Best 2x10/2x12ish scope for the money?

[CBH Australia]

I use a Meopta R2 1,7-10x42 on a rifle. A great piece of glass.

Bob's gonna love that answer.

@Red Leg That maybe so but if he takes the 500 dollar scope off it reverts back to a 3,500 dollar rifle.
There's nought wrong with a 1,200 dollar meopta.
Bob

Bob,
I own 2 Meopta. I own some other scopes that are clear and reliable but there are better scopes out there.of you are prepared to spend the money.

Te hard part is the gain is not proportional to the cost. Don't get me wrongg if you are doing a once in a lifetime hunt don't let an extra $1000 for a scope be the the weak link. Buy the best you can .

Now for Battlers like you and I it's a case of priorities and at 51 I'm getting my eyes fixed soon then I will see how things look.

For most of our shooting of pest animals a Jap Tasco silver antler will do it but you notice the difference in low light when you have something better.

My only Swarovski is an old Habicht model and it sits nicely on a Tikka .308 that would do almost everything I will ever need but I have others with other scopes because I get hung up on having different stuff for different purposes. I've said it before I consider what I have to be a functional collection. I could add more but my priorities lye elsewhere but it doesn't mean I won't bity a new Swarovski or Leica one day just because they make them.

For now I'm hoping to build my retirement fund so i can keep up with the Jones's in retirement.

 

[BeeMaa]

@HankBuck - You can go with a non-battery option like a Trijicon. Just keep in mind that the tritium used in these is slowly decaying and loosing it's ability to "light up". Trijicon says the tritium will "glow" for 15 years in their fiber optic scopes and 10 years in their non-fiber optic scopes but I do believe that those estimates are optimistic. The time starts ticking from the date the tritium was installed, not when you bought it. And their definition of "glow" may not be your definition of how it should be glowing. Don't forget that you have to take your scope off your rifle and send it back to Trijicon to have the tritium replaced, and that you have to pay for this. BTW - Have fun rezeroing the scope too.

For law enforcement or military applications, I believe tritium is a good solution. The reason is how long the rifle/scope will be in service, which is much less than the 10-15 year warranty from Trijicon. Not to mention that a lot of the time the scope is installed and zeroed (or rezeroed) by an armorer with not only the time but access to a nice range and lots of ammo.

This is in stark contrast to some hunters I know that have had the same scope on the same rifle for well over 50 years with no loss of zero or need to remove it.

Battery is just a better option for most hunting applications. As @Tra3 said, the Swaro Z8i's come with a spare battery inside one of the turret caps and changing them doesn't necessitate rezeroing. Also of note is that without a battery, the scopes function exactly like any other scope that doesn't have illumination. If the illuminated scope you buy doesn't have a spare battery compartment, they are about the size of a quarter and easily packed in your kit.

 

[Aaron N]

I use a Meopta R2 1,7-10x42 on a rifle. A great piece of glass.

This is the exact scope I’ve been wanting to buy, but keep buying guns instead!

 

[Luederitz]

I can recommend my Kahles Helia 2-10x50
Four times in Namibia and my 9,5x66 kicks harder than a 375H&H

 

[Axle2010]

I can recommend my Kahles Helia 2-10x50
Four times in Namibia and my 9,5x66 kicks harder than a 375H&H
View attachment 550959

Beautiful Kudu!

 

[Dirtdart]

I can not afford a bespoke best quality rifle built by (you fill in the blank). I truly am happy for those that can. If your budget allows it I say rock on brother. Fortunately the cost gap between a mid grade, and "Best Quality" telescopic sight is not nearly the same as with a rifle. The view I have when squeezing the trigger is the same as the guy shouldering a rifle that cost more than a trophy elephant in Bushmanland.

 

[Daisy]

German glass and 2-16. I might give this a try also. About 1700. Half price of swaro but def not half the glass. I have run the t5i for years on scar 17 with zero issues.

Predator 8 2-16x42 | Steiner High-Quality Optics

www.steiner-optics.com

Steiner Predator 8 Scope, 2-16x42mm E3 Reticle & Ballistic Turret

Check out the deal on Steiner Predator 8 Scope, 2-16x42mm E3 Reticle & Ballistic Turret at MGW

www.midwestgunworks.com

 

[Daisy]

Good review. Has customizable ballistic turret in price. That’s extra 300 with swaro. Also an extra 300 on swaro to add flip covers. No brainer imo.

Steiner Predator 8 Review

Getting hands on with alpha class optics is always a good time. The Steiner Predator 8 is no exception and ticked all the boxes

precision-rifle.com.au

 

[Daisy]

Actually 1200 right now on Amazon. A steal.

Steiner Optics Predator 8 Series Hunting Rifle Scopes

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7QKQ11V/

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bob's gonna love that answer.



Bob,
I own 2 Meopta. I own some other scopes that are clear and reliable but there are better scopes out there.of you are prepared to spend the money.

Te hard part is the gain is not proportional to the cost. Don't get me wrongg if you are doing a once in a lifetime hunt don't let an extra $1000 for a scope be the the weak link. Buy the best you can .

Now for Battlers like you and I it's a case of priorities and at 51 I'm getting my eyes fixed soon then I will see how things look.

For most of our shooting of pest animals a Jap Tasco silver antler will do it but you notice the difference in low light when you have something better.

My only Swarovski is an old Habicht model and it sits nicely on a Tikka .308 that would do almost everything I will ever need but I have others with other scopes because I get hung up on having different stuff for different purposes. I've said it before I consider what I have to be a functional collection. I could add more but my priorities lye elsewhere but it doesn't mean I won't bity a new Swarovski or Leica one day just because they make them.

For now I'm hoping to build my retirement fund so i can keep up with the Jones's in retirement.

@CBH Australia
That's the thing mate in NOT prepared to spend the extra money.
The meoptas and Zeiss I have were less than 1,000 bucks and suit me fine right up to 20 minutes before and after sunset. After that it's either spotlight or RUM. Usually RUM after the guns are locked away.
To improve my after sunset and before sunrise I can just click on my Sytong 66 night vision adapter and hunt regardless of the light conditions.
Bob

 

[Andrew62]

Non CDS Non FireDot version
VX5 2-10x42 # 171386. $850. Is available also

I cannot speak highly enough of Mark and the great prices and service he gives. Besides buying ammo from him, I recently bought a VX5 2x10 with firedot and an unbelievable price!!

 

[Axle2010]

I cannot speak highly enough of Mark and the great prices and service he gives. Besides buying ammo from him, I recently bought a VX5 2x10 with firedot and an unbelievable price!!

I am talking to him and I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a vx5 but that Steiner looks REALLY good for the 338 that will be in next week. Then I'll be too broke to shoot anything for a month lol

 

[Houston Bill]

I am talking to him and I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a vx5 but that Steiner looks REALLY good for the 338 that will be in next week. Then I'll be too broke to shoot anything for a month lol

You cant go wrong buying from Mark and the VX5 of VX6 will work great on your 375. While the German glass is slightly better, there was another AH thread that showed it only bought you a few minutes of extra shooting time.

 

[Daisy]

You cant go wrong buying from Mark and the VX5 of VX6 will work great on your 375. While the German glass is slightly better, there was another AH thread that showed it only bought you a few minutes of extra shooting time.

I agree on the glass. Big thing is 6x extra range. I as opposed to some appreciate as much magnification as I can get on shots.

I’m a big leupold fan and have 3 of Vx6 line. Great scopes. They are falling a bit behind lately not having an 8x or 10x line.

 

[Axle2010]

I agree on the glass. Big thing is 6x extra range. I as opposed to some appreciate as much magnification as I can get on shots.

I’m a big leupold fan and have 3 of Vx6 line. Great scopes. They are falling a bit behind lately not having an 8x or 10x line.

My only complaint with Leupold is the reticle and that's why I've been leaning away from them. I like having the option of dialing OR holdover using the reticle but Leupold has only 1 illuminated bdc type reticle and is only available in the big scopes. That's why I was looking elsewhere

 

[Daisy]

My only complaint with Leupold is the reticle and that's why I've been leaning away from them. I like having the option of dialing OR holdover using the reticle but Leupold has only 1 illuminated bdc type reticle and is only available in the big scopes. That's why I was looking elsewhere

Looks like this Steiner e3 might be the trick. Has simple bdc on reticle and a ballistics dial.

 

[Axle2010]

Looks like this Steiner e3 might be the trick. Has simple bdc on reticle and a ballistics dial.

Yep and that'll most likely be my next one. I'd get it now instead if I wasn't already talking to Mark about the VX5.

 

[Daisy]

Yep and that'll most likely be my next one. I'd get it now instead if I wasn't already talking to Mark about the VX5.

I have Vx6 1-6 on a 416 and a 375. I have vx6 2-12 on another 375. And a Vx6 4-24 on a 6.5 PRC. I’m a big big fan.

Steiner are made in USA now with German glass so gonna try that predator 8 next too. T5xi 1-5 has served me well for 7-8 years now. It’s a robust scope.

I’ve tried them all. Just like to use US stuff when I can. Swaro was it years ago when all the best glass was cut in Europe. Just don’t think that’s the case anymore. 4k for swaro full kit kind of silly imo.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I am talking to him and I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a vx5 but that Steiner looks REALLY good for the 338 that will be in next week. Then I'll be too broke to shoot anything for a month lol

@Axle2010
Better to be broke and happy than rich as and unhappy .
Then again I don't know to many rich people that are unhappy
Come to think of it I don't know any rich people either.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Looks like this Steiner e3 might be the trick. Has simple bdc on reticle and a ballistics dial.

@Daisy
All these bdc and dial in turrets are great for wasting time.
Unless you know EXACTLY the velocity, bullet bc and bdc subtensions they are a waste. To know you have to actually shoot it and figure them out.
Dial in my be OK with the Leupold CDS but you still need all the above info.
A good old fashioned duplex reticle and sight in for Max PBR and you should be fine with most cartridges out to 275 to 350 yards and that a fair poke. A backline hold will take you out to 400 to 450 yards.
Simple aim shoot collect.
I tried one of those bells and whistles scopes, dang even had an inbuilt bubble level. By the time I got it sorted on a deer I didn't even have to shoot it.
THE BLOODY THING DIED OF OLD AGE FIRST,
That scope did one hunt then went down the road to some young fella that really wanted it
I went back to the time proven SIMPLE duplex.
Bob