Best hunting optics under $800

scott_r

scott_r

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Behind a .204 Ruger
Im looking to throw a scope on a .308 for this upcoming big game season and am not sure to go with Zeiss (my preference ) or try a Trijicon, maybe Swarovski Z3 or Leupold VX7?? Even looking at the Meopta??
What are the thoughts of our CGN optic guru's??

Cheers!!
 
What rifle? Distance?
There are lots of good scopes in the $800-$1200 range, tough choices. I guess it comes down to what features you want.


BTW, The VX7 is no longer in production. The new model is the VX-6.
 
blargon said:
What rifle? Distance?
There are lots of good scopes in the $800-$1200 range, tough choices. I guess it comes down to what features you want.


BTW, The VX7 is no longer in production. The new model is the VX-6.
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I suspect my max distance would be 400 yards...typically shots are in the 100-200 yard range. But I may switch it on a coyote rifle during the winter, so a 3.5-10 or 4-12 is kinda what Im after.

Did not realize the VX7 is gone with the wind, will have to look at a VX-6

Cheers!!
 
Kelly Timoffee said:
Zeiss Conquest is almost impossible to beat in the price bracket.
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Agreed, however with Classic Conquest becoming rarer and rarer, finding something under $800 is a challenge: the Conquest HD5's start at $929 (2-10x42 z-pled).

Here are a few considerations:

Zeiss Terra 3-9x42 with z-plex: $399
Zeiss Terra 4-12x42 with z-plex: $519
Zeiss Classic Conquest 3-9X50 with z-plex: $689
Zeiss Classic Conquest 3.5-10X50 with z-plex: $789
Meopta Meopro 3-9x42 with z-plex: $449
Meopta Meopro 4-12x50 with z-plex: $499
Swarovski Z3 3-9x36 with plex or 4a: $799

The Meopta Meopro are as close as you'll find to the Classic Conquest stuff (Meopta built them). All of these are in-stock and ready to ship.
 
scott_r said:
Is the Zeiss HD5 noticably better the the Conquest (discontinued series)?? How do the Terra compare in the mix as well?
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The HD5's are a superior product: they use a 5x zoom, high definition glass, and Zeiss improved on virtually every technical aspect, except weight (the HD5's are heavier).

The Terra line are very nice scopes, and target the price point of the Classic Conquest 3-9x40. According to Zeiss, the Terra line meets or exceeds the Classic Conquest in various tests measuring durability, optical performance, and design.

The Terra line are design and engineered by Zeiss Germany, quality control is conducted by Zeiss USA, with final assembly outsourced to Japan (for the rifle scopes) or China (for the Terra ED binoculars). Time will tell if the Terra scopes hold up like the bomb-proof Classic Conquest line.
 
Hey plainsight, how is the glass on the zeiss scopes? My only experience is with bushnell elite 3200 fixed 10x, and i went from that to a nightforce nxs 5.5-22x56. so saying a night and day difference is really true. I'm getting another .308 but it will be for a lot more carrying so now weight's gonna matter a bit more. I'm currently torn because I didn't know how bad the bushnell 3200 (cheap) was until I looked through the NF(expensive). It's funny, rifles seem so much easier to shop for online, reading reviews, looking at specs... I guess I'm looking for nightforce clarity, and a bushnell budget ;)
 
ShaunM said:
Hey plainsight, how is the glass on the zeiss scopes? My only experience is with bushnell elite 3200 fixed 10x, and i went from that to a nightforce nxs 5.5-22x56. so saying a night and day difference is really true. I'm getting another .308 but it will be for a lot more carrying so now weight's gonna matter a bit more. I'm currently torn because I didn't know how bad the bushnell 3200 (cheap) was until I looked through the NF(expensive). It's funny, rifles seem so much easier to shop for online, reading reviews, looking at specs... I guess I'm looking for nightforce clarity, and a bushnell budget ;)
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The Zeiss HD5 5-25x50 with a Rapid-Z 1000 reticle addresses most of what you just said: excellent, high definition, Zeiss glass; greater magnification range than the Nightforce (5-25 vs. 5.5-22); lighter weight (28 ounces vs. 32 ounces); lower profile and shorter length (14.17" vs. 15.2"); and cheaper ($1,249 vs. $2,269 at MAP, given certain options).

The Zeiss has a 1" tube vs. a 30mm tube, resulting in less adjustment than the NF 5.5-22x56 (65 MoA vs. 100 MoA). The Zeiss has a resettable zero-stop, however the operation is different than the NF as it limits the elevation turret to one rotation (note, that this can be modified). The Rapid-Z 1000 is very attractive to .308 shooters, as the reticle was designed specifically for that caliber, out to 1000 yards. The Nightforce is a superior all-around scope, especially for the "tactical" shooter, however the HD5 offers a lot, at about $1,000 less.

I have the HD5's in stock, and should have more Nightforce in 8 to 12 weeks. Please note that there are some great deals on NF 5.5-22's with the NP-R1 or NP-R2 reticles (as low as $1,799).

As a final shameless plug, here is a nice .308 rig that I'm currently selling:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/foru...8-with-Zeiss-HD5-5-25x50mm-Rapid-Z-1000-scope

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
 
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