Maven, Leupold, Trijicon, NF

[nards444]

Looking for my first high end scope. Want to keep it to these 4 brands, been down a ton of rabbit holes already but have it narrowed down. I would consider myself a mid range shooter in the 300-500 range, with longest take on a deer being 700. So 7-800 yards is important. This is an out west gun where I have never shot anything under 300yds. Light properties are important, along with clarity and durability. We do a lot of turret work so that important.

These are all the same price relatively, with the Maven on the low end and the NF on the higher end.

Maven RS.5 maybe RS.3, 4-24x50
Trijicon Tenmile HX 5-25x50
Leupold VX5HD 4-20x52
NF NX8 4-32x50

Maven and Trijicon both have a 56mm reticle that looks attractive as well.

Sort of hesitant on boutique brands like Maven, only been around 10 years, long term warranty claims. NF almost falls into that, as well as being heavier and people not liking the reticle. Ive read some of the zero issues with Leupold, but dont know how much stock to put into it. The one brand I have not any rumor mill stuff from is trijicon

 

[Forkyfinder]

Ive got a maven spotter (cs1a), rf1 rangefinder, and b1.2 binoculars.

All of them have been great. The spotter id say is average for its price range. RF and Bins are way above in my opinion. Theyve dealt with any warranty claims quick.

No experience with the riflescopes though.

 

[MThuntr]

Drop down in zoom ranges a category. The top ends are often useless and unnecessary. the Maven 2.5-15 or the TenMile HX 3-18 are more than enough

 

[nards444]

Drop down in zoom ranges a category. The top ends are often useless and unnecessary. the Maven 2.5-15 or the TenMile HX 3-18 are more than enough

I Like the extended magnification for two reasons. Not the most efficient means of scanning, but it fits in well with binos and how I hunt, which also means I can avoid lugging around a spotting scope. Secondly I dont have to use it, but if I am spending the money doesnt hurt to have it.

Should have kept the specs off. More or less interested in brand

 

[MThuntr]

I Like the extended magnification for two reasons. Not the most efficient means of scanning, but it fits in well with binos and how I hunt, which also means I can avoid lugging around a spotting scope. Secondly I dont have to use it, but if I am spending the money doesnt hurt to have it.

Should have kept the specs off. More or less interested in brand

Don't use your scope as a spotter #1 rule of gun safety

You're going to be tempted to shoot at a deer at 25x and then lose target picture at the shot when zoomed in. I'm speaking from experience. A 15X will do everything you need and more

 

[Dave N]

Yippee! Another guy that uses his scope like binoculars!

 

[BackofBeyond]

I have different scopes from all 4 brands you have listed.

I’ve moved away from Leupold, and will likely sell the one NF I have at some point and will never purchase from them again due to their association with MuleyFreak.

After only a short time I really like the Trijicon Creedo I own, but haven’t had it long - so no real feedback other than initial thoughts.

I am continually impressed with my Maven RS1.2 2.5x15. Great glass, I really like the reticle, and it’s rock solid. Ultimate test will come this weekend when I shoot. I took a couple tumbles packing out my elk on a bad wheel and if it held zero through it I likely will be buying another soon.

 

[nards444]

Don't use your scope as a spotter #1 rule of gun safety

You're going to be tempted to shoot at a deer at 25x and then lose target picture at the shot when zoomed in. I'm speaking from experience. A 15X will do everything you need and more

Thanks I dont blindly use the rifle to scan like you think.

With that said any opinion to the question on the brands listed

 

[TheTone]

Drop down in zoom ranges a category. The top ends are often useless and unnecessary. the Maven 2.5-15 or the TenMile HX 3-18 are more than enough

These are the two I considered the most when I was shopping this summer. I went with the maven as I could get it a lot cheaper. Very happy with it so far

I just couldn’t give NF money due to the unapologetic support they give muley freak despite all his poaching

 

[noharleyyet]

Looking for my first high end scope. Want to keep it to these 4 brands, been down a ton of rabbit holes already but have it narrowed down. I would consider myself a mid range shooter in the 300-500 range, with longest take on a deer being 700. So 7-800 yards is important. This is an out west gun where I have never shot anything under 300yds. Light properties are important, along with clarity and durability. We do a lot of turret work so that important.

These are all the same price relatively, with the Maven on the low end and the NF on the higher end.

Maven RS.5 maybe RS.3, 4-24x50
Trijicon Tenmile HX 5-25x50
Leupold VX5HD 4-20x52
NF NX8 4-32x50

Maven and Trijicon both have a 56mm reticle that looks attractive as well.

Sort of hesitant on boutique brands like Maven, only been around 10 years, long term warranty claims. NF almost falls into that, as well as being heavier and people not liking the reticle. Ive read some of the zero issues with Leupold, but dont know how much stock to put into it. The one brand I have not any rumor mill stuff from is trijicon

I was tempted with a less zoom trijicon recently...I do own an accupoint 1x6/impressive. You can't go wrong with a Trij, NF or Leupold....don't know anything about Maven, and believe me, you'll change your mind about the big zooms and bells.

 

[MThuntr]

My experience with those specific scope sizes is limited. All things considered they're probably equals for your needs. If I went in order I'd pick Maven first because I can get it in MIL (I'm slowly learning MILs and I think I like them) then it would probably be Trijicon over Nightforce because Nightforces bro-dude/instagram/operator poser culture is annoying (not a good reason but it's my reason) and lastly Leupold because of the drop testing on Rokslide. Again that's not an end all reason and people will foam at the mouth when it's mentioned but it's my reason to choose Leupold last.

I've found the Christmas tree reticles are much too busy for hunting especially if you're dialing so the TenMile does lose some points. They shine in PRS but a bit distracting to me when hunting.

 

[nards444]

Throw a wrench in things. How about a Vortex Razor HD LHT.

 

[ploxwithblox]

I use the Nx8 2.5-20 on my hunting rifle. I absolutely love it. It is definitely heavy, but it Just. Flat. Works. I had the thought of using my scope to see farther but IMO it really doesn't work that well, on top of being unsafe. I went with slightly higher magnification binoculars and have a lot more luck with that. I checked out the 4-32 but didn't like how small the reticle felt at low power. The 2.5-20 was a much better fit for my hunting needs. Just my personal experience. Side note: I strongly recommend checking them out at a place that let's you look outside at hunting distances. It was very instructive for me.

 

[seeth07]

Regardless of brand, get off the horse of the 50mm scopes with the high magnifications. Biggest mistake I ever made when I setup my first rifle specifically for hunting out west. Moving down to a 3-15 44mm is the best decision I've ever made. Those big scopes are made for long range target shooting, not hunting.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Regardless of brand, get off the horse of the 50mm scopes with the high magnifications. Biggest mistake I ever made when I setup my first rifle specifically for hunting out west. Moving down to a 3-15 44mm is the best decision I've ever made. Those big scopes are made for long range target shooting, not hunting.

Curious - what makes you feel that way?

A vx5 3-15x 56 and 44 are like 2 ounces different in weight.

 

[noharleyyet]

Curious - what makes you feel that way?

A vx5 3-15x 56 and 44 are like 2 ounces different in weight.

The difference has been discussed on countless threads by better gearheads than me...but I agree with them

 

[Sagebrush1]

Maven has a demo program so you can try stuff out. Just fyi in case that helps you decide.

 

[nards444]

Regardless of brand, get off the horse of the 50mm scopes with the high magnifications. Biggest mistake I ever made when I setup my first rifle specifically for hunting out west. Moving down to a 3-15 44mm is the best decision I've ever made. Those big scopes are made for long range target shooting, not hunting.

I can always step down magnification, there's a discussion there. However bigger reticle means more light, and thats not something im coming down off of. Also depending on brand size and weight on say a 44 vs a 50 is negligible and some 50s are the same or even lighter then some 42s or 44s so physical size really isnt a factor here.

 

[nards444]

I use the Nx8 2.5-20 on my hunting rifle. I absolutely love it. It is definitely heavy, but it Just. Flat. Works. I had the thought of using my scope to see farther but IMO it really doesn't work that well, on top of being unsafe. I went with slightly higher magnification binoculars and have a lot more luck with that. I checked out the 4-32 but didn't like how small the reticle felt at low power. The 2.5-20 was a much better fit for my hunting needs. Just my personal experience. Side note: I strongly recommend checking them out at a place that let's you look outside at hunting distances. It was very instructive for me.

I have that exact scope in my saved list, however Ive seen a lot of comments on the 4-32 being much better glass to look through

 

[nards444]

Maven has a demo program so you can try stuff out. Just fyi in case that helps you decide.

they dont do scopes with that