Top FT Scope?

[luddite]

I have been PMd a few times asking for a reccomendation for FT scopes so I thought that I'd post my opinion on the subject.
The Leupold Competition range is the best range finder of them all, with the 45x being the best, the 40x next and the 35x needing more skill and care but a superb rangefinder nevertheless. They are sidewheel scopes and are very compact and light. The only downside is that they are fixed mag. If some way could be found to halve the magnification for standing or kneeling shots they would be the ideal FT scope. :)
The 20-50x50 Leupold is a great scope but requires a high level of skill to use effectively and is quite temperature sensitive. They are also a light and compact sidewheel scope.
The Leupold Mk 4 is a good side wheel range finder but has the same charachteristics as the 20-50 scope and is very sensitive to head/eye position.
The Nightforce NXS 12-42x56 sidewheel scope is a superb rangefinder second only to the 45x Leupold Competition but suffers from a blind spot from 15 yards to 24 yards where the target cannot be range found but can be viewed at 12x. It is a solid piece of kit and consistant in any temperature. I have been asked about my opinion of the lower mag NFs and having never used them can only conjecture, but I feel that the 32x will not rangefind well.
The Nightforce 35x FT scope is a superb front parallax scope but is quite bulky and heavy and requires 2 turns of the parralax ring.
The Schmidt and Bender PM II 5-25x50 is a superb scope being a side wheel scope with superb lenses. The range finding is superb up to 50 yards but between 50-55 is not as good as the Leupold Competition range. The target can be bracketed with the reticle which comes in mil dot or ladder(ie lines)
The Burris 8-32x44 is a superb scope with unbeatable lenses and it will see the target clearly under any light conditions and is a superb range finder. It's achilles heel however is it's front parralax which can be very stiff and notchy on some scopes. If this scope had a side wheel it would be the top FT scope.
The Bushnell 8-32x40 is similar to the Burris but is not quite as good but is a superb scope nevertheless.

[TARGETZERO]

you mention the lupe 20 50 50 bieng temp sensitive,does this happen with all ov these scopes?as the one i own ive never noticed this,i totally agree as to more skill bieng used, to get the best from this scope though

[xbow]

Very useful info Ludd.

The Leupold Mk 4 is a good side wheel range finder but has the same charachteristics as the 20-50 scope and is very sensitive to head/eye position.


Does this apply to the Competition Series at all as I've been thinking of getting one to replace my Big Nikko.

Thanks,

Vic.

[RobF]

you mention the lupe 20 50 50 bieng temp sensitive,does this happen with all ov these scopes?as the one i own ive never noticed this,i totally agree as to more skill bieng used, to get the best from this scope though

ricardo123 on here has one thats been dipped silver and hasnt seen any temp shifts yet.

[ETH]

you mention the lupe 20 50 50 bieng temp sensitive,does this happen with all ov these scopes?as the one i own ive never noticed this,i totally agree as to more skill bieng used, to get the best from this scope though

December and January tend not to be that warm Perry :rolleyes:

Wait till Summer mate you'll be cursing with me and all the other Leupold newbies.

I have found every Leupold senstive to head/eye pos. The Comp series are very good optically - as good as the bigger mag scopes imho. The rangefinding does appear to be tricky but I think most Leupolds need "owner imput"

[sniper-wolf]

My Comp series has never suffered in temperature. I have had it over 12 months now, so have used it most conditions. It's rangefinding capabilities are second to none, and I have owned or tried most FT scopes out there.
If you wanted to, you could rangefind upto 45 or even 50 yards in 1 yard increments.

I did struggle a little bit with the mag at first, but now I am used to it, I wouldn't swap it for the world.

I had a Leupold 20-50x50 and that was ok until the temperature dropped to around 5 degrees or less, then it would under range by about 3-5yds. But as Ken (Luddite) said, user input is needed with these scopes, and if you know it's going to happen, you can compensate for it.

I would recommend a Competition series Leupold to anyone, and now that the interest rate is so good, now is the time to buy. Neil.

[ETH]

and now that the interest rate is so good, now is the time to buy. Neil.

Can't argue with that -
hope mine doesn't change with temp.

[andy_scouser]

Why do people shout about Leups? Ive looked down quite a few and im not overly fussed. Temperature fluctuations means lack of faith, surely.

Buy a titanium tubed bushnell and spend the rest on lap dancers.

[RobF]

my custom shop shifts with temp, lucklily though its very predicable, so 3 temp strips across the end has seen my scores improve since fitting them. The problem was the scope would cool down from the car to the early morning zero session, and then rise as the day's temp rose...at ottmoor it saw a shift from 20 deg to 3 deg back up to 9 deg, which equated to 0 click offset, to 10 clicks, back to 7 clicks...but i could see that with the strips, so it wasnt a problem, where as it plagued me at the sywell GP and a number of other days where there was a shift during the shoot.

[ETH]

Why do people shout about Leups? Ive looked down quite a few and im not overly fussed. Temperature fluctuations means lack of faith, surely.

Buy a titanium tubed bushnell and spend the rest on lap dancers.

I can't believe I am going against spending money on lapdancers but I really love the sight picture leupolds give. I think it is a personal thing Andy - Just like I hate Mk3s and others swear by them.

rfarn - what are these temp strips you speak of?

[RobF]

http://www.thermometersdirect.co.uk/acatalog/Thermometers_Direct__Liquid_Crystal_Thermometers__ LCD__17.html :)

in the end i got all 3, cos i've shot at -4 (bisley nearly new 2005) and 35 degrees (newbury GP 2006)...

at £6, worth a play...:)

[Pod]

http://www.thermometersdirect.co.uk/acatalog/Thermometers_Direct__Liquid_Crystal_Thermometers__ LCD__17.html :)

in the end i got all 3, cos i've shot at -4 (bisley nearly new 2005) and 35 degrees (newbury GP 2006)...

at £6, worth a play...:)

What larf that was!!! First target I hit bang in the middle and it just sat there looking at me. Got a O. The bloke I was shooting round with hit it almost in the same spot. And the target didn't budge a mm. Called a marshall to have a look and the mechanism had frozen solid :eek: . We both got Xs :D

[Pod]

And for those on a budget don't be too quick to discount the Weaver T36. I took a gamble on one (ordered without even looking through one :o ) and have been impressed. Range finding is very consistent but hard work - you have to concentrate. The turrets are ace - very positive and loooaaads of clicks per turn. Good scope. Great scope for the money. :)

[TARGETZERO]

I can't believe I am going against spending money on lapdancers but I really love the sight picture leupolds give. I think it is a personal thing Andy - Just like I hate Mk3s and others swear by them.

rfarn - what are these temp strips you speak of?

:rolleyes: get them from any chemist ;)

[nice one]

the 20-5o is world ft class how many wins ????? proven scope ...

[luddite]

Very useful info Ludd.



Does this apply to the Competition Series at all as I've been thinking of getting one to replace my Big Nikko.

Thanks,

Vic.

The Competition series is not very temperature sensitive and is the easiest scope to rangefind with, head/eye position is not critical. :)

[luddite]

the 20-5o is world ft class how many wins ????? proven scope ...

In skilled hands the 20-50 is indeed a wonderfull scope but for normal mortals like me they are just too variable. I had one for a year before the frustration of the change in range finding made me give up on it. :(
They are not all as sensitive to temperature as each other and I have heard that some are not sensitive at all but I can only report on the ones that I have used and all of those were. :( Perhaps their owners just did not notice the change.

[RobF]

20-50's can be made better by adjusting the end lens...trying to make it max out at around 57-60 can deliver better snap...some snap better than others, with some its a case of picking out the detail, but the common thing with them i've heard is that they all need work learning.

[xbow]

The Competition series is not very temperature sensitive and is the easiest scope to rangefind with, head/eye position is not critical. :)

Thanks for that Ludd. Now all I need to know is do I get:

1) Leup Comp (40 mag)
2) Digital SLR
3) Small Vertical Mill

I can only afford one of them! :(

[Whizzer]

I have just bought a premier reticles leup comp 40x and it appears to be good, I still think the burris is the best but time will tell, i will keep assessing the leup and wont give up yet!

I have had all of the leups and think the burris is a better rangefinder than any of them!

[RobF]

it would be interesting one day to get a load of good scopes together and see what the actual performance is of the scopes...having looked through leups i've seen quite a variation in behaviour.

still the best thing i've looked through is the prototype s&b...but daz's burris was very good...pity i just couldnt get it on the gun :)

[khamsin]

Rob if you are going to Newbury Sunday you can look through a very nice Burris that I have:D

Cheers Dean

[nice one]

i may sell my 20-50 what is a mint one worth with all extras and the rare dick thomas reticule ??????????? i shoot center fire only now ...:)

[luddite]

I have just bought a premier reticles leup comp 40x and it appears to be good, I still think the burris is the best but time will tell, i will keep assessing the leup and wont give up yet!

I have had all of the leups and think the burris is a better rangefinder than any of them!

If the Burris 8-32x44 R/A had a side wheel it would very likely be the ultimate FT scope. However as it does not the Loop Comp 45 IS the best range finder bar none. :) I can range find to the yard with ease between 50-55 yards. :)

[fairgunner]

I had one untill recently, mounted on my FT rifle, best scope I've ever had, and I've got a few. A guy pestered and pestered me to sell it to him and I sold it for £875. But 3 months on, I wished had never have sold it. Not for that price anyway - Too cheap

[luddite]

I had one untill recently, mounted on my FT rifle, best scope I've ever had, and I've got a few. A guy pestered and pestered me to sell it to him and I sold it for £875. But 3 months on, I wished had never have sold it. Not for that price anyway - Too cheap

A good one is a delight, a normal one is a torment. :cool:

[TheAirgun]

Leupold Competition : How great are the difference on the Rangefinding between the 35x and 40x Version ? Is the Duplex or Target Dot Reticle better ?

[xbow]

Rob if you are going to Newbury Sunday you can look through a very nice Burris that I have:D

Cheers Dean

Thats my old scope! It is a nice example but I could'nt get on with the front PA. :o

[xbow]

This is on e6ay, item number: 180001989076 Whats the best price I could expect from a UK dealer? I'm also thinking I'd prefer a non black version - white, silver or my particular favoutite desert cammo, all by the Leupold custom shop. I guess I need a US dealer that can supply the scope at a good price and get it customised by Leupold before it's shipped to me?
Vic.

[ger_043]

I have the big nikko and it is very sensitive to the temperature.I was there thinking of buying the new FT SB. you believe than with the finished one that it brings and the construction of the viewfinder in if it was helping to that every day and in every situation the viewfinder changes the point of impact?

thanks
ger

[TARGETZERO]

:rolleyes: are you drunk sir:D

[xbow]

Nah, I think he's using Babelfish - German/English! :p

[ger_043]

xbow have the reason. :)

http://foreignword.com/es/Tools/transnow.htm

[xbow]

Welcome to the forum Ger!

Willkommen zum Forum Ger!
(courtesy of Babelfish of course) :p

[hareng]

Thre are two PR 20-50x50, the older PR Vari x 3 from Jan 1998 (35 & 40 mag 1997) and the newer Feb 2004 onwards VX3 of which i have never heard anyone complain of temp. Both look visually the same.

Theres a cracking PR 35 Mark 4 up NE second best rangefinder i owned begged stole or borrowed. Far superior optically to any other scope except the S&B 25 mag but very close if not better in some ways.

Anyone liking the Burris will like the Comp Series in terms of optics. Looked through loads of Comp Series in all mags and have not found one i could use.
NXS 42 mag are quite good and well built. The 32 and 25 mag versions are quite useless for rangefinding plus optically milky.
The S&B 50 mag not released yet should on the whole be the best all rounder by everyone. If it works like the 2nd focal plane prototype modded mid September last year, it will be the envy of most shooters and cheaper than the NXS.
Best value for money if only buying one could be the Niko 50 mag, providing you can use one. Its fairly common to find owners that have gone through more than ten to find a good one, false economy.

Must be noted that all production scopes are different from each other in some way, some just dont perform, some are generally rough, some average, some good and very rarely a masterpiece is found and retained.

Try as many as you can before parting with cash.

[xbow]

Nice to see you back at last Jon! :)

Vic.

[simona]

I've had a Custom Shop since about 1994, a very early 1/8th click 8-40x; it's fantastic, great image, great ranging and totally free from temperature variation. I've looked through loads of other CS but none touch this one - it even has slightly different colour lenses. Shame the elevation turret is knackered but I've sent it to the states to get fixed.

I've also got a 10-50x Deben DMP, a pre IR model and this is also excellent, though I have not used it enough to determine just how good it is, though signs are good.

I've just bought a 32x PR MK 4 Ultra off fleabay of all places, it's mint and the image is knockout. the focus and ocular adjustments are so smooth that they make a mockery of all the other scopes I've owned. I bolted it on to a TX yesterday just to see how it ranged - within 1mm of the mark on a 6 inch wheel at 45 yards. It's a pleasure to use - I hope it's good enough at long range because I would love it to be my comp scope.

[mikewills8904]

Hi Chaps What Recticules Have You Got On Your Comp Scopes

[Davestate]

Tis not the scope that's the best, but the shooter... There is a bloke at Tawd Vale, uses a ?-20 Simmons and can range like no other shooter I know...:rolleyes:

[ETH]

Hi Chaps What Recticules Have You Got On Your Comp Scopes

Mike - look at my website. It is either that or cross hairs without the dot. There are second hand ones which might be prem reticle versions.

[g.l.w]

Mike - look at my website. It is either that or cross hairs without the dot. There are second hand ones which might be prem reticle versions.

Martin....nobody want,s to sell em tho!!!! ;) :D

[Whizzer]

My one has a premier reticles converted mildot, the mildot is true at 40x so can be used for rangefinding, also handy for wind!!:D :D

[nice one]

leupold 20-50 theres no better scope for ft

[mikewills8904]

Dont Supose Anyone Has One For Sale

[nice one]

well now you mention it .........:)

[xbow]

Leup Comp on e6ay item: 180001989076 ;)

[luddite]

Leupold Competition : How great are the difference on the Rangefinding between the 35x and 40x Version ? Is the Duplex or Target Dot Reticle better ?

There is no duplex, target dot or extremely fine cross hair is all that is on offer. If you can get hold of a Premier Reticle version then that is the best option by far.:)
The 45x is the best range finding scope by far, next is the 40x and bringing up the rear is the 35x but that is still a better range finder than most other scopes.
Just to clarify my position, I am currently using a Nightforce 12-42x56 for FT and it range finds comparably with the 40 mag Comp.:)

[mikewills8904]

ok chaps you have made my mind up for me so i have just orderd a comp 45mag if it is rubbish i will have to blam you chaps does anyone know the o/d
of the sunshade so i can order a butler creek to hold close range adaptor

[xbow]

close range adaptor

Do you need one on a Leup Comp?

[mikewills8904]

the 40 mag one i looked through needed one and focused down to 7yards

[xbow]

Mike, looking through some old posts on here it's reckoned by some owners they can be re-parallaxed (by winding out the front lens?) to go from 9-60 yards.

[mikewills8904]

not sure if i like the idea of altering scopes tends to put people of you you go to sell

[HotShot]

Mine was altered by Premier Rets and will cover from 9 yards out to around 65 yards (its a 35 mag). Its an easy enough job to do and well worth the effort. I hate having those floppy close focus adaptors on scopes.

Dave.