Question about Zeiss Conquest HD 3-15x and 5-25x

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canoetrpr

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I'm thinking I might switch from my Swaro Z5 3.5-18x with Ballistic Turret to the Zeiss HD 3-15x or 5-25x with target turrets.

The Swaro glass is spectacular but I find the eye relief of another Zeiss Conquest I have to be much better. That extra 1/4 inch seems to be what I need.

After some time playing with turrets and doping wind I've decided that I'm going to do the turrets thing for both elevation and wind so will be going with a simple ZPlex reticle.

My question: I understand the Zeiss has a zero stop for elevation but *think* it also has an adjustable turret top (don't know what to call it) that has the calibration for each click so that once you find your zero you can align the 0 marker on the top on turret to a marker on the scope.

Now the windage does not have a zero stop but I assume it also has a adjustable turret top so that I can align the zero marker for windage so I know how many clicks I have moved left or right from my zero position?

Can anyone who owns one of these scopes shed light on this?

Hope this is making sense.

I'm still trying to figure out the point of a zero stop if you can clearly get your scope/turrets to indicate whether or not you are at zero position visually based on the adjustable marker. I know it won't stop at zero and will let you go the other way but why would a zero stop really be necessary?
 
I had a 5-25 and it does allow you to reset the turrets to indicate "0" once you've sighted in your rifle. The zero stop works well but limits the amount of travel you have to dial the POI up. I believe you're limited to 17moa of up travel from your zero if you use the stops. I ended up removing the screws used for the zero stop to utilize the travel in the scope. I then decided it wasn't the scope for me and sold it. It has a lot of great features but I ended up with another nightforce. To add a bit of irony to this situation I'm thinking about buying a swaro z5 with ballistic turret to replace the heavy nightforce lol. It seems gunnuts are never content.
 
Haha dfrombc! I find I often have to try several different things before I find what I really like. The z5 with the BT is a damn fine scope. I have the one with the 4W(?) reticle that allows you to hold over for windage dope.

What rifle are you running yours on?
 
The nightforce that I would replace is a 2.5-10x32 nsx sitting on top of a 260 I had put together last year. The swaro seems like it would work better on the gun while shedding a few ounces. Have you used Swaro's custom ballistic turret on your z5, or are you using the factory one with the color coded rings?
 
I'm using the factory one with colour coded rings. I like them because you can reset them if you change your load. Altitude and temp also makes a difference one click here or there.

I may get the custom etched onces once I settle on a load I really like.
 
They are two very different reticles with different applications. The Rapid Z being a yardage indicated, long-range reticle that requires no turret adjustment but rather offers multiple crosshairs. The Z-plex is a fairly standard duplex reticle that works well in conjunction with the external turrets for long range shooting. The choice between the two is basically a preference between ballistic reticles or exposed turrets....for long-range applications of course.
 
Couldn't have said it better.

I'm relatively new so I find my preferences change as I try new things. I've come to the conclusion that I like a uncluttered picture through the scope.

I *think* turning a turret is more my thing but as I expose myself to more hunting situations I may or may not change my mind again :)

Right now I'm going to be elevation turret turning for my coming antelope hunt and using the reticle for windage.
 
Sheephunter, good summary. I really like the z-plex for target shooting when the pressure is lower. For hunting, I now only use rapid-z.
A few years ago, I made the mistake of losing my zero elevation and it could have cost me an elk. With my 270WSM and the rapid-z 800, my max range for hunting is 600 yards and the stadia line up well...not so well beyond that. If I was going to get more comfortable at longer distances then the z-plex would be more precise and probably better. Having a solid zero stop with the z-plex, would also be very useful.
 
There's no question that the Rapid Z was designed as a very user friendly, quick target acquisition, yardage-indicated long-range reticle that's more than capable of hunting accuracy out to 600-800 yards. It's not a precise target reticle and has never been touted as one. I just put together a .223 for long-range gopher shooting. With it I need something very precise and chose a scope with turrets and Z-Plex. It's a matter of matching your equipment to your needs for sure.
 
All my HD-5 scopes are mounted on varmint or target rifles, and all have the Z-Plex reticle and target turrets. My big game rifles have scopes with BDC reticles, and regular turrets. I choose the reticle and turrets based on my intended usage of the rifle.
 
Why not choose a BDC reticle or MOA reticle with target turrets....sounds like the best of both worlds.
 
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