The Accurate Reloading Forums
Best Scope for $1000
14 November 2011, 21:18
30 Caliber Mag FanBest Scope for $1000
Friends-
I am in the market for a new scope to go on my new .264 Winchester Magnum.
My budget is $1000.
I have been thinking:
Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14 X44,
Swarowovski Z-3 4-12 X50,
Leupold ?????
What am I missing in this universe?
Thanks in advance.
May the wind be in your face and the sun at your back.
P. Mark Stark
14 November 2011, 22:06
GeorgeSWhat game will you be hunting?
At what distances do you expect to be shooting?
Do you want a heavy scope or a lighter scope?
George
15 November 2011, 01:33
rnoviquote:
Originally posted by GeorgeS:
What game will you be hunting?
At what distances do you expect to be shooting?
Do you want a heavy scope or a lighter scope?
George
+1
Regards,
Robert
******************************
H4350! It stays crunchy in milk longer!
15 November 2011, 03:04
30 Caliber Mag FanAll-
Thank you for your comments.
Primary hunting obtectives for the rifle are White Tail Deer, Desert Mule Deer, and Pronghorn Antelope. I wouldn't hesitate popping an Elk with 140 Grain Nosler Partition.
Wide open, long distance shooting. To maximize performance from .264 Winchester it has a #3 Krieger 26 inch barrel. Asside from that, the rifle has a very slim and trim stock and probably has the best balance of any rifle I own. I have several Conquests and like them. I own and love my Leupold scopes as well.
I was kind-of leaning towards a Swarovski, just to have one. But, I am not totally sold on 50mm objective.
May the wind be in your face and the sun at your back.
P. Mark Stark
15 November 2011, 04:16
GeorgeSA 3.5x-10x / 3x-12x / 4.5x-14x / 5x-15x would probably be ideal for open country.
I have scopes by Leupold, Zeiss, Swarovski, Burris, Nikon, Pentax and Trijicon. I have also owned Nightforce, Kahles, Nickel, et al.
The Zeiss with T* coatings was the brightest scope I've ever looked through, but the scope was heavy (as was the NightForce, which was not as bright as the Zeiss).
The Leupold Vari-X III/VX3 4.5x-14x 40mm with side adjustment and Zeiss 4.5x-14x 44mm would be my picks, as I do not like 50mm objectives on a rifle I am going to carry around (it would be fine if hunting from a blind or stand).
George
15 November 2011, 04:17
eezridrI have the Swar unit made prior to the Z3. Has a 1" tube 4 X 12 x 50 on a favorite 270. It is about as bright as it gets and weighs about 12 oz. (pretty light).
I have heard they are not as sturdy as the Zeiss or Leupold but mine has stood the test of time for + 5 years with no issues.
16 November 2011, 06:15
LionHunterI agree with George on this. A 50mm objective is not needed for 95% of hunting and is only a real benefit when hunting at night, as is common in Europe. I am a committed Leupold fan. Everytime I decide to try another brand I am disappointed (Burris, Nikon, Vortex, etc.) and end up buying a Leupold to replace them.
Take a look at the new Leupold VX-R. I just got one and am impressed. VX-III optics with an illuminated reticle, a 30mm tube and CDS available. And a couple hundred less than your price point.
German riflescopes are over rated, but their binos are the best available.
Mike
______________
DSC
DRSS (again)
SCI Life
NRA Life
Sables Life
Mzuri
IPHA
"To be a Marine is enough."
16 November 2011, 18:00
Ingvar J. KristjanssonDefinitely Zeiss Conquest or Swarovski ! Leupold doesn’t come close to the other two brands in optical quality. Personally I’ve got a Conquests 4.5-14x44....great scope for the $
17 November 2011, 08:06
Alberta CanuckI would recommend a Leupold 2-7X Ultralightweight variable to you. It is a nice, light, handy scope which will not unbalance your rifle to the degree larger, heavier scopes will.
At 7X it also has plenty of magnification for hunting American "big" game. An animal at 700 yards will appear as easy to aim at as an animal is with iron sights at 100 yards. If one can't see and hit an animal's vital shoulder/chest area with iron sights at 100 yards, then maybe one might want to consider golf instead....
Fifty and sixty years ago I owned Zeiss, Ross, Meopta, Kahles and other "premium" European scopes. I also owned Weavers, Bushnells, and others priced in between.
I'm a slow learner, but I learned. Balance and moderation is the secret in all things.
A hunting scope doesn't have to double as a microscope. It needs "good enough" lenses and "good enough" everything else, combined with a less than onerous weight, less than onerous price, a good warranty, good reliability, and so on.
I have found over many, many years of both shooting competition and shooting game that when you balance all those things out, you can't substantially better the tried and true established local brands for local hunting purposes.
And being local, they are relatively easy to keep performing just fine.
My country gal's just a moonshiner's daughter, but I love her still.
17 November 2011, 15:02
handwerkI've been very happy with the swaros I have, and infact have another Z3 3-10x42 coming. I'm also of the thought the 42mm is likely plenty of Obj.
17 November 2011, 19:00
LJSGrab the Leica demo that is listed by Doug from Camera Land in he classifieds. It is offered for $999.00 and is a smokin deal.
17 November 2011, 20:50
KMG Hunting SafarisJust ordered the Z3 4-12x50 for the 6mm.
Best of luck with your decision.
17 November 2011, 21:43
pksmanquote:
Originally posted by Alberta Canuck:
I would recommend a Leupold 2-7X Ultralightweight variable to you. It is a nice, light, handy scope which will not unbalance your rifle to the degree larger, heavier scopes will.
At 7X it also has plenty of magnification for hunting American "big" game. An animal at 700 yards will appear as easy to aim at as an animal is with iron sights at 100 yards. If one can't see and hit an animal's vital shoulder/chest area with iron sights at 100 yards, then maybe one might want to consider golf instead....
Fifty and sixty years ago I owned Zeiss, Ross, Meopta, Kahles and other "premium" European scopes. I also owned Weavers, Bushnells, and others priced in between.
I'm a slow learner, but I learned. Balance and moderation is the secret in all things.
A hunting scope doesn't have to double as a microscope. It needs "good enough" lenses and "good enough" everything else, combined with a less than onerous weight, less than onerous price, a good warranty, good reliability, and so on.
I have found over many, many years of both shooting competition and shooting game that when you balance all those things out, you can't substantially better the tried and true established local brands for local hunting purposes.
And being local, they are relatively easy to keep performing just fine.
I would suggest 3 Nikon Monarch scopes for the price of a euro. But I am a trouble maker.
01 December 2011, 18:33
BiebsDoug at Cameraland also has the higher-magnification Zeiss Conquests available as Demos, now at an additional 10% off, bringing them in the High $00-low $700 range, depending on reticle.
