Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Swaro vs Zeiss vs NF vs........

Looking to scope a 280AI I just picked up. Majority of shots will range from 100-300 yards, 90% of them within 100 yards in thicker woods. I'm currently using a number of different scopes with lighted reticles, but stepping up in glass quality I'm unsure if it's needed. The gun weighs 8lbs so I'm shying away from NF purely because of weight. The Swarovski's I'm looking at are the Z3's and Z5's. Looking at Zeiss V4 and V6's. Generally I'm shooting at last light so I don't want the reticle to disappear when I need it most. Durability and repeatability are the top 2 requirements. Input?

Cody,

I am not sure "Durability and repeatability" are something lightweight scopes can offer with long term usage. I have been buying the Nightforce NXS series for a few years now and I like how the bullet moves exactly the direction and distance that I dial into the turrets when zeroing the scope and I have grown very fond of not having the scope shooting to a different point of impact at different range sessions. I have gotten adjusted to the weight.

I will admit that the optics are not as good as the Swarovski's I had or the Zeiss scopes I have looked through.

Zeiss sure has treated me well .
Took a little downhill slide and damaged a 4.5x14-44 they fixed me right for free .
Checked the return to zero while target practicing 6 week'ish ago 3 Conquest- 4.5x14-44 /4.5x14-50 & 6.5x20-50 all good .
Just got a V-4 6x24-50 after seeing a friends dial up and down perfectly .

This will likely turn into a ford vs chevy vs ?

Everyone’s eyes are different. For my eyes, nothing beats the Zeiss Victory Diavari with first focal plane reticle.

Check eBay - they come up at great prices regularly especially if you are ok with a 50mm scope

I also have a V4 and like it. Just don’t need the higher magnification they come with and it sounds like you need it less than I do.

Definitely looking for something in the 2nd focal plane

Ideally I'd like a low end power of around 3x. Much more than that makes it hard to find game quickly.

Redhawk Rifles has the Zeiss V4 3-12x44 for stupid cheap right now. That’s a lot of scope for the money. Second focal plane reticle

Look at the trijicon accupoint series also.

Green triangle is a great reticle for night shooting

You probably won't go wrong if you get a Bushnell 4200 or 4500 in 4-16X. When I didn't turn up my Swarovski z5 5-25X52 over 16X three was almost no difference.

Here's your huckleberry.... https://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-razor-gen-ii-hd-e-1-6x24-riflescope.html

Far from it. I've got no love for anything Vortex.

Whatever.

I held the same opinion for years on all of their low to mid-ranged priced optics, and still do to a degree.
Vortex does make some junk but the Razor line is far from it.

A Swaro Z3 4-12x50 weighs 14.5oz, Conquest V4 4-16x44 weighs 22.6oz. That makes my decision between those 2; have been running an AV (Z3) 4-12x50 for 10 plus years. No problems.
That being said; my favorite scope for those conditions, especially in the woods, is my Zeiss Diavari Victory 2.5-10x42. It's fantastic and only 16.6oz for a 30mm tube; if you can find one. Why they discontinued is a mystery?

C1 - curious, have you compared a Z3 4a, like a 3-10x42 to your DV ?

This.


https://www.eurooptic.com/Schmidt-B...x?utm_source=eoic2018&utm_medium=JAB

Had a Zeiss scope. The image quality was stunning, but it broke on a light .308. My list of broken scopes also includes Leupold, old Redfield, Nikon, Weaver, and USO.

The most used by round count, most days in the field and by far roughest use is Nightforce NXS, which have always worked.

Recently a couple of NX8’s have been added and will go on my most used rifles. So far, the NX8 is my favorite. An ATACR was tried, but the reticle was too small with the FFP. So sent it back for a SFP NX8.

The NXS 2.5-10x42 is a more compact scope, but solidly built.

At those ranges, you don't need to dial........period. Set it & forget it.

Unless you just really want to spend the xtra money, just get a mid-range Leupold & be done with it.

MM

I have an AV 3-10x42; but never compared it side by side the the DV. For me the 2.5-10x42 Diavari Victory is just the perfect hunting scope under 200 yards and in the woods. The range is versatile; the weight is lighter than you would expect. The most impressive thing to me is the amazing clarity at last light in the woods.
This is my go to treestand/walikng set up at about 7lbs scoped.

The Meostar 1.5-6x42 would probably fit the bill. I’ve been wanting one of these myself. Not too much feedback out there though.

https://www.meoptasportsoptics.com/us/produkt/meostar-r1-1-5-6x42-rd-635/