Scope for $1000

canucklehead said:
Or buy an optic that you never need to use the warranty. :).
I've replaced two vortex scopes (Razor HD and Viper PST) under warranty. Both BARELY used on .223s. Fool me once...
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x100

I'm a Sightron fan, but I would definitely look at NF too.

Sightron S111 on my .338LM with 100s of rounds and I don't need warranty.
 
You can confirm for yourself but Sightrons have been living happily on 50BMGs BR rifles and winning in the US. You can even check out the 2013 Sightron catalog cause there are pics of the winner and his 50.

I have offered the SIII scopes to a bunch of LR shooters who have mounted them on big boomers. So far, not 1 complaint for breakage. All rave about the tracking and optics.

My personal SIII 10-50 has happily digested over 9000rds of 308 with heavy bullets on my FTR rifle over the last 2.5 yrs. Still holds zero and tracks just fine.... and you can imagine, those knobs get a work out with the shooting I do.

YMMV.

Jerry
 
canucklehead said:
In my opinion - save another $500 and score a nice used Nightforce. Buy once, cry once. The LAST thing I would do with a .50 BMG is buy a 'starter optic' and then move into something better. Just buy a NF (again, used you can score for a good price on the EE all the time) and don't look back. My opinion only.
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I agree with this. I have done the "buy a Vortex" until I can afford a Nightforce 3 times and each time lost a couple hundred bux on the Vortex. Save up a couple more hundred a scoop a used NF. Lifetime warranty that you will never use. Perfect tracking. Excellent glass. HUGE elevation to use the .50 for what it should be used for. I have one on my .308, .284, and .338 Improved. Peter at Hirsch is great to deal with and used deals come along.
 
If you dump your $1000 on a lower end optic now, you're just prolonging getting something good even longer. You've got the $1000, keep saving cause you're at least halfway there. Heck a good used NF can be had in the $1300 range if you're quick on the draw. Forget about losing money on that deal, you might even make some if you sell it.
 
If you go with a sightron, you won't ever have to upgrade to a NF if you don't want to. It will do all you need, same with a bushnell elite. Sure NF are better but its better that is not needed, especially on a range gun.

With NF, and other higher end you buy life and death durability under the most stressful conditions known to man. If you need it heck buy it.
 
Longshot said:
I hear Barska make some fine scopes...
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I have experience with Barska and for an $80 scope, they're top notch! Just not something I would put on a 50.

I had the Barska on a 308 which didn't work so well, upgraded that to a Bushnell Elite 6500 which was very consistent on a Savage 10TR at 1,000 yards, more so than a Zeiss on a Remy 700 SPS Tac in HS Precision stock that was shooting next to me, but that could have been the shooters or the spotters fault for lack of accuracy

Now the Barska lives on a .22 and couldn't ask for a better scope for a cheap little .22

But, as stated earlier, on my .50 I went with NightForce, great scope.

As the sayings go:

"Buy once, cry once"

"Don't buy cheap tools"

but if you have another use for the scope afterwards, it might not be a bad deal, just buy the scope based on the platform you'll end up using it on.
 
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I’d go look at the Leupold Vx-5hd 3x15x44. It’s super clear and runs at around 1400 brand new. The other one i’d Suggest is the vortex razor HD 3-15x42. Goes for about 1100 brand new. Both are awesome scopes. Leupold beats the vortex at light transmission but you’re paying a bit more for it. Vortex has the whole break it they’ll replace it no questions and transferable warranty which is great. Both great scopes for the money.
 
Swfa

I recommend buying a SWFA scope, they start around $500 brand new. They are mil spec, rated for 50, they are strongly built and they track great. These scopes can be imported directly from SWFA.com or you can find them on the EE as well. Be sure to buy the MIL/MIL model.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nky0voYC7gQ

Edit - just noticed that this was a necro thread. Oh well, its still good information for others.
 
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