I am interested in getting opinions on a good 1000 yard scope. All of my guns have Leupold's mounted, most are VX-3 with the CDS turret and fine duplex reticle. I have shot out to almost 500 yards with them and they work fine, but don't have windage adjustment or reticles that support windage holds.

Leupold has new custom reticle for the VX-3, but it comes with a lot of stuff on it, mostly for elevation holds...makes for a busy sight picture.

I know about Nightforce - I have shot guns with the NXS scope - both 3.5-15 and 5.5-22, and I have looked at the SHV, but it was designed to be used in the field with the turret caps on, which seems funny that you would have adjustable turrets, but have a cap on them.

What do you guy's use or would like to use and why?

Thanks.

Sorry - forgot to include budget - I wouldn't like to spend more than $1,800 (which is the cost of the Nightforce)

Apart from weight, I guess you cannot go wrong with Nightforce. Or ad a M1 turret to your VX-3

Pieter

5.5-22 NXS.

The SHV is supposed to be marketed as a hunting scope, where protecting the turret from movement while hiking, riding, tripping over logs is the objective over turning turrets, until spotting and stalking. Haven't seen one in person, yet.

Huskemaw.

Bushnell LRHS is your best bet. Can be had for < $1k now. Great features, amazing glass and utterly reliable. After that, I'd be looking at the SWFA SS 10x HD.

John

Clay: Depends on the application. Paper/steel/small varmints/large varmints/big game? Bench rifle/midweight/ or carry rifle?

For paper an small varmints, I think you'd want 16X-25X on the top end. For big game 10X-12X should be plenty.

I went out and looked at the Huskemaw...hadn't heard of them before. Nice scope. How long have they been around? I like the lifetime warranty but that would only be as good as the company.

How about vortex....specifically the Viper HS-T. Any experience with that scope?

I had an HS-T and it was a good scope. Great feature set for the price. While mine tracked accurately, The Vortex Viper series does not have as good a reputation for long term tracking reliability as some others. I went to the Bushnell LRHS. The HS-T was good, but not even in the same league as the LRHS. There's one on the Hide for $950 right now�

John

The 5.5-22 nightforce is a stellar long range performer and top scope choice for new builds. An NPR 1 or NPR 2 reticle (I have both) and call it good, unless you want to go MIL/MIL.

$950 is a great deal. I bought two on the sniperhide group buy. Wish now I had not as it was no "buy".

But a very nice scope none the less.

They've been around for at least 10 years. 5 different models to choose from. The new 5-30 I heard was very nice, my buddy just put one on his rifle.

I have 4 of the Vortex HS-T's and 2 of the Vortex PST's. The tracking has been great on all of them. I have only taken them out to 500yds and back, but they all returned to zero. To my eyes the glass is as good as Leupold VX-3 line, but you be the judge. The turrets have a nice positive feel from them, and are marked well. They both have zero stops, and some models are first focal plane. Are they as good as the Nightforce's, Huskemaw's and other high end optics? Probably not, but you are getting a lot of the high end features for not as much money.

Thanks for all of the input...not an easy choice, but fun doing the research.

LRHS @ $950= easy choice!

Nightforce.....because they work.....

+1 nightforce 5.5 x22. At least you can see what your shooting at.

Nightforce are reliable for sure.

Both the Nightforces I tried were better than my Swarovski z5 5-25X's when compared side by side in varying conditions. One Nightforce was a 12-42X the other was a 5.5-22X. The Nightforces were either on the same or a lower magnification setting.

Of those two, which reticle would you recommend for a long range hunting rig (6.5 x 280 Rem Improved) for a beginner long range guy?

Ed

I prefer the NP-R1, but you're SOL on either for a new scope, as they discontinued both reticles and replaced them with the MOAR.

I have a couple of the MOAR's and they are a great reticle. People complained that it was a bit thick for their taste, so NF came out with a thinner "T" version.

I have 2 NF NXS and a Leupy Mark 4 M1 16x40 that I use for LR target/F-class shooting. None would be my choice on a hunting rig.

Of the LR scopes I have on other rifles, I guess one of my 1" VX3 4.5-14x40s with M1s or my 30mm VX3 8.5-25x50 would get the nod. Although the latter may be too large for my tastes on a hunting rig. Still lighter than a NF though.

I had a Viper 6.5-20x44 and tracking was a tad "off" out to 600 yds. All the others worked as advertised.

I'm not into fancy reticles. My NXS have NP-R1s. Most of my Leupys, including the VX3 4.5-14x40s and 8.5-25x50 have standard duplexes. As does a Mark 2 6-18x40 I have mounted on a custom 7mm mag.

That said, do not overlook the wide duplex for LR precision work. It is excellent on LR targets due to the thinner center lines. I have the wide duplex on the Mark 4 M1 16x40 and a 4-12x40 CDS. I know you don't hear people say it much, and it wasn't designed for LR shooting, but it is a great LR reticle when coupled with a drop chart and some M1s. I have shot 5-shot 1.25" groups @ 500yds with it 2X in F-class matches. I shoot eggs at 600yds with it. (Not "innanet groups" people here witnessed it ) It is just thin enough to get it done, yet works better on large F-class targets and big game than a fine duplex. It covers less of LR F-class targets than a standard duplex, and "brackets" them better also. It is kinda like getting the best of both worlds out of a fine duplex and standard duplex at the same time, when LR shooting is the goal.

I would figure out the minimum size/power/weight scope you could get by with and go with that. Then add a 20moa base. Probably some flavor of Leupy with M1s and a simple reticle. Just my 2�.....

I would certainly take a Nightforce over any Leupys, but that,s just me. In fact I prefer a S & B over any other.

A bit pricey on the S&B put they are legend.

Never ever looked through a better low light scope. I used Nighforce until I made the mistake of trying a S&B, I was spoiled after that.

Yeah that's what scares me, so I avoid looking through them. LOL

Here is a good buy on the 6500 4.5-30 power.
http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Reti...82&sr=8-3&keywords=bushnell+6500

Why not send in one of your leupolds for m1's till you can decide what you want?

I have one of those. During the day it requires 1X less magnifiation for me to see the same detail as it does for my Swarovski z5 5-25X52. For example if I see the fork antlers 131 yards away with the Bushnell on 10X the Swarovski will require 11X. In low light if the Bushnell needs 15X the Swarovski will still need only 11X.

At the top end the Bushnell needs 27X for me to see the detail the Swarovski shows me on 25X. The eye relief is about the same for both. Also it does not change through out the magnification range.

My Bushnell weighs 22.5 ounces.

Clarity and quality, many will never understand it.