Best Scope for under $1500

ziess conquest 6.5-20X50 are very nice scopes. 6500 elite not really the best long range target scope, it's only available with mildot reticle and 1/4 moa clicks. Sightron III has 1/8 moa clicks which would be very handy for competition shooting. 6 or 8 times power is a bit more than I would like for general purpose hunting, but it could be done.
 
I am leaning towards a Sightron SIII. From all the reviews I have read, it seems to be a fantastic scope for the price. I considered the Bushnell 6500, but I am concern about turn around time on warranty work. When I have saved up more I can upgrade to a Night Force or Leupold or maybe S&B. Thank you for everyone's suggestions.

Now, what magnification to chose:

6-24x50mm or 8-32x56mm

Is there such thing as too much magnification? Will the 8x be too much for distances from 100m to 300m? Is the 24x enough at 1000m for LR target shooting?

I don't think you'll be disappointed. I have the 6-24x50 it's a great scope. I've read good things about the 8-32 but it depends on which suits you better
 
Schmidt & Bender make the best scopes, imo. They cost more than what you have budgeted, but if you save up a little more you can have the best.
 
I looked through a ziess conquest 6-24 the other day at the range. The guy was scoffing at my 4200. I was not impressed with the conquest at all. The resolving power and the colors were no better than my 4200. Power for power the bullet holes were just as clear as were the coloring. The 4200 does have a bit fish eye around the edges of the view, a touch more than the conquest, but you shoot in the middle...Sure the mechanics were nice, but the view no better. So why drop an extra 500 for the Ziess? To buy a name?

Another guy had a new VX3 6.5-20LR with turrets, I thought it was nicer than the ziess and my 4200, might be my next scope. I bought a set of HD Leupold bino's, it is amazing the difference when you look thru the bino's then thru these scopes, the ziess and the 4200 both seemed like they had plastic lenses in comparison.
 
I looked through a ziess conquest 6-24 the other day at the range. The guy was scoffing at my 4200. I was not impressed with the conquest at all. The resolving power and the colors were no better than my 4200. Power for power the bullet holes were just as clear as were the coloring. The 4200 does have a bit fish eye around the edges of the view, a touch more than the conquest, but you shoot in the middle...Sure the mechanics were nice, but the view no better. So why drop an extra 500 for the Ziess? To buy a name?

Another guy had a new VX3 6.5-20LR with turrets, I thought it was nicer than the ziess and my 4200, might be my next scope. I bought a set of HD Leupold bino's, it is amazing the difference when you look thru the bino's then thru these scopes, the ziess and the 4200 both seemed like they had plastic lenses in comparison.

I have purchased a Conquest before, and returned it two days later. I exchanged it for a Swarovski. The Swarovski costs a little more but it is worth it, imo. In fact the shop owner, who knows me well, was suprised I even bothered with the Conquest in the first place.

The Conquest is a "cheap" version designed to get sales. A real Zeiss like the older Diavari, and the newer Victory series are in a different league. Of course they also cost more than 2x as much as a comparible Conquest. But the quality is also much better. Same with the new Swarovski Z6 and the Schmidt & Bender products. But there too you are looking at much more money.
 
Buy either a Leupold Mark 4 or used NF with a top range of 20. Leupy may be easier to find under the $1500 mark. Be patient, something will come up on EE. Leupold has the best warranty in the business and it transfers from owner to owner. I would stay away from the Bushnell. More engineering $$ in a Leuold or NF better glass, hold zero better, tougher and just plain higher end optics, much better resale too when you decide to upgrade.
 
I have since changed my mind of IOR and scopes as I have had a bad one, and can't recommend them.
 
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