Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Mid-range scope, what would you buy?

Reco’s for a mid range scope around $1k new or used...

Parameters:

- $1000 price more or less
- low magnification of 2 or lower (prefer 1.5)
- high magnification of 8 or higher
- objective no larger than 42mm
- 4a reticle or similar
- no need to dial, close range to 300 yd gun
- lightweight is a benefit: CO backpack hunting rig.

Let me know what you’d buy!

VX-5 2-10 firedot duplex without a doubt. That’s what I would buy. For a light weight, set and forget, hunting scope I can think of nothing better.

Now everyone can come tell you how terrible they are because they’re not NF and when they spin the dial up and down all day they’re not as accurate.

swarovski Z3 3-12x42 4a reticle

swarovski Z3 3-12x42 4a reticle

WP:

I still use some Leupolds in set it and forget it capacity, and I've had some that have held up well to a lot of rounds and use. But, I've had a couple of the CDS models go wonky within a couple hundred rounds, and the fact that they might not hold up to being twisted on too often doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy feeling about them, even if I don't intend to do so with a particular scope.

My vote for your parameters would be a NF 3-10 illuminated Forceplex. It's only a 3 ounce weight difference for metal on metal gears over the Leupold, and you just don't seem to come across too many disparaging comments about them. I know you're not intending to dial on it, but we have a lot of use on heavy recoilers and dialing a lot on a few SHV 3-10, and they've been spot on, which does make me feel warm and fuzzy about the ruggedness of a scope, even if I don't plan to twist on it.

^^^^^

Lightweight = Leupold

Ordered a steiner gs3 2x10x42 from our sponsor today.

I didn't know Swarovski made a Z3 3-12x42. Is that a typo or a US thing only? They make a 3-10x42.

Swarovski Z-3 3-10-42. With 4A. Hand Down The Best For Me. I’ve Got Them On Ever Main Rig I Own.. Their Light 12.9 OZ And I’ve Found Nothing Bright er But A Schmitt And Bender. at Twice The Weight And Twice The Price..

Another vote on the Z-3 3-10x42.

Testing out a VX-5, hope it sticks. I like leupy eye boxes, I have had good luck with them but I have had one vx-iii with a POI shift: 2” @ 100yds after a drop, arguably could have been rings. It’s a good option regardless

I like Z3s for simplicity and weight but I really want 2x or less fir this gun at 3x they are a great option for sure but I’d go for the smaller 3-9 36. But I really like the wide FOV and quick target acquisition on a 1.5-2x

No experience with Steiner, have you shot them and do you like them? I’ve got a great deal for any new Steiner but have never considered them. How’s parallax? Adj or fixed?

I see a Leica Magnus 2-10 in the classified right now for a little over 1k, Anyone shot this scope? Specs are great except it is a total pig at 22oz! I love my Leica geovids, worth consideration?

I hear you on the leupy reliability. As mentioned I’ve owned many and only had one issue but an issue is an issue. That being said it’s only going on a low recoil 308 win, not a magnum hammer. That and as mentioned I want 2x on the low end or less. If I wanted a 3x I’d buy Swaro Z3 for this setup. Heard great things about that NF scope, just not a fit fir the parameters I’m looking for.

No personal experience with steiner so far....looking for some quality glass for a rifle with picannty integral base so a 30mm tube only requires ring upgrade.....saw an old thread from 2 years ago on this forum where Doug felt this scope was his best offering for the money. Several scope writers agreed glass was equal to much pricier brands. At $600 thought I'd give it a whirl. I dont shoot past dusk or over 175 yards.

Steiner, cont.....

Scopes I considered as well were Swarovski Z3, but seemed like a 3x10 was usually out of stock...4x12 available at $850ish.....tract toric 2x10, out of stock......Meostar R1 3x12x56 for $1000ish,

I felt like 12 power was a bit excessive for my needs and a 50mm objective would be as large as I would consider... even that may be a bit much for the rifle this is going on.

Appreciate all the feedback!

As to the parallax question on the GS3......appears to be fixed at 100 yds.

I figured. Too affordable for adjustable