input for post-64 M70 .300 win mag hunting rifle (Leo Mark 5 mini review)

[Rusty_Shackleferd]

Hey everyone,

I'm reviving a custom model 70 chambered in .300 win mag for PNW hunting. The rifle has a Shilen barrel, timney trigger, and custom fiberglass stock, but it has a dated Leupold VX 4-16x on top.

When I was a less experienced shooter, I was able to repeatably make sub-MOA groups with this rifle, so I know it can shoot, and I'm willing to mount higher end glass on it. Which leads me to the question:

What glass should I consider for the above rifle with the following use case and price range?

Use: North American big game hunting (elk, caribou, moose), long range medium game hunting (PH antelope, mountain goat)
Distance: 50-500 yards, 800 yard max range
Caliber: .300WM (sharp, heavy recoil)
Bullet weight: 180g-190g
Price ceiling: $2000
Top desired features: tracking repeatability, lower weight, reticle and elevation/windage in milliradians

I believe my price point leaves me to Nightforce and Vortex, but I'm a little lost with all of the options available today.

[Kwikvette]

Check out the Nightforce SHV; pretty damn light and meant to go on a hunting rig.

I still rock a Leupold VX1 on my Winchester 70 in 30-06.

[God Bless America]

OP, where is your current scope lacking?

[Rusty_Shackleferd]

OP, where is your current scope lacking?

It's a 20 years old, has duplex reticle, and has seen better days. I'd like to take advantage of the technological boom occurring in the optics space. I'd like adjustable elevation and windage. I'd like clearer glass. I'd like a modern reticle in milliradians.

[Blade Gunner]

Hey everyone,

I'm reviving a custom model 70 chambered in .300 win mag for PNW hunting. The rifle has a Shilen barrel, timney trigger, and custom fiberglass stock, but it has a dated Leupold VX 4-16x on top.

When I was a less experienced shooter, I was able to repeatably make sub-MOA groups with this rifle, so I know it can shoot, and I'm willing to mount higher end glass on it. Which leads me to the question:

What glass should I consider for the above rifle with the following use case and price range?

Use: North American big game hunting (elk, caribou, moose), long range medium game hunting (PH antelope, mountain goat)
Distance: 50-500 yards, 800 yard max range
Caliber: .300WM (sharp, heavy recoil)
Bullet weight: 180g-190g
Price ceiling: $2000
Top desired features: tracking repeatability, lower weight, reticle and elevation/windage in milliradians

I believe my price point leaves me to Nightforce and Vortex, but I'm a little lost with all of the options available today.

The Nightforce SHV 5-20 or Votex PST 5-25 Gen 2 are direct competitors. Hard to go wrong with either one.


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[koshkin]

You have several good options out there now. I like the 3-15x and 3-18x magnification ranges. I think those work well on hunting scopes while keeping weight and size in check.

In the 3-15x range, I think my favorite is Vortex Razor HD LH 3-15x42. It is optically and mechanically excellent and seems quite robust as well.

If you want illumination, you should also consider Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x44. It is a very solid scopes and has a lot of bells and whistles on top of that. Optically, these two are pretty close, but Leupold is more feature rich.

Both of these are SFP designs.

If you would rather switch to a FFP to make reticle based ranging and holdover easier, you should really take a look at Bushnel LRHSi and LRTSi 4.5-18x44 scopes. Both G2 and G3 reticles are quite good.

ILya

https://www.darklordofoptics.com

[Divernhunter]

Nightforce
Then send me the "outdated" Leupold

[FishnHunt]

IF its a hunting rifle, Then you need low power for up close. make sure you have at least 4 power as the very lowest.
I like 2-10 or similar scopes. Especially if you are staying under 500 yards.
If it was me here is what Id look at.

https://www.tractoptics.com/products/riflescopes/toric-3-15x42-t-plex

[God Bless America]

...I'd like adjustable elevation and windage. I'd like clearer glass. I'd like a modern reticle in milliradians.

Pretty sure you already have W & E adjustments.

Glass has come a long way.

As to mildot reticle, unless the adjustments are also in mils, I don't see the point. And mil/mil scopes are less common than I expected. Apparently, that doesn't bother others as much as it bothers me.

Keep us posted.

[Thanatos2203]

Look at the Nightforce SHV1 4-14x50 or the Steiner P4Xi 4-16x56. Both are $1200-1400, FFP, with great glass and weigh the same. Difference being the Steiner has a larger tube, objective lens, and a tad more magnification. I think the SHV has a more desirable reticle.

[Rusty_Shackleferd]

I'm really liking the magnification and size of the NXS 3.5-15x50mm, but it's a second focal plane scope. I'm reading reviews about Leupold's Mark 5, and they seem positive for the precision shooting community. Anyone here have one and want to chime in?

[Trakker]

The Nightforce SHV 5-20 or Votex PST 5-25 Gen 2 are direct competitors. Hard to go wrong with either one.


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The vortex pst had a finicky eye box. Is he second generation much improved.


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[Blade Gunner]

The vortex pst had a finicky eye box. Is he second generation much improved.


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[michaelthepsycho]

If you can get over the MRAD, a $2k budget can get you into a Swarovski X5 3.5-18 or Zeiss V6 3-18.

The scope market is quite funny; hunting scopes tend to be in MOA, while "tactical" scopes tend have more MRAD options. Using app-generated drop charts should eliminate the need to go with one angular measurement over the other. Unless you have a spotter that's in mil grid, limiting yourself to MRAD eliminates a lot of good scope choices.

[OpticsPlanet]

I'm really liking the magnification and size of the NXS 3.5-15x50mm, but it's a second focal plane scope. I'm reading reviews about Leupold's Mark 5, and they seem positive for the precision shooting community. Anyone here have one and want to chime in?

I got a little time behind the Mk5 at SHOT.

I was impressed. All the clarity and quality that you would expect, but the weight was surprisingly light for a scope that size.

I would go with a Mk5 3.6-18x44

Really great scope.

-Matt S.