Scope question

LAST EDITED ON Jan-13-19 AT 09:25AM (MST)[p]MM has proven to be a good sounding board when looking to make a new gear purchase for me. As such I am hoping I can get some opinions/feedback on a scope purchase.

Looking to top a semi custom Tikka 7mm rem mag with a new scope for shooting out to about 700 yards or so. I've been a Leupold guy and like their CDS system, so I was thinking maybe a VX-5 3x15. Also considering jumping to a Nightforce SHV, or maybe even a Zeiss Conquest. Or is there something else I should be looking at? Thanks in advance for any thoughts/ideas etc.

I bought the VX-5 3-15 and really like it. I also put a Swarovski Z3 on my daughters Tikka .270 at the same time, and its great as well. I'd say the Z3 is better glass, but I think I'll stick with the VX-5.
I looked at the Nightforce, but they are a little too big and heavy for me.

hwy

I agree with HWY, I have a Tikka 6.5 Creed that I am planning to put a Leupold VX-5 3x15x44.

If you are jumping up into a SHV I would consider a Tract Toric 30mm. I was using a SHV and sold it the day I put my hands on a Toric at a show. Glass is Schott glass which is what Zeiss uses in all there high end optics and the tracking/reticle is great also. Zero stop is super easy to set and how the turrets are set up there is no way to accidentally bump them. I am in Lindon Utah if you are around there and would like to meet up to put your hands on it maybe even shoot it feel free to message me! Honestly the only scopes I would consider getting over this would be a S&B, Khales and a Gen 2 Razor and they are all at least double the price. https://www.tractoptics.com/products/riflescopes/toric-uhd-30mm-4-20x50-ffp-moa

Dad and I have been shooting the rifles the last couple weekends and were just talking about what to put on the couple new rifles we want to order.

There are 2 Leupold VX-3 3-9x42 probably 10-15 years old.
1 Zeiss Conquest HD 5 3-15x50 probably 5-8 years old
1 Leupold FX-3 6x42 2 years old
1 unknown Leupold in fixed 6 power, around 15 years old.

Hands down......the FX-3 is the clearest/brightest/crispest of the bunch. It has the wide duplex, so it may make the view look larger than it actually is. I would love have the same exact scope but in the 3-15 but I'm sure thats not possible due to being "fixed". Literally compared to the other scoped listed, this scope is like "WOW".

The old VX-3s and the older fixed 6 are very close. Crisp and clear but with the fixed 6 naturally having a more brighter and wider feeling view. Both are great scopes but the 6 power I feel is a handicap past 200 yards.

The Zeiss Conquest HD5 has side focus and target turrets (windage/elevation). The adjustments are crisp and easy to do. Very well designed. Its a regular Z-plex but the crossairs are super fine, a bit hard to see on a black target. Clarity wise is good but I wouldn't say spectacular as I was expecting of the name. I think the Leuoplds are actually a little brighter even though this is the lone 50mm tube. Its also a bit finicky in terms of eye relief and focus. You have to have your head just right to see a clear picture but part of this I suspect is that I used the mounts that came with the gun and this scope needs probably slightly taller mounts.

Other than the FX-3, these scopes are pretty outdated and I'm sure none would hold a candle to a Swarovski or Leica but for the money, I dont think you would go wrong with Leupold. For less than $1000, you can get a hell of a good scope. I actually think I might swap the Zeiss out for a Leupold. I've got my eye on the Leupold VX-3I 4.5-14x50 but I really like the target turrets on the Zeiss.

I have a zeiss conquest hd5 and a zeiss v4 both are awesome scopes. The turrets have positive clicks. Tried leupold but it seemed mushy on the clicks.