Optics conumdrum

[JS569]

I've currently got two scoped rifles, a 6.5 steyr pro hunter with a fixed 6x42 Klassic S&B scope on it. It's a rifle I use for hunting and hunting alone, it's a lightweight barrel so after 3 shots it begins to warm up. My other rifle is a lantac AR15 5.56 which I put a Zeiss 3-10x44 conquest scope on, this wasn't attached to anything at the time so it got bolted on. The Zeiss has a standard reticle: + which shooting on military ranges is ok but there's always a degree of kentucky windage involved.

I'd always planned to get something like Vortex 1-4x scope with a BDC on it but with getting married, buying a house and general living expenses it never really happened. So I'm thinking its perhaps time to sell one of the scopes to fund a Vortex. But here is my question which one?

The Zeiss is a lovely scope on the lantac but as mentioned I'd prefer a different reticle and whilst this is a relatively pointless comment I just don't think it looks right on the rifle and I'd like to get something more fitting.

The S&B is great but when I've zero'd with it I've found it a little under powered to really pick out an exact point of aim. Whilst this isn't quite the case when hunting i'm thinking maybe pop the zeiss on?! The remaining scope will be fitted to the 6.5 with the new scope landing on the lantac.

I appreciate the glass on the two existing optics is excellent and the vortex won't be as good but I wondered what peoples thoughts were.

[breacher]

I have an IOR 1.5-8x for sale in the sales section. I previously used it on an AR.

IOR 1.5-8×26 FFP Trident - complete with Tier One rings ready to bolt straight onto an AR !

[WelshShooter]

If you're going to consider a Vortex the best bang for buck is going to be the Viper PST range. Go for the 6-24x50 version, which is marginally more expensive than the 4-16x50. They come in either moa/moa or mrad/mrad turrets which match the reticle. I personally do not like BDC reticle because they're only calibrated for certain calibres, with a certain bullet mass and velocity. Reticle such as the Vortex are generic and will work for any combination of bullets and calibres.

The last variable to choose from is second focal plane or first focal plane. I'll assume you know the difference, if you're going for precision shooting at a known distance then stick with second focal plane as the reticle does not grow with higher mag and therefore obstruct the target. If you're shooting at unknown distances or shooting at informal targets then first focal plane may be useful (in addition the reticle holdovers stay true at all magnifications).

IOR is another good company with very nice optics but they are a bit pricier compared with the Vortex PST range.

I own a Vortex PST 6-24x50 mrad FFP and an IOR 3-18x42. The IOR definitely has the better glass but both are perfectly acceptable for shooting out to 1,000 yards.

[Grantd]

For the AR maybe a vortex spitfire x3, it has an EBR 556B that's calibrated for 5.56. Excellent quality and illuminated. You mentioned looks so here's AR15 with the spitfire



I have the Vortex PST mentioned above on my RPR 6.5 and its fantastic, zoom is a little stiff but hear that's common on vortex.

Grant

[BamBam]

Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6?
I know a bloke who has a minter with the £55 extra zoom lever.

[JS569]

Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6?
I know a bloke who has a minter with the £55 extra zoom lever.

that's where I think I'm going with this, I'm just not sure which of my other scopes I should sell in order to help fund this mini project. Either the Zeiss or the S&B

[JS569]

I have an IOR 1.5-8x for sale in the sales section. I previously used it on an AR.

IOR 1.5-8×26 FFP Trident - complete with Tier One rings ready to bolt straight onto an AR !

Thanks Breacher for the kind offer, as much as I'd be very interested it's just out of my price range I'm afraid.

[JS569]

For the AR maybe a vortex spitfire x3, it has an EBR 556B that's calibrated for 5.56. Excellent quality and illuminated. You mentioned looks so here's AR15 with the spitfire



I have the Vortex PST mentioned above on my RPR 6.5 and its fantastic, zoom is a little stiff but hear that's common on vortex.

Grant

I've got a cheap red dot which I find huge fun on the range but I think I'll need the magnification as I have the rifle on ticket for vermin control tool so I do need a bit of precise shot placement. Not jsut on fig 11s

[Maggot]

Not cheap but an ELCAN Spectre has some very good optics, more than good enough for vermin with the advantage over a lot of standard scopes of having a very wide FOV and good in low light. Only 4.bowl though.