold's. It should be noted the VX-5HD and VX-6HD do have better glass than the non HD versions. I took them all into a dark room they had and I thought the Leupold's held their own just fine. I didn't want the electric reticle, so wound up going with a VX-5HD on my .375 Weatherby. After several hundred rounds, it's still tight and holds zero. I thought it was just as bright as my Leupld LPS that I bought 25 years ago that I thought surpassed Swaro's big objective scope back then (I took them both out at dark and tried them). My dad's a big Swaro guy so it's always a good banter

 

[375Fox]

Leupold vx5 2-10 non-CDS non-firedot has become my favorite scope. It’s the most natural scope I’ve ever looked through. I’ve used several Swarovski’s on rental rifles in Europe and own a z6 1.7-10 I haven’t mounted yet. The glass may be better. However, if not spending the money for illuminated scope I find the Leupold a better option. Swarovski’s crosshairs are too fine for me and blend in in low light where Leupold’s stand out much more clearly for me. For illuminated reticle, I prefer the Swarovski over the Leupold. I’ve had to turn the Swarovski’s illuminated dot on for shots I’d have no issues with Leupold’s crosshairs only.

 

[Tra3]

The only possible issue I see with the Steiner is lack of elevation, I think it only has 40 MOA of dial ability. I'm going to put it on a beautiful Browning BAR in 338 WM which isn't a super long range round but hopefully it'll be a good 6-700 yard set up. Idk if 40 moa will dial that far.

40 MOA is quite a bit of dial. Yes, that should be fine for a .338 WM out to 700-800. Bring good hiking boots and maybe a snack bag. It will take 20-30 minutes to walk to something that you shot that far away.