Need some advice/help picking a "good" scope

[Joker12]

If it were me I would go with a Leupold vx freedom 2x7 or 3x9 or vx3HD 2x7 or 3x9. To me they are perfect. I refuse to pay more for an aiming device than I paid for the rifle and those scopes are as close to bulletproof as they come.

 

[JimP]

Why avoid the CDS dial? All of my scopes are Leupold and the majority of them have the CDS dial. I absolutely love the simplicity and accuracy of the dial.
As a 45 year reloader, when I work up a load and get it dialed in, I just send them my load information, they send me the dial, have never had an issue with the dial.
I am curious as to why you comment to avoid the CDS dial?

That CDS dial is what was giving them all their problems. A friend who was in the military at the time Leopold's with the CDS were all the rave on their rifles hated them. After a few times dialing them back and forth they lost their zero and were not dependable.

But in the OP's uses of them any scope on the market would do for him, almost. A 200 yard shot with a 06 is just a chip shot and you really don't need a $2000 scope on it unless you really want one.

All my rifles wear Leopold's. except for a old 06 that has a Redfield on it. Only one has the CDS dial, a 25-06 and I haven't had any problems with it.

 

[Nkawu]

I’ve got three Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 scopes on my rifles. Can’t say I’ve had any issues and I really like the fine duplex reticle. I have shot out to 600m at the range with my 30-06 using the elevation adjustments under the cap. They also have enough length of tube for good eye relief adjustment, even on my CZ550 375. For reference I also have Leupold VX-R and Swarovski Z6 low mag scopes in QD rings for the ‘06 and 375.

 

[uplander01]

I woudl do a used S & B Klassic from ebay. Not a ton $ and you'll have it forever.

If spending 1k doesn't appeal to you send me PM and I'll see what I have that I could live without. I know I have a Minox 2.5-10 I could part with.

 

[SRvet]

I agree with uplander to buy a used quality scope by Zeiss, S&B or Swarovski rather than pay the premium price for a new one

 

[EuroOptic]

Got a great deal on Z5i's at the moment, if you are interested.
Swaro Z5i

 

[PAUL_MAUSER]

Got a great deal on Z5i's at the moment, if you are interested.
Swaro Z5i

I actually just ordered a Z3 3-10-x42 with the BRH reticle from you. I felt that was a good match for this rifle based on what @odonata posted. I like the simpler hold over reticle on that one instead of having to mess with dials.

 

[EuroOptic]

I actually just ordered a Z3 3-10-x42 with the BRH reticle from you. I felt that was a good match for this rifle based on what @odonata posted. I like the simpler hold over reticle on that one instead of having to mess with dials.

Nice!
The Z3 is a great little scope, I have the same optic on my 22 Hornet.
Check out the Swaro Ballistics app, they'll show you the distances your sub tensions will corelate with in the optic for your bullet specifically

 

[mdwest]

I actually just ordered a Z3 3-10-x42 with the BRH reticle from you. I felt that was a good match for this rifle based on what @odonata posted. I like the simpler hold over reticle on that one instead of having to mess with dials.

thats the same scope my wife has on both her Kimber Adirondak (308) and her Kimber Mountain Ascent (300 WM)... they've served her extremely well everywhere from texas to Idaho to South Africa.. I think you've probably made a very good decision..

 

[odonata]

I actually just ordered a Z3 3-10-x42 with the BRH reticle from you. I felt that was a good match for this rifle based on what @odonata posted. I like the simpler hold over reticle on that one instead of having to mess with dials.

I have a Swarovski z5 2.4-12x50 with a BRH reticle on my Cooper chambered in 22-250. For the shooting that I do, I prefer the simplicity of not adjusting dials too. I hope you like your new purchase!

 

[PAUL_MAUSER]

thats the same scope my wife has on both her Kimber Adirondak (308) and her Kimber Mountain Ascent (300 WM)... they've served her extremely well everywhere from texas to Idaho to South Africa.. I think you've probably made a very good decision..

I'm excited to get it for sure. Ordered a Ken Farrell base and rings to mount it on that M18. Should be a killer setup.

 

[EuroOptic]

thats the same scope my wife has on both her Kimber Adirondak (308) and her Kimber Mountain Ascent (300 WM)... they've served her extremely well everywhere from texas to Idaho to South Africa.. I think you've probably made a very good decision..

That Kimber Adirondack is a rare bird these days.. Miss those rifles.

 

[odonata]

Most of my hunting for now at least will be in east TX for whitetail and hogs at ranges less than 200 yards or so.

A Mauser chambered in 30-06 with a Swarovski scope is a pretty solid setup. I'm glad you're excited about it! I like my Sako 85 Hunter in 30-06 with a Swarovski a lot. It's the rifle I've shot the most accurate group with (three holes touching...but please don't ask me to repeat that feat ).

Since we had discussed the S&B 3-12x42 Klassik earlier, I thought I would just mention that mine wound up on my Wilson Combat chambered in 300 HAM'R that I use for hog hunting. I know a lot of AR shooters prefer a LPVO scope but most of my shooting is at a distance so this works well for me when I don't have the ATN scope mounted on it.

 

[Beck]

meotpa

 

[62flint]

Admittedly I'm out of the loop a bit on optics. Grew up on Leopold's like many but understand they are not the same these days and suffer from issues of holding an actual zero I am told. Have read this a bunch on another very popular hunting forum and have seen mentions of it on many others. Enough so to cause me to stop considering the VX3HD 3.5-10x40 I was looking at.

I'm trying to pick a scope for a Mauser M18 in 30-06. Most of my hunting for now at least will be in east TX forI have whitetail and hogs at ranges less than 200 yards or so.

Are the Zeiss Conquest models a decent pick for that task, and do they actually hold zero and not require constant re zeroing if I dial the turret? I don't necessarily want to dial but would like the option I suppose. I also like a simpler reticle and not one that's busier than what a damn seal team 6 sniper would have that seems all the rage.

If this isn't a good scope what else is recommended without going all the way to a S&B which I would like to have just not on this $600 dollar rifle. Would prefer to deal with a vendor from here that actually has something in stock as I would like to purchase in the next couple days tops.

Let me know what you all think. I'll be slower to respond this evening but will try and check in tonight and will be active all day tomorrow.

I have a vx3hd that I dial and have had 0 issues with, Just bought a VX5hd and a VX3hd 1-4. I use the VX3hd cds on my 375HH and have done the "box test" at a 100 yards with return to zero and I have dialed up the 375 and made hits on steel with it at 500 yards shooting 300gr tsx. No issues yes with 250ish round of 375hh with the Vx3hd. If you look hard enough you will have some on complaing about any thing.
FWIW Gunwerks will put a leupold on their rifle packages so, they got faith enough putting one on a "out of the box 1000 yard rifle"

 

[mdwest]

That Kimber Adirondack is a rare bird these days.. Miss those rifles.

Agree!

If I ever see another one in 308 that’s in good condition for a fair price, I’m grabbing it. Hers is a tack driver with pretty much anything we feed it… and at less than 5lbs as a bare rifle, it’s an absolute dream to carry all day… the super short OAL also make it a great “blind” gun as it’s easy to move around in confined spaces with..

The only downside is at such a light weight, it’s a rat turd to shoot (sharp on both ends )…

But I figure the trade off is worth it… it’s a gun that gets carried s lot and shot little.. so the occasional hard thump on the shoulder really isn’t too big of a deal…