Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Best all around hunting rifle scope

RickyD, agreed! the 8x56 is a specialty scope and I use mine for hunting from a fixed position. for general purpose, do anything, I like the leupold 2.5x8x36 or the 3.5x10x40. these scopes can do it all. I guess that's why the 3x9x40 is the most popular scope configuration sold in the USA.

Still, the 6x42 is a solid choice for someone who does not want a variable. My WSM (a 300) wears a 6x42 S&B and it does fine for most applications.

Hey E, when was that book written? Just curious.

With a $2500 budget - Schmidt & Bender, No doubt!!

3-12X42 Klassic for longer range hunting or a 1.5-6X42 Zenith for hunting shots 300 yds and under.

Both about $1500, give or take a little.

Uh, what this guy said. I personally prefer S & B.

For the hunting that I do my Burris Signature 1.5-6X 28 with posi-lock is a vault of a scope. Weighs a little more, but you can't knock the sight off.

I actually thought of that!

300MAG,
For the best all around scope.The 1.5-6x42 S&B.I agree.

dave

The only factor that could even possibly bring leupold closer would be price, and i specifically elimanted that argument. I think you may be kidding yourself there just a little. To my eyes there is absolutely no comparison between the two. If leupold was all i could afford or all I cared to spend I am sure for the price I would not be disapointed. I am really shocked to be debating the leupold products given the perimeters I have laid out. I will give you guys one thing you are very loyal. I can appreciate that.

Anyone checked out the Kahle kx3.5-10x50. Considerably cheaper than I originally expected to spend. Maybe this would be a better set-up for a .270. Really just interested in Kahles rebound after the multi-zero scope.

No matter how hard you try it seems impossible to avoid a Leupold vs. Zeiss vs. Swarovski debate. Perhaps what you should have stated was "I want to spend no less than $2000 and it has to be made in Europe for religous, spiritual and legal reasons.

Let me start by saying I'm mainly a Leupold user, but I'm not blind to other good scopes either. I own a scope from another maker that is extremely clear and bright, better than my Leupys, but it's also bigger and heavier. Everything's a compromise.

There are reasons why the Leupold 6x42 has a strong following.

Eye relief: It's the king when it comes to ease of use due to the length and flexibility of its eye relief. It may well be the easiest scope to "get behind" that's out there.

Clarity and Brightness: It's not the very best in these categories, but it sure does pretty well anyway. It allows me to see clearly enough to shoot 2.5" groups at 300 yards when it's getting quite dark at the range, and through direct observation I've concluded that I better look at my watch before squeezing off a shot at a deer near dawn or dusk because this basic old scope has plenty of brightness to take me outside of legal shooting hours with ease.

Weight: Leupolds are quite competitive in this category.

Durability: Leupolds have a good reputation here. I have a couple that have spent the better part of twenty years on top of 7mm, 300, and 338 mags with nary a hiccup.

Warranty: Leupold is definitely competitive here.

I'd like to have the jingle to try a Z6 or Zenith, but with what I'm able to get done with my plain old Leupy it's too hard for me not to spend the price difference on a rifle to put under it and a bunch of reloading components to feed the combination. Lack of willpower I guess.

mathman

I completely understand! I just bought the Z6 for a 300WSM and haven't been able to mount it just yet. It does seem to have alot better eye relief than my swaro AV. I was also disapointed in swaros warranty on the Z6. I own 5 other swaro products and have yet to have a problem. I really don't shoot enough with one rifle to push the gun or the optics to the limits. I wish I had more time. I have been very fortunate to draw very good tags in the past and have learned to buy the best optics I could afford. Thanks for elaborating!

This post reads like a magazine article where there is no best. In the last paragraph it says, so depending on what, where, and when you like to hunt to, pick what you think would be best for you. For my 7.82 Warbird I have a NF 3.5-15x56NXS, OK for close range but can be turned up for long shots. For where I hunt this too much scope, but wanted it in case I go out west.

European 1.5 x 6 x 42mm is my vote.

Kahles 1.5x6x42 would be my vote