Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Scope Recommendation Please

I have a CZ 55 American in 6.5x55 and need a new scope for it. It has been my truck gun for a long time. I've been using an old Nikon Prostaff 3-9x40. It is my brush/Pig/WT/Yote gun so it rarely shoots more than about 250 yards. But it does get shot a lot, so while I don't really need to dial it, robust internals would be nice. Glass good enough to see and pick out details in the early morning late evening would be best. The Nikon has been a solid scope. I kind of wish they still made them. Let's try and keep it under $1000 please.

Nightforce OpticsSHV 3-10x42mm SFP - Forceplex Illuminated Center on sale now for only $887.00

Surely a good rec by Doug, but you don't need to spend $1K for those specs IMO.

That is a 30MM tube yes? Do you have CZ rings in 30MM?

What would you recommend?

Right ....... Any decent 3-9 would be a good choice.

Doug has the Optika 5 2-10 on sale
Vx3i with CDS?

Call Scott at Liberty Optics

Steiner Predator 4 4-16x50


You will be pleased with the price and the scope!!

I had two VX3is fail straight out of the box. No thanks. I don't know If I got a bad batch or there was a new guy assembling that day or what. I won't buy another VX3i though.

100% the Nightforce SHV Doug recommended. I just bought one from him that will go on my truck gun.

I've wondered about the Steiner scopes. I have a set of their binoculars and like them quite a bit.

The Steiner Predator 4 Riflescopes are excellent and dependable.

Can't go wrong with that scope or vendor.

For quite a bit less money, this Trijico Credo 3-9x40 is small in size and weight and plenty stout.

https://www.eurooptic.com/Trijicon-...on-Hunter-1-in-Matte-Black-Riflesco.aspx

These are awesome scopes and Scott has unbeatable prices and service!

'Dad,

Before the current fascination with long range hunting (of which I am a part), nobody turned turrets. When we started turning them, and testing them, it became clear that many of the scopes we had hunted with for years didn't track with the authority needed to repeatedly hit using the range-and-dial method. So manufacturers either 1) faked it; or 2) made scopes with more robust tracking. In fact, the average scope may track better these days because many buyers are looking at this aspect.

Take a look at the average shooter demographic -- lots and lots of folks spend time ranging and dialing at the range a couple times per month. That's a big design standard to fill. And lots of other shooters value the opinions of this type of shooter, FWIW.

It is possible to put very good glass in a scope that has merely adequate tracking hardware -- meaning you set the zero and the scope holds it, exactly what is needed to hit at 300 yards and less. A 6.5 x 55 (wonderful!) is very easy on scopes.

If I were in your shoes, first I would check out the classifieds here. If you want a warranty, honestly I would call Eric at Cameraland and discuss their Black Friday and open box items. You can get better glass than that Nikon for less than $1K. And no flies on the Nikon at all. A 3 x 9 x 40 itch has never been easier to scratch. Also, it would be smart to avoid all the schizophrenic reticles out there. They're nuts. Get some version of the duplex and hunt it. Personally, I would avoid the illuminated ones also, unless there's a good deal. Not worth it unless you are a twilight predator hunter trying to save the chickens.

I'll do that. Thanks for all of the replies.