Hunting scope

[Milan]

I have/had Meopta, S&B, Leupold, Vortex, Redfield, Bushnell, Nightforce, Trijicon, Zeiss, etc.... 1" tubes, 30mm tubes...1-4, 2-7, 3-9, 4-12, 1.5-6, objective lenses from 28 to 56mm, yadda yadda yadda. Of all these I find the smaller, 1" tube Leupolds the lightest. So if you want light weight, stick to 33-36 objective on 1" tube - 2-7x33, 2.5-8x36, 3-9x33 Ultralight, etc. If you want brighter glass, you will pay more in weight and cost. 50mm objective on a hunting scope (unless I'm hunting from a stand at very low light or at night) I find a bit too bulky and my aging eyes can't tell the difference between it and 2.5-8x42 setup. They can tell difference between 28mm Leupold lens and 42mm Meopta/S&B lens at dusk though even at 4 vs. 8 magnification respectively.

 

[Saul]

I use nothing but Swaro at this point, mainly because my eyes are getting old, so the clarity and illumination of the Z8 really helps.

 

[Ridgewalker]

JMO, but I would think a dingo at 500m is a very small target for anything under at least 12x. As stated numerous times the 1” tube Leupolds are about as light as you can find and reasonable glass and price.
I’ve shot pronghorn antelope at over 400 yards with only a 4x, but they are probably 4 times the size of a dingo.

 

[BC.Pat]

This is probably ruffle some feathers, but most hunters would be better served by trimming a few grams of their waist line, rather worrying of grams on their equipment.
Myself included.

Pat

 

[CBH Australia]

@Ridgewalker correct a Dingo is a small dog bigger than a fox . I could have been misleading with an earlier postt. Smong other things i want to improve my skills and be a competent shot at 500m withount spending the earth. That may be a .308 CTR with a decent scope that is used for target/varmint work and to just practice for skills.
In my experience ive shot dingoes under 200m and seen plenty run out to 300 before looking back where i just wont shoot if im not confident of a hit. I can make myself useful if i can nail dogs at a distance.
Im trying to limit myself to about 6 useful centrefires. Currently trying to settle on one for regular short hunts shooting pigs. Dogs are not prevelent in this area but they can pass through. Elsewhere i moght simply target them for the duration so a vantage point at a water point with a suitable outfit would serve me well. I can get regular practice close to work.

@BC.Pat yep im watching my weight . That is a fair call. Im just looking at a nice lightish setup for regular walks. Quick afternoon hunts and incentive to get out and go. Then when appropriate the same rifle might be used for most of my hunting except where a different calibre /configuration is required where i will suffer the weight penalty with appropriate optics.

 

[Dwight Beagle]

Have you looked through a Swarovski scope CBH Australia? The reason I ask is because I’m one of a seemingly incredibly small minority that doesn’t see well through Swarovski glass. In fact I know of only one other person with the same affliction. I’m in no way denigrating Swarovski, it’s patently obvious they make fantastic scopes. I’ve looked through a whole bunch of them and the picture is always just a bit blurry to my eyes.

I have a MeoPro 3.5-10x44 with a German #4, in fact I have two. My favorite scope that I own. I also have a Meopta made 3-9x40 Zeiss Conquest with German #4. My Meopta seems slightly better glass wise but the difference is small.

For me the VX-3i 2.5-8x36 checks a lot of boxes.

His professional dispensation of knowledge and advice is a refreshing change from the garbage that we tend to see reiterated in hunting and shooting magazines; year by year and decade by decade.

I’m a fan of Koshkin too. I’ve even communicated with him once or twice via texting and he was very nice and helpful.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

This is a 2010 article/review on the Leupold 2.5x8x36. As several have already stated, it is an excellent scope in a rather smallish package. I have this scope on 3 rifles and love it. https://www.randywakeman.com/Leupold_VX-3_2.htm

 

[CBH Australia]

@Dwight Beagle yes I have looked through a Swarovski. I used a hire rifle with a Z6 in South Africa, very nice.

I did look at them at a store a Z5 when I was considering a 5-25x50 varmint scope.

In a magazine review they showed the Leupold image alongside the Swarovski presumably at the same time of day. The write up wasn’t really biased but in the images it appeared the Swarovski had an edge on clarity.

I have a mate who has a Z6 and other decent scopes, his Z6 is the most prized by him for his hunting rifle.

The Swarovski z3 maybe almost double the Leupold vx3i and that makes it hard to justify.

Just been at the gunsmith this arvo and my secondhand Tikka .300wm arrived. Waiting on permit. Bounced some ideas off him for a possible build. 5 Tikka’s now, I see a pattern forming.

I mentioned the Christensen Arms Ridgeline and he said they are pretty good. Like I said throwing money at a Tikka won’t recouped the values to resell, buying a Ridgeline will only drop so far and possibly hold steady. Like a Quality scope, secondhand Leupold , Swarovski seem to sell ok because the model you want isn’t always available when you want it.

 

[Dwight Beagle]

It’s good you see great through Swarovski. Once or twice a year I’ll look through one when at a store because this little niggling voice tells me it’s a figment of my imagination. Unfortunately it’s not, I get the same result every time.

 

[Milan]

This is probably ruffle some feathers, but most hunters would be better served by trimming a few grams of their waist line, rather worrying of grams on their equipment.
Myself included.

Pat

No ruffled feathers I hope. It is true. I apply the same philosophy to biking. Yet that does not mean I want heavy bike or heavy rifle and scope. Also I'm finding as I get older I get weaker...unfortunate but true. So I now try to get everything lighter - backpack became bum pack, stuff I carry is lesser in weight and size as well as amount, etc..... Mind you even when I was young I did not like hauling 25" barreled Brno 602 weighing 12 lbs. Beautiful rifle, comfy to shoot, just not my thang. Today I still haul 10 lb rifles but I like the idea of a 7-8 lb one especially since I went down in calibers.

 

[The_Wanderer]

CBH- have you seen the Z5 2.4-12x50 with BT?
https://aa.swarovskioptik.com/hunting/z5-2p4-12x50-c20050303/z5-2p4-12x50-brx-us-p5555551

 

[CBH Australia]

I

CBH- have you seen the Z5 2.4-12x50 with BT?
https://aa.swarovskioptik.com/hunting/z5-2p4-12x50-c20050303/z5-2p4-12x50-brx-us-p5555551

Thanks, that scope is likely heavier in weight than what I am currently pondering. It’s also more expensive but I hope to get into at least one Swarovski at some point so that’s where the Z3 versions are their lightest and cheapest.
I Will check out your recommendation for Bolt action productions on You Tube for that Kiwi stock.
WA hey, don’t they have some restrictive gun laws? My mate moved to Busselton 22 years ago, we keep in touch but I haven’t travelled there yet.

Your profile says where do you start to hunt Africa?
I started here, 10 months later I was on a cull hunt. I reckon start in Perth, flights are cheaper. I had a domestic transfer first costly then it changed on top causing an overnight at Sydney.

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen chose Namibia and came in through Perth,

If I did it again I reckon I would avoid domestic transfers in South Africa if I could get a decent package ex Johannesburg, just simplify things, time money, etc. But my trip was good.

Secondly, ask Bob about Namibia, it’s low fences and free range game.

I got all I asked for in my hunt, I thought Africa was a dream I would never achieve but it wasn’t the 20k+ I imagined, not for my trip. I took 10 cull animals and went to Addo Elephant Park and booked our own trip to Pumba game reserve when I saw we would make quota easily. I got the same service, food and drinks as a client hunting a trophy. If anything it’s maybe just easier for the PH to put me into some game, nothing is wasted.

See if you can make a budget trip / first trip and Be well informed for the return trip.

 

[The_Wanderer]

I

Thanks, that scope is likely heavier in weight than what I am currently pondering. It’s also more expensive but I hope to get into at least one Swarovski at some point so that’s where the Z3 versions are their lightest and cheapest.
I Will check out your recommendation for Bolt action productions on You Tube for that Kiwi stock.
WA hey, don’t they have some restrictive gun laws? My mate moved to Busselton 22 years ago, we keep in touch but I haven’t travelled there yet.

A few years back I upgraded to Z3s on a number of rifles. They are brilliant scopes and you won't be disappointed. My only wish is that they did the 3.5-10x42 with the ballistic turrets!

CBH- Yes our Gun laws are a whole other level of draconian. For those in the US think California laws but a million times worse! But we do have some magnificent country, fishing, food and wine. Your mate lives on the door step to some of the best surfing and wine country in the world. If you get a chance to head West I recommend March, still warm enough to enjoy the beaches and surf, but you don't get the winds you get in summer.

Your profile says where do you start to hunt Africa?
I started here, 10 months later I was on a cull hunt. I reckon start in Perth, flights are cheaper. I had a domestic transfer first costly then it changed on top causing an overnight at Sydney.

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen chose Namibia and came in through Perth,

If I did it again I reckon I would avoid domestic transfers in South Africa if I could get a decent package ex Johannesburg, just simplify things, time money, etc. But my trip was good.

Secondly, ask Bob about Namibia, it’s low fences and free range game.

I got all I asked for in my hunt, I thought Africa was a dream I would never achieve but it wasn’t the 20k+ I imagined, not for my trip. I took 10 cull animals and went to Addo Elephant Park and booked our own trip to Pumba game reserve when I saw we would make quota easily. I got the same service, food and drinks as a client hunting a trophy. If anything it’s maybe just easier for the PH to put me into some game, nothing is wasted.

See if you can make a budget trip / first trip and Be well informed for the return trip.

Thank you for the tip and i will definitely consider a cull hunt. To me it will still be a trophy and an experience I'll be sure to remember. Given my the age of my young family I think it maybe a few years still yet.

cheers
TW

 

[rookhawk]

The Swarovski z3 3-9x36 is their least expensive scope. About $600 US.

it’s a 1” tube model.

that is an excellent scope for most applications that is very bright and lightweight. My 9 year old has one on his 7x64 and it does the job for about anything.

Leupold is fine on sale, but don’t pay German/Austrian optics money for a leupold, that’s just silly. $600-$700 gets you into some world class hunting optics.

 

[rookhawk]

This:

 

[CBH Australia]

This:

View attachment 357631

That’s a lucky 9yo,
I recently learned about the 7x64 and .280 in a thread I asked about 7mm rifles.
I like the 7mm-08, now it seems those two offer so much more without going into the 7mmRM category.

Decisions decisions,

I like Swarovski, I’ve seen an image in a magazine that showed it to be brighter than Leupold in the same conditions.

Can anyone tell me if the Swarovski glass or coatings improve as you buy a higher series? Or is it just the zoom range and erector springs that are upgraded?

Z3 models are starting around $1200 Aussie dollars here.

 

[rookhawk]

That’s a lucky 9yo,
I recently learned about the 7x64 and .280 in a thread I asked about 7mm rifles.
I like the 7mm-08, now it seems those two offer so much more without going into the 7mmRM category.

Decisions decisions,

I like Swarovski, I’ve seen an image in a magazine that showed it to be brighter than Leupold in the same conditions.

Can anyone tell me if the Swarovski glass or coatings improve as you buy a higher series? Or is it just the zoom range and erector springs that are upgraded?

Z3 models are starting around $1200 Aussie dollars here.

Good questions about the Swarovski optics. I don’t know for sure.

I know the Z3 is only 1” and only 3x multiplier, that’s what makes them entry level. The quality is very good. The US MSRP for the 3-9x36mm is $699. Pro-staff and demo units get occasionally resold new in box for $450-$550. Great value. Better than the leupold at same price point in my opinion, but leupold isn’t a bad product.

The z5, z6, and z8 have more features, more options, and of course more magnification options. They are costly as you know.

For a working man, a $500-$700 Swaro is a forever scope that will still be good in 20 years. Great warranty and CS too.