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Author Topic: The scope you use for coyotes
Lonny
PANTS ON THE GROUND
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Icon 1 posted February 05, 2018 06:01 PM      Profile for Lonny           Edit/Delete Post 
What is your favorite rifle scope for coyotes?

Why did you choose this particular scope?

If buying new today, would you choose the same?

Posts: 1209 | From: Lewiston, Idaho USA | Registered: Jan 2003  |  IP: Logged
Dave Allen
Hi, I'm SUPER DAVE, IN CHARGE OF Q STUFF (and Goat Leader) "I'm really not trying to be a dick".
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Icon 1 posted February 05, 2018 06:29 PM      Profile for Dave Allen           Edit/Delete Post 
I haven't bought a scope in a while. I have used a Leupold 2x7 VX 2 quite a bit, perfect for my uses.

(edit) yes I would buy again. I like 22"-24" barrels & the little compact size works perfect me & looks good !!

Unless something has changed ? can't beat the eye relief of a Leupold & clear optics.

[ February 05, 2018, 06:42 PM: Message edited by: Dave Allen ]

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Lone Howl
Free Trial Platinum Member & part-time language police
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Icon 1 posted February 05, 2018 08:29 PM      Profile for Lone Howl   Email Lone Howl         Edit/Delete Post 
I run older Leupolds but have a couple Swarovskis and a Zeiss. Mostly laying around in the box. Im just lazy at mounting and sighting shit in nowdays.

I am running the Zeiss on a 22-250 calling rifle and really like it.

Mark

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Leonard
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Icon 1 posted February 06, 2018 06:09 AM      Profile for Leonard   Author's Homepage   Email Leonard         Edit/Delete Post 
Lone Howl, come on! While it's a bit helpful to know your brand loyalty, with this crowd, you have to be more specific.

Like, I have a Zeiss, but it's a 4.5X14X44 Conquest on my Ruger 77 which is chambered in plain vanilla 243Winchester.

See? Now, what you got?

Good hunting. El Bee

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DAA
Utah/Promoted WESTERN REGIONAL Hunt Director
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Icon 1 posted February 06, 2018 07:46 AM      Profile for DAA   Author's Homepage   Email DAA         Edit/Delete Post 
My favorite... Can't say I have a favorite. All my calling rifles wear 4.5-14's though. But, I consider that magnification range a compromise. For purely calling, 3.5x10's would have been better maybe. For that matter, 3x9 or 2x7 or even lower would be better for purely calling.

Most of them are Leupold, 4.5-14x40, with plain medium duplex. Also have a couple of the same 4.5-14x44 Zeiss Conquest that Leonard has.

For calling, they rarely leave 5X. I have not infrequently wished they would go lower than 4.5x though.

The Zeiss definitely has better glass. But the Leupolds are lighter and more compact and so I prefer them. I value the size and weight difference more than the optical quality difference.

All are set it and forget it, so I don't care how good or repeatable the clicks might or might not be. But the clicks probably suck a lot on all of them.

I personally prefer a plain duplex on a calling rifle scope. And not a fine one, either. Medium or heavy.

I chose them based on a combination of size, weight, magnification, optical quality, reliability and price. The 14x high end magnification was really a compromise to allow more precise load work and zeroing, along with the occasional varmint popping. For pure dedicated calling, I'd go lower power.

I have bought and used mostly Leupold. Which, is kind of strange, really. Because I don't really love anything about them.

I think the optical quality on these older Vx III's is "just okay". I own a lot of scopes with WAY better optical quality. I think the eye relief on them blows donkey dicks. The eye box is not forgiving on them and eye relief changes a lot with magnification. If not for the fact that I rarely change magnification on them, I might not have been able to live with them on the eye relief issue. But leaving them in one spot all the time, it's totally manageable.

The clicks, especially on these non-target models, are notoriously shitty and not to be trusted. But, if you are just going to set them and forget them, they are very reliable. Very.

Compared to other comparably priced and featured scopes, Leupold always seem to come out smaller and lighter. Which matters a lot to me, on a calling rifle. I absolutely despise big heavy over the top scopes on a trim calling rig. And in fact, consider these 4.5-14x40 Leupolds to be almost too big and heavy. The Zeiss, is definitely too big and too heavy for most of my calling rifles. They fit "okay" on the rifles I have them on, but I always wish they were smaller and lighter. Like the Leupolds. Glass is definitely better on the Ziess though, no doubt.

And of course, Leupold has a great warranty.

And, they aren't that expensive. Not cheap, but for the combination of features and warranty, really not badly priced.

So, like I said, there really isn't any one thing I think they are all that great at. But, comparing and considering everything, they seem to end up being the best compromise for my purposes pretty often.

None of the above were bought less than ten years ago.

I wouldn't buy any of them again today - unless maybe they were too cheap to pass up.

Things have changed. Scopes have gotten a lot better. I'm not up to date with whats really current. But the advent of 5x and 6x magnification ranges makes for a whole lot of much more appealing choices. Again, I am not up on current makes and models, but I have looked through enough newer scopes to say with absolute certainty that the optical quality has improved substantially.

I did buy a new scope just recently. For my new AR (which, the local gun store jacked me over on, and so I don't have it yet...). It's going to be a very general purpose all around machine gun. Will see more jackrabbit, ground squirrel and family plinking duty than coyote calling. But, it will see some calling duty, for sure. And, who knows, maybe I'll like it and use it more than expected.

Anyway... The scope I just bought is a Leupold VX5 HD 2-10x42 with a duplex "fire dot" reticle.

I didn't do any research to speak of. I just knew I wanted a lower powered variable under $1K. So I went to the local gun store and had them put everything they had that fit that description on the counter for me to play with. I was honestly trying to avoid a Leupold and trying to spend less. Thought going in that I'd be walking out with a Zeiss or maybe a Vortex. But, handling them all, looking through them all, it was that damn Leupold that really looked and felt right to me, so I bought it.

Optical quality on it is significantly superior to any of my "old" Leupolds. Huge difference, really. 2-10x ought to be a really great magnification range for intended use.

It has the fancy zero stop, BDS elevation turret. Clicks are soft, soggy mushy crap. Glad I'm just going to set it and forget it.

Had NO intention of getting a "fire dot" reticle walking in there. Hell, I didn't even know what one was. It caught my imagination for close in, fast moving work on jackrabbits though. Perhaps coyote too? Have not been able to use it yet. So don't know if it will live up to the hype in my mind. We'll see...

- DAA

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"Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." -- George Hanson, Easy Rider, 1969.

Rocky Mountain Varmint Hunter

Posts: 2676 | From: Salt Lake City, UT | Registered: Jan 2003  |  IP: Logged
Paul Melching
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Icon 1 posted February 06, 2018 08:18 AM      Profile for Paul Melching           Edit/Delete Post 
Been sold on Burris after some bad experiences I encountered with Leupold Product and customer service.. Never looked back And If I need another it will be a Burris. They seem to hold zero forever rare to have to adjust from season to season. Just check it and go hunt. good clear glass and light gathering.

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knockemdown
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Icon 1 posted February 06, 2018 09:41 AM      Profile for knockemdown   Author's Homepage           Edit/Delete Post 
A 3-15x covers me more than adequately. 3x is plenty low to start off with in the woods, or on a tight quarters brushy stand. When sitting on a wide open 'out west' stand, I'll usually dial to ~5x and leave it there to start. If a coyote kinda starts swingin' out there, will maybe crank up to ~8x and that's plenty (for me) to feel good about a 2-300yd shot...

Prefer FFP, just because my 'ruler' works, regardless of mag. setting.

50mm obj. allows for enough exit pupil to keep that mag. range usable to near full darkness. Heck, sometimes I can look thru the scope, and see better & brighter than with naked eye...

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Lone Howl
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Icon 1 posted February 06, 2018 10:30 AM      Profile for Lone Howl   Email Lone Howl         Edit/Delete Post 
Im coy, sorry.
My calling rifles are all sporter weight 700's with 4x12 or 3x15-ish scopes on em.

I did dip into my call makin' cash and picked up this new loopold. Right off the bat I realized it is to much scope for my purposes, which I already knew but had to learn my lesson again I guess.

Way to big and heavy for a calling rifle, for me. Ill probly trade it or sell it for something smaller and lighter.

I do really like the Zeiss on my 22-250...HD5 I think? 3-15.
Mark

[IMG]  - LOOPY by Lonehowl, on Flickr[/IMG]

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Posts: 2083 | From: Texas | Registered: Jan 2003  |  IP: Logged
Lone Howl
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Icon 1 posted February 06, 2018 10:36 AM      Profile for Lone Howl   Email Lone Howl         Edit/Delete Post 
I have also done the Nightforce thing as well, had a used one from a buddy, played with it all last summer. Great scopes but again, to much scope for me.

If I was building a long range gun of some kind or tactical competition rifle etc. then yes, totally practical.
Mark

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When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.

Posts: 2083 | From: Texas | Registered: Jan 2003  |  IP: Logged
MI VHNTR
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Icon 1 posted February 06, 2018 06:42 PM      Profile for MI VHNTR   Email MI VHNTR         Edit/Delete Post 
I'm using Leupold VX 2 3-9x40 on my Colt M4 5.56 NATO and a Bushnell Elite 4200 3-9x40 on my Ruger American Ranch 5.56.

I like both scopes but neither is being produced any longer.

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Lonny
PANTS ON THE GROUND
Member # 19

Icon 1 posted February 06, 2018 08:08 PM      Profile for Lonny           Edit/Delete Post 
Thanks for the responses guys.

The reason I am asking about your scope selection is I've used a Leupold 3.5-10 for many years and have always had it has always been reliable.

A number of years ago, I had it retro-fitted for a CDS elevation turret and that's when the trouble started. At first, I thought it worked as advertised, but it has now been back to Leupold 3 times due to problems with the elevation turret. Binding up, not returning to zero, etc...

I'm not a long-range coyote sniper by any stretch, but I do like being able to dial and hold on fur if I have a hung up coyote at say 386 yards or simply dial and shoot some long range ground squirrels or steel targets.

I'm just about to the point where I think it might be wise to check my Leupold every time when I dial back to my 200 yard zero after I've dialed up for a distant shot. It's not proving to be real repeatable after many twists. When its working, its great though. It just seems to be limited use deal.

Another thing I've noticed over the past few years is the Leupold customer service doesn't seem to be what it once was. One trip back they did nothing to fix the problem on my scope so it went back again. Another time the wrong dial was made. Hell, one time I called and was #38 in line to talk to someone.

Anyway, all this got me to wondering what else is out there for a reliable, repeatable scope.

Posts: 1209 | From: Lewiston, Idaho USA | Registered: Jan 2003  |  IP: Logged
Lone Howl
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Icon 1 posted February 06, 2018 08:35 PM      Profile for Lone Howl   Email Lone Howl         Edit/Delete Post 
As usual, Im no help to ya Lonny, Im not a knob turner.
Although Im tempted sometimes.
Mark

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When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.

Posts: 2083 | From: Texas | Registered: Jan 2003  |  IP: Logged
Lonny
PANTS ON THE GROUND
Member # 19

Icon 1 posted February 06, 2018 09:07 PM      Profile for Lonny           Edit/Delete Post 
Mark, I'm not really a spinner either, but the option is there if I need it and it is kinda fun.

If I was being dumped off in the Alaskan bush for a bush for a few years and wanted to make my living as a wolfer, my current scope wouldn't be my first choice. I could probably get by with a Leupold straight 6X though.

It seems like the more new-fangled high-tech shit a guy gets the more trouble one has with equipment?

Get a second job and buy a Nightforce maybe?

Posts: 1209 | From: Lewiston, Idaho USA | Registered: Jan 2003  |  IP: Logged
Leonard
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Icon 1 posted February 07, 2018 06:25 AM      Profile for Leonard   Author's Homepage   Email Leonard         Edit/Delete Post 
Wow! A lot of food for thought!

Really sad to hear that we may have problems at Leopold with the #1 selling point, the warranty. Number 38? Does that indicate a lot of problems with Leopold scopes?

For calling. Well, some mention of a straight 6X. I used to have one on my first 6MM that was stolen, never seen again, but loved that scope.

I also love a Leopold 3.5X10. That's what is on my 300, and has been for about 30 years. I used one or two for many years for night hunting. The power ring, feeling it in the dark, I was always confident knowing the post was straight up at 5X, and used that as a battle setting. Might want more sometimes and less other times but 5X worked 80% of the time.

I have a Model 700 in 223Ackley that I used as a "go to" for daylight stands and it has a perfectly agreeable 2.5X8 Leupold on top. I put it away about 5 years ago because of a runner. That's all it took because I have never been sold on 223 for anything and punching it to Ackley gained me 50fps. BFD. Anyway, maybe for gray fox, that rig is adequate? Even with my steadfast rule to never use 50 grain bullets on coyotes, in the daytime. The 2.5X8 seems perfect for that gun.

I could talk all day about night calling scopes but I don't think anybody cares? Okay, one comment. I have no use for more than 12X at night, the 4.5X14 scopes that I have, pretty much the high end is reserved for load work up and sighting in.

One comment about Nightforce. Overpriced and way too bulky for my taste. I agree that Bushnell has made vast improvement since the days of the Bushnell Banner 3X9. Their Elite models seem to have very good optics.

What has this world come to if you can't depend on Leupold as be all and end all, go to optics? That's another thing, is it just snob appeal for the reason to bolt a 30mm scope on a calling rifle? I'm just saying; I'm not embarrassed to break out a rig with a one inch tube.

If we think about it, for pure simplicity, optics on a calling rifle are more complicated than previous. For instance, I recently saw a writeup on a (I think?) a 1X8 or something like that for two grand. Seems the manufacturers have moved beyond the 3X variable and 5X. A scope with a straight tube, without a larger objective is a difficult concept for many of us old timers.

I will say this. European scopes are hot shit, but they don't give them away. For most calling, seems way overkill?

Daytime scopes for coyotes? Everybody has their own idea but like that photo above,it's easy to buy and put too much scope on a rifle intended for the coyote stand. But don't forget, what works in McNeal might not be adequate in Elko.

Good hunting. El Bee

edit: I just noticed that my spellchecker has been helping me out and correcting Leupold for me! Pisses me off!

[ February 07, 2018, 06:28 AM: Message edited by: Leonard ]

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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
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Posts: 31276 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003  |  IP: Logged
knockemdown
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Icon 1 posted February 07, 2018 07:19 AM      Profile for knockemdown   Author's Homepage           Edit/Delete Post 
Lonny, your tale of woe regarding Leopold and 'CDS' turrets is not unique.

Nightforce has made good strides with more 'hunter friendly' reticle options.

IMHO, all the more reason to employ a FFP scope. Simply stated, when your 'ruler' (reticle) subtends correctly at any magnification setting, you've got a wonderful tool to help make those "long-ish" shots. Assuming you have a grasp on your loads drop data, nothing is faster than just holding that value with your 'ruler' against the target...

Not that those shot opportunities happen very often, but if you know your crosshairs are ''zeroed" at 200yds, and the first hash mark of your 'ruler' below x-hair is @ 325yds, and the one below that is dead on @ 405yds, then you've got an instant bullet drop correction right in front of your eyeball. Same as an archer using a multi-pin sight to bracket between 'known' yardages of each pin, ya just hold over, according to target distance...

Granted, a SFP scope can do the same, BUT the subtensions of the 'ruler' only measure true at a certain "X" magnification...usually max. mag. on </=15x scopes. So, that limitation kinda defeats the purpose of having a 'ruler' reticle in the first place...

[ February 07, 2018, 07:21 AM: Message edited by: knockemdown ]

Posts: 2202 | From: behind fascist lines | Registered: Mar 2010  |  IP: Logged
DAA
Utah/Promoted WESTERN REGIONAL Hunt Director
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Icon 1 posted February 07, 2018 09:14 AM      Profile for DAA   Author's Homepage   Email DAA         Edit/Delete Post 
Fred, different strokes!

I've never clicked on a coyote. And I gave up on holding over anymore too.

For me, if it ain't point blank, I didn't call it, so I'm just not that interested. I can't shoot well enough to consistently make good hits beyond my rigs point blank range anyway.

And I'm just not that mad at them. If I have to just let a coyote walk, because he's far enough out that I have to consider hold over, "oh well". I don't usually really want to spend the time to walk a quarter mile each way just to retrieve a coyote anyway. I just don't get any joy from killing one I didn't call. Crossers always get a free pass from me.

Flip side, I really do not like a "busy" reticle on a hunting rifle. Just don't like to see any extra adornment in that sight picture. A plain reticle, heavy enough to stand out against busy brush backgrounds or when being panned quickly for a running shot, is all I ever want to see when I nestle into the stock. Christmas trees and such just bother me. But, I have a narrow focus, and they serve no purpose I have any interest in.

FFP would be fine, for me. I don't own one, but I can't think of an inherent down side, either. As long as it wasn't too fine at lowest magnification. I'd just want it to be a plain reticle, is all.

Only slight side track here, but...

A buddy recently put together a neat scope fixture, to statically test tracking and zero shift with magnification change. No surprise, cheap scopes tend to fare the worst. But also no surprise, high price and big name is no guarantee of good tracking or minimal zero shift either. Chances are better, with the expensive big name, but don't take it for granted - a lot of them test out pretty crappy too.

But of the scopes he has specifically tested and commented on recently,, a Bushnell Elite 3200 was among the worst, along with two Vortex PST 2 models he just bought. He says this testing fixture is forcing more of his money to NF.

My NF scopes are very old. They don't even resemble the current models. They're ancient BR models. But they passed my box tests and all day knob twirling sessions on colony varmints with flying colors. The clicks, compared to my newest Leupold VX5, are so crisp and clean, they just aren't even on the same planet. Really, the clicks on that fancy Leupold elevation dial feel like mushy garbage. I don't need to test them to know they are going to suck. The optical quality of those old BR models is way better than the NXS scopes I've looked through too. They are ginormous things though and probably not all that "rugged" for all their size and weight. Fantastic glass and really good clicks though!

- DAA

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"Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." -- George Hanson, Easy Rider, 1969.

Rocky Mountain Varmint Hunter

Posts: 2676 | From: Salt Lake City, UT | Registered: Jan 2003  |  IP: Logged
knockemdown
Our staff photo editing Guru, par excellence
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Icon 1 posted February 07, 2018 10:50 AM      Profile for knockemdown   Author's Homepage           Edit/Delete Post 
Those 'old' Nightforce BR scopes still hold their own!
To tie into what ya said about not holding over, I can agree there, too. If ya got a frozen rope in hand like a .17Predator, the likelihood of having to hold over on stand is greatly diminished. Heck, that why we build hotrods, right!?!

To apply that logic, I actually have a SFP Minox 3-15x56 on my 17Predator Why? Because for the times I'll carry that rifle on stand, and where it's zeroed, I'll literally never have to hold over on a coyote. That scope has a plain ol' duplex reticle, with illumination. The glass is crazy bright at low light, and the price was right. Viola, a dandy compliment to a fast & flat shootin' cartridge that wasn't meant for much more than 350yd shooting...

Now, if I have something like the 6x45AI in hand, which shoots like a thrown water ballon compared to the .17P, it's nice to have a 0.5mil hash to reference on a 250yd+ coyote. Not that I shoot a lot of live coyotes at all, but I do shoot enough metal ones to note the advantages of a FFP for beyond MPBR shots, regardless of what that distance actually is...

Not trying to sell anyone on a super-busy 'tactical' reticle for coyote shooting, just making mention that there are some FFP reticles that do a great job, without lookin' like a hot mess!

The Gen2Mildot is one:
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[ February 07, 2018, 10:52 AM: Message edited by: knockemdown ]

Posts: 2202 | From: behind fascist lines | Registered: Mar 2010  |  IP: Logged
Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2

Icon 1 posted February 07, 2018 11:56 AM      Profile for Leonard   Author's Homepage   Email Leonard         Edit/Delete Post 
I don't like to move my settings when I'm hunting, especially coyotes. That's also why I want a flat shooting cartridge with a short midrange. First focal plane scopes bug the hell out of me.

If I have to hold over as long as I'm still on hair, that's ok. Same as with windage. Most of my coyotes don't allow me to dial in the exact range.

That's true what Dave said about moving a Leupold. Mushyis a good description. It's just a sliding notch and conveys no confidence without verifying it with a shot.

I really don't want to shoot a coyote beyond 400 anyway. I'm looking at it from the point of view of a contest, that's my background. It's diminishing returns. If I take that shot, he better be laying out there where I can find him without wasting time.

These snipers have stupid coyotes that wait until you get dialed in, maybe break out the rangefinder to be sure, then count the clicks? I can't say that I've never done it, but I doubt it.

And, I don't like a busy reticle but I'm not wild about heavy crosshairs either. You can do enough range finding with a duplex reticle if you have the specifications, how wise if the center fine crosshairs, and what's the width of the heavy part of the duplex. Always if you have enough time, but it won't work if you first family comes in to 75 yards but by the time you are basing away at #3, he's out there are a cool 375 or so. Point is, you have to guesstimate; or just watch him get over the hill while you are moving the turret. Sorry, I'll never get around to that stuff.

I killed six coyotes on one stand, one time. I doubt if the furthest one was much over 225 yards? And, I had to single load after the first four shots. That was a real clusterfuck, this coyotes acted like the keystone cops.

Anyway, everybody has their own idea on what's the best glass, that's for sure.

Good hunting. El Bee

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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!

Posts: 31276 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003  |  IP: Logged
TOM64
Knows what it's all about
Member # 561

Icon 1 posted February 08, 2018 04:37 PM      Profile for TOM64           Edit/Delete Post 
I've bought SWFA Super Chickens for the last 5 or 6 scopes I've bought. Alright their called Super Snipers but thats a stupid name.

I first bought a fixed 10x in the Classic line to see what they were all about and the first thing I noticed was my groups were always in the same place. Tracking was spot on the first time and everytime. Glass quality was not too far off from my MK4 Leupolds and VX3's. Great for a $250 scope to bang steel but too much power for a calling rifle and the MilQuad reticle was a little faint. They also weigh 20 oz. and are a bit bigger than my 3.5-10's but what they offer in return is worth the trade off.

I bought a 6x to hunt with and it worked just as well but offered better FOV and a darker reticle. Then I decided I wanted to try the 3-9 HD version. Both lines are made in Japan but the HD version is made to higher specs and are absolutely worth the extra money. Black Friday and April 15th they run a sale on them for $459, I wound up buying 3 of the 3-9's and have no regrets.

These have different turrets on them and a better finish, HD glass and are still bomb proof. I love the MilQuad reticle for holding windage and dial as far as I want to. I shoot steel some but if you don't dial and just hunt, the turrets are not really in the way. You can even take them off and cap them with a rubber cap like some have done. The 3-9's do have horrible tunneling at 3x but it completely disappears at 4x, the only negative I've found.

Sizewise they weigh 19 oz. compared to 14 oz of the 3.5-10's I was used to. The Kimber Montana on the left here wears one while the Kimber Montana on the right wears a Leupold VX3 3.5-10, my former favorite do it all scope.
 -

Leupold no longer repairs scopes, it's cheaper for them to replace with a VX3i version and the new ones are hit or miss on reliablity from what I've read. I'm done taking chances.

Probably not the best scope out there but still a solid choice and when you consider they are half the price of the next closest thing, it's not hard to pick.

I still have 2 VX6 1-6 scopes on machine guns and one 1.5-5 vx3 on my supressed 22. One of the VX6's has been dialed with the CDS dial some but I'm always waiting for it to take a dump. I did call to get a different reticle in one of the 1-6's and the custom shop said, "yes we can do a German #1 in that for $60." I sent it in and got a call a few weeks later saying we can't do that reticle but here are the options ranging from $90-300. I told them to just send it back and they decided since they quoted me $60 they could put an SPR reticle in it for that and they did. So much for Leupold's customer service. Leupold has seen the last of me.

It's amazing what you can do when you have confidence in your equipment.

Posts: 2283 | From: okieland | Registered: Feb 2005  |  IP: Logged
TRnCO
FUTURE HALL OF FAMER
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Icon 1 posted February 08, 2018 05:07 PM      Profile for TRnCO   Email TRnCO         Edit/Delete Post 
another user of the Leupold 4.5x14x40 and most everything except I did get a real good deal on a Zeiss 3x15x44 HD5 that I do like. Can't tell that it's any better or worse than my Leupolds.

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Lonny
PANTS ON THE GROUND
Member # 19

Icon 1 posted February 08, 2018 05:42 PM      Profile for Lonny           Edit/Delete Post 
I'm hoping that the latest fix on my VX3 holds, but honestly at this point I'm always going to be a bit suspect.

Tom64-Good to see you around again. The SWFA 3-9 had caught my eye. Good to know about the April 15 sale. Thanks

Like many mentioned, I'm not into busy reticles. The S&B that Fred posted would work for me though. I could also like the illumination.

The Nightforce SHV in the 3-10ish range along with their Forceplex reticle, which looks just like a standard duplex has also caught my eye. Unfortunately no illumination on that one yet. Price ain't bad for a working stiff like me either.

Like I said earlier, I dial dang little on coyotes.. Maybe 1 or 2 a year and that is mostly when they hang up and won't be coming any closer. But a guy wants his system to work and most importantly go back to zero when done.

Posts: 1209 | From: Lewiston, Idaho USA | Registered: Jan 2003  |  IP: Logged
TOM64
Knows what it's all about
Member # 561

Icon 1 posted February 09, 2018 05:42 AM      Profile for TOM64           Edit/Delete Post 
Lonny it's good to be back.
Posts: 2283 | From: okieland | Registered: Feb 2005  |  IP: Logged
Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2

Icon 1 posted February 09, 2018 08:32 AM      Profile for Leonard   Author's Homepage   Email Leonard         Edit/Delete Post 
I'm okay with Tom. [Wink] Good post, knows what he's talking about. Lone howl probably does too, but we got to pry it out of him!
(just kidding, buddy)

About illumination. I'm not sold on it. The few times I thought it would be a benefit, it turned into a liability, practically blinded me! Could be my fault but for now I think it's a feature more suited to military sniping than hunting coyotes. An illuminated reticle has value while hunting deer, mainly because they move slower when twilight is fading. A coyote, on the other hand is liable to be moving a lot faster and a lot harder to track when you can't make out your crosshairs. Then you switch on the illumination and can't see a damned thing except red!

Everybody has their idea on magnification. I like a lot, and I'm usually comfortable with it until things start getting exciting. By that time, forget about turning power rings, you have to play the cards you are dealt.

Really sad to hear the complaints about Leupold. Seems like success has gone to their head. A real shame too, since top of the line ain't $400 bucks anymore you are looking at more than TWO GRAND! For that kind of money, and shaky customer service? I gotta think about that shit!

But, for what it's worth, I'm not a knob twister. I work with the reticle and aim into wind or hold over when I think I need it. This is a split second decision, for me. I can't be fucking with knobs I can't even read while Mr Coyote is just about to get over the hill.

Well, everybody has a different theory, whatever blows your skirt up.

Good hunting. El Bee

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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!

Posts: 31276 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003  |  IP: Logged
Paul Melching
Radical Operator Forum "You won't get past the front gate"
Member # 885

Icon 1 posted February 09, 2018 11:29 AM      Profile for Paul Melching           Edit/Delete Post 
Illumination is just away to sell battery's other than cool to look at red and green, so
when light is low I look through the scope what a difference from my old cataract ridden eyes. really pulls the light in .

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Those who value security over liberty soon will have neither !

Posts: 4188 | From: The forest ! north of the dez. | Registered: Jul 2006  |  IP: Logged
Paul Melching
Radical Operator Forum "You won't get past the front gate"
Member # 885

Icon 1 posted February 09, 2018 11:31 AM      Profile for Paul Melching           Edit/Delete Post 
Hey Tom 64 good to see you post again ! always good info !

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Those who value security over liberty soon will have neither !

Posts: 4188 | From: The forest ! north of the dez. | Registered: Jul 2006  |  IP: Logged


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