What is your scope of choice?
- Thread starter AZ_Win52
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Foxhunter223
New member
Scope choice
At the moment I am using a Weaver 6-20X40 Grand Slam scope on my SAKO S491. It is in 6mm PPC and I find this scope to be very clear and easy to use. It has a FCD (Fine Cross Hair and Dot) which I like very much. It gets used more at the range than on rabbits but hopefully that will change next spring.
Pete
At the moment I am using a Weaver 6-20X40 Grand Slam scope on my SAKO S491. It is in 6mm PPC and I find this scope to be very clear and easy to use. It has a FCD (Fine Cross Hair and Dot) which I like very much. It gets used more at the range than on rabbits but hopefully that will change next spring.
Pete
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Talon1959
Guest
Nikon
My varmint gun sports a Nikon Buckmaster 6-18 SF with FCH-dot. I really like the looks of the Bushnell 4200 6-24X50 30MM.
My varmint gun sports a Nikon Buckmaster 6-18 SF with FCH-dot. I really like the looks of the Bushnell 4200 6-24X50 30MM.
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tylerw02
Guest
Of all my scopes--couple of VX-IIIs, VX-IIs, a Mueller, and a few Swfits.....and one Zeiss Conquest, the Zeiss is the best piece of glass. Its brighter than my 8.5-25x50 LR/T, the eye relief is near constant, the side focus is much better than that of the Leupolds, more FOV with same power, its just an all round better scope. It does have the drawback of not much elevation range.
My ideal scope would be:
-44-45mm obj
-large eye-box like on the Zeiss
-clarity of the Zeiss
-target knobs like Leupy
-side focus of Zeiss
-longer eye relief of Leupy, but constant like Zeiss
-fine duplex of Leupy, but etched like Zeiss
-30mm tube like Leupy for more vertical adjustment range
-1/4 moa clicks---with 1/8th you turn the knob too many times, it takes too many turns to adjust for range and you lose track of how many cranks you've made. My only 1/8 moa scope is the Mueller and it only has something like 8 moa per revolution.
So where is what I've come up with....
For field type guns where I need fast shots, fast adjustments, and will be used in low light conditions, I'm going to buy Zeiss 4.5-14x44 models and send 'em in for tactical-style target knobs. I have one for my deer rifle build and plan on another for a light-varmint/coyote rifle.
For bench varmint rifles, I'm going to buy Leupold VX-III LR series scopes. I honestly like my 6.5-20x40mm LR scopes except they need sent in for target knobs. When that power range works, that'll be my pick as they mount nice and low and have a fine duplex. I have one 8.5-25x50 LR/T that I use on a 6.5-284 for long range shooting and the 25x is nice when conditions are clear. I wouldn't mind another to put on one of my .204s, but I'd want to add an adjustable cheek-rest.
My ideal scope would be:
-44-45mm obj
-large eye-box like on the Zeiss
-clarity of the Zeiss
-target knobs like Leupy
-side focus of Zeiss
-longer eye relief of Leupy, but constant like Zeiss
-fine duplex of Leupy, but etched like Zeiss
-30mm tube like Leupy for more vertical adjustment range
-1/4 moa clicks---with 1/8th you turn the knob too many times, it takes too many turns to adjust for range and you lose track of how many cranks you've made. My only 1/8 moa scope is the Mueller and it only has something like 8 moa per revolution.
So where is what I've come up with....
For field type guns where I need fast shots, fast adjustments, and will be used in low light conditions, I'm going to buy Zeiss 4.5-14x44 models and send 'em in for tactical-style target knobs. I have one for my deer rifle build and plan on another for a light-varmint/coyote rifle.
For bench varmint rifles, I'm going to buy Leupold VX-III LR series scopes. I honestly like my 6.5-20x40mm LR scopes except they need sent in for target knobs. When that power range works, that'll be my pick as they mount nice and low and have a fine duplex. I have one 8.5-25x50 LR/T that I use on a 6.5-284 for long range shooting and the 25x is nice when conditions are clear. I wouldn't mind another to put on one of my .204s, but I'd want to add an adjustable cheek-rest.
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Ginner
Guest
Favorite scope is relative to purpose & income
My favorite scope for my deer hunting /carry rifle is a 3-9x vxII w/duplex. My varmint scope is an older Burris Signature Series 8-32x w/peep plex. Must not have sold enough peep plex because I haven't seen one for sale for some time but it is a regular duplex with a small ring in the center. That ring makes it a fantastic precision instrument because at ridiculous ranges you can still see a chuck or PD dead center in the crosshairs. The ring is also fantastic for load development because it is bigger on the OD than most target dots allowing for exact alignment on round bullseye's without covering it and the human eye naturally tries to align concentric circles.
I'll probably get some heat for recomending a Tasco but if you want a decent all-round scope and you're short on cash for about $80 the VAR2.5-10x42M has target knobs, looks good and has held up to 7mm mag & .50 mag muzzle loader recoil for about five years. I have three of these and for NON-PRECISION, up to 200yd, general purpose hunting on a budget you will be hard pressed to beat it.
I don't think that middle class America can do better than the best Leupold they can afford. If your at six figures or better and not a lot of bills then maybe NF or Zeiss, IMO.
Don't need 30mm tubes and 56mm objectives unless you're hunting at night, don't mind the extra weight and are bucks up but they are better. That's what I mean by relative to your purpose and disposable income.
My favorite scope for my deer hunting /carry rifle is a 3-9x vxII w/duplex. My varmint scope is an older Burris Signature Series 8-32x w/peep plex. Must not have sold enough peep plex because I haven't seen one for sale for some time but it is a regular duplex with a small ring in the center. That ring makes it a fantastic precision instrument because at ridiculous ranges you can still see a chuck or PD dead center in the crosshairs. The ring is also fantastic for load development because it is bigger on the OD than most target dots allowing for exact alignment on round bullseye's without covering it and the human eye naturally tries to align concentric circles.
I'll probably get some heat for recomending a Tasco but if you want a decent all-round scope and you're short on cash for about $80 the VAR2.5-10x42M has target knobs, looks good and has held up to 7mm mag & .50 mag muzzle loader recoil for about five years. I have three of these and for NON-PRECISION, up to 200yd, general purpose hunting on a budget you will be hard pressed to beat it.
I don't think that middle class America can do better than the best Leupold they can afford. If your at six figures or better and not a lot of bills then maybe NF or Zeiss, IMO.
Don't need 30mm tubes and 56mm objectives unless you're hunting at night, don't mind the extra weight and are bucks up but they are better. That's what I mean by relative to your purpose and disposable income.
V
VarmintGuy
Guest
AZ_Win52: Right now I have about 60 Rifles with scopes on them along with 3 scoped pistols!
I am currently using scopes by Leupold, Unertl, Nikon, Zeiss, Redfield, Burris, Sightron, Bausch & Lomb, Weatherby and I even have some lower end scopes like Bushnell, Tasco, J.C. Higgins and Simmons on some of my "loaner Rifles".
I much prefer Leupold scopes for range work, Varminting and Big Game Hunting - main reasons are for their reliability and performance, but in the last couple of years I have not been buying "new' Leupolds - I have been concentrating on seeking out screamer deals on used Leupold scopes.
Trying to save some monies with this tactic!
I have not warmed up to the 30mm tubes and 50mm objectives at all. I see no need for them in my year round and some times round the clock usages. Even for night Hunting my 40mm objective and 42mm objective scopes work just fine!
As far as adjustment graduations go - as long as they are click adjustments then I can make do - I do not care for friction adjustments.
For Varminting (all around usages) I prefer high power variables from 6x18 on up the availablity scale!
For Big Game Hunting one of my favorite scopes is the Leupold 4.5x14. But a couple of my Big Game Rifles have Leupold 8.5x25 and 6.5x20 variables on them (I Hunt the high plains a lot!). My spring Bear Hunting Rifle has a 4x12 Leupold on it and my woodsy Elk Hunting Rifle has a 3.5x10 on it.
For target/range work I have several fixed power Leupolds in 36 and 24 powers.
If I had unlimited funds these days, ALL, my scopes would be Leupolds - not just 70% of them, as is now the case.
Leupolds are just "to expensive" at retail anymore - but for Varminting (sometimes under harsh conditions!) and target work like you are interested in the Leupold line WILL provide you with excellent performance and superb reliability and lots of choices!
Best of luck with whichever you choose.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
I am currently using scopes by Leupold, Unertl, Nikon, Zeiss, Redfield, Burris, Sightron, Bausch & Lomb, Weatherby and I even have some lower end scopes like Bushnell, Tasco, J.C. Higgins and Simmons on some of my "loaner Rifles".
I much prefer Leupold scopes for range work, Varminting and Big Game Hunting - main reasons are for their reliability and performance, but in the last couple of years I have not been buying "new' Leupolds - I have been concentrating on seeking out screamer deals on used Leupold scopes.
Trying to save some monies with this tactic!
I have not warmed up to the 30mm tubes and 50mm objectives at all. I see no need for them in my year round and some times round the clock usages. Even for night Hunting my 40mm objective and 42mm objective scopes work just fine!
As far as adjustment graduations go - as long as they are click adjustments then I can make do - I do not care for friction adjustments.
For Varminting (all around usages) I prefer high power variables from 6x18 on up the availablity scale!
For Big Game Hunting one of my favorite scopes is the Leupold 4.5x14. But a couple of my Big Game Rifles have Leupold 8.5x25 and 6.5x20 variables on them (I Hunt the high plains a lot!). My spring Bear Hunting Rifle has a 4x12 Leupold on it and my woodsy Elk Hunting Rifle has a 3.5x10 on it.
For target/range work I have several fixed power Leupolds in 36 and 24 powers.
If I had unlimited funds these days, ALL, my scopes would be Leupolds - not just 70% of them, as is now the case.
Leupolds are just "to expensive" at retail anymore - but for Varminting (sometimes under harsh conditions!) and target work like you are interested in the Leupold line WILL provide you with excellent performance and superb reliability and lots of choices!
Best of luck with whichever you choose.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
For the price, you can't beat the Bushnell Elite series of scopes. You're just not going to find a better 6x-24x scope for under $575 with side focus. And if it comes in a 30mm tube for that price....all the merrier. The ballistic dots reticle is a fine enough line and dot that I can shoot my 1/4" target groups easilly at 100yards, and of course I can use the ballistic dots for hold-over for day time hunting.
Because I don't have the experience like other guys on these websights, I study the heck out of archives and the "search" on this websight and other websights for guidance in making sure I make a well informed and educated purchase.
I haven't been disappointed yet with my choice of rifles, gunsmiths or scopes by what others keep recommending over and over.(I go by consensus....and I don't take the word of just one or two people)I kept reading that the Elites can't be beat for the money (as I refuse to spend $1,200 for a Night Force scope that a lot of folks suggest). I bought 2 Elites, and will be buying my third Bushnell.....albeit that one for $750. A great marketing feature of the Bushnell too is that they will refund your money within 1 year if you are not satisfied with it.
For that $575 price, the Nikon scopes are the only other name that folks like just as much. I think some of it has to do with snob-appeal of the name too. But the Nikon BDC reticle is not as fine for target shooting and PD hunting, so I choose the Bushnell mil-dots. On the subject of "snob appeal" I also prefer to see "Japan" on my Bushnell, instead of "Malaysia" on other scopes.
(yes the Nikon Malaysia scopes works just jim-dandy fine too)
Enter the word Elite, and see what you find in the different websights.
Here's one sight that discusses nothing except optics:
http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_topics.asp?FID=2&PN=1
Because I don't have the experience like other guys on these websights, I study the heck out of archives and the "search" on this websight and other websights for guidance in making sure I make a well informed and educated purchase.
I haven't been disappointed yet with my choice of rifles, gunsmiths or scopes by what others keep recommending over and over.(I go by consensus....and I don't take the word of just one or two people)I kept reading that the Elites can't be beat for the money (as I refuse to spend $1,200 for a Night Force scope that a lot of folks suggest). I bought 2 Elites, and will be buying my third Bushnell.....albeit that one for $750. A great marketing feature of the Bushnell too is that they will refund your money within 1 year if you are not satisfied with it.
For that $575 price, the Nikon scopes are the only other name that folks like just as much. I think some of it has to do with snob-appeal of the name too. But the Nikon BDC reticle is not as fine for target shooting and PD hunting, so I choose the Bushnell mil-dots. On the subject of "snob appeal" I also prefer to see "Japan" on my Bushnell, instead of "Malaysia" on other scopes.
(yes the Nikon Malaysia scopes works just jim-dandy fine too)
Enter the word Elite, and see what you find in the different websights.
Here's one sight that discusses nothing except optics:
http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_topics.asp?FID=2&PN=1
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tylerw02
Guest
One thing I see some companies pushing is that they have 30mm tubes for "light gathering" and "brighter images". That is bologna. The objective lens and coatings determine transmission of light, not the erecter tube diameter. The reason for a 30mm tube is adjustment range. The 30mm tubes provide more room for the erector tube to move about to adjust for range. Another option is to add canted bases if you run out of travel.
My 1" VX-II 6-18x40 on a .204 Ruger runs out of travel at about 600 yards. The .204 Ruger also runs out of gas around there, so I haven't worried too much about it.
Meanwhile, I have a 30mm tube 8.5-25x50 scope on my 6.5-284 that I haven't run out of travel yet shooting 1,000 yards+.
So decide between 1" and 30mm appropriately. If its going to be close, and you want the 1", add bases with a cant.
My 1" VX-II 6-18x40 on a .204 Ruger runs out of travel at about 600 yards. The .204 Ruger also runs out of gas around there, so I haven't worried too much about it.
Meanwhile, I have a 30mm tube 8.5-25x50 scope on my 6.5-284 that I haven't run out of travel yet shooting 1,000 yards+.
So decide between 1" and 30mm appropriately. If its going to be close, and you want the 1", add bases with a cant.
C
CHeetahman
Guest
Nightforce BR's or Bushnell elite 3200 or 4200. The bushnells are damn good glass. They are better then some of my leupolds
I agree with everything varminthunter says, except the bit on 30mm scopes. I really like 30mm scopes on low light conditions, and believe they have an advantage there.
I've seen Leupold do well in extreme weather conditions as well (blizzard)
I would have Mark 4's on everything if I could afford it.
Nikons are great for the price. Burris has some fine scopes in some models. Zeiss scopes are well built. Swarovski are good scopes, but overpriced.
I've seen Leupold do well in extreme weather conditions as well (blizzard)
I would have Mark 4's on everything if I could afford it.
Nikons are great for the price. Burris has some fine scopes in some models. Zeiss scopes are well built. Swarovski are good scopes, but overpriced.
3
308 shooter
Guest
For pure target use in a variable my "old" Leupold Vari-X III 6.5X-20X 50mm is one that I have used for last 10 years or so. Sent it back to Leupold in 2006 for a target dot reticle , wish I would have done that right from the start!
A new addition just arrived last week - a Bushnell Elite 4200 6X - 24X 40mm with target dot reticle. A long scope but optically very good , especially for a $399 scope (ordered from Bear Basin in CA). The closest Leupold I could find a VX-III 6.5X-20X at $650.
Ordered a Weaver Grand Slam 6X-20X target dot last year but the dot was way too samll for me and I sent it back. But optically the scope was very sharp.
A new addition just arrived last week - a Bushnell Elite 4200 6X - 24X 40mm with target dot reticle. A long scope but optically very good , especially for a $399 scope (ordered from Bear Basin in CA). The closest Leupold I could find a VX-III 6.5X-20X at $650.
Ordered a Weaver Grand Slam 6X-20X target dot last year but the dot was way too samll for me and I sent it back. But optically the scope was very sharp.
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tylerw02
Guest
What optical advantage in low light conditions are you getting from a 30mm tube? Your objective lens is what brings in the light. Don't fall victim to the marketing hype. The only real advantage to the 30mm tube is it allows more travel for the erecter tube!
What optical advantage in low light conditions are you getting from a 30mm tube? Your objective lens is what brings in the light. Don't fall victim to the marketing hype. The only real advantage to the 30mm tube is it allows more travel for the erecter tube!
The only marketing hype I subscribe to occurs in my box stands.
My monarch gold and Leupold 30mm, both give me a better sight picture at last and first light, just my observation. I don't know why. Take this observation or leave it. The only explanation I can think of, it's like a peep sight vs. a ghost ring (if you know what those are) A peep gets very difficult to see through near dark. So, people screw the orifice out and use the ghost ring. The hole is bigger, so it draws more light?
Have you ever taken a 1" and a 30mm in the stand at twilight, and looked through both? I have...Try it, sometime. Two rifles, same brand and power, different tubes.
Also, I find that the objective plays a part in the brighness, but is not as important as a good ocular lens. For instance, this is, why I believe the Diavari zeiss scopes, have such good light transmission. I have a 3-9x40 Diavari, and it is brighter than some 50mm scopes I have.
Again, just my observation.
Ben
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In Love with the elites
Just rid my self of a Nikon Monarch 5x20x44MM. I swear I could see bullet holes at 100 yards better with Elite 4200 4x16x40MM then I could with Nikon on 20 power. Burris Black Diamond was fuzzy. I 8sixed that,Leupold 8.5x25x50 was good but way too expensive. Didn't have any thing over the Bushnell elites. Now I'm expecting shipment of the Bushnell 6500elite 2.5x16x50MM.I'll post my reports.
Just rid my self of a Nikon Monarch 5x20x44MM. I swear I could see bullet holes at 100 yards better with Elite 4200 4x16x40MM then I could with Nikon on 20 power. Burris Black Diamond was fuzzy. I 8sixed that,Leupold 8.5x25x50 was good but way too expensive. Didn't have any thing over the Bushnell elites. Now I'm expecting shipment of the Bushnell 6500elite 2.5x16x50MM.I'll post my reports.
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gt40
Guest
I have a Bushnell Elite 4200 8-32x40mm with Mil-dot. Excellent scope for varmints & the dots fit inside a 22 ca. hole at 100 yards.
Have compared the glass to friends Swarovski and Leupolds and can't tell the difference.
Got from The Optic Zone.
"Aim small miss small",
gt40
Have compared the glass to friends Swarovski and Leupolds and can't tell the difference.
Got from The Optic Zone.
"Aim small miss small",
gt40
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tylerw02
Guest
Honestly, I believe its in your head. There is no possible way a larger outside diameter of the scope body can transmit more light as the erecter tubes are the same size! I think you'll find that the Leupold VX-III 1" tubes with AO are actually brighter as there is one less lens to pass through compared to the 30mm side focus models. Each time light passes through a lens it is diminished. If every lens transmits 95% of the light it comes into contact with, each lens loses 5% of available light. The more lens a scope has, the more light is lost.
The objective's surface area determines how much light will make it to the next lens. The more surface area, the more light. Its that simple. The erecter tube in a 30mm and a 1" model are both the same size. Therefore, more light cannot pass through one than the other. Its simple physics. The difference is the outside tube diameter. The reason for a 30mm is that the erecter tube (same size as on the 1") will have more room to travel and give more adjustment range. There is nothing magical about it. You ocular lens is the same as any other lens. Its quality determines how much of the light in front of it passes through.
Here is an illustration that might help you get the picture of how it works. As you can see, the inside of the erecter tube will be the same size on both models. One simply has more travel. The only way a 30mm could be "brighter" than a 1" is for either a larger objective, or a larger erecter tube. A larger erecter tube inside the main body then wouldn't have the room to travel. You'll notice all the "LR" model Leupolds are 30mm. The reason why they are LR (long range) models is because they have more erecter tube travel range; more MOA of adjustment.
Here is a visual:
If 30mm is what you like, by all means by them. Just don't do it because they are marketed to be "brighter". The real advantage to a 30mm over a 1" is adjustment range. There is no real reason to pay $200 or 300 more for a 30mm if you don't need the extra moa for long range shooting.
The objective's surface area determines how much light will make it to the next lens. The more surface area, the more light. Its that simple. The erecter tube in a 30mm and a 1" model are both the same size. Therefore, more light cannot pass through one than the other. Its simple physics. The difference is the outside tube diameter. The reason for a 30mm is that the erecter tube (same size as on the 1") will have more room to travel and give more adjustment range. There is nothing magical about it. You ocular lens is the same as any other lens. Its quality determines how much of the light in front of it passes through.
Here is an illustration that might help you get the picture of how it works. As you can see, the inside of the erecter tube will be the same size on both models. One simply has more travel. The only way a 30mm could be "brighter" than a 1" is for either a larger objective, or a larger erecter tube. A larger erecter tube inside the main body then wouldn't have the room to travel. You'll notice all the "LR" model Leupolds are 30mm. The reason why they are LR (long range) models is because they have more erecter tube travel range; more MOA of adjustment.
Here is a visual:
If 30mm is what you like, by all means by them. Just don't do it because they are marketed to be "brighter". The real advantage to a 30mm over a 1" is adjustment range. There is no real reason to pay $200 or 300 more for a 30mm if you don't need the extra moa for long range shooting.
Mark 4s are the best all around for carry gun LR hunting. IMO
They are light, and low
They have sealed external turrets(no friggin caps)
Side focus
Plenty of adjustment
Alumina sunshades, filters, and flip-up covers(which are awesome)
Lit reticles(if desired)
Fine crosshair(or others from the custom shop)
You can order custom through OpticsPlanet at a reasonable cost for these features
If the March wasn't capped and lacking Alumina threading/fit, and if it had a medium fine crosshair reticle, and serious warrantee, I would consider it EQUAL-OVERALL to a Mk4, given it's higher cost.
They are light, and low
They have sealed external turrets(no friggin caps)
Side focus
Plenty of adjustment
Alumina sunshades, filters, and flip-up covers(which are awesome)
Lit reticles(if desired)
Fine crosshair(or others from the custom shop)
You can order custom through OpticsPlanet at a reasonable cost for these features
If the March wasn't capped and lacking Alumina threading/fit, and if it had a medium fine crosshair reticle, and serious warrantee, I would consider it EQUAL-OVERALL to a Mk4, given it's higher cost.
I had a Leupold go bad on me on the Tuesday before deer opener (2 week season). I called them up and asked what the turnaround time was....10-14 working days. With shipping time and weekends I figured the season was shot, unless I bought a new scope. I sent the scope next day air along with my credit card # and instructions that as soon as it is fixed to send it back next day air and bill my credit card.
SHIPPED 1:00 TUESDAY AFTERNOON
ARRIVED AT LEUPOLD 10 AM WEDNESDAY
REPAID WEDNESDAY
SHIPPED WEDNSDAY...NEXT DAY AIR
ARRIVED 10 AM THURSDAY....NO CHARGES OF ANY KIND
ON RIFLE ...AT RANGE....SIGHTED IN..... BY NOON
HOW DO YOU PUT A PRICE ON THAT!!!!!! HOW MUCH IS THAT KIND OF SERVICE WORTH TO YOU???
Just my .02 worth
TOD
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tylerw02
Guest
A big +1 to that!