Scope for stalking and target?

[MCC1508]

Hi All,

I know most its best to try and keep stalking and target rifles separate however this will be my first rifle so I am looking to get a scope that a good balance of both and doesn't break the bank.

Any suggestions?

 

[Rory]

Schmidt and Bender 3-12×50, FFP, mil clicks (I'm biased to the P3 reticle, but not to everyone's tast, I'd recommend some form of ranging reticle though as opposed to a hunting type reticle if you want it dual purpose).

 

[Steff]

Hi All,

I know most its best to try and keep stalking and target rifles separate however this will be my first rifle so I am looking to get a scope that a good balance of both and doesn't break the bank.

Any suggestions?

What does target shooting mean for you? Which distances?
If you‘ll be doing up to 200m I would support above suggestion for the S&B Zenith 3-12x50.
If you‘ll be going further out a max. mag of 15 or 18 could ne in place. Zeiss V6 or Steiner Ranger would be my go-to‘s in this case.

 

[Lateral]

Everyone is different. Some will prefer a lower mag scope, others higher, and your own eyes may prefer one, or the other.

A lot will depend on your budget, but I'd rather have higher mag, and not always need it, than lower mag, and wish I have more !

My personal preference, are Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13 x 42, 2.3-18 x 56, Z6i 3-18 x 50. There are plenty of others with the same type of flexibility.

Good glass is silly money, but I'd look for a good used scope.

 

[Cottis]

What sort of budget? The March compact range is, in my opinion, one of the most versatile offerings that lends itself well to both target and hunting. Great illumination module choices, lightweight (relatively speaking) brilliant mechanically, nice dimensions, huge choice of reticles and optically very very good.

The 3-24x52 ffp is what would tick all boxes or the 2.5-25x52 if sfp is wanted

 

[jcampbellsmith]

Hi All,

I know most its best to try and keep stalking and target rifles separate however this will be my first rifle so I am looking to get a scope that a good balance of both and doesn't break the bank.

Any suggestions?

I've looked at this question for nearly 30 years and I've not found an answer. I have stalking scopes and target scopes. With a Picatinny rail it's not hard to swop scopes over.
Regards
JCS

 

[topscots1]

The ZEISS V6 line is ideal, the v4 would do the job and save money at reasonable distances.

I’m out this afternoon with my 223 which currently has. 5-25 ATACR on it. Perhaps overkill but I have been faffing around with scopes. I always am and that is the rifle of choice today

 

[I. Farticus]

Swarovski Z6i 3-18x50 with BR-I reticule does everything I need from woodland stalking, to statics at 600yds and McQueen at 300yds

 

[Taff]

If you have a budget, look at the gpo range.

 

[BWH]

Have a look at the Meopta scopes. Good glass for the money.

 

[K.H - Tikka]

The Swarovski X5i would easily do the job. The 3.5-18 x 50 may suit your uses a little better than the 5-25 x 56 but either would work and they are fantastic scopes imo.

 

[Utectok]

I hear good things about the delta scopes

 

[gixer1]

Clearly this one!

Sold: - Swarovski Z5 5-25 x 52

Folks, I am putting this scope up for sale - I simply struggle with the reticle on it at lower light with my eyes when looking at darker objects…I am asking the same price I paid for it £900+postage. Box and papers with scope and in immaculate condition. Never been on my rifle. Two local gun...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

 

[Utectok]

Clearly this one!

Sold: - Swarovski Z5 5-25 x 52

Folks, I am putting this scope up for sale - I simply struggle with the reticle on it at lower light with my eyes when looking at darker objects…I am asking the same price I paid for it £900+postage. Box and papers with scope and in immaculate condition. Never been on my rifle. Two local gun...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

Nice scope although you need a turret for target I would have thought?

 

[Steff]

We still don't know what 'target' means in this context.

 

[andyk]

I’ve got 2 Zeiss V4s for my 223 and 308. Both are mainly for target shooting but also get used on the odd deer.

They have quite high zoom and a “target” reticle along with the ability to dial easily for elevation which works for simpler target shooting but aren’t so bulky that they can’t pass as a “normal” hunting scope.

 

[I. Farticus]

Nice scope although you need a turret for target I would have thought?

I just unscrew the caps, and use clicks

 

[gixer1]

Nice scope although you need a turret for target I would have thought?

Not really….the old fashioned way of count the clicks worked long before the turrets were fashionable.

 

[Heym SR20]

For a first stalking rifle I would keep things as simple as possible. There is a lot to learn, and the last thing you need to worry about is trying worth about a scope and its settings.

As regards target shooting what sort of ranges and targets are you shooting at. If its a “sporting” shoot with steel gongs, steel deer etc, no reason why you should just use a simple stalking scope - and you will learn a lot about how to hit the kill zone.

If you are shooting large black on white targets out at extended distances, again a simpke scope can work. Either learn the hold overs. You can rest the bull on tip of the thick post for example. Or take a piece of white electrical tape. Stick it on you dial. Mark your base zero and then re zero on longer ranges and mark those off as well. Or count the clicks.

What you do not need on a stalking rifle is large 3lb several thousand pounds worth of S&B military grade sniper scope which will allow you to spot, observe and engage targets at 1500m plus with a 338 Lapua Magnum.

 

[Utectok]

Not really….the old fashioned way of count the clicks worked long before the turrets were fashionable.

Your right the ballistic turrets are pretty annoying and never that accurate. If I had one I’d just use it in mill or moa setting. I like a dial turret as it’s not to fiddly some of the cap ones can be a little fiddly and a zero stop is nice but your right they all work fine