Meet Kimberly Montana. This has been my little darling for going on six years now. She is a Kimber Montana chambered in 300 WSM. From day one, I have been able to shoot her well. She just fits me. As a result, we have had shared much bloodshed in the field, many of them quick snapshots on the run. There are many horses in the stable, but when it comes to any kind of serious big game hunting, I don’t reach for anything else. Saddled upon her back is a Swarovski AV 4-12x50mm TDS-Plex reticle scope. This combination has served me very well. I practice with her to 600 yards and she shoots Gerard’s GS Custom HV bullet very well with a full load of Ramshot Hunter. I hunt elk, mule deer, blacktail, & bear out West. Wild pigs (which can now be hunted legally at night/after normal shooting hours) and whitetail deer in the South. And she’s ALWAYS ready for a long poke at a coyote. Some day Kimberly will make it with me on a caribou hunt and, God willing, a sheep hunt some day.

But, my daughter has a new rifle and I am seriously thinking about moving my scope over to her new Sako 85 rifle and getting a new one for my rig. It’s a half-hearted decision but I’m hoping it is one you can help me with. It’s not a money issue, so please don’t factor that into your decision; Kimberly gets what Kimberly wants since she’s my one and only.

I may not regularly take game past 300 yards, but I do enjoy practicing out to 600 yards. It gives me the confidence to take those longer shots. I have learned over time that although the ballistic reticles are fast and simple to use, making click adjustments for long range is more accurate. I am also interested in using the horizontal stadia for wind, now that I am getting more competent in judging that. When I started long range shooting, I was just a holdover and pray sort of guy; I know better now.

Here is my current setup:





So after much deliberation, I have narrowed it down to these two choices below. I have both Leica cameras and binoculars and Swarovski riflescopes, so I appreciate the craftsmanship and quality of both, so that’s not an issue. I am hoping you can help me decide between the nuances of these two scopes below.


Leica ERi 4-12x50mm with IBS reticle, ballistic turret, & illumination

http://us.leica-camera.com/Spo...flescopes/Leica-ER-i












Swarovski Z5 3.5-18x44mm with 4W reticle, ballistic turret, and parallax adjustment

http://www.swarovskioptik.com/...x44-p-l-brx-p5006187











(this is a Z6, but I wanted you to see the aluminum scope caps, which I like and are very similar to my Leupold caps)



Summary of features




A few more things to consider before you vote:

Leica
-heavier (but I’m not that concerned)
-less magnification
-4x zoom vs 5 x (again, no big deal)
-more eye relief
-larger objective
-illumination
- 1/3 MOA adjustment
-choice of 12 ballistic turrets available

Swarovski
-lighter
-more magnification (too much??)
-5x zoom
-parallax adjustment
-no illumination
- ¼ MOA adjustment
-nice lens caps
-precise custom turret available


Swarovski Z3 4-12x50mm ballistic turret & 4W

-This essentially the same scope I have now, except with the features I want: externally adjustable turrets and a reticle for the wind.
-I know this 4-12x50mm works... Should I just stick with what I know?

http://www.swarovskioptik.com/...12x50-l-brx-p5006171
So what do you think? Feel free to vote and comment! I’m interested in your opinion.

Question:
Which scope would you choose given the above?

Choices:
Leica ERi 3-12x50mm
Swarovski Z5 3.5-18x44mm
Swarovski Z3 4-12x50mm BT & 4W
(I have no real opinion, but I just have to click something anyway)

 

Thank your for the responses so far!

Does anyone care to share their opinion on why they voted one way or another? I'd like to know if you thought of something that I haven't.

Thanks again!