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Best hunting scope in the $2k range? **Update with pics in OP

Posted on 10/26/21 at 7:55 am
Posted by reds on reds on reds
Birmingham
Member since Sep 2013
4416 posts
Posted on 10/26/21 at 7:55 am
What’s your favorite lightweight hunting scope in the $2k range? Have a Christensen Arms Burnt Bronze Mesa with 22” barrel in .308 coming and want to pair it with some nice glass.

So far I’m looking at:
Nightforce NX8
Swarovski Z6
Leupold Mark 5
Steiner T5XI

Anyone with any personal reviews on those listed above or any other suggestions?

Got the scope in and mounted up. Hopefully can put it on a deer or 3 this weekend. Glass on the Zeiss is pretty incredible.





Bonus pic with the Spartan Davros Pro ball head mount and clamp.



This post was edited on 1/5/22 at 3:57 pm
Posted by mylsuhat
Mandeville, LA
Member since Mar 2008
49413 posts
Posted on 10/26/21 at 7:56 am to
Leupold VX6HD 3-18x44


Maven RS.5
Posted by reds on reds on reds
Birmingham
Member since Sep 2013
4416 posts
Posted on 10/26/21 at 7:58 am to
I have a VX5HD that I love but I’ve heard people say the VX6HD isn’t worth the extra money over the VX5HD.

Forgot about Maven. I have a pair of their binoculars that are incredible.
Posted by brightside878
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2009
1605 posts
Posted on 10/26/21 at 8:00 am to
Swaro Z6 with the BRH reticle is what I have and really like.

They’re second focal plane so I try to stay under 12x when that’s the case. Prefer a mil based reticle over a MOA as well
Posted by Bigsampson
Fort Worth
Member since Apr 2017
413 posts
Posted on 10/26/21 at 8:05 am to
I have a Vortex Razor HD 3-18x50 ffp on a 308 I built. Have killed more than a dozen hogs w it in the past 4 months or so. Works great in low light, super crisp. Really like the series. I have two others in 4.5-27x56 on a pair of competition guns. Great glass.
Posted by mylsuhat
Mandeville, LA
Member since Mar 2008
49413 posts
Posted on 10/26/21 at 8:05 am to
quote:

I have a VX5HD that I love
Same, I have the 3-15x44
Posted by reds on reds on reds
Birmingham
Member since Sep 2013
4416 posts
Posted on 10/26/21 at 8:09 am to
quote:

I have the 3-15x44


I think that’s the official scope of the OB
Posted by reds on reds on reds
Birmingham
Member since Sep 2013
4416 posts
Posted on 10/26/21 at 8:10 am to
quote:

Swaro Z6


I think this is in the lead for me right now. I’ve always wanted to get one.
Posted by reds on reds on reds
Birmingham
Member since Sep 2013
4416 posts
Posted on 10/26/21 at 8:10 am to
quote:

Vortex Razor HD 3-18x50 ffp


Another good option. Why did you go FFP? I’ve always gone SFP for hunting rigs
Posted by upgrayedd
Lifting at Tobin's house
Member since Mar 2013
136989 posts
Posted on 10/26/21 at 8:20 am to
quote:

any other suggestions?


A quality set of ear protection
Posted by KI5NKM
Member since Jul 2021
177 posts
Posted on 10/26/21 at 8:20 am to
Z6 2.5-15x56 BT plex is probably my favorite hunting glass of all time.

Wish you could still get it with the 4w reticle.
This post was edited on 10/26/21 at 8:23 am
Posted by reds on reds on reds
Birmingham
Member since Sep 2013
4416 posts
Posted on 10/26/21 at 8:22 am to
quote:

A quality set of ear protection


That’s what the Q Thunder Chicken is for.
Posted by ChatRabbit77
Baton Rouge
Member since May 2013
5885 posts
Posted on 10/26/21 at 8:31 am to
Swaro Z6 is the best of those. It's light and bright. I've mounted up several ridglines with them and everyone has been happy.
Posted by Bigsampson
Fort Worth
Member since Apr 2017
413 posts
Posted on 10/26/21 at 8:36 am to
I had started shooting long range competition matches using the other two and found that I really like Ffp.
One thing is for sure, practicing at much longer ranges than most people typically hunt at has moved my skills up a notch.
Posted by Got Blaze
Youngsville
Member since Dec 2013
9473 posts
Posted on 10/26/21 at 10:47 am to
New prices have gone through the roof due the worlds economy; however you can still find a "new" or like-new, used Schmidt & Bender hunting scope for < $2,000. I paid $1000 for this one several years ago ... S&B Zenith 1,5 x 6 - 42mm, illuminated FD7 FFP reticle. a short tube scope on a short action rifle just looks good. If you buy the right European glass (Swaro, S&B, Zeiss, etc...) you don't need a 50mm+ objective lens. Tactical type scopes with tons of features dominate the market, but IMO they are overkill for a hunting rifle with shots < 500 yds.


Posted by Woodbird
Member since Jun 2017
271 posts
Posted on 10/26/21 at 10:51 am to
I have the Mark 5 3.6-18x44 and love it. If you can wait 2-3 weeks between placing your order and getting the scope then check out LibertyOptics. They have great prices I think my scope was a little less than $1500. I think they have the 5-25x56 for like $1800ish
Posted by CamdenTiger
Member since Aug 2009
64529 posts
Posted on 10/26/21 at 11:22 am to
I would add a Tract 4.5x30x56 to that list. It lists about $1700 and first focal plane. I put that on a Christensen MPR in 6.5 PRC and it’s pretty incredible. The light gathering is better than my Swarovski, with that big objective. It’s not something I would carry up a mountain, but if you are shooting a long ways out from a blind, that center lighted dot, with that clarity of glass is pretty impressive, and my favorite set-up at present
Posted by Ppro
natchez
Member since Dec 2013
442 posts
Posted on 10/26/21 at 11:53 am to
Another swaro z6 user here. Even with my eyes I can shoot to the end of legal shooting hours with confidence. My only wish is a little more magnification. I got mine on midway USA on clearance and it’s 2x12x50. That being said it has awesome glass
Posted by bbvdd
Memphis, TN
Member since Jun 2009
26921 posts
Posted on 10/26/21 at 1:49 pm to
Just buy another VX5 HD 3-15x44. It's a great scope and it will be perfect on that .308.

FFP adds weight and is there to range to target. Just get a good range finder instead.
Posted by Lsutigerturner
Member since Dec 2016
6796 posts
Posted on 10/26/21 at 2:12 pm to
I'm not a big hunter but everyone I know always says u get ffp. Make things consistent and easier to dial in
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