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/

I have a V4 3X12X56 with lit reticle. At 63 years old I love it. I’m a set and forget hunter with a 300 yard self imposed max range. After hunting and shooting the last 2 years with this scope and it’s illuminated reticle I’m sold. Bright sun or no light it’s awesome.

I just bought a new Swarovski Z3 50mm last week. I usually shoot Zeiss scopes. I shoot without my glasses and Zeiss will adjust out and get clear enough for me to see good without them. The new Swarovski would not adjust out far enough to clear up for me to see good. Long story short my son had one of my Zeiss v4 50mm scopes he had just bought from me he said he would trade me so i did. We mounted both and took them out back after dark to see which one of the two brands reflected more light in. The Zeiss had a slight advantage over the Swarovski. I let him check them as he has much better eyes than i do. Both great scopes but for me and what i need the Zeiss wins out.

I have the Z3 4-12x50 with the BT. It's outstanding in low light if you have the heavy plex reticle. My Steiner Gs3 3-15x50 is brighter, but the reticle is a tad too thin for very low light.

Why is repeatability a concern with those ranges? Set it and hunt. The rifle already weighs 8 pounds. Add anything but a lightweight scope and you’re going to have a ten pound safe queen.

Been looking for a Diavari 2.5-10x42 for a while now, they are hard to find. Seems like everyone that used one loved it.

another vote for the zeiss v4 with the #60 illum ret. i'd recommend the 3-12x56 but she is a tad girthy. maybe one of the smaller obj v4 with the #60 ret is the ticket.
Big Ed

I also want one of these.

If your only shooting 300 yds max i dont get repeatability as being a main criteria but for excellent bright optics in a sleek lightweight hunting scope the best I have owned are the Swaro Z3's ...I consider these more of a set and forget type scope though....Good luck.....Hb

I love the glass on my Z3s and Z5. However, tracking/RTZ can not be counted on. For set and forget, they have been very good. Like anything man made, they’re not immune from problems ( did have to send a Z3 back). I’ve become a fan of Zeiss as of late. They are stunningly bright and track reliably. My DLs do not carry the same resolution to the edges like the Swarovskis do. FWIW, If the rumored new Bushnell LRHS ever come with illumination, I’d jump all over them as the glass and tracking have been outstanding. I can’t comment on the NF offerings.

I have two Z3, one Z5 and a Z6 Swaro and too many different Zeiss to list but include a V4 6x24. Meopta makes a good scope but all of the Meopro scopes I've seen have terrible tunnel effect and I hate that when looking through a scope.

I bought a Leupy VX5 3x15x44 with firedot a while back and took it in the backyard recently to compare with my Swaros at last light. Looking into the woods I can say that the VX5 was the equal or better than all my Swaros at transmitting light but the firedot made the VX5 usable after I could no longer see the reticles in non illuminated Swaros.

I was so convinced in the quality of the Leupy that I bought a VX6 2x2x42 and moved a Z3 to a rifle not frequently used.

The price of a VX5 with firedot is less than half the cost of an illuminated Swarovski Z6.

Unless you use your scopes to hammer nails I don't see the need for a tough as nails Nightforce. I've viewed an NXS and a Z6 simultaneously at last light and there is no comparison...the Swaro wins.

The V4 Zeiss is good scope. It tracks very well and is clear. Mine is the Z MOA illuminated reticle which I don't care for the illumination. The whole reticle is lit and the flare obscures the target at last light, even at the lowest setting. I prefer an illuminated dot like the Leupy.

Consider theSwaro z5 2.4-12 x 50 with a BRH reticle.

Not a scope for dialling, but weight for optical performance is hard to beat for last light hunting. I've never found the need for an illuminated reticle with my high end glass, I can find the target and the reticle well after the time I cannot see properly behind the critter.

During brighter parts of the day the BRH will help you put rounds on target well past 300, easily out to 500 with a 280AI.

Nightforce!!!

I have same exact scope, it showed me what I needed at and after last light in a very dark place, unfortunately not the buck I needed to shoot.