Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Recommendations for first dialling hunting scope

G'day all,
I have always used set and forget scopes, with my most recent scope purchase being at least a decade ago.
I am considering buying my first scope with capability to dial for distance. What would you recommend as some good options as a first "dialling" scope?
It will go one one of my Tikka T3x's (223 and 7mm08) so would prefer on the lighter end of the weight spectrum.
A reticle with someway to hold for wind (and even distance on quicker shots) would be great too.
I am mainly considering SFP for this one and understand the pros and cons of SFP and FFP.
As it is my first scope of this type I would rather not make a huge investment but budget is flexible.
Super Chickens seemed to be very popular for a budget choice a while back but not an option for me as I don't think we can get them in NZ anyway.
Suggestions?

I have a Nightforce SHV 3-10X42, the reticle is a plex so no windage, but a relatively light, robust, and reliable scope with decent glass.

thanks Vic, the SHV is definitely one I've been looking at.

SWFA 3-9

my first choice is always an swfa 3-9 if it's a hunting scope

6x if it's a beater, or something that might get ripped off.

3-12 lrhs if shots exceed 600 with any regularity.

sfp, i'll leave to professionals.

same with reticle that don't allow me to dial for dope and slide for wind. amateurs such as myself need a ruler. that always works.

Thanks all, SWFA not an option here as far as I know.

What brands can you get there?

Athlon Midas Tac.... great reticle and has a zero stop, very important

I've tried several different ones, but the Nightforce SHV 3-10X42 with Forceplex reticle is probably the best I've come across and is the one I would choose. It is definitely heavier than what I would prefer for a hunting scope, but reliability and always being able to trust the adjustments seems to mean additional weight in most cases. I also find that the simple Plex reticle prevents me from getting confused when I need to make a quick shot. The only downside of this scope is that there isn't much room for the rings to fit on its tube, so the distance from your eye adjustment is difficult unless you use a rail mount of some type. That's not my favorite since I'd rather have the scope mounted lower, but you can't have everything I guess. Good luck to you.

geeman,

my mate up by burnt hill near oxford has an lrhsi 4.5-18

seen them a few years ago in fishing and hunting stores.. for sure the one in kaikoura had one and same in gisbourne

that's what i'd get for over there. maybe the lrtsi 3-12 or the regular lrhs 3-12

NZ is one of the few countries that SWFA will export to. You can order direct.

really?

i'm gonna get my mate to get one for his loaner rifle.

30% gst it's still good value for the money.

LRHS was 2000nzed

From the export policy page on their website:

"SWFA, Inc. will only export to Australia, New Zealand and The United Kingdom."

We, the most loyal neighbours the US has, get screwed.

haha, well you'll have to cry into all ur resident tags



the border gonna pop open anytime soon?

btw what ricky don't know won't burn him.. shouldn't be too hard to get swfa in canada. lol

LHT 3-15
Zeiss V4 4-16
NF SHV 3-10

Add 3-9 SWFA if you’d consider ffp.

Thanks for the heads up Jordan. This wasn't the case a few years ago when I looked into it so for once a change in our favour!

LOL, I guess so. We get enough of them that I guess I could use some as tissues.

Here's hoping...

Haha, yeah I'm sure there's a way!

Yup, a couple of years ago SWFA made changes to the export policy removing Canada from the "go" list, and adding NZ.