With the price of the Z3 and it being under 1lb, assuming you are trying to keep the rifle light - I would go Z3 with the Ballistic Turret.
I have two 4-12x50 Z3's and one of the 3.5-18x44 Z5's, all 3 with the Ballistic Turrets. To my eyes the Z3 and the Z5 look the exactly the same. The Z3 may be a little brighter, but you'd be splitting hairs. I don't shoot far enough really to have the 18x on the Z5 be impactful, so I probably have that gun over scoped truthfully with the Z5.
When I weighed them I remember the Z3 being about 1-2oz lighter than the Z5 and I remember the weights coming in lighter than specs from the manufacturer which likely included the heavier scope lens cover in the weight (I replace all of mine with a scope coat).
All 3 sighted in easy and tracked perfectly to zero at 200 yards. I have the ballistic turret from outdoorsman on one of the Z3 and the Z5, then use the supplied marker rings on the other Z3. I have shot both scopes with the turrets to 500 yards and was hitting a paper plate 8" sized target at those distances. I did chrono my guns and was very particular about elevation, temps, etc., that Outdoorsmans uses to build the turret. If you just use manufacturer ammo specs I think you would be doing the turret a disservice.
My turrets have been accurate out to 500 yards - enough to kill game, but not perfectly precise. I am not a disciplined shooter who practices all the time, so a lot of the low, left, right, or high shots most likely have shooter error past 200 yards. But, the moral of the story is I feel pretty confident about hitting vitals out to 500-600 yards hitting the target.
Overall, very nice scopes, fit and finish and glass is great. Very bright, very light for what you get, I like them enough to own 3. I flew one of mine to Alaska this past year with 4 other guys. When we went to check zero I had to come 2 clicks left (.50 inch) at 100 yards to re zero. Fired 2 more shots and I was good. Some of the other scopes in the group did not fair so well getting banged around by the airline.
Let me know what else you want to know.
Have you ever shot or tried out the x5?
Have you ever shot or tried out the x5?
So I just a new rifle in 6.5 CM and I have been looking at the Swarovski line of scope and I was wondering which on would y'all recommend?
Jmedin,
While looking at the Z-3 line of Swaro scopes consider the 3X10X42. Fine glass with an objective that will let you mount it low. This will often fit in a rifle scabbard when the larger 50 MM objective may be too tight. Not much of a weight penalty either. Not certain on the exact weight but, I seem to remember it being only 2 oz. different than the 3X9X36. Can't go wrong with either model.
From the stand point of looks, I always like a trim scope. I guess it shouldn't matter to me as much as it does but, a Big, Long, and Heavy scope on high mounts looks funky. The only varmint rifle I own is a Savage .17 "B" Mag with a thumb-hole stock. Most of my rifles are of the "sportier" if not mountain rifle in design. An oversized scope on such a weapon resembles (IMHO) a "thermos bottle" mounted on a pellet gun or a .22. Just looks out of place to me.
LaGriz
Just got my 4-12x50 mounted on my Ruger m77. Fits with room to spare in Ruger medium rings.