Best 2x10/2x12ish scope for the money?

[Axle2010]

Hey guys I'm looking for a good 2x10-12 scope for my new 375 and I've looked until my eyes are blurry. Obviously I need a good one to tolerate the recoil and have decent eye box but I really don't want to pay Nightforce money after what I just gave for this rifle. I paid a lot (for me) and I plan to take it to SA for Eland so I'll be shooting it more than the average 375 owner at my local deer and pigs (armadillos, squirrels, stray cats...) so I want something besides a dg scope. Preferably 30mm tube, 40+mm obj, dialing elevation turret and/or bc reticle. I see mixed reviews on the Burris Veracity, I don't care much for Vortex, Zeiss don't go below 3x below $1500, NF and Swaro are $$$$....I think that leaves Leica, Maven, Athlon, Steiner anybody else? I love my Zeiss and would but another but only the high dollar ones come in 2x12. Any help or suggestions? Or am I just wanting to much? Thanks guys

 

[Aaron N]

I’ve always heard that Meopta scopes are great value for the money if you don’t want to go the Swaro route. They make a 1.7-10 that’s illuminated.

 

[meigsbucks]

I have a Leupold Vx-5 2-10x- 42mm Duplex Firedot that I really like. I have it on a .300 Wby but a very nice scope. Not real heavy: 18.9 oz.

 

[TucsonFX4]

VX-6HD 2-12x42 CDS-ZL2 Illum. FireDot Duplex

The VX®-6HD 2-12x42mm riflescope takes versatility to the next level. It offers an incredibly wide field of view, while giving you the magnification needed for mid to long-range shots. Its rugged, lightweight body has made it a favorite for any hunter not willing to sacrifice performance or...

www.leupold.com

With discounts you may be eligible for, or finding one used, it may be a great fit for you. I think the VX6HD is a very good value for the money. I don’t mean cheap, but I mean getting close to the premium brands at notably less cost, while also giving some nice bonus features.

 

[BeeMaa]

I've been really happy with my Swaro Z8i 1-8x24 on my 375H&H, but my 300WM wears a Z8i 1.7-13.3x42. Both have the 4A-IF illuminated reticle and 30mm tubes.

Personally, I think 8x is plenty of scope out to 300-350 yards on game animals, which is right at my limit for a .375 caliber rifle. Plus having true 1x at the low end allows me to shoot with both eyes open at close range.

Buy once, cry once. If you don't know what this means, you will soon enough.

 

[Tra3]

Do you have a spare scope you can temporarily put on the .375? You might want to shoot it a bit to see if you really think longer range shooting is a possibility with that caliber.
I bought a swaro Z6 2.5-15x as a second scope for my .375. The primary was a 1.25-4x. Other than sighting in the 2.5-15x, I have never put it on the rifle. After a couple years I upgraded the 1.25-4x for a Z8i 1-8x. I still haven’t put the larger scope on the .375…. I have been very pleased with the Z8i and find the top end magnification more than enough for .375 type hunting distances.
If I want to shoot more than 250-300 yards, that is a different caliber, like a 7mm mag (and a different scope).
I stated using reading glasses a little over a year ago. These eyes aren’t as good as they used to be, so I prioritize high quality optics. If you are going to keep the gun for more than a year, match it with the best you can afford.

 

[Fatback]

I have the Leupold 2-12 VX6 on both of my 375 H&Hs. They both have CDS turrets and firedot illuminated reticle. Very nice scopes and have held up to quite a bit of shooting the last 9 months. Very pleased with these scopes. The VX5s are nice scopes as well.

 

[Tra3]

I've been really happy with my Swaro Z8i 1-8x24 on my 375H&H, but my 300WM wears a Z8i 1.7-13.3x42. Both have the 4A-IF illuminated reticle and 30mm tubes.

Personally, I think 8x is plenty of scope out to 300-350 yards on game animals, which is right at my limit for a .375 caliber rifle. Plus having true 1x at the low end allows me to shoot with both eyes open at close range.

Buy once, cry once. If you don't know what this means, you will soon enough.

Hahaha! Same advice, 4 minutes apart!

 

[mdwest]

+1 to the leupold options…

If you happen to have ever served in the military or as a public servant (police, fire, etc)… leupold has an excellent “VIP” program where you can buy their products about 40% off MSRP… which brings the VX5 and VX6 optics below the price range of much inferior products by other manufacturers

I used to be a pretty hardcore zeiss guy… it was about all I bought.. until I found out about leupold VIP… now leupold is about all I buy..

 

[Fryeguy]

I have the VX5HD in 2-10 on my 9.3x62, and I really like it. I have two different CDS dials for whichever bullet I might be using at the time. I did buy the alumina covers leupold makes that already come with the VX6 scopes, they are not cheap, so it’s something to consider. I used this gun on everything in Africa last trip, and those covers are awesome! I like the size and field of view. I also have a VX6HD 2-12 on my 375 and another on my 6.5cm. I like them all, obviously. CDS dials are really handy, and I use them a lot.

 

[fgr2318]

I have the Leupold VX5 2-10x42 CDS FireDot for $925
VX6 2-12x42 FireDot CDS for $1325.
For AHers right now.
Also can give you good pricing on any Swarovski.

 

[dneaster3]

Another vote here for the Leupold VX-5HD 2-10x42.

I prefer the non-CDS version from a year or two ago for a hunting rifle. Lower profile and better looking, plus fewer protrusions to get hung up on things.

 

[fgr2318]

Another vote here for the Leupold VX-5HD 2-10x42.

I prefer the non-CDS version from a year or two ago for a hunting rifle. Lower profile and better looking, plus fewer protrusions to get hung up on things.

Non CDS Non FireDot version
VX5 2-10x42 # 171386. $850. Is available also

 

[Axle2010]

Non CDS Non FireDot version
VX5 2-10x42 # 171386. $850. Is available also

I def want an illuminated dot. How would you compare the Leupold to Swaro?

 

[Red Leg]

I def want an illuminated dot. How would you compare the Leupold to Swaro?

Were I hunting a leopard, I would spend the money for the right Swaro, Leica, Zeiss, or S&B. For PG, you will be fine with a quality Leupold, Trijicon, etc.

 

[fgr2318]

I def want an illuminated dot. How would you compare the Leupold to Swaro?

Glass clarity goes to Swaro in my opinion
Eye relief Leupold has more for me personally.
Lighted reticule options. Swaro. With the 4a-if
For plains game and most DG Leupold will serve well. Like stated tho. If I was doing a Leopard Hunt and shooting at low light or night. I would spend the money for Swaro Z8i

These are personal opinions having shot and looked thru the different models.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Hey guys I'm looking for a good 2x10-12 scope for my new 375 and I've looked until my eyes are blurry. Obviously I need a good one to tolerate the recoil and have decent eye box but I really don't want to pay Nightforce money after what I just gave for this rifle. I paid a lot (for me) and I plan to take it to SA for Eland so I'll be shooting it more than the average 375 owner at my local deer and pigs (armadillos, squirrels, stray cats...) so I want something besides a dg scope. Preferably 30mm tube, 40+mm obj, dialing elevation turret and/or bc reticle. I see mixed reviews on the Burris Veracity, I don't care much for Vortex, Zeiss don't go below 3x below $1500, NF and Swaro are $$$$....I think that leaves Leica, Maven, Athlon, Steiner anybody else? I love my Zeiss and would but another but only the high dollar ones come in 2x12. Any help or suggestions? Or am I just wanting to much? Thanks guys

@Axle2010
Have you looked at MEOPTA 3.5 to 10x44 or the Meopta Optika5, 2 to 10x44. Both excellent scopes with 4 inches of eye relief for that 375er.

 

[HannuS]

I was just about to also recommend Meopta optika5 2-10x44. I have owned two, great scope and not just for money. Lacks illumination but very good glass, pretty light with 1" tube and build quality seems to be just the same as optika6, which is great. Around 300€ in Europe.

 

[Axle2010]

@Axle2010
Have you looked at MEOPTA 3.5 to 10x44 or the Meopta Optika5, 2 to 10x44. Both excellent scopes with 4 inches of eye relief for that 375er.

I have looked at them and they sound pretty good but I know nothing of Meopta so didn't know if it was a quality brand and if it would take the 375 recoil. I honestly don't feel that the recoil is bad at all but I know it is heavier than an average rifle.

 

[BeeMaa]

I def want an illuminated dot. How would you compare the Leupold to Swaro?

The top of the line Swaro, Zeiss and Leica are in an entirely different class than the best Leupold scopes when it come to the glass, optical clarity and true colors. It’s not apples to apples.

I’ve compared these top of the line scopes from each brand and it’s not even close when it come to low light. During the day/ideal lighting conditions, there is not as much of a difference between them. It’s when you have a shot at last light or when a dark animal is in the dark shade of a tree that you will see the disparity.

The dark animal in the shade is also where the illuminated reticle will pay dividends. Being able to see the crosshairs clearly and have the best opportunity to place that shot properly is key.

Keep an eye on the classifieds here for some top notch glass and also Euro Optic will have demo optics for deep discounts. Save up your pennies and get a top notch scope.