What is the absolute best glass to get, regardless of price?

[Noobert]

Im building a tack driving 700, in 338 lapua. I need the best glass to about 1000 yards, and everything in between. Any ideas?

[rksimple]

What kind of shooting to 1k and inbetween? F-Class? Tactical rifle comps? Hunting as well?

Hard to beat a 5-25 S&B PMII for that caliber. The new Premier 5-25 is supposed to be the cat's meow as well. But the type of shooting you intend to do could change your requirements in a scope.

[Mute]

Those that qualify, in no particular order:

- Hensoldt
- Schmidt and Bender
- US Optics
- Nightforce
- Premier Reticles
- Zeiss

There are other scopes that are quite good for their respective price range, but the above are among the best you'll find based on your criteria.

[Noobert]

I intend to do some semi-big game hunting

[CSACANNONEER]

Since you want to use it for hunting, you are going to have to consider weight as well. A Luppy MK4 is lighter than a comparable NXS or a USO and will still give you great results. I know some world class 1000 yard BR shooters who still are using them.

[rksimple]

With hunting involved at all distances, once you learn how to use your scope you'll most likely want a front focal plane, variable optic. The rest is really up to you.

The schmidt 5-25 is the "king" to most, but best is a relative term given shooters requirements. Its a big heavy scope that may be a bit overkill for hunting. It may be too expensive for you. You may not need that much magnification. Etcetera.

Look at the schmidt, the premier, and the hensoldt. Those are the only ones I'd consider at present if I were in your shoes.

[bohoki]

khales is tops

[rksimple]

Since you want to use it for hunting, you are going to have to consider weight as well. A Luppy MK4 is lighter than a comparable NXS or a USO and will still give you great results. I know some world class 1000 yard BR shooters who still are using them.

Maybe older mk4's, when they were actually good. New loopies are trash. Many o' failures happening of late...

[brando]

Go with a Tasco

[CSACANNONEER]

Maybe older mk4's, when they were actually good. New loopies are trash. Many o' failures happening of late...

You are probably right. Most 50 shooters buy NXSes or USOs now. Some of the older top shooters still use their old MK4s though.

[CSTactical]

Those that qualify, in no particular order:

- Hensoldt
- Schmidt and Bender
- US Optics
- Nightforce
- Premier Reticles
- Zeiss

I would agree.

Mike @ CSGW

[LibertyOptics]

Since you said the absolutley best glass, Nightforce is out.

The Premier Heritage is the best optics going, it takes a backseat to no other make. Add in that it is less expensive than many of the others listed, and it's a homerun.

Hensoldt exhibited horrible chromatic abberation at SHOT Show and one poster over at the Hide took a photo showing the bright purple wash present in the image at times. For $3500, no thanks.

USO can do it, but doesn't always.

Zeiss is a hunting scope, it's good stuff, but for the long range work you'll need the Rapid Z 1000 reticle, which is an option in the 6-24x.

I think it really boils down to S&B and Premier. Premier lacks the track record, but nothing else.

Scott

[bruce_ventura]

No one mentioned Swarovski or March. Yes, Swarovski is more of a hunting line, but the glass is awesome. March scopes are highly regarded by benchrest competitors. See tham at www.kelbly.com.

[LibertyOptics]

Swarovski does indeed have excellent glass. But they are strictly hunting scopes, they have neither the features nor reticles really conducive to long range shooting.

Never checked out March, I've heard they are great, I will rectify that at 2010 SHOT

Scott

[Timberwolf]

Been hearing stories about too many S&Bs going tits up, Premiers just came out good so far but time will tell . . . if money is no object I'd go U.S. Optics,