Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Help: Choosing between Zeiss Conquest & Vortex Viper 6.5-20x50 Riflescopes

Ok, I've been sold on the long range hunting approach, and no I didn't drink the Kool-aid. I was out in Utah last month on a mule deer hunt and the guide had a 7MM RUM sendero tuned up, tricked out and topped with the Huskemaw scope. We all took turns using the gun and were consistently hitting targets (rocks) out out to 1155 yards (very little wind that day). And, two hunters made solid, one shot kills 500+ yard shots on mule deer (the Berger 168s were pretty amazing). The 3rd hunter, a 70-year old, missed in high winds on a 770-yard, cross-canyon shot. He hit right behind the buck's tail, but was dead-on with the range.

So, I'm convinced that it is time to get a little more modern with my setup. I shoot a Sako 75 7MM RM and get sub-MOA with it consistently. I currently have a Conquest 3-9x40 on top and love it. To me the optical quality of the Huskemaw isn't up to snuff, so I'm looking at either the Zeiss or Vortex and then ordering a custom turret from Kenton Industries (any feedback on them would be welcomed too).

Thoughts?

Thoughts????I think you need to get closer and forget about the long Range Rifle.95% of the fun is in the Stalk.Eliminate the stalk and well ,your just shooting!!!!

Why not just get some turrets for your current Conquest? Nine X not enough?

Given the way they're made I *think* custom turrets rule out the Vortex.

Hah Huntz...can't argue with you there. But, I do so much stalking when I'm bowhunting.

Actually, Kenton Ind. makes a turret for the Vortex. Also, they don't make one for the Zeiss 3-9 and you need the target turrets for it to work.

Interesting. I was wrong thinking the springy pull down mechanism for the Vortex adjustment knobs would be a problem.

Buy an Leupold LR scope and stick some M1's on it.

About the Vortex - I ordered one of there 6.5 x 20 Vipers with 44mm objective to put on my custom 700 match rifle. This rifle was previously wearing a Weaver Grand Slam 6 - 20.

The first thing I noticed with the vortex was made in the phillipines stamped on the bottom. Everyone is saying there made in Japan (right). Optically it has a very shallow depth of field, with clarity and resolution that just was not there, actually fairly poor. I worked with it for 3 hours at the range trying to get that perfect crisp sight picture I was used to with the grand slam. It did not happen and I thought there must be a problem with the scope.

Vortex graciously received it for repair and a week later I talk with them. Guess what? They found nothing wrong and offered to send me a replacement. I requested they should send it to the dealer and I would work out a return with him. Vortex does truly have great customer service so thats a huge plus.

I never heard of Vortex until last year but they have making big waves, and everybody is hot to trot about their scopes. I was really, dissapointed that 6.5 x 20 did not work out as it had real nice features.

I have the Conquest 6.5-20x50mm. It is optically spectacular, and tracks very well. You can get one with turrets for $750 from CameraLand.

I shot the test below with it, on my Sendero. 100 yards. I would fire ONE shot, then click it 4 MOA, fire ONE shot, etc. I was pleased with the result.

Kenton does make a turret for the 3-9x40 conquest but you have to send it to ziess for retrofitting so that the Kenton Ind. turret will fit.

I ended up going with with T24 and it is razor sharp, micro-trac and made in Japan. I always left my Grand Slam on 20 power so I decided to go back to a fixed.

Agreed.

Thanks, I did not know that.

Grimace hunt the way you want to hunt. My vote goes to the Conquest. My dad has one and it's a great scope.