Scope Recommendations 4-12x40 Range for CZ 557 308

J

J_Impact

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Good day all,

Looking for recommendations on a scope in the 4-12x40 range to mount on my CZ 557 in 308. Rifle will be carried and shot within 500 yards.

Currently have a Vortex Diamondback 3-9x40 BDC and a Nikon Monarch M5 4-16x50 MK1 MOA in my vault so I’m looking for something in between the two in magnification and size. I prefer a reticle with drop downs, not interest in a duplex reticle and adjustable turrets aren’t a priority.

The goal is to find something that is decent for first/last light, isn’t obnoxiously large and heavy, and fits within the $4-800 price range.

Some info I pulled up while searching.

Thoughts and opinions? Other scopes to add?

Fire away!

:sniper:

Leupold VX Freedom 4-12X40 CDS Tri MOA (nice size, clear view, no parallax adjustment)
1” Tube
13.1 oz
Parallax 150yd
FOV 21.5/10
10 MOA hash

Leupold VX Freedom 4-12x40 CDS Side Focus Tri MOA
30mm Tube
15.7 oz
Parallax adj
FOV 19.9/11.2
10 MOA hash

Vortex Diamondback 4-12X40 BDC (my 3-9 is clear, decent for first/last light, no parallax adjustment)
1” Tube
14.6 oz
Parallax 100yd
FOV 32.4/11.3
11 MOA hash at 1.5,4.5,7.5

Vortex Diamondback Tactical 4-12X40 VMR1 (not a fan of the turret caps sticking out)
1” Tube
17.5 oz
Parallax 100yd
FOV 23.6-7.9
30 MOA hash every 2

Burris Fullfield IV 3-12X42 Long Range MOA
1” Tube
17.6 oz
Parallax 100yd
FOV 38-9
20 MOA hash every 1

Bushnell Nitro 3-12X34 Deploy MOA (large and bulky)
30mm Tube
24.2 oz
Parallax adj
FOV 33.5-9
30 MOA hash every 1
 
I had the chance to review a bunch of moderately priced 1" hunting optics from Athlon, Bushnell, Burris, Vortex, and Leupold recently. For the money, Burris offered the best combination of optical performance and field performance for the money (specifically the 2.5-10 Fullfield IV, which I bought).

But ultimately, right at the top of your budget sits the VX-3HD which is outright the best, just pricey (I also ended up with one of these).
 
I'd only suggest Leupold if you are hunting and use reticle drops and not multi-distance targets. I hate how mushy the turrets are and have no click. I do like the style of their tri-moa ret. though.

Never looked through a burris but they get good reviews. I'd be happy using a Bushnell Banner II 4-12 but those are only 100-150$ on sale! I doubt you'll even consider it with such a budget as yours.

I had a Diamondback and it was good. I got lucky and got a BNIB 2-7x for 150$ and was very clear out to 250y (longest we have here). Shouldn't have sold that one.
 
Athlon Helos BTR Gen2 2-12X42 - some of the nicest glass

This is a FFP scope with a ton of features. Search of youtube for reviews and tests.

If you want SFP, Athlon Argos HMR and Midas HMR are great values. There will be another product line but likely summer arrival.

Jerry
 
Sightron.com... have a look at their 2023 lineup

Their focus is high mag variables now... they have little interest in the lower mag or hunting type scopes.

Now if the OP wants a F class or BR scope, Sightron would be my top pick.

Jerry
 
That rifle would look good and shoot well with a Leupold vx3 3.5-10 in my opinion. Good clarity morning and night and light weight. You can get one with a drop compensating reticle if you like. They also have the CDS option which some fellas say doesn’t work well. That said I dialed my .22 from the 50 to the 100 yard target yesterday both up and down at least 30 times going back and forth and it was bang on every time so you know….. people. Not the only CDS I own that works either. I must be lucky!
 
meatsticks said:
That rifle would look good and shoot well with a Leupold vx3 3.5-10 in my opinion. Good clarity morning and night and light weight. You can get one with a drop compensating reticle if you like. They also have the CDS option which some fellas say doesn’t work well. That said I dialed my .22 from the 50 to the 100 yard target yesterday both up and down at least 30 times going back and forth and it was bang on every time so you know….. people. Not the only CDS I own that works either. I must be lucky!
Click to expand...

I don't think the issue is with tracking or repeating, but rather the increments not matching real world DOPE.
 
Swarovski Z3 4-12x50 with BRH reticle. Brightest and lightest
Look for them used if you do not like the new price. Best in class and the reticle is great. Have one on my Tikka 308
 
meatsticks said:
That rifle would look good and shoot well with a Leupold vx3 3.5-10 in my opinion. Good clarity morning and night and light weight. You can get one with a drop compensating reticle if you like. They also have the CDS option which some fellas say doesn’t work well. That said I dialed my .22 from the 50 to the 100 yard target yesterday both up and down at least 30 times going back and forth and it was bang on every time so you know….. people. Not the only CDS I own that works either. I must be lucky!
Click to expand...

Glad to hear you didn’t have tracking issues as that was part of what I thought was their possible issues.

Sounds like the VX3 4.5-14x40 LR with the B&C reticle would have been in the range of what I’m looking for.

9.3 Hunter said:
None of these have the early morning and dusk glass ... Leupold 3HD will do it - 3.5 x 10 x 40 CDS - ZL
800.00
Click to expand...

Didn’t realize the lack of dawn/dusk in the Freedom class. The CDS isn’t a priority for me.

mineguy said:
Swarovski Z3 4-12x50 with BRH reticle. Brightest and lightest
Look for them used if you do not like the new price. Best in class and the reticle is great. Have one on my Tikka 308
Click to expand...

Never had the opportunity to look through a Swarovski, the name and possible price was usually the turn off. Looks like a $1300 purchase though and a 50mm.

Haven’t had the opportunity to handle a Mark 3… does anybody have any experience?

Leupold Mark 3 4-12x40 P5 Side Focus TMR
30mm Tube
16.2oz
Parallax adj
POV 19.9/9.9
 
I do own the 4.5-14 VX3i non AO. I will mention that I find the eye relief a bit finickier than my 3.5-10’s pretty decent at 15 ounces all up though. If you want to save a few dollars, the 4.5-14 Burris E1 with Side focus is on clearance at Cabelas for $300. It’s a decent scope too and I think they will cut you a custom turret if you want to dial it up. I have one and it’s a pretty good scope but I just use the hash marks in the reticle. I believe it weighs around 15-16 ounces as well. Also lifetime warranty.
 
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