Sightron HHR reticle?

[barrycuda]

Looking to spend around $500 on a new scope for my .45. One of the scopes I have been considering is the Sightron Big Sky with the HHR reticle. Does anyone have this reticle in their Sightron and would you recommend it? I guess another question is what is the best quality hunting scope that you can get for $500.00? Thanks

[ChrisChampion]

If I had a max of $500 to spend I would suggest one of the Sightron Big Sky or a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40. I've got a 3.5-10x44 Conquest with the Z-plex reticle and love it but I've looked through a couple of the Sightron Big Sky scopes in the last several months and I'll tell you that you aren't giving up much if anything by getting the Sightron. Now the Zeiss has proven to hold up pretty well on these Savages even with heavy loads. I'm not sure too many on this board have the Sightron Big Skys. I know bowbender6 has a Big Sky 4-16x42 MD with AO that has been holding up well to 2300 fps 300gr bullet loads in his 50 cal so he might chime in.

There have been a few guys that have blown the AO adjustable scopes on Savages (even Conquests) so I would shy away from those.

A buddy of mine recently bought a Big Sky 3-12x42 with the HHR for a 7mm Rem Mag that he elk and mule deer hunts with. I shot his gun a few times over the holidays and I was impressed with both the clarity and brightness. He hasn't got a chance to shoot at long range yet to test the HHR reticle but its a very nice scope. If you are looking at the Big Sky line I would suggest this scope for the Savage for two reasons:

1. Its got IMO the perfect magnification range at 3-12X
2. You can get this scope in the NON-AO version.

www.sightron.com/index.php?action=view_document&did=1201816362&cat_id=15&id=16

[SW]

I have 3 Sightron 2 3X12 42mm MD scopes. 2 are used on the Sav MLers and one on crossbow. They have held up very well. I wouldn't hesitate to get a Big Sky, which I suspect has better glass.