Most reliable scope under 1000

[Longshot85]

Looking for options on the most durable and reliable scope in the 3x9 ish range.
Must be 2nd focal plane.
Must be a simple radical. No Christmas tree style stuff.
Must be able to fit a long action model 70 with tally style rings. I don’t want to run a rail.
Must have a good reputation for holding zero.
It will be in a scabbard on a quad and see its fair share of vibrations.
I was looking at the night force shv but it’s fairly short. Most say it doesn’t work well on a long action without running a pic rail.
Very interested in Trijicon accupoint but read mixed reviews on reliability. Same with leupold. I’m not opposed to buying used if it’s a reputable brand with a good warranty. I should add a solid 1-8 ish lpvo could also work as the rifle will be a 400 yard and in set up. Thanks folks.

 

[Aaron N]

I’d say the easy answer is a Swaro Z3 or a VX3. BUT I’m from Canada so prices are inflated. Your money will go farther stateside, maybe into a VX5? @Mark Biggerstaff

 

[MontanaPat]

VX 5HD will run you $1k and up. I have two VX3HD 3.5-10 x40 with the Fire Dot reticle that I love using. Have them on Model 70s long action and use simple Leupold backcountry rings. They have held up great for me, very reliable, bright glass and hold zero even when flying to Africa and banged around by baggage handlers. They run around $599-$699. Mark Biggerstaff will get you a good deal

 

[TTundra]

Hard to beat a Tract Toric. They are only direct to consumer so no middle man markup, as in it would be 50% more msrp if on a shelf somewhere. I've had a 2-10 Toric that I've used on 2 trips over to RSA and more hunts here than I can count.

The guys that built the Nikon Monarch (including African series) and the actual Nikon BDC built this brand.

Give them a look, both 1" and 30mm options:

https://tractoptics.com/toric-uhd-30mm-2-5-15x44-sfp-illuminated-bdc-hunting-rifle-scope

 

[Longshot85]

Hard to beat a Tract Toric. They are only direct to consumer so no middle man markup, as in it would be 50% more msrp if on a shelf somewhere. I've had a 2-10 Toric that I've used on 2 trips over to RSA and more hunts here than I can count.

The guys that built the Nikon Monarch (including African series) and the actual Nikon BDC built this brand.

Give them a look, both 1" and 30mm options:

https://tractoptics.com/toric-uhd-30mm-2-5-15x44-sfp-illuminated-bdc-hunting-rifle-scope

I will take a look. I was a die hard Nikon monarch guy. Thank you for the suggestion.

 

[Nevada Mike]

Hard to beat a Tract Toric. They are only direct to consumer so no middle man markup, as in it would be 50% more msrp if on a shelf somewhere. I've had a 2-10 Toric that I've used on 2 trips over to RSA and more hunts here than I can count.

The guys that built the Nikon Monarch (including African series) and the actual Nikon BDC built this brand.

Give them a look, both 1" and 30mm options:

https://tractoptics.com/toric-uhd-30mm-2-5-15x44-sfp-illuminated-bdc-hunting-rifle-scope

I had not heard ofr Tract Optics until recently, I bought one of their scopes, the Toric 3 - 15 X 24. Mounted it on my M70 308 Norma Mag with Talley mount/rings. I am impressed, but have not hunted it yet... but will this season. Less than $900 to my door.

 

[TTundra]

I will take a look. I was a die hard Nikon monarch guy. Thank you for the suggestion.

If you have any questions, its usually Jon that will chat with you. He was the head of product development at Nikon Sport optics and the designer of the BDC. Just good people that know how to build a great scope.

I had not heard ofr Tract Optics until recently, I bought one of their scopes, the Toric 3 - 15 X 24. Mounted it on my M70 308 Norma Mag with Talley mount/rings. I am impressed, but have not hunted it yet... but will this season. Less than $900 to my door.

I've been looking at the 15x to get a bit more magnification. Their optics and repeatability are unreal for the price let alone durability.

 

[whisk(e)y hunter]

VX 3HD 2.5-8 for up to a 375

Re-reading your post about heavy vibrations, maybe consider a fixed 4x?

 

[Safari Dave]

Until very recently, I used to be a 100% Leupold guy, until I ran across a couple that would not hold zero.

For the money that your are considering, I think a Trijicon Accupoint is your best option.

 

[Nevada Mike]

Correction - The scope os the Tract Toric 3-15X 42 nice bright scope.

 

[WI-2021]

I'm a big fan of the Trijicon Accupoints for the money. I own a 3-9 and a 2.5-12.5. I know for sure that the 2.5-12.5 will fit on a long action, but I've never tried with the 3-9. The only downsides to the 2.5-12.5 are that it's a bit large and the permanently affixed nubbin on the magnification ring can interfere with the bolt handle on 90 degree actions with lower rings. Mine interfered on a Christensen, but it lives on a Mesa Summit .300WM now and has plenty of clearance with the 75 degree bolt throw.

 

[375Fox]

I don’t know which scope is most reliable, but this is my favorite. Leupold vx5 2-10 duplex not CDS $900. They are around $700-$800 lightly used here time to time. I can’t remember ever having to resight mine in before or after a safari. That’s good enough for me.

Leupold VX-5HD 2-10x42mm Duplex Scope 171386 | SHIPS FREE! - EuroOptic

Leupold VX-5HD 2-10x42mm Duplex Scope 171386 | Only at EuroOptic.com!

www.eurooptic.com

 

[mdwest]

Under $1k I’m going Zeiss V4 conquest 3-12x44… or Swaro Z3 3-10x42… which one depends on the rifle…. But I’ve got multiples of each and they’ve been the best value to the dollar scopes I’ve ever owned…

There’s certainly better at higher price points…

But in the $800-$1k range I can’t think of anything else that comes close in a “hunting” optic…

 

[BonUm16]

Hard to beat a Tract Toric. They are only direct to consumer so no middle man markup, as in it would be 50% more msrp if on a shelf somewhere. I've had a 2-10 Toric that I've used on 2 trips over to RSA and more hunts here than I can count.

The guys that built the Nikon Monarch (including African series) and the actual Nikon BDC built this brand.

Give them a look, both 1" and 30mm options:

https://tractoptics.com/toric-uhd-30mm-2-5-15x44-sfp-illuminated-bdc-hunting-rifle-scope

Where are they made? I’m sure I missed it but did not see location of manufacture when reading product info and the FAQS on their website.

Interestingly, I did see their physical address is only a half-hour’s drive away from me. Doubtful any type of showroom (listed as a warehouse) but may swing by there sometime when I’m in the area.

 

[Nevada Mike]

IIRC, Jon told me they are made in Japan using Schott glass and Low dispersion coatings.

 

[TTundra]

Where are they made? I’m sure I missed it but did not see location of manufacture when reading product info and the FAQS on their website.

Interestingly, I did see their physical address is only a half-hour’s drive away from me. Doubtful any type of showroom (listed as a warehouse) but may swing by there sometime when I’m in the area.

The Toric is made at LOW in Japan...same as a lot of high end scopes many of us likely have.

 

[Andrew62]

I’d look for a Leupold VX5, somewhere recently I saw a 2x10, brand new for under 1k. Also, I saw a Leupold scope for sale on this forum just yesterday for 925 I believe it was.

 

[Longshot85]

Until very recently, I used to be a 100% Leupold guy, until I ran across a couple that would not hold zero.

For the money that your are considering, I think a Trijicon Accupoint is your best option.

I had a vx3hd that seemed ok on a 7 rem mag. I didn’t have it long. Seemed ok but the eye box was a little tight compared to my old Nikons or vortex viper.

 

[Bill J H]

I have the following scopes and all are good glass. Some do have issues on a LA if you can’t get an extended front base.
Swaro z3 2-10 is a 1” tube but the front bell starts early and you can only set it back so far.
Leupold vx5 2-10 is a 30mm tube and also only sets back so far. VX6 3-15 is a 30 mm and has same issues. Swaro 3-9x36 is a 1”, but has same set back issues.
I have a couple of Zeiss 3-9x40s (Conquest 2010ish models) with 1” tube and the bell is short in the front so you can really set it back nicely. Also, they might be my favorites. You can find them used at a good price.
VX6 HD is a 30mm tube with no front objective bell and is another favorite.

 

[Longshot85]

Under $1k I’m going Zeiss V4 conquest 3-12x44… or Swaro Z3 3-10x42… which one depends on the rifle…. But I’ve got multiples of each and they’ve been the best value to the dollar scopes I’ve ever owned…

There’s certainly better at higher price points…

But in the $800-$1k range I can’t think of anything else that comes close in a “hunting” optic…

It’s a new production model 70 Alaskan 30.06. I was running Tikka and still have them but I fell in love with this rifle. It quickly became my favorite and something about the wood and blued steel makes me want to just put a no nonsense scope on it. It’s currently running a vortex viper but I have had vortex fail. I just don’t trust it.