Well I've got the ball rolling on another custom rifle build. I've got the barrel ordered and should be here by weeks end. I've already spoken with the gunsmith who will be doing the re-barrell and action work. I already have a McMillan stock for it to ride in and the bolt will be going to Kampfeld for the fluting and hunter bolt knob. I'll have the Cerakote done here locally.
Now my delima is what glass to put on it. I really don't have enough funds in the budget to buy another Swaro like the one on my 280 so I'm looking at other options. It will boil down to either a Minox Z5 series, Vortex Viper Series or Ziess Conquest.
I really am leaning toward a Conquest but with the online reviews of the Vortex Viper and the Minox Z5 series I'm also tempted to save some money and go with one of them.
So anyone with experience with any or all of the above listed scopes please feel free to tell me which one you would choose and why.

I like my Vortex glass. It is quality glass, bright, and clear. I like the mil dot reticle, and it holds it zero as good as anything out there. I am extremely rough on my gear, so I need something that will take a beating. I have owned several Zeiss Scopes and they are nice. IMHO, you get a little more quality for the coin out of a Vortex. They are not riding on a long history of a good product and expensive German Schott glass. Check out SWFA and some of their offerings as well.

Mike your more then welcome to play with my viper before you decide to buy on.

Just something to think about swaro discounted their av line.. some pretty good bargins out there and I would put it over my conquest and viper

Well Cameraland is sold out of the Swaro Av's. That's what I have on my 280 and it's the best scope that I've ever owned.
I can buy a Swaro Z3 4-12X50 for $999 though.

Think.there is one in the thf classifies right now

Minox is supposed to be very comparable to Swaro.

Only one I have experience with is Zeiss and I'm sold on them. Never had any problems with them.

Viper

With my Vortex Viper, I can see 6mm holes at 270 yards. That's pretty great glass for the price point. Also, the warranty and customer service with Vortex is second to none.

Vortex.

What barrel and what cal?

I have several vipers and really like them, but I recently picked up a Z5 3-15x42 and was very impressed. Ziess qualty glass without the extra cost.

Barrel is a 6.5mm #5 SS Brux fluted to finish at 26". It will be chambered in 264 Win Mag. Gonna be my long range panhandle hunting toy!

Yea I can get the Minox Z5 3-15X42 is $399 and the Vortex HS 4-16X44 for $499 The Conquest is $759
Conquest and Vortex have the side focus or parallel adjustment which I like.

If I ever decide on a custom I am going with Brux barrel.

I've not heard anything bad about them and their process should produce a quality barrel. Another big plus was finding a place that keeps quite a few of their barrels in stock so the long waiting period can be bypassed.

I have two Minox Z5 5-15x44 and a Vortex Viper HS 4-16x50. I would say they are very comparable glass. At dusk the Vortex is slightly better but then again it is a 50mm compared to a 44 on the Minox. For the price of the Minox I don't think they can be beat. I just ordered another from Doug at Camerland for $299. Given the 5x capability of the Minox I prefer it since it gives you a lot of options. It does not have parallax adjustment though. This does not bother me since I don't really go past 10 power when hunting since mirage becomes a problem

Thought eye relief on minox was poor? maybe something to consider on that magnum

Minox claims 4" of eye relief throughout the power range. If that's true it's plenty.

MikeC, I just ordered a Viper HS 4-16x44 LR for the AR, I love my 3.5-10x50 that used to reside on my .243 but now sits atop my tactical .22. I have a razor when they first came and sold it for a NF and cash. Wish I would have kept it.

I know you have it laid out already but have you thought about S&S precision in Argyle. They can go all ur action work, fluting and cerakoting in one shop just an FYI. They are my smith and I'll stand by stick's work any day

Mike, forgot to ask today but what kind of turn around time on the completed build?

I looked at their site but they didn't have a 264 Win Mag listed as a reamer that they have so I moved on.

Lee told me once he has my rifle and new barrel it would be 3 to 4 weeks to true up the action, square the bolt face, lap the lugs, thread, chamber and install the barrel.
I've never used him before but the guys over at the campfire rave about his work.
He told me to send the McMillan stock as well so he can make sure everything fits as it should and do any relief work on the stock if it needs it.
I'll probably go ahead and have him bed the action to the stock while he has it there.
He doesn't do the Cerakote so I'll have that done locally after I have the bolt fluted and bolt knob changed.
I will be done in plenty of time to have it ready to rum before next deer season.
Hopefully I'll get to try it out on some pigs or varmits this summer.

That is PDQ! We WILL NEED When it's done cause...