Plains Games Optics Advice

[Xpraetor]

I use a Meopta R2 in 1,7-10x42 on my rifle. I added a ballistic turret. It already has an illuminated reticle. Great scope for the money

View attachment 488321

How is that Meopta in low light?
I had the chance to look through one & compared to the Leupold VX 3 series it was comparable, maybe even better, but didn't get to try it in low light & the Meopta standard reticle is a dam better than Leupold .... the only way to get a Leupold with something other than a crosshair reticle, in my area, is special order.

 

[farmer_john]

16x is too much for the ranges you are talking about. Anything below 500 yards you will be fine with 6x. More magnification makes it harder to find the target. Also as my PH said it also shows your crosshairs wobbling which translates into less confidence.

I dont understand what you mean by wobbling crosshairs?

 

[farmer_john]

Hello everyone,

I’m finally in the market for a plains games build and need some help with choosing an optic. After liquidating some random nonsense, rifles and optics(only a T96 4-16x56mm left to go) I’ve got enough for the build I’ve been wanting. So I decided I’m going to start looking for a Rigby Highland Stalker in .275(Hint Hint)for a plains games and mountain rifle(mainly upstate NY and Colorado). But I will need a excellent optic to go along with it. The budget for the optic will be $3500 so nothing is really off the table but I do heavily lean towards quality German glass like Schmidt & Bender and Swarovski. I spoke with a gentleman at Gordy & Sons and he said to go for a 1” tube as it will let the HS handle better than a heavier 30mm tube scope. But after some research I’m torn and don’t know which direction to go. I’m thinking I won’t be going further than 400 yards(not sure if .275/7x57 can be reliable that far anyways). I’ve been looking at the following to buy/use

-Schmidt Bender PMII ShortDot 1-8x24mm(SFP-CQB2)(Tube Size 30mm)(22.26oz)(Already own)

-Schmidt Bender Exos 1-8x24mm(Tube Size 30mm)(19.4oz)

-Swarovski Z8i 1-8x24mm(Tube Size 30mm)(18.2oz)

-Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3x42mm(Tube Size 30mm)(21.9oz)

-Swarovski Z6i 1.7-10x42mm(Tube Size 30mm)(16.6oz)

-Swarovski Z5i 2.4-12x50mm(Tube Size 1”)(16.2oz)(Are these made in US? Lesser quality than German made?)


If I’m missing any excellent 1” tubes to consider please let me know. I believe the HS is 7.8lbs if that helps. What do you guys think would be the optimal scope for this situation?

Thanks

While swaroski isnt a brand i have alot of experience with more military optics.

Id go with this one even tho its a little bigger (30mm) its pretty diminimus
Has a turret you csn set to several distsnce zeroes.

And has a reticle with stadia for windage and elevation holdoffs id do a 100 200 300 and use the stadia for holdoffs in between that would get you cleanly to 400yds

https://www.swarovskioptik.com/us/en/hunting/products/rifle-scopes/z5-i-plus/z5i-plus/z5i-plus-2-10x42-bt/Z5-F60U6E40-02

Im used to mil reticles and adjustsble turrets. So that seems like a good compromise to me from alot of moving adjustments to ability to set several settings from set and go

 

[MrCreedmoor]

I dont understand what you mean by wobbling crosshairs?

You will notice your crosshairs moving with your heartbeat, breathing, shaking…at 16x this is magnified.

 

[farmer_john]

You will notice your crosshairs moving with your heartbeat, breathing, shaking…at 16x this is magnified.

o ya just never heard it called that before.

 

[curt672]

Fyi -- I put on one of the Sig Searra 3x16 BDX scopes and paired it with a Sig Kilo 6 range finding Binoculars. I set it up with my own custom loads in the app. Seems to be working great, took it to the range on my 375 H&H and put the dot on the steel at 300 yards. worked as it should. When not using the range finder I really like the red dot in the crosshairs for low lite condition.

 

[Rare Breed]

As mentioned all of my scopes are illuminated. You will be shocked how game can disappear into deep shadow during a bright sunshine mid day hunt

 

[txtrout75218]

While I'm not going to make any brand recommendations, I normally have. 2-10x42 or a 2-7x32 on my rifles. Most often the time the 2-10 at about 5 or 6 power on plains game. I've also decided that I like having an illuminated center dot on my reticle for fast acquisition.

 

[wesheltonj]

I realize this is an old thread. But I would never put an 1” tube on a Europe or UK firearm. Standard is 30mm.

 

[R eight]

I realize this is an old thread. But I would never put an 1” tube on a Europe or UK firearm. Standard is 30mm.

Maybe

I’ve got 1” and 30 mm tube ring mounted scopes on European/British rifles and 30 mm rail mounted scopes on some European rifles.

My only scoped US manufactured rifle, wears a 30 mm Euro scope in rings.

I reckon horses for courses.

My biggest gripe, a truly first world problem, is that trying to buy a new quality 4x fixed 1” tubed scope is harder than winning the lottery.