What scope would you put on my rifle? Disappointed in european hunting scopes offerings..

randello88

Well-Known Member
Hi guys, I write from Italy. I already posted a couple threads about my new setup but now i think i got to the right decisions. To sum it up, i currently have a early 2018 made bergara b14 hunter topped with a khales helia 2-10×50i with the standard german IV-like reticle and capped turrets. I love that gun, it's very accurate (0.3-0.7 MOA groups all day with geco 170 grains softpoints or rws dk 165 grains). This setup is very versatile but gives its best for relatively short ranges and low light situations.

I started hunting also in more open areas so i want a new rifle with more range for those places, while i will keep the rifle i already have for less open areas. So, since i really love my old b14 and since i don't like the look of most other rifles with all these fancy curves and fluted stuff, i decided to buy another b14 (still undecided between another hunter and a sporter while i excluded the wilderness series cause of the shorter barrels and fixed muzzlebrakes). Also i am young and in good shape so i prefer the relative heaviness of the b14 to the super low weight many hunters look for today. Plus i already own a b14 and i know that rifle very well so i thought keeping the same system (same trigger and ergonomics) but with another scope and a bipod would be a good idea. The caliber of the new rifle will be .308, again, but i will keep it zeroed for a more aerodynamic bullet like accubonds, eld-x or sst. I choose this caliber for availability, longer barrel life (i train with my hunting rifles constantly), good terminal performance for my max hunting range, mild recoil, no need for muzzlebrake etc. I will hunt mainly roe deer (up to 60 lbs), boars (up to 400 lbs) and fellow deer (up to 250 lbs), very rarely red deer (up to 550/600 lbs). I will keep distances inside 400 meters (450 yards).


That said, back to the topic: which scope would you put on this rig, considering that budget is not a concern?


I have always looked at european scopes but i don't find any offering i like looking at swaro/zeiss/khales/leica/S&B scopes.

The first option could be a FFP, with a Mil reticle for wind holds and a BDC exposed elevation turret. So i would dial for elevation and hold for wind. These brands sell some scopes with these features but they are in the tactical area: heavy, bulky with huge max powers. I would like a 3-12×50i or something like this for hunting. That's weird because this looks like an ideal scope setup to me.

Another option could be a SFP with a simple german IV reticles but, at this point, i would need exposed turrets both for elevation and windage. It seems like european hunting scopes have exposed turrets only for elevation tough. This doesn't make much sense to me since wind is a big variable when shooting past 300 meters or so..


So my questions:


-what do you think of the setup in general?

-which scope would you put on my new rifle?


Thanks guys!! Greetings from Italy
 

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Minox ZP5 is worth your consideration. FFP, Reticle choices, superb glass and brilliant mechanics.
 
Minox ZP5 is worth your consideration. FFP, Reticle choices, superb glass and brilliant mechanics.
Just looked into Minox, i didn't even know the brand but it looks amazing, on par with the other big names i mentioned. ZP5, 3-15×50 looks good. Any downside of this scope for my applications?
 
....doesn't make much sense to me since wind is a big variable when shooting past 300 meters or so..
It makes sense to me - if it were blowing so hard it will make a difference for which i didn't feel confident to hold off at that range, I wouldn't need to adjust: I'd get closer, or come back another day when it's not so windy.
I do a fair bit of longer-range target-shooting, and even if you know the wind-speed at the firing-point, it wouldn't seem sensible to inflict the subsequently-guessed adjustments on actual quarry.

In fact, I'm not completely convinced that open elevation-turrets are a good idea for field use either - but then, I'm probably the wrong person to be answering on this thread!
 
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Just looked into Minox, i didn't even know the brand but it looks amazing, on par with the other big names i mentioned. ZP5, 3-15×50 looks good. Any downside of this scope for my applications?
I don't think it would have any downsides for you. It is heavier than some scopes but you say you are young and fit, so that is fine. I think the Mildot reticle is slightly thicker than the other options. But if you are using higher magnication and shooting on open ground, the reticle will be bigger and easily visible.

On low magnification, the reticle might be rubbish in woodland but you have your other gun for that.
 
Hi guys, I write from Italy. I already posted a couple threads about my new setup but now i think i got to the right decisions. To sum it up, i currently have a early 2018 made bergara b14 hunter topped with a khales helia 2-10×50i with the standard german IV-like reticle and capped turrets. I love that gun, it's very accurate (0.3-0.7 MOA groups all day with geco 170 grains softpoints or rws dk 165 grains). This setup is very versatile but gives its best for relatively short ranges and low light situations.

I started hunting also in more open areas so i want a new rifle with more range for those places, while i will keep the rifle i already have for less open areas. So, since i really love my old b14 and since i don't like the look of most other rifles with all these fancy curves and fluted stuff, i decided to buy another b14 (still undecided between another hunter and a sporter while i excluded the wilderness series cause of the shorter barrels and fixed muzzlebrakes). Also i am young and in good shape so i prefer the relative heaviness of the b14 to the super low weight many hunters look for today. Plus i already own a b14 and i know that rifle very well so i thought keeping the same system (same trigger and ergonomics) but with another scope and a bipod would be a good idea. The caliber of the new rifle will be .308, again, but i will keep it zeroed for a more aerodynamic bullet like accubonds, eld-x or sst. I choose this caliber for availability, longer barrel life (i train with my hunting rifles constantly), good terminal performance for my max hunting range, mild recoil, no need for muzzlebrake etc. I will hunt mainly roe deer (up to 60 lbs), boars (up to 400 lbs) and fellow deer (up to 250 lbs), very rarely red deer (up to 550/600 lbs). I will keep distances inside 400 meters (450 yards).


That said, back to the topic: which scope would you put on this rig, considering that budget is not a concern?

I have always looked at european scopes but i don't find any offering i like looking at swaro/zeiss/khales/leica/S&B scopes.

The first option could be a FFP, with a Mil reticle for wind holds and a BDC exposed elevation turret. So i would dial for elevation and hold for wind. These brands sell some scopes with these features but they are in the tactical area: heavy, bulky with huge max powers. I would like a 3-12×50i or something like this for hunting. That's weird because this looks like an ideal scope setup to me.

Another option could be a SFP with a simple german IV reticles but, at this point, i would need exposed turrets both for elevation and windage. It seems like european hunting scopes have exposed turrets only for elevation tough. This doesn't make much sense to me since wind is a big variable when shooting past 300 meters or so..


So my questions:

-what do you think of the setup in general?

-which scope would you put on my new rifle?


Thanks guys!! Greetings from Italy

Bushnell LRHS 3-12x44.

No longer made but produced by LOW (Light Optical Works - Nightforce NXS and Vortex LHT makers, think they make the higher grade of Element Scopes as well).

FFP

30mm tube

Side focus down to 50m

Nearly 2 full turns (about 18 mil) elevation turret travel with zero stop

Capped windage

What else do you want/need?
 
It makes sense to me - if it were blowing so hard it will make a difference for which i didn't feel confident to hold off at that range, I wouldn't need to adjust: I'd get closer, or come back another day when it's not so windy.
I do a fair bit of longer-range target-shooting, and even if you know the wind-speed at the firing-point, it wouldn't seem sensible to inflict the subsequently-guessed adjustments on actual quarry.

In fact, I'm not completely convinced that open elevation-turrets are a good idea for field use either - but then, I'm probably the wrong person to be answering on this thread!
I get what you say and of course i agree to some extent. It all depends on where you put the line. 500 meters, 20 mph wind: i won't take the shot. 350 meters, 8 mph constant wind: totally doable if you know what you are doing. Still at that distance it's important to be able to hold wind precisely cause a roe deer is a pretty small target and I don't aim at the deer, i aim at a specific area of its body.
 
I don't think it would have any downsides for you. It is heavier than some scopes but you say you are young and fit, so that is fine. I think the Mildot reticle is slightly thicker than the other options. But if you are using higher magnication and shooting on open ground, the reticle will be bigger and easily visible.

On low magnification, the reticle might be rubbish in woodland but you have your other gun for that.
Do you think the illumination could aid on the "rubbish in wood" thing? And what about these scopes in low light hunting?
 
Bushnell LRHS 3-12x44.

No longer made but produced by LOW (Light Optical Works - Nightforce NXS and Vortex LHT makers, think they make the higher grade of Element Scopes as well).

FFP

30mm tube

Side focus down to 50m

Nearly 2 full turns (about 18 mil) elevation turret travel with zero stop

Capped windage

What else do you want/need?
Thanks man, i'll look into it.
 
Do you think the illumination could aid on the "rubbish in wood" thing? And what about these scopes in low light hunting?

Illuminated reticles do nothing if you can't see the target through the scope in the first place, only makes it worse!

The FFP ret of the LRHS is very good in this area due to the large inner circle which helps it at low magnification:

Screenshot_20230417_212440_Google.webp

 
Another option could be a SFP with a simple german IV reticles but, at this point, i would need exposed turrets both for elevation and windage. It seems like european hunting scopes have exposed turrets only for elevation tough.
Some of Zeiss’ ASV-equipped hunting scopes can be ordered with an exposed windage turret for an extra €100 or so; could be worth checking out.

The 1.8-14X V8, 2.8-20X V8 and 3-12X HT seem suitable.

522131-9943-040_-_522131-9960-040_jpg.webp
 
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I don’t get it. You’re buying another identical rifle in the same calibre to shoot a marginally better BC bullet out to 400m?

Just learn your current drops and get on with it.

Or am missing something??
Your the most logical of all in the thread.
 
I have been delighted with my S&B ultra bright 4-16x56 ffp P4 reticle.
Super hunting scope low profile turrets that doesn’t get bashed and will do for some longer range stuff too
 
I get what you say and of course i agree to some extent. It all depends on where you put the line. 500 meters, 20 mph wind: i won't take the shot. 350 meters, 8 mph constant wind: totally doable if you know what you are doing. Still at that distance it's important to be able to hold wind precisely cause a roe deer is a pretty small target and I don't aim at the deer, i aim at a specific area of its body.
That's super - as long as you know it's an 8mph wind, and it's constant in strength and direction all along the 350m.
Personally, I'm just not good enough at wind-reading to do that. Hence, covered wind-turrets are just fine for me.
 
Hi guys, I write from Italy. I already posted a couple threads about my new setup but now i think i got to the right decisions. To sum it up, i currently have a early 2018 made bergara b14 hunter topped with a khales helia 2-10×50i with the standard german IV-like reticle and capped turrets. I love that gun, it's very accurate (0.3-0.7 MOA groups all day with geco 170 grains softpoints or rws dk 165 grains). This setup is very versatile but gives its best for relatively short ranges and low light situations.

I started hunting also in more open areas so i want a new rifle with more range for those places, while i will keep the rifle i already have for less open areas. So, since i really love my old b14 and since i don't like the look of most other rifles with all these fancy curves and fluted stuff, i decided to buy another b14 (still undecided between another hunter and a sporter while i excluded the wilderness series cause of the shorter barrels and fixed muzzlebrakes). Also i am young and in good shape so i prefer the relative heaviness of the b14 to the super low weight many hunters look for today. Plus i already own a b14 and i know that rifle very well so i thought keeping the same system (same trigger and ergonomics) but with another scope and a bipod would be a good idea. The caliber of the new rifle will be .308, again, but i will keep it zeroed for a more aerodynamic bullet like accubonds, eld-x or sst. I choose this caliber for availability, longer barrel life (i train with my hunting rifles constantly), good terminal performance for my max hunting range, mild recoil, no need for muzzlebrake etc. I will hunt mainly roe deer (up to 60 lbs), boars (up to 400 lbs) and fellow deer (up to 250 lbs), very rarely red deer (up to 550/600 lbs). I will keep distances inside 400 meters (450 yards).


That said, back to the topic: which scope would you put on this rig, considering that budget is not a concern?

I have always looked at european scopes but i don't find any offering i like looking at swaro/zeiss/khales/leica/S&B scopes.

The first option could be a FFP, with a Mil reticle for wind holds and a BDC exposed elevation turret. So i would dial for elevation and hold for wind. These brands sell some scopes with these features but they are in the tactical area: heavy, bulky with huge max powers. I would like a 3-12×50i or something like this for hunting. That's weird because this looks like an ideal scope setup to me.

Another option could be a SFP with a simple german IV reticles but, at this point, i would need exposed turrets both for elevation and windage. It seems like european hunting scopes have exposed turrets only for elevation tough. This doesn't make much sense to me since wind is a big variable when shooting past 300 meters or so..


So my questions:

-what do you think of the setup in general?

-which scope would you put on my new rifle?


Thanks guys!! Greetings from Italy
Your current setup is excellent and delivers superb accuracy with small groups of 0.3 to 0.7 MOA. With such good performance it will do perfectly well at 400m so I suggest keep enjoying it and don't bother buying another rifle or scope. Spend the money saved on ammo.
 
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