Tikka Scope

Alienx

FNG
Joined
Oct 11, 2020
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I have a Tikka T3 Lite is 300wsm that i am looking to upgrade my scope on. Currently it has a Vortex Diamond back 4-12 BDC that I am shooting out to 600m at the range using holdover but want some more power and dialing to get more consistent/accurate. I used to have a Leupold VX3LR 6.5-20x56 but that went on my long range gun...

Long story short I want to get this gun back dialing in something that isn't too heavy and tracks well. May start on some mountain hunts next year so want to start thinking about weight as well although it is not the ultimate deciding factor. This is primarily a elk / deer hunting gun so thinking a couple of the scopes I listed may be a little too much power on the low end when used in the bush but don't want to give up the 15+ power on the high end....too many choices!

I just started looking and not stuck on anything quite yet but a few that peeked my interest so far:

-Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x56 21.9oz (One shot my elk this year at 525yds with this on my friends Tikka 300wsm) *He hasn't had tracking issues yet...
-Zeiss Conquest V4 4-16x44 22.6oz
-Leupold VX-5HD 4-20x52 23.3oz
-Huskemaw Blue Diamond 5-20x50 26.6oz

-NF ATACR 4-16x42 30oz ($2400 CAD used)
-NF NXS 3-15 or 5.5-22x50


Would like to hear everyone's opinions
 
Joined
Oct 24, 2015
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If you’re looking to dial, anything by Nightforce is good. I’ve also had good luck with the Bushnell LRTS and SWFA offerings as well but all are on the heavier side - and that’s pretty much across the board with scopes that are reliable dialers.

Leupolds, by others experiences, are hit or miss. I don’t think I’d pay the price for them with their reputation but that’s just me.
 
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Alienx

FNG
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Oct 11, 2020
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I went with that exact zeiss v4 on my tikka 300wsm. So far I love it

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Do you mind me asking how long you have had it on there and how much dialing are you doing with it? Any issues with tracking?
 
Joined
Sep 15, 2020
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If you can find one, a Swaro Z5 3.5-18x44 would fit your description of light weight with an exposed turret. Clicks are in 1/4"@ 100 yds instead of true MOA, but if you're only going out to 600 yds with a 300 WSM you can get an Outdoorsman turret for it and just learn your dope.
 

Forest

WKR
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Sep 23, 2016
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Location
Richland MT
Do you mind me asking how long you have had it on there and how much dialing are you doing with it? Any issues with tracking?
This is my first year with it. My range only goes to 500 so up and down to that with no issues so far. Haven't stretched her legs more than that very much to be honest. The turret feels far superior than my vx3i tho

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Alienx

FNG
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Oct 11, 2020
Messages
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If you can find one, a Swaro Z5 3.5-18x44 would fit your description of light weight with an exposed turret. Clicks are in 1/4"@ 100 yds instead of true MOA, but if you're only going out to 600 yds with a 300 WSM you can get an Outdoorsman turret for it and just learn your dope.
I'd like to get this to a 800yd gun
 
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A 250 yd zero on a Nosler 180 gr Accubond load will get that scope out to ~700 yds at 4k ft elevation, but it's not going to do 800 yds. It weighs half a lbs less (15.9 oz) than the other scopes on your list though.

Going up to a Z6 3-18x50 will get 800 yds with a 200 yd zero. (20.6 oz) More expensive though.
 
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Alienx

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A 250 yd zero on a Nosler 180 gr Accubond load will get that scope out to ~700 yds at 4k ft elevation, but it's not going to do 800 yds. It weighs half a lbs less (15.9 oz) than the other scopes on your list though.

Going up to a Z6 3-18x50 will get 800 yds with a 200 yd zero. (20.6 oz) More expensive though.
Can you explain why one will do 700 yds and one 800?? Are you just referring to the total magnification needed or is there something else?
 
Joined
Oct 8, 2019
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Swarovski scopes have great glass. If you go with Swarovski's ballistic turret, then you are limited to 13.25 MOA of elevation once you set your zero. You leave too much distance on the table with their Z-series scopes.

If you are going to do occasional dialing, there's nothing wrong with the VX5 HDs or VX6 HDs. Look at pricing on the VX5 HDs you referenced above. The prices can be close to the VX6 HDs.

If you are going to do frequent dialing, then look at the Mark 5, NF, or Huskemaws (there are others which others can chime in on). The Huskemaw Tactical has better glass than their Blue Diamond line.

I have a T3X in 300 Win Mag topped with a VX6 HD (3-18x50). I have another T3X in 6.5 CM with a VX5 HD (3-15x44). No issues so far.
 
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Can you explain why one will do 700 yds and one 800?? Are you just referring to the total magnification needed or is there something else?

Swarovski scopes have great glass. If you go with Swarovski's ballistic turret, then you are limited to 13.25 MOA of elevation once you set your zero. You leave too much distance on the table with their Z-series scopes.

If you are going to do occasional dialing, there's nothing wrong with the VX5 HDs or VX6 HDs. Look at pricing on the VX5 HDs you referenced above. The prices can be close to the VX6 HDs.

If you are going to do frequent dialing, then look at the Mark 5, NF, or Huskemaws (there are others which others can chime in on). The Huskemaw Tactical has better glass than their Blue Diamond line.

I have a T3X in 300 Win Mag topped with a VX6 HD (3-18x50). I have another T3X in 6.5 CM with a VX5 HD (3-15x44). No issues so far.

The zero stop design on the Z-series scopes is a tab that prevents the turret from rotating below the zero. It also prevents the turret from doing more than one rotation.

On a Z5 with a ballistic turret, you get 53 1/4" @ 100 yds clicks, which (for that specific cartridge I listed) works out to ~700 yds of correction.

The Z6 3-18x50 turrets have 53 0.36" @ 100 yds clicks (which can also be described as 53 0.1 Mil Clicks) which works out to 19.08" @ 100 yds. That amount of drop gets that bullet out to 800 yds.

If you want to build a lightweight hunting rifle, it's hard to beat a 16 oz Z5 3.5-18x44, and the 20 (ish) oz Z6 3-18x50 is not a slouch either.

Neither of them are 1000 yd scopes, but purpose for the rifle is important. Lightweight hunting rifle that you're never going to shoot more than 700 yds (or 800 yds for the Z6 3-18x50)? Perfect scope. PRS rifle? Terrible scope.

If you're configuring a hunting rifle, you may want to ask yourself how many 700+ yd shots you're willing/wanting to take with it.
 
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