long range scope choice

[2434u&me]

I'm looking into ballistic turret scopes and I'm very much of the mindset, buy right, buy once.
I've used a z6i which was very nice indeed but that's about it.
I've heard folk raving about nightforce scopes but I've never used one and was wondering how clear they are through the magnification range.
I've used cheepo scopes with 60x that are unusable past 20x magnification!
I use a swarovski 6x42 on a 243 and I can't fault it, which is unfortunately steering me down the more expensive route of optics.
The scope is destined for a 300 win mag that I intend to use for long range target and the larger deer species.

 

[1st Pattern Paul]

I have used a Nightforce 5.5-22 X 56 with the NP2-DD ret for the last ten years, been on a .223, .243, 300 Win Mag and now on a 7mm Rem Mag. Cannot fault it. I've been told that the Schmidt PMII is a great scope, but I would say that the Nigtforce is better value for money. That said if money is no object then I'd look at both. I personally like the optics in a Nightforce, but others don't rate them. Guess it's what suites your eye.
Paul

 

[branko]

Looking at getting nightforce 3.5-15 with velocity 1000 reticle for 7mm rem mag being built at the moment. Long range hunting in africa being the objective. Try out their reticle calculator and then check it out on the strelok + app for I phones and android.
Think sportsmans have the best prices. Oh forgot to mention they also do the zero stop turret, so no counting clicks just turn it back all the way.

 

[mark@mbb]

I have a 6 x 24 x 56 zeiss on my 243 but have just got a 6 x 24 x56 Meopta on a 308 and what a scope that is for long range the glass is perfect

 

[monarman]

go on a different forum..one that is about long range shooting they will advise better than a website which is SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT DEER AND DEERSTALKING!!

 

[Klenchblaize]

 

[branko]

Give us a clue

go on a different forum..one that is about long range shooting they will advise better than a website which is SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT DEER AND DEERSTALKING!!

 

[A J]

I use a Z6i for stalking, but recently built a target rifle and went scope shopping last week. Took myself of to a place where I could look through all the scopes I was interested in.

I looked at:
Z6i 5-30x56
Zeiss Diavari 6-24x56
Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56
Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x56
S&B PMII
Kahles K624i 6-24x56

To my eye the Swarovski was the best optically, but it obviously lacks the target turrets I wanted. The Nightfoce had some funky reticle options but it was noticeably less clear in the late afternoon light and the field of view was really narrow compared with the German/Austrain scopes. Although I really wanted to like them, it wasn't long before I ruled them out.

The PMII was just too expensive sat next to the others in my opinion. I can't quite see how they can ask that kind of money in the company it is keeping. Yes I know it's good and I went with high expectations of getting one, but it lacks some of the features of the newer scopes.

It boiled down to a tough choice between the Zeiss Diavari and the Kahles K624i in the end and after a fair bit of testing in different lighting conditions, the Kahles won it for me. Feature wise it trumped the Zeiss and optically they were pretty much indistinguishable. The way the parallax wheel works is brilliant and the "second turn" turret indicator is really useful. Zero stop and nice crisp distinct clicks and noticeably lighter than all the others (excluding the hunting orientated Z6i).

When spending that much money on glass it's well worth taking the time to do some side by side comparisons for yourself. What's great for one person isn't always ideal for another. For me, the K624i was the pick of the bunch.

 

[macfarlane]

Also got the meopta 6x24x56 shot it on my 243 at 600 yards an was amazed I was watching the bullet strike.

 

[ejg]

I have three 6.5-20x50 Zeiss conquest and a Kahles 624i to cover the longer range stuff.
Then again I have shot running game at 15yds with the conquest and most of my deer are shot offhand with my
light tactical rifle/K624i. For longer range deer I just prefer the higher mag/parallax adj.
I don't have to prove to myself what a great stalker I am, shot enough close range and think in many cases it is better to take a deer from a little distance.
edi

 

[6x47]

I have been using a Nightforce 8-32x56 NXS on my F-class/Foxing rifle - cracking bit if kit
I also have a Bushnell 6500 Elite 4.5-32x50 on my 308 stalking rifle - optics not as good as the NXS but easily good enough for most activities.

Most of the F-class boys I talk seem to rave about the Sightron scopes - there is a review in Shooting Sports this month if that helps
Al

 

[richard griffith]

Hi AJ-sold my swarovski 6x24x50 and probably will sell my Zeiss with a view to getting a Khales 624i but it's good to get another shooters genuine opinion as all these magazine tests say everything is brilliant-they have to keep the ads coming in!As I am in the market can you disclose where you can try all the contenders that you outline?regards Richard.

 

[mereside]

I have two sightron scopes one on a 270 and the other a 300 win mag and both are super, i took a punt on the first as i like to do my own review on stalking kit and not listen to adds, i use them both foxing under the lamp also I cannot fault either one, atb wayne

 

[long_range_rob]

go on a different forum..one that is about long range shooting they will advise better than a website which is SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT DEER AND DEERSTALKING!!

Really. I was reading posts about Silent Witness earlier on here. Cut the man some slack.

 

[Klenchblaize]

I use a Z6i for stalking, but recently built a target rifle and went scope shopping last week. Took myself of to a place where I could look through all the scopes I was interested in.

I looked at:
Z6i 5-30x56
Zeiss Diavari 6-24x56
Nightforce ATACR 5-25x56
Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x56
S&B PMII
Kahles K624i 6-24x56

To my eye the Swarovski was the best optically, but it obviously lacks the target turrets I wanted. The Nightfoce had some funky reticle options but it was noticeably less clear in the late afternoon light and the field of view was really narrow compared with the German/Austrian scopes. Although I really wanted to like them, it wasn't long before I ruled them out.

The PMII was just too expensive sat next to the others in my opinion. I can't quite see how they can ask that kind of money in the company it is keeping. Yes I know it's good and I went with high expectations of getting one, but it lacks some of the features of the newer scopes.

It boiled down to a tough choice between the Zeiss Diavari and the Kahles K624i in the end and after a fair bit of testing in different lighting conditions, the Kahles won it for me. Feature wise it trumped the Zeiss and optically they were pretty much indistinguishable. The way the parallax wheel works is brilliant and the "second turn" turret indicator is really useful. Zero stop and nice crisp distinct clicks and noticeably lighter than all the others (excluding the hunting orientated Z6i).

When spending that much money on glass it's well worth taking the time to do some side by side comparisons for yourself. What's great for one person isn't always ideal for another. For me, the K624i was the pick of the bunch.

Excellent review and similar commendation for the shop where one might 'play' with such a high-end line up.

Your observation re the Nightforce image quality compared with Austrian glass has always been a concern of mine.

K

 

[A J]

Hi AJ-sold my swarovski 6x24x50 and probably will sell my Zeiss with a view to getting a Khales 624i but it's good to get another shooters genuine opinion as all these magazine tests say everything is brilliant-they have to keep the ads coming in!As I am in the market can you disclose where you can try all the contenders that you outline?regards Richard.

Hey Richard, I see we're local to each other. If you're keen on the K264i and not able to get up to Swillington or find anyone more local with that has one in, drop me a PM and you can have a look through mine.

Excellent review and similar commendation for the shop where one might 'play' with such a high-end line up.

Your observation re the Nightforce image quality compared with Austrian glass has always been a concern of mine.

K

I went up to Swillington Shooting Supplies in Leeds. I have no affiliation with the shop, however I have had nothing but brilliant and friendly service from them. Give them a call and speak to Chris if you want to go take a look at the lineup. I'm sure they'll do what they can to accommodate you.

 

[Pirate hunter]

Nightforce all the way.

 

[DaveK]

go on a different forum..one that is about long range shooting they will advise better than a website which is SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT DEER AND DEERSTALKING!!

Oh dear Oh dear Oh dear.

 

[Selous]

I have PMII's and am very happy with them. I had a nightforce which was very repeatable and not at all bad optically. the main reason I sold it was that I kept adjusting the elevation the wrong way as the PMII turret turns the opposite way

 

[Sharpie]

Surprised no-one has mentioned Marchwood yet. Very impressed with a couple I have tried briefly.