Scopes - let the glass shine bright!

[Scap]

SWFA SS HD glass is the best.
There I said it. B. E. S. T. Its not just a four letter word, it's a cuss word.
Let's hear what is your favorite glass.

In all seriousness, I've looked through NF and some other high end and don't feel like the SWFA SS HD leaves anything on the table, and does it at a better price.

 

[djevox]

Might sound strange, but I’m partial to iron sights. That could be from training or the fact that I’ve never had the patience for 100+ yard shooting. That being said, I have two Leupolds. One on a rimfire rifle, and another that I took off a SIG SSG 3000 before selling it.

 

[SnowBlaZR2]

I've worked my way through Diamondback Tacticals and Strike Eagles, up through Vipers and Razor HDs. There isn't a better combo of company and optics out there.

 

[Ramroo]

I have never owned any SWFA HD scopes. I need to check them out. I do own some Zeiss scopes that were made in Japan and have no complaints. I also like Zeiss scopes that were made is Germany. My favorite scopes are made by Leupold here in America. I have never had a failure, or any other issue with a Leupold.
I will never own another Vortex or Burris rifle scope however. I gave Vortex (from inexpensive to very expensive) a fair chance, but after 3 failures, from being knocked off, non repeatable, and crosshairs being canted 45 degrees after a round of shots I noticed while cleaning the gun. I‘m done with them. These failures were all from different scopes also. I have heard some good things about Vortex, their warranty etc., but once you lose confidence in a brand, that’s it. Doesn’t help my confidence after all I’ve been through and knowing they are made in China. I have had several failures from Burris also, so no more Burris.
I hear people talking about scope glass, but I can’t tell a big difference in glass when I look through them.
I think scope light transmission however, is very important in a rifle scope for hunting because there is lots of deer movement at last light. I also think equally important is if you can see your crosshairs during those last light situations. I have tried illuminated reticles but found I don’t like or need them. I use binoculars mostly, that help for buck identification in low light as a valuable tool also.

 

[SnowBlaZR2]

Doesn’t help my confidence after all I’ve been through and knowing they are made in China.

Only their inexpensive optics are made in China, like pretty much everyone else's options in that price range. They also have optics that are made in the Phillipines, Japan, and US.

 

[Ramroo]

Only their inexpensive optics are made in China, like pretty much everyone else's options in that price range. They also have optics that are made in the Phillipines, Japan, and US.

Yes you are correct, my bad. After a little research, my Vortex scope failures came from China and I think Philippines. Can‘t afford the RAZOR US made.

 

[SnowBlaZR2]

Yes you are correct, my bad. After a little research, my Vortex scope failures came from China and I think Philippines. Can‘t afford the RAZOR US made.

Depends on what we're looking at. For example, the Razor 1-6 (Japan) is comparable or maybe better at half the price of the comparable Leupold.

 

[Ramroo]

Depends on what we're looking at. For example, the Razor 1-6 (Japan) is comparable or maybe better at half the price of the comparable Leupold.

The furthest up the line I went was an illuminated reticle Viper 50mm (I think). I can’t find it online but it was about a $1000 scope.
Even the Japan made RAZORs are north of $1000 aren’t they?

 

[SnowBlaZR2]

The furthest up the line I went was an illuminated reticle Viper 50mm (I think). I can’t find it online but it was about a $1000 scope.
Even the Japan made RAZORs are north of $1000 aren’t they?

I have this one that might be close: Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50 FFP

It's been a great optic for $800. Also have a 1-6 Viper that's been a steal at $500.

The Razors depend on which model and whether or not you can get them at mil pricing. My 1-6 Razor was just under $1k and my 1-10 and AMG were both a little over $2k.

Obviously I'm a fan of their optics.

 

[HSKR R/T]

I have a Vortex Crossfire II on my Ruger American .243 rifle I use for deer hunting. Zero complaints with it, has held true for three seasons. I don't need $1000+ scope on a $400 rifle to shoot deer. And that's the only scope I own. Rest of my guns are all factory open sights.

 

[Ramroo]

I have this one that might be close: Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50 FFP

It's been a great optic for $800. Also have a 1-6 Viper that's been a steal at $500.

The Razors depend on which model and whether or not you can get them at mil pricing. My 1-6 Razor was just under $1k and my 1-10 and AMG were both a little over $2k.

Obviously I'm a fan of their optics.

I have been really happy with Leupold VX-3HD 4.5-14X50 CDS scopes. Leupold does not offer mil discounts unfortunately, but they run about $700.
I do shoot out to 300 yards, so 14X magnification is good enough for what I do.
You must do some 300+ shooting.

 

[Ramroo]

I have a Vortex Crossfire II on my Ruger American .243 rifle I use for deer hunting. Zero complaints with it, has held true for three seasons. I don't need $1000+ scope on a $400 rifle to shoot deer. And that's the only scope I own. Rest of my guns are all factory open sights.

I’m curious, what bullets do you use for your 243 while deer hunting?

 

[SnowBlaZR2]

I have been really happy with Leupold VX-3HD 4.5-14X50 CDS scopes. Leupold does not offer mil discounts unfortunately, but they run about $700.
I do shoot out to 300 yards, so 14X magnification is good enough for what I do.
You must do some 300+ shooting.

Yep, 500 yards regularly and 1k+ when I make it back home.

 

[HSKR R/T]

I’m curious, what bullets do you use for your 243 while deer hunting?

The Winchester Deer season XP rounds.

Have brought down four deer the last three season. Only one required a second shot and that was because first shot was in the run and I stopped my sweep when I pulled trigger so the round hit it in the rear. Deer dropped instantly and didn't run any further because it's rear legs weren't working, but took a second shot to kill it.

Furthest shot was about 150-175 yds. Stopped broadside, one shot right through lungs. Dropped dead instantly.

 

[Ramroo]

The Winchester Deer season XP rounds.

Have brought down four deer the last three season. Only one required a second shot and that was because first shot was in the run and I stopped my sweep when I pulled trigger so the round hit it in the rear. Deer dropped instantly and didn't run any further because it's rear legs weren't working, but took a second shot to kill it.

Furthest shot was about 150-175 yds. Stopped broadside, one shot right through lungs. Dropped dead instantly.

Just trying to learn something is why I asked. When my daughter (my first) started shooting and deer hunting I wanted to get her a rifle that would be effective but also shoot lighter weight bullets for minimal recoil. I got her a 243 and she was shooting 80 grain Remington PSP Core-Lokt bullets.
Her first evening hunting, a 260 lb. 10 pt stepped out. She shot and hit it high shoulder and it dropped instantly but required a follow up shot. When processing that buck I found that the bullet hit in line with the spine (why he dropped instantly) but the bullet completely fragmented and only penetrated about 5 inches. It was a nasty 5 inches, and enough shock to the spine to bring him down, but I switched to 110 grain nosler partitions after that, but never shot a deer with them. She and her brother now shoots 270 Win nosler partitions and 7 Rem Mag federal fusions but started with Rem 115 grain managed recoil ammo that worked really well but with significantly less recoil (advertised 50 % less). If anyone is wondering, I think Rem quit making managed recoil, but Hornady and HSM make reduced recoil ammo that is great for kids.
I researched the 243 winchester deer season XP and they are 95 grains and have a tapered jacket to help with penetration. Good to know about your successes.
Good luck this season. I can’t wait!

 

[Mountain Whiskey]

Damn. You guys rock! I asked a quick question in another thread and an explosion of information appears!

I didn't know Vortex scopes were made in different countries. My LGS pushes them but they are a distributor so....

I have a Primary Arms scope on my AR. I don't worry about crazy distance. My location has too much wooded area. It has a Chevron reticle for quick acquisition and elevations 5.56. It seems bright and is good for its intended use.

I will look for more accuracy with my 3006.

 

[HSKR R/T]

Just trying to learn something is why I asked. When my daughter (my first) started shooting and deer hunting I wanted to get her a rifle that would be effective but also shoot lighter weight bullets for minimal recoil. I got her a 243 and she was shooting 80 grain Remington PSP Core-Lokt bullets.
Her first evening hunting, a 260 lb. 10 pt stepped out. She shot and hit it high shoulder and it dropped instantly but required a follow up shot. When processing that buck I found that the bullet hit in line with the spine (why he dropped instantly) but the bullet completely fragmented and only penetrated about 5 inches. It was a nasty 5 inches, and enough shock to the spine to bring him down, but I switched to 110 grain nosler partitions after that, but never shot a deer with them. She and her brother now shoots 270 Win nosler partitions and 7 Rem Mag federal fusions but started with Rem 115 grain managed recoil ammo that worked really well but with significantly less recoil (advertised 50 % less). If anyone is wondering, I think Rem quit making managed recoil, but Hornady and HSM make reduced recoil ammo that is great for kids.
I researched the 243 winchester deer season XP and they are 95 grains and have a tapered jacket to help with penetration. Good to know about your successes.
Good luck this season. I can’t wait!

Before I bought my rifle, I researched to try and figure out the best all around rifle for what I wanted to do. Deer hunting and coyotes. The .243 fit that perfectly. We don't get crazy long shots where I hunt. My last one was the longest shot. The one I shot on the run was less than 25yds when I hit it.

If Nebraska allowed it, I would use my 9mm Carbine for deer, but they don't allow pistol rounds for wild game hunting.

 

[Ramroo]

Before I bought my rifle, I researched to try and figure out the best all around rifle for what I wanted to do. Deer hunting and coyotes. The .243 fit that perfectly. We don't get crazy long shots where I hunt. My last one was the longest shot. The one I shot on the run was less than 25yds when I hit it.

If Nebraska allowed it, I would use my 9mm Carbine for deer, but they don't allow pistol rounds for wild game hunting.

They don’t allow 9mm it for good reason. It ain’t enough.

 

[SnowBlaZR2]

They don’t allow 9mm it for good reason. It ain’t enough.

Just hit them in the lung.

 

[HSKR R/T]

They don’t allow 9mm it for good reason. It ain’t enough.

You can drop a deer with a .22lr with proper shot placement. There are many postsz from people in states that allow it, of harvesting deer with a 9mm carbine.