If you could only have 3 Scopes. What and Why ?

I am really liking these answers. It has taught me allot and giving me some good ideas.

I think my next optic will be something mid range zoom. I have the long end covered with my 27 power scope for any long range fun I plan on doing. I think its more important to have another hunting optic as backup. 3-15ish magnification range. I also think I need to pick up either a fixed power or a LPOV for the rimfire just something smaller and shorter for rabbit and grouse hunting.

Also it seems that this world has allot of Leupold fans. An after testing a MK 5HD (The one in the photos) I do understand why, it is one hell of a scope just wish they had more offerings in FFP.

B
 
bdb.hunting said:
I am really liking these answers. It has taught me allot and giving me some good ideas.

I think my next optic will be something mid range zoom. I have the long end covered with my 27 power scope for any long range fun I plan on doing. I think its more important to have another hunting optic as backup. 3-15ish magnification range. I also think I need to pick up either a fixed power or a LPOV for the rimfire just something smaller and shorter for rabbit and grouse hunting.

Also it seems that this world has allot of Leupold fans. An after testing a MK 5HD (The one in the photos) I do understand why, it is one hell of a scope just wish they had more offerings in FFP.

B
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3-15x and FFP is sounding a lot like an Apex Hunter scope.

(Currently looking hard at one of those on a .22LR because the parallax dials down to 10 yards so it will cover short-range rimfire competition without having to live with life-begins-at-50yards blurriness)
 
bdb.hunting said:
I am really liking these answers. It has taught me allot and giving me some good ideas.

I think my next optic will be something mid range zoom. I have the long end covered with my 27 power scope for any long range fun I plan on doing. I think its more important to have another hunting optic as backup. 3-15ish magnification range. I also think I need to pick up either a fixed power or a LPOV for the rimfire just something smaller and shorter for rabbit and grouse hunting.

Also it seems that this world has allot of Leupold fans. An after testing a MK 5HD (The one in the photos) I do understand why, it is one hell of a scope just wish they had more offerings in FFP.

B
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Make sure the 3x is useable in a FFP scope, sometimes the reticle crosshair shrinks to nothing and is useless for hunting in low light. Or make sure the 3-15 scope has illumination.

Great thread, thanks for taking to the time to start it.

Cheers
 
My general purpose hunting scope would be a Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x42mm. For range work, an ATACR 5-25x56mm.

I'd probably put something in between there, maybe a Z6 or Amplus 6. 3-18x gets a good mix of short and long range without preposterous weight.
 
Swarovski Z3 3-10X42 BRH
Swarovski Z5 3-18X44 BT with 4W reticle and a custom turret
Swarovski Habicht 1-4X20 with #4 reticle

I love to assemble hunting rifles and all of my main rigs have a Z3 3-10X42 with BRH reticle. Excellent generalist optic. I love this scope as it is great for close range and reaching out for those longer shots. The Z5 is on a dedicated long range hunting rig. I am still searching for the compact Habicht so in its place for now is a Leupold VXIII 1-5X20.
 
old303 said:
3-15x and FFP is sounding a lot like an Apex Hunter scope.

(Currently looking hard at one of those on a .22LR because the parallax dials down to 10 yards so it will cover short-range rimfire competition without having to live with life-begins-at-50yards blurriness)
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I have 3 rifles with scopes currently am very happy with all three.

Old Japanese Tasco 1.75-5 X 20 on a 9.3 x 62 HVA FN Mauser 98 that came with a German (I think) QD side mount. Perfect combo for this hunting set-up. Scope is clearer than most new mid priced scopes that are 50 years newer.

Riton 1 Primal 4-16; a couple years ago I put it on my Zastava M70 in 6.5 x 55 SE; the uncluttered "RUT" reticle is perfect for varmint hunting and also perfect at the range. Even with 65 year old eyeballs with cataracts, I can see the bullet strikes at 100 yards. It does everything I want it to do, and being my first RITON scope, I was super impressed with the quality, clarity, and precise tracking.

7-1p416as_a-600x600.jpg


Riton Optics 6-24×50 X1 Conquer Riflescope with their R3 Reticle bought very recently for a CZ455 Super Match I got in a trade. I will be using this rifle for Precision and long range shooting for the time being, and maybe even doing a bit more competitive shooting in the future. I am very impressed again with the clarity and the reticle for my purposes; I have no problem seeing my hits at 100 yards with this setup. Tracking is perfect as is the zero stop on the elevation and zero set on the windage. No canted rail but sighted in for 20 yards, dialed up to 100 yard zero, and still loads of elevation left. Fine reticle is suited for target shooting.

riton-1c624as-Google-Search-600x573.png


I have a bunch of other old scopes; all surplus to my needs.
 
I subscribe to the notion each firearm that requires an optic has its own optic.
Plus, you never set a budget…
Basically to cover the bases you would need:
1) low magnification illuminated scope, I like 1-6 or 1-8.
2) general purpose hunting, preferably 3-15x44 illuminated such as the Leupold VX5HD
3) High magnification long range target scope. I’m happy with an illuminated FFP 5-25 x 56 but if I could only have one I’d probably give this deeper thought.
 
sillymike said:
In the same boat, if push came to shove... I'd probably stick with the 1.5x5
- But I have to admit, their FX-II 2.5x20 kind of got me curious
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I have a 2.5-16x50 on a new to me 222 and like it but I wouldn’t ever think of putting that size scope on a big game hunting rifle!
 
USPfan said:
Your vortex will drop just as many animals as a TT, gotta just go out and enjoy it. I used a Vortex for many years and had a great time!
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Agreed, for the distances I've shot game at my old leupold VX3 was more than adequate. The vortex is more fun at the range.
 
DGY said:
I have a 2.5-16x50 on a new to me 222 and like it but I wouldn’t ever think of putting that size scope on a big game hunting rifle!
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Over on Rokslide it's pretty common to see ultra light long range hunting rigs with colossal riflescopes. It's like every ounce saved elsewhere gets reinvested back into the glass. Which isn't dumb, but will turn you into a bit of a corksniffer when it comes to riflescopes. You'd be surprised at what a lot of them consider complete garbage!
 
mikeyb said:
Over on Rokslide it's pretty common to see ultra light long range hunting rigs with colossal riflescopes. It's like every ounce saved elsewhere gets reinvested back into the glass. Which isn't dumb, but will turn you into a bit of a corksniffer when it comes to riflescopes. You'd be surprised at what a lot of them consider complete garbage!
Click to expand...

Oh I know, people look at me like I’m from an other planet when they see some basic fix fours on my hunting rifles!!
 
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