I'm BACK!!! 2023 F-250 Tremor build

[Tex68w]

MILC is the only reason I’ve stuck with that particular optic. I’ve got a couple of them as well as a couple MK5 3.6-18 PR1s which are another great hunting reticle. It’s likely a ZCO 420 MPCT1 gets thrown on my 6 PRC, and I’ll move this ATACR over to one of my boys rifles. IMO the MPCT1, PR1, and MILC are the 3 best options for hunting reticles. I may live in Texas, but I don’t hunt out of a stand. I dial more often than not. I’m far to ADD to sit still more than a few minutes at a time. If I can’t spot and stalk it I don’t want anything to do with it lol luckily being in west Texas I’m never hunting small land.

Yea, the MPCT1 is the only reasonable option from ZCO for a hunting reticle, everything else is fine for plinking but far too busy for hunting. Odds are this optic will stay or get swapped for the 420, but it's still a great option and will easily bring $2K on the used market when I am ready to dump it. I've had my fair share of Leupy optics over the years, Mk6 and Mk8 included and they always leave me underwhelmed, I doubt I'll buy anymore.

I love stalk hunting but our main property in the hill country just isn't setup for it and thick cedar doesn't allow for much in the way of seeing far off unless cleared out, in fact I've missed deer just a few yards into the tree line that the camera picked up via motion that I couldn't see with the naked eye due to the backdrop. If we ever get property further out west then stalk hunting will become a possibility again.

The low profile turret isn’t a visibility issue. I enjoy easily and quickly verifying turret zero with my rifle in my lap while never taking my eyes off target. It never gets accidentally spun a few tenths either.

With locking turrets they never get bumped/moved but I don't care for locking turrets because when I want to dial I want it ASAP, I don't want a strong jerk motion moving my sight picture as I pull on the turret to unlock it.

 

[TexasSixSeven]

Yea, the MPCT1 is the only reasonable option from ZCO for a hunting reticle, everything else is fine for plinking but far too busy for hunting. Odds are this optic will stay or get swapped for the 420, but it's still a great option and will easily bring $2K on the used market when I am ready to dump it. I've had my fair share of Leupy optics over the years, Mk6 and Mk8 included and they always leave me underwhelmed, I doubt I'll buy anymore.

I love stalk hunting but our main property in the hill country just isn't setup for it and thick cedar doesn't allow for much in the way of seeing far off unless cleared out, in fact I've missed deer just a few yards into the tree line that the camera picked up via motion that I couldn't see with the naked eye due to the backdrop. If we ever get property further out west then stalk hunting will become a possibility again.




With locking turrets they never get bumped/moved but I don't care for locking turrets because when I want to dial I want it ASAP, I don't want a strong jerk motion moving my sight picture as I pull on the turret to unlock it.

I agree about the typical pull up locking turrets, but the pinch style locking turret of the MK5 and ATACR 42mm don’t slow anything down nor require any additional forces be applied up or down. I typically zero my rifles with 3 tenths of down travel below the actual zero stop. So while a zero stop can functionally give me the quick zero verification it would require a couple extra seconds to hit zero and count 3 tenths back up for actual zero. I typically only care about this on hunting rifles. Bouncing around trucks and buggies all day just to get out and put in footwork makes for a frustrating end to a day when you send it right over the top of a coyote because you’re an idiot that didn’t verify zero lol some reason I’m a little too familiar with that last one.

I’ve hand more Leupold optics than I care for. MK8 and MK6 in LPVO, but I never cared for the MK8 5-28s giant size. Had a MK6 3-18 right after they released 12+ years ago. Meh. The MK5 is hands down better in all aspects. Glass is still underwhelming, but it’s hard to argue the weight, reticle, size, and turrets for a hunting optic that can be dialed. That said I won’t be buying anymore.

 

[Tex68w]

Yea, pinch lock are ok. I tried the newer Mk5, it's alright, but even at my really good discount on them new I likely won't grab one. Not a fan of 99% of their reticle options either.

 

[Todd780]

I wish I could like the elevation turret on those larger 50mm 4-16 ATACRs. I much prefer the low profile locking turret of the 4-16x42mm. I’d like a little more objective for low light ability although the 42mm has worked perfect for me for many years.

Where I normally hunt, in super thick cedar clearings, we lose shooting light almost a solid 30-45 minutes before legal shooting time expires so it's necessary that I get as much light into the objective as possible in order to extend my hunt into that golden hour for as long as possible. For Texas style stand hunting where you know your given distances to the location you're hunting it isn't as vital to see around or over the elevation turret to acquire your target or dial, 99% of all shots are point and shoot distances or small hold overs easily made with the reticle. The low profile turret of the 42mm ATACR is nice in that regard and used by most for hunting stick glass but it's not as tactile in feel when dialing either. If I didn't need the bigger objective for my particular needs I'd likely have the 4-16x42 on this rifle as well, or more likely the 4-20x50 F1.

I am not a huge NF fan in general but the 4-16 F1, 4-20 and 7-35 ATACRS are hard to beat in their given categories in terms of value, quality and durability. On my steel and comp rifles I run ZCO and I have considered putting the ZCO 420 on this rifle or the 6.5PRC but another $1K in glass on top of the already $2K+ ATACR on a hunting stick that will get bumped around just doesn't add up for me. This is btw the no longer available F1/FFP version of the 4-16x50 ATACR with the MIL-C reticle which IMHO is still their best offering for a hunting reticle. I am making a weight sacrifice in order to run an ATACR on a hunting rifle but I prefer my hunting sticks to weigh 10lbs or more fully kitted, it just makes for a more stable platform when shooting at distance (350+).

MILC is the only reason I’ve stuck with that particular optic. I’ve got a couple of them as well as a couple MK5 3.6-18 PR1s which are another great hunting reticle. It’s likely a ZCO 420 MPCT1 gets thrown on my 6 PRC, and I’ll move this ATACR over to one of my boys rifles. IMO the MPCT1, PR1, and MILC are the 3 best options for hunting reticles. I may live in Texas, but I don’t hunt out of a stand. I dial more often than not. I’m far to ADD to sit still more than a few minutes at a time. If I can’t spot and stalk it I don’t want anything to do with it lol luckily being in west Texas I’m never hunting small land.

The low profile turret isn’t a visibility issue. I enjoy easily and quickly verifying turret zero with my rifle in my lap while never taking my eyes off target. It never gets accidentally spun a few tenths either.

Yea, the MPCT1 is the only reasonable option from ZCO for a hunting reticle, everything else is fine for plinking but far too busy for hunting. Odds are this optic will stay or get swapped for the 420, but it's still a great option and will easily bring $2K on the used market when I am ready to dump it. I've had my fair share of Leupy optics over the years, Mk6 and Mk8 included and they always leave me underwhelmed, I doubt I'll buy anymore.

I love stalk hunting but our main property in the hill country just isn't setup for it and thick cedar doesn't allow for much in the way of seeing far off unless cleared out, in fact I've missed deer just a few yards into the tree line that the camera picked up via motion that I couldn't see with the naked eye due to the backdrop. If we ever get property further out west then stalk hunting will become a possibility again.




With locking turrets they never get bumped/moved but I don't care for locking turrets because when I want to dial I want it ASAP, I don't want a strong jerk motion moving my sight picture as I pull on the turret to unlock it.

I agree about the typical pull up locking turrets, but the pinch style locking turret of the MK5 and ATACR 42mm don’t slow anything down nor require any additional forces be applied up or down. I typically zero my rifles with 3 tenths of down travel below the actual zero stop. So while a zero stop can functionally give me the quick zero verification it would require a couple extra seconds to hit zero and count 3 tenths back up for actual zero. I typically only care about this on hunting rifles. Bouncing around trucks and buggies all day just to get out and put in footwork makes for a frustrating end to a day when you send it right over the top of a coyote because you’re an idiot that didn’t verify zero lol some reason I’m a little too familiar with that last one.

I’ve hand more Leupold optics than I care for. MK8 and MK6 in LPVO, but I never cared for the MK8 5-28s giant size. Had a MK6 3-18 right after they released 12+ years ago. Meh. The MK5 is hands down better in all aspects. Glass is still underwhelming, but it’s hard to argue the weight, reticle, size, and turrets for a hunting optic that can be dialed. That said I won’t be buying anymore.

Yea, pinch lock are ok. I tried the newer Mk5, it's alright, but even at my really good discount on them new I likely won't grab one. Not a fan of 99% of their reticle options either.

Yeah... Totally...

 

[TexasSixSeven]

Yea, pinch lock are ok. I tried the newer Mk5, it's alright, but even at my really good discount on them new I likely won't grab one. Not a fan of 99% of their reticle options either.

The glass is meh, and I won’t be buying anymore. However I’m surprised you’re such a fan of the MILC but don’t like the PR1 though considering they’re almost identical lol

 

[Tex68w]

Has more to do with the reticle illumination. If cost weren't a factor everything I own would be wearing ZCO and TT glass.

 

[Tex68w]

 

[Tex68w]

Added some l-track to the rear of the trailer for rear tire tie-downs. I feel ridiculous towing this ultra lightweight trailer around behind this truck, so taxing on the drivetrain lol.

 

[Kingsize24]

You could always just pull it with the bike! 🤣🤣🤣

 

[TexasSixSeven]

Added some l-track to the rear of the trailer for rear tire tie-downs. I feel ridiculous towing this ultra lightweight trailer around behind this truck, so taxing on the drivetrain lol.

Have you thought about one of the reciever hitch bike carriers? I don’t have any experience with them, but that light of a bike on Fords 2.5” receiver seems like it should be more than adequate.

 

[TexasSixSeven]

Added some l-track to the rear of the trailer for rear tire tie-downs. I feel ridiculous towing this ultra lightweight trailer around behind this truck, so taxing on the drivetrain lol.

Also just noticed your yak. Do you do any river trips with it, or just fishing and day use? I’ve neglected mine too much in the last two years, but I’ve put a lot of miles on some gorgeous stretches of river over the years.

 

[Tex68w]

Have you thought about one of the reciever hitch bike carriers? I don’t have any experience with them, but that light of a bike on Fords 2.5” receiver seems like it should be more than adequate.

Yep got one of those as well.

Also just noticed your yak. Do you do any river trips with it, or just fishing and day use? I’ve neglected mine too much in the last two years, but I’ve put a lot of miles on some gorgeous stretches of river over the years.

Yes, I have a few. We do bay fishing and river trips, have a good group to do overnight trips on the river as well.

 

[Tex68w]

 

[Tex68w]

Added this Builtright bulkhead accessory rail. I plan to use it to mount a wheel chock to the t-slot when I carry the bike in the bed.

 

[Bigc3031]

I like that built right bulk head set up but I sure wish they would have made it so the slots are accessible without disasembling it.