Need some help deciding on optics for my finally arriving Tikka Hunter LH 6.5x55
Live in ID will be my primary do it all rifle. Mostly Mulies and elk with some varmit hunting thrown in, if I'm not using my 223.
Will be hiking in and hiking out with it.

First LH rifle for me. Ive been using rightys for years. Current deer rig is a K31 with a clamp on receiver scope mount and a 4-5 yr old Nikon Prostaff with the BDC. (Best optics I currently own) Great accurate dependable rifle just 2-3 lbs too heavy.

Current scopes I've looked at:

Meopta 3.5-10x44 from Cameraland. I know I missed the recent sale. Seems like a good clear Euro scope. A couple ounces heavier than others and would prefer a Ger #4 or ranging reticle to the Plex

Zeizz Conquest 3-9x40 from Eurooptic. Seems like the best standard Euro glass value. Again would prefer a ranging or #4 reticle but at $299 is tempting.

Leupold VX2 3-9x40 CDS. From all acountd decent glass and light. the CDS with generic dial is interesting and would work well with handloads with differnt bullet weights once drop is verified. Last years pre-windplex can be found for around $300.

I'm open to any suggestions. Will be using handloads mostly 140's in 2700-2800 fps range. Do ineed a ranging reticle or CDS system?

my Tikka Swede uses a Vortex HS-LR 4-16x44

Exposed elevation turret with 1/2" clicks..

Capped windage with 1/4" click...30 mm tube...

Very postitive clicks/clear glass...well made

Leupold 2 pc dovetail bases/Burris Signature rings....

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product...iflescope-with-dead-hold-bdc-moa-reticle

Welcome to the fire Rook85.......

Personally I'd go with (lite done right) and I'd sport the leupold simply because its an awesome scope with incredible warranty and the most suitable of the 3 scopes for a rifle one intends on packing any distance because its the litest of the three.

I also see no problem going with the CDS as it will never hinder ones capability with a rifle, especially the 6.5X55 sweede that is notorious for reaching way out there and touching critters.





Shod

Yep,
or a VX3 3.5-10X40 or FX3 6x42 or FX3 2.5-8X36.

I have the VX2 3-9 CDS on a Tikka 6.5x55 and a Conquest 3-9 on another rifle. Of the scopes you list, I'd go VX2 though the Zeiss is better glass to my eye (I like smaller/lighter scopes). Starting over, I'd go with a fixed 6...

Leupold FX-3 6x42 w/ M1 Turrett.

David

Leupold VX2, 3-9x40 on my M70 classic

Exactly what I'd do, the 200 yd parralax setting on the fixed 6 would also facilitate the longer shots the 6.5X55 is capable of.




Shod

I went with the conquest, although mine rides M 70 featherweight.

My Sako Finnlight Swede has a Zeiss 3.5x10x44, a great combo.

Welcome to the 'fire; you've chosen an excellent rifle chambered to a fantastic cartridge!

Of those three on that rifle I'd go VX2 for same reasons others have mentioned, chiefly size/weight.

An FXII 6x36 w/ dots would be my first choice though. I'm kinda hooked on those, and a 42mm isn't bad, just smaller is more in keeping w/ the light overall weight of the rifle.

Efw,

I've not owned a 6X36 though I've often wondered if I was spending more for the 6X42 and getting less for exactly the reasons you've mentioned in keeping w/ the lite overall weight of the rifle.

Shod

For light weight variables I like the Leupold 2-7 variables for size and weight. Be sure they are long enough though. He tube length is short got a lot of long actions.

VX-2 3X9 with CDS would be my choice. Don't think you can beat it for the Money.

Although most of my hunting rifles have old model Leupold VXIII 2.5 X 8,
I do love my newer Leupolds with the CDS Dial

Thanks for all the input.

I'll definitely take a look at the FX-II 6x36 with the LRD

It seems the 3-9X40 VX-2 with CDS can be had for aprox $300 with the old standard duplex.

The new windplex CDS or the FX-II with LRD are running $350 at all the major retailers.

How bad are the supplied Tikka rings? I've heard arguments both ways. The rifle isn't a 338 WM by any means or am I better off ponying up the $50 for a set of Talley light weight lows?

Any other suggestions are welcome. Its exciting to be able to get a Lefty in 6.5x55. I love my M96 Swede and wanted a modern hunting rifle in it, but for years all I could find in a LH rifle was 30-06 270 308, 223, or 243.

Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40...got a half dozen on my guns and one of the best for the price.

My CZ 550 American 6.5x55 has a Conquest 3-9x40 with a German #4 reticle. It is a great set up. Last summer I bought a new .243 and one of the Meopta Meopro 3.5-10x44's with #4 reticle from CameraLand. My intent was to put the Zeiss on the .243 and the Meopta on the CZ. But the CZ bolt knob hit the ocular on the Meopta so it went on the .243 and the Zeiss stayed on the 6.5x55. The CZ had medium rings and I did not want to go to highs.

I have all three scopes you mentioned in your initial post and any of them will work fine. My personal preference is:
1) Meopro
2) Conquest
3) VX-2

Tikka factory rings. I hate them. Prefer aftermarket rings. The store I work at sells a ton of Tikkas and I mount scopes when I'm working. When a Tikka is sold I gently suggest purchasing Leupold or Warne(that is what we carry) but if the customer resists then I mount their scopes with the factory rings. The funny thing is, I've mounted scopes on a whole bunch of Tikkas using the factory rings and even though I can't stand them, I've never known of a rifle coming back to the store because the factory rings failed. And if such an event occurred I would know about it.

I have no need for a ranging reticle or CDS turrets on my Swede. YMMV.

+1. I like any of your choices but the Meopta can be had for $299 right now at cameraland. It may be the best of the three by a small margin to boot.

I would also have a look at the Sightron Sii Big Sky series.

The VX-2 is not quite a match for the Big Sky and I think it is worth having a look at one in the same price range. I am not sure how good the new Conquest are and have no experience with the Meopta

Pieter

Can't go wrong with any of the VX2, VX3, FX3, or Meopta/Conquest scopes IMO. Ergos give the VX's the edge, glass my give a slight (very, very slight) edge to the Meopta. I've been shooting Tikkas for 15 years, and have extensive use with the factory rings on the T3, as well as the Talley's on the T3. I like the looks of the Talley's better, but have never had any problems with the factory rings either, as long as you don't use a cheater pipe to tighten the ring screws you'll be fine.

I would top it with a Nightforce 3-10x42 in Talley lightweight rings.

The SHV is a bargain and a stellar scope.

yes- but at over $500 more than the Meopro..........

Still haven't pulled the trigger on a new score yet.

I see that Cabelas has the 2014 Vx-3 3.5-10 x 40 CDS on sale for $400. I'd it worth the $130 price difference from a vx2 CDS?

They also have their euro series. 3-9x42 for $300 with standard Plex. Nearest I can tell it's a Meopta built like the old Zeiss conquests, only question is potential warranty and no bdc or ranging reticle.

Hello a penny pincher out. My best optics to date are an Aimpoint PRO and a Nikon prostaff

First vote goes to VX-3 2.5-8x36

Second vote goes to Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40

I have 2 t3s and this is how they're set up. The leupy is on my swede. Go with the DNZ mount.

I've ditched all my variables and gone fixed.

Can't speak highly enough of the Leupy 6x42 and 6x36.

I went with the 6x36 on my Tikkas. My buddy has the 6x42 and it wasn't $100 better or brighter to me and not worth the extra size and weight (I've got the Superlites).

Optics planet always has 5% coupons and free shipping so you'd be looking at about $333 for the LRD model.

As SLM once said, 'A Leupy fixed 6 is never a wrong answer'...

Oh, and I might add I've had zero issues with the factory rings....apart from being azz ugly!

Still using factory on one of the SL but went with 16Bore's milled Talleys on the .308 for sexiness....

get a meopta meopro 3-9x42 with #4 reticle

Thumbs up for the 6.5x55 with the FX3 6x42.

I have a Sightron Big Sky 3-12 (HHR reticle)on my 7mm-08.

It's my first Sightron... It's about the same price point as a VX3 and I'd say it matches or beats my VX3 in clarity and brightness. Very impressed.