Best low power EE scope in production

[C.W. Richter]

Some years back, visited EuroOptic (as I had prior for binos) to actually look through each of the higher end scopes (outside at varying distances) for a hot handloaded 416 that kicks a bit more than factory (but is super accurate!)...Looked at the Kahles, Swaro, Zeiss, S&B (that one I may have ruled out on price v. comparative quality), and the Trijicon 1-6 (the latter of which I purchased.) NO issues whatsoever (super accurate, great eye relief, FOV, always lit via fiber optic/tritium, etc.) I believe the eye relief is one of the higher, unless you're looking for a forward-mounted, scout style scope setup.?

 

[Dirtdart]

I want to be able to fire any rifle from the prone position should the need arise on a hunt. I am able to do that with rifles up to my .404 using quality scopes with at least 3.5 inches of constant eye relief.

I have compared the Swarovski Z6I 1-6x24 next to the EE version of the same model and found no need for the EE but I would feel differently on a big 458 or larger.

I have been fortunate enough to compare most of the scopes mentioned and have formed my own opinions. If the "eye box" isn't forgiving the amount eye relief is moot. The Swarovski 1.7-10 or 1.7-13.3 has 75' field of view on the bottom end which is the minimum that I can comfortably use with both eyes open. Your milage may vary as many are fine with a bottom end FOV in the 50+ feet found on a popular brand variable in 2-12.

It is not always easy but when comparing one scope to another I try to judge strictly on the unit in hand. If country of origin, warranty policy, price point, resale value, or "What will my friends say when they see me with this" are important to you then by all means let those criteria make your decision easier.

I have not seen the Nickel Magnum 1.5-6x30 mentioned in an earlier post and I doubt that you will find one in the US.

I have not had my hands on the GPO 1-6x24 nor do I know where it was manufactured. The 1.5-9x32 I have is not a Swarovski Z6I,Z8I, or a S&B Exos nor did I expect it to be.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I am so over buying things that disappoint that I now spend an inordinate amount of time researching and if the right thing costs more, so be it. Cheap rubbish or just incorrect expensive kit is the worst waste there is.
So looking for the correct scope for my new Ruger No1 with its' need for long eye relief I took good advice from WAB, Rookhawk and others on this forum and held out for a second hand Swarovski 1-6x 24i EE. Yes, it cost a lot, more than my new Ruger. Good friends then bought it out to Africa for me and it took a while. It was worth both the time and the price, it is an excellent match up.
If I get another No1 I will take a look at the German Precision Optics one, but only after searching very hard for another Swarovski.

 

[RR 314]

I am an outlier on this I suppose. I've never been scoped in my life. I have come to the conclusion that it is proper gun fit that is the key. Does anyone have other thoughts as to why some of us have never joined the "Jim Shockey club"?

My Z8's and VX6's have great eye relief and work well for me.

I have been scoped one time and I anticipated it would happen. We followed a buffalo all day and were busted 3 times. Finally got on him again and we were all in seated positions and I opted to take the shot with the rifle resting on my knees in front of me as he was staring right at us again. Not any lead in your backside in that position.

 

[FlyGuy]

ZEISS V8 1.1-8 x 24
Leica Amplus 1-6 x 24
Meopta DF 1-4 x 22
Schmidt & Bender 1-8 x 24 Exos
GPO 1-6 x 24
Trijicon 1-4 x 24 Accupoint
Hawke 1-6 x 24

All the above will do the job.
If you need more than 90mm of eye relief, hold the gun tighter.

 

[YancyW]

I don't have any personal experience with Tract but I've seen other hunters post some positive comments. Schott glass, made in Japan & close to 4" of eye relief on their 1-8x24 scopes.

People get tired of me saying, but Tract is insanely good quality. I have plenty of the top tier to compare to, and it hold its own. Not saying just as good as, but I am saying it so close, I'm not sure I actually notice the difference if I am not looking for it.

 

[YancyW]

I would like to point out, the only time I have been scoped and it drew blood @Philip Glass was standing about 2 feet away from me. His good fortune was not shared with me.

 

[WAB]

I am an outlier on this I suppose. I've never been scoped in my life. I have come to the conclusion that it is proper gun fit that is the key. Does anyone have other thoughts as to why some of us have never joined the "Jim Shockey club"?

My Z8's and VX6's have great eye relief and work well for me.

I don’t use an EE for fear of getting scoped. I use if for proper eye relief on a No 1. They are the perfect scope for a No 1 if 6x is sufficient to your needs.

 

[rookhawk]

I dont know anything of the quality, but it is german. Eye reliëf is 125mm (4,9 in)

Nickel : Nickel Magnum 1.5-6x30 EDS

Nickel Magnum 1,5-6x30 ED Zielfernrohre mit Beleuchtungssystem B3, Isodot Leuchtabsehen in der zweiten Bildebene, Leuchtabsehen L4d, L4c, L1 oder Absehen 4. Die Zielfernrohre der Nickel AG sind mit oder ohne Schiene erhältlich.

nickel-ag.com

B. Nickel also known as Huertl & Reuss <sp?> has been an excellent optic for the past 50 years. I've never seen a modern one in the USA and I'm not sure they have US dealers. That might make it impossible to own given ITAR rules and whatnot. (need an importer)

Ignoring that "potential" option the answer is there is nothing, no options, better get an EE while you can still get one for (gulp) affordable money. I was buying them on closeout in 2016 for $1100 non-illuminated, $1450 illuminated. Things have certainly changed, roughly tracking gold and bitcoin prices.

I know one person that bought a rifle for $9000 just to get the optic, then sold off the rifle so he could get into an EE for less than prevailing prices.

P.S. - I just ran the numbers. The Nickel scope is $4763 at current exchange rate from EU to USD. Add in shipping and an importer, you've got yourself a $5500 scope not as good as an EE for more than an EE. So the answer is, just the EE is your only option.

 

[Philip Glass]

I would like to point out, the only time I have been scoped and it drew blood @Philip Glass was standing about 2 feet away from me. His good fortune was not shared with me.

Oh Yancy that was unfortunate. I really hate to be the guy that says it never happens to me because who knows!
We had such a good time on that safari. Good memories.

 

[Philip Glass]

I think you’re just smarter than me! I’ve only been scoped once but I have a small scar between my eyes as a permanent memento. I have a Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40mm mounted on my custom Remington 700 375 RUM. Had previously shot game animals off shooting sticks, standing over an old fence post and sitting without issue.

Since this was a semi long range setup, I had a cross canyon shot an a cow tule elk at 300 yards and STUPIDLY got into the prone position with the rifle held very loosely and took the shot. The sharp Leupold eyepiece (I later added a rubber screw on eyecup) cut me between the eyes like a scalpel. I couldn’t see the elk for a second shot (luckily didn’t need one) because blood was cascading down my face.

The eye relief is 3.6 - 4.4 so decent amount just a bad shooting position for that rifle, probably would have occurred with any scope. Lesson learned.

View attachment 655723

Oh boy that RUM will do it! A good friend of mine had a similar story. He was prone on a brown bear shooting uphill. He said he knew it would happen but after hunting for this bear and finally getting the shot he just had to not think about it. Boom, in the Jim Shockey club.

 

[Buckums]

This is great info as always. I've been fortunate so far, and never been scoped in 40+ years of hunting - but I've never shot anything larger than a 300 Win in a hunting situation either. That is going to change July 1 of this year - Luangwa River Valley buffalo and PG. In preparation, I mounted a Vari-X III 1.5-5x on my 375 H&H - mounted as far back as possible - when zoomed in to higher magnification the eye relief is too close for my comfort which keeps me at or close to minimum magnification. 14 inch LOP is just a little long for me (by maybe 0.25 - 0.5 inch), but not enough to go through the hassle of changing it.. not sure if that matters. For me, 1.5-2x is fine out to 100 yards, but much further I really like to be 3x or more depending on distance. I know people that can shoot 200 yards with 1x power and all, but I personally don't feel comfortable with that in a hunting situation. Also, I now have a 416 Rigby, where I had originally planned to mount my VX-3 1.5-5x... but if the eye relief is similar to the Vari-X, I will be looking for something different. All of this had me asking the question about Swaro EE alternatives, and as typical, the high level and thoughtful information that has been shared here is very informative and highly appreciated. In reading this, excluding the near unobtainable, possibly something with Continuous Eye Relief in the 3.9-4 inch range will be enough?

 

[CBeck]

Hawke Optics has pretty good eye relief. I bought one of these to test drive on a 375HH, but didn't have time to get this done prior to shoulder surgery, so it will be later this year before I can see how I like it. 3.8" eye relief.

Vantage 30 WA 1-8x24 L4A Dot

An extensive range of scopes to suit all calibres and disciplines. All Vantage riflescopes feature our H2 optics in a variety of configurations. IR models feature precision glass etched reticles with multi-stage illumination in both red and green. Capped Low-Profile Turrets. 30mm Mono-Tube...

us.hawkeoptics.com

They also have their Endurance line. Only have a 1-4x24 in a straight 30mm tube, but it has 4" of eye relief.

Endurance 30 WA 1-4x24 L4A Dot

Designed for all hunting disciplines - from varmint to big game.. All models feature HawkeÕs new H5 optics which boasts a stunning 24¡ ultra-wide field of view with generous 100mm eye relief. The H5 illumination system features multi-LED technology for high intensity illumination. Capped...

us.hawkeoptics.com

Both have an L4A illuminated reticle, which I really like. The Vantage is selectable red or green, the Endurance strictly red. They also have over 200moa of adjustment, both up/down & L-R.
No complaints on clarity or any aspect of the lenses, but haven't tried in marginal light yet.
The price point can't be beat if they do in fact hold up to heavier recoil. $450 for the Vantage, $550 for the Endurance.

I just had a hawke 1-8 frontier arrive on my doorstep tonight. Will be mounting it tomorrow on a Ruger .375

 

[Buckums]

I just had a hawke 1-8 frontier arrive on my doorstep tonight. Will be mounting it tomorrow on a Ruger .375

Report your findings please sir

 

[CBeck]

Report your findings please sir

Will do!

 

[CBeck]

Well, I had a chance today to mount the Hawke Frontier 1-8. Mounted on Warne medium QD rings…. possibly could’ve got away with low rings, but with my meat paws, I don’t think the bolt would cycle easily.

I will say, I am quite pleased. I believe the build quality to be quite high. Positive clicks on the adjustment and resettable to zero. The magnification zoom is smooth and about the right friction. It comes with two different length throw levers, neither of which will work for me but still a nice touch.

The edge to edge optical quality and clarity is quite good. On par with the Leupold scopes that I own.

The eye relief is generous at 4 inches and the eye box is plenty large, much larger than the Japan made Weaver super slam dangerous game series I have.

The illumination is more than adequate… Even on upper night level settings it’s bright enough for daytime use. I can’t ever imagine needing the daytime settings.

I walked over to my home range andput 12 .375 Ruger rounds down range today and it seemed to hold zero fine so far.

About the only question remains long-term durability, and I need to play with it a bit more to get a feel for the shake awake feature of the illumination.

It came with two nice metal flip up lens caps, which will be nice for storage…. and a caution not to use them on heavily recoiling rifles… Lol.

Retail was $1000 but I found one on sale for $800

I also like the no questions asked lifetime warranty, though I hope it will not need to be used.

 

[KIH]

Is it wise to have the fast detach handels on right side?

 

[CBeck]

Is it wise to have the fast detach handels on right side?

Yes, Always the ejection port / bolt side... as a RH person, when/if I sling a rifle on my right shoulder and don’t want the levers rubbing against me and potentially loosening or digging into me. Also, when I’m carrying the rifle in my right hand... I don’t want them rubbing me and since the bolt is already protruding on the right side, it keeps the left side clean and flat.

 

[Buckums]

Thanks for the detailed review CBeck. That is a beautiful rifle.....now you are just showing out with the 0.6 MOA!

 

[CBeck]

Thanks for the detailed review CBeck. That is a beautiful rifle.....now you are just showing out with the 0.6 MOA!

lol….non, no, no. The range at home is shorter…it’s a 1 to 1.5 moa rifle.