Author Topic: Fred, need your opinion!  (Read 4773 times)

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Offline sontez

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Fred, need your opinion!
« on: April 07, 2005, 06:23:29 AM »
Fred Flinstone,
  Hi, you seem to be one of the most knowledgeable people on this forum........so I'd like to ask you a question.
  I've got a 550 FS in 6.5x55 and want to scope it.  I'm probably going to use Warne medium  rings, but which scope?
  I'm looking at a Leupold VXIII 3-10x40, Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40, Kahles American 3-9x40, Docter Optic 2-8x40 (w/30mm tube), and Shepard 3-10x40, and an IOR 3-10 x40 (w/30mm tube).
  What are your opinions of these scopes?  The Zeiss has the longest eye relief. Shepard the most versatle reticule. Kahles had the best light transmission followed by the Zeiss and Docter.
  I've never had hands on an IOR, but I've read a few really good things about them.  And is the 30mm tube a whole lot better than a 1"? I mean, the Docter Optic was bright, and less expensive than the Kahles. I want an excellent scope and don't mind paying for quality, but I don't want to break the bank either! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
  Thanks,
  Sontez

Offline Fred Flinstone

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Fred, need your opinion!
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2005, 04:22:28 PM »
Hi sontez,

Appearances are deceiving, there are other very knowledgeable people within our posters which I hope will be able to fill the gaps which I'll leave.

What's the scope going to be used for: hunting, plinking, target shooting?

Just last year I went hunting with a M-96(6.5 X 55mm), I had a 2-10X40mm(1 inch tube), early in the morning I had a long distance shot at a nice buck. I missed, after recollecting my cool I mesured the shooting distance: 1250 feet, had I have a mil dot I would have venison in my freezer instead of t.v. dinners. The 40mm allows you to see in extremely low light, to the point where your eyes don't see the target but you see 20/20 with the scope. I did'nt have time to put flags at every 50 yards to give me an idea on distances/principles which I had posted within this e-site:\


The following 3 I've tried personnaly but other models:
1- Leupold is a fine & proven scope which will perform well even with a certain amount of abuse.
2- The Zeiss optics is extremely fine(sharpness of image)
3- Kahles are usualy well knowned in military application

The 3 others fall into the my unknowed quality, although I've heard nothing but good about them.

Before buying anyone of these try going to your dealer at dawn and try looking far away at extremely fine detail(specialy lettering: if not good optics will leave a fuzzy edge to letters, look also for a distorted image: letters will not be a nice straight line but a bow shape). A 30mm tube will be night & day.

The 30 mm will be a top performer(if memory serves me right) when playing with your zoom(choice of magnification) while looking at your reticle. The quantity of mechanical parts inside the 30mm. are far less thus less possibility of breakage, better image rendition. I had left a post 2-3 years ago which gave both sides, the 30mm. was the winner.

Have a look at Swarovsky scopes(good optics also), you'll have another word in your vocabulary which you'll have a hard time prononcing, a bit like: Ceska Zbrojovka;)

n-300RN

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Fred, need your opinion!
« Reply #2 on: April 08, 2005, 05:06:55 AM »
Take a look also at Burris scopes.

Some years ago I saw a comparison of Burris Signature series scopes against Zeiss, Leupold and others using a light meter.  The Burris beat them all.

I have used both Leupold and Burris for many years and have benn very satisfied with both.

Most recently I bought a Burris 1 3/4x5 Plex for a CZ 527 7.62x39 and a Burris 3x9 with German 4A reticle for a Ruger 6.5x55.  Fine scopes.

Just a few more to add to the list!

Offline sontez

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Fred, need your opinion!
« Reply #3 on: April 08, 2005, 05:19:36 AM »
Hi Fred,
  Thanks for your reply.  I know several people who swear by Leupold, and although I also like Leupold, I still feel the need to have something "different".
  The scope will go on my 550 FS (6.5x55) and be used mostly at the range for target shooting.  However, that is just to keep my edge for what this rifle is really for...... HUNTING!  Primarily antelope, but white tail as well.  During the spring and summer, I try to go to the range three or four times a month.  I firmly believe in practicing all year long rather than just a couple of quick sight in shots right before the season opens.
  The Zeiss was nearly as bright as the Kahles, and had the longest eye relief of all the scopes mentioned.  The Docter Optic was about as bright as the Kahles thanks to it's 30mm tube but only went to 8x magnification.  I've never even seen a scope from IOR, but have read great things about them.
  The Shepard seems like a great scope, as bright as the Leupold but with a far better reticle. The few people I've talked to about them really like them. However, on one of the sniper forums, the people who've had them didn't really have too many good things to say about them. They all seem partial to the Leupold Mk IV scopes. But then they are using it for a purpose.
  For now, I guess I'll keep going back to the gun shops and keep looking between the scopes.  BTW, I would love to have a Swarovsky, but unfortunately they are out of my price range. About $700 is the most I can afford on a scope. Anyway if you find out any more info, would you be so kind as to pass it along to me, please?
 Thanks,
     Sontez

Offline sontez

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Fred, need your opinion!
« Reply #4 on: April 08, 2005, 05:25:05 AM »
300RN,
  Thanks! I hadn't really considered Burris, just wasn't too familiar with them. I thought I had heard some bad things about them several years ago (something about quality not being what it used to be) and just never paid attention to them ever again. I'll have to go to the gun shops this weekend and check them out. I do like their Signaure Series rings though!! Too bad they don't make them for CZ.

  Sontez

Offline Fred Flinstone

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Fred, need your opinion!
« Reply #5 on: April 08, 2005, 03:43:29 PM »
My last computer burn-up, I lost all my data. Within the lost data I had an e-address that was in the U.S. which were selling demo, second hand, end of line, and new rifle scope(nothing else) of various big name mfgr.(not el-cheapo: made in China) which were offered at -50% off.  But I lost the dam_  e-address>:

Would a kind soul give us the direction?|I

Offline Fred Flinstone

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Fred, need your opinion!
« Reply #6 on: April 08, 2005, 03:45:59 PM »
Oh yes, this company extended the warranty on their scopes(demo, etc.) They were well worth having a look.

Offline Fred Flinstone

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Fred, need your opinion!
« Reply #7 on: April 08, 2005, 03:50:24 PM »
Most North American are willing to put  the value of their rifle's worth on their scope.

Europeen are willing to put equal the amount.

Just food for thought!:hat

Offline sontez

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Fred, need your opinion!
« Reply #8 on: April 09, 2005, 02:53:27 AM »
Fred,
  Guess I must be a European at heart:lol   I paid $599 for the rifle (best part; no sales tax in Montana!), so about $700 is the absolute most I'd be willing to pay for a quality scope.  However, if I could find a top quality scope at a rock bottom price...............

Sorry to hear about your computer burn up, trust me I know how bad that sucks!


n-300RN

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Fred, need your opinion!
« Reply #9 on: April 09, 2005, 05:37:01 AM »
Generally good SOP.

You can't hit what you can't see!

Some years ago I co-managed a gun shop where we sold some 3500-to-4000 guns per year, many of which were topped with scopes.

My problem, after selling many hundreds of Burris, Leupold, Swarovski and Zeiss scopes is that from a longevity standpoint, I cannot say that the latter two have any advantage over the former two.

Offline sontez

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Fred, need your opinion!
« Reply #10 on: April 11, 2005, 08:24:13 AM »
I do like the lifetime warranty that comes with the Leupold and Zeiss scopes. I know that the Zeiss warranty is transferrable. I have a Sightron 3x9 on my 452 Lux which also has a lifetime warranty and is a good scope, however I don't think the quality of it's optics are quite as good as what I want for my 550.  I didn't make it to the un shop this weekend, but as soon as I can, I will check out the line of Burris scopes.

Offline Fred Flinstone

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Fred, need your opinion!
« Reply #11 on: April 16, 2005, 03:06:23 PM »
It just hit me, I remember seeing one of these, the reticle was superb, magnification was clear(crisp) BUT the bleep scope absorb light(not good light transmission). When pointed in mid obscurity, it did'nt deliver.

Beware,
Fred:hat

Offline sontez

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Fred, need your opinion!
« Reply #12 on: April 17, 2005, 07:47:47 AM »
I'm thinking I may end up going with the Docter Optic if it's still at the gun shop when I get back from vacation.  It's fairly compact, even with the 30mm tube.  Plus it's extremely bright, transmits light very well.

However...........after talking with one of the guys at the gun counter, if the Docter Optic is gone I may go with a Nightforce scope. There's a really nice 2.5x10 model with 30mm tube and no objective lens bell.  The objective lens is 28mm, but you wouldn't believe how much light it transmits!!  The guy said he could maybe cut me a deal, maybe just under $700.  So, we will see.

Offline mahipal

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Fred, need your opinion!
« Reply #13 on: April 30, 2005, 02:55:32 PM »
Hi Fred, I need your advise about Meopta rifle scopes atmiss 200&300 series in 1.5x6 and 3x9x42 in 30mm.I own on meopta old one thay came with Brno model 1  in 50s with one piece mount with single post.still it working in India,Please give me your advise about meopta.Are thay better than Leupold VX111s,thanks,mahipal

Cleft-Asunder

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Fred, need your opinion!
« Reply #14 on: May 10, 2005, 01:23:37 AM »
If anyone is interested, I have a Leupold VX-II 3-9x40mm listed in the classifieds for $250. See below.

p201.ezboard.com/fczechpi...2009.topic