Which Scope

[BeeMaa]

Really hard to beat Swaro glass and for your application. The Z6i 1.7-10x24 with the 4A-I (illuminated) reticle would be an excellent choice for putting the crosshairs on a dark colored animal standing in the shade of a tree. Much more difficult to see the lines without illumination.

Yes, the Leupold VX-5 & 6 series of scopes are very good, but when compared to the glass of the big three (Zeiss, Leica and Swaro)...it's not even close.

 

[HookMeUpII]

This isn't to disagree or be contentious with anyone but I really think the mag argument is too generalized. I also think some people missed your point about this being a multi-use platform. I am in the same boat as you. I want a multi-use rifle for plains game, NA big game, and really everything in-between (save smaller game because something like 7mm, 30-06, etc would just vaporize them). African DG = different animal so lets just leave that out.

I personally don't think a 3-15x is over-magged. I have limited experience but I've been playing around with my scope from 50-100 yds and I actually prefer the scope on about 4-5x for those shots. Some hunters will want it at 2-3x. Some may want it at 7-8x more towards 100 yds. There's probably even a few guys with DG scopes that will run it at 1x.

I think the real problems come into play for NA game. You'll want that extra mag for potentially longer shots which you may get here which could be 200-300 yds if your ability/training allows. I've shot around at 50 to 300 yds with the VX5HD in 3-15x44mm. 3x is fine for 50 yds. Dialing it to the higher end of the range for 300 yds is also perfect. Brand aside, I really don't see how you could go wrong with something in the 3-15x, 2-10x or something in that realm. The only thing I will say is definitely don't go bigger than 44mm. I am a pretty in shape guy. Gym 3 days a week, cardio, hiking, kettlebells, and even lugging the 44mm around is a "PITA."

 

[Berettaco]

Had quite a few NF and leupolds - to me the NF have a slight tint that I don’t like and they are pretty heavy - SHV included. Leupold are good but swaro are always my choice for hunting rifles - weight and quality of glass put them at the top of the list every time.