Suggestions for Rifle Scope

Alerion · December 2001

OK, I've finally broken down and bought a 30-06. Now I just need to put a scope on it and I'm open to suggestions. And please explain your reasoning. One line messages like "Buy an XXXXX!" or "YYYYY's are trash!" are of very little value.Anyway, here is the criteria. None of the numbers are carved in stone but I'd like to stay close.Actual purchase price (as opposed to MSRP) in the $175-250 range.Primary justification for this gun is deer hunting but it will probably be used more on coyotes. So I'd like a zoom from relatively low power (~3X) to moderate power (~10X). I don't really see a need for 20X+.I'd like a fairly large ocular lens for decent low-light use. Besides, size DOES matter! I'm fairly open on recticles except I don't like the "deer in the circle, built in rangefinder, bullet drop compensator" models. I'd rather keep it simple.That's pretty much it. I await your collective guidance and wisdom.Tom

Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.

Nate · December 2001

Leupold VeriX II3-9X40

moredes · December 2001

Second that opinion, though my suggestion is to look at ebay, snipercountry, and AR-15.com for a used Leupold and spend as much of that $175-250 as you can afford, and maybe move up a class. Don't worry about condition. Leupold is life-time guaranteed. If you don't like what you receive, send it in for free repairs.

Alerion · December 2001

Actually I already looked at some of the auctions. There doesn't seem to be much selection in scopes and what's there seems to be pricier than places like Natchez.What are general opinions on Weavers?Tom

Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool.

Teamblue · December 2001

I have a Nikon Monarch 3-9x40 Matte finish on my Ruger .308 that is an awesome scope. Nikon claims 95% light transmission and after deer season this year I believe it. Low level light conditions were easily handled 5-7 minutes beyond what I was used to with the Tasco World Class glass I used to use. The scope is ultra clear all the way to the edges of the glass. It is tough and a very good-looking scope. The Monarch is equivalent in every aspect to the VariX-III Leupolds and www.bearbasin.com has them NIB in gloss for $239, matte for $249, and silver for $259. I paid $299.99 for mine in a local retail store and think I got a great deal for what the scope offers in performance. To me this is a no-brainer at bear basin's prices. Nikon also come with the full lifetime warranty. Get one.

jhj370 · December 2001

Go to Binoculars.com and check out the link to swift scopes. I have used redfield, leupold, tasco, and nikon, and the 4X12 50mm is the clearest that I have ever hunted with. It has multicoated lenses and the price is very reasonable. I know three people who have switched from leupold to swift this season.

robsguns · December 2001

I shoot only Leupold and here is why.The warranty service is second to none, its not like you'll probably ever need it, but if you should its there. I once heard a story from a friend of mine that was in Alaska hunting, he broke his scope before the hunt by dropping it off somewhere he shouldnt have. He called Leupold, told them the problem, they overnighted a replacement for him to use, and all he was asked to do was send them both back after the hunt was over, his for repair or replacement, and the new one for rebuild, presumably. That is service. I called Burris and Leupold when I had my choices narrowed down to those 2 brands. Burris has a 2-3 week turn around time on warranty service. Leupold has immieditate to 3 days. As for the cheap scopes, Tasco, Simmons, and the like, ask yourself something. If a scope is made well, why would a company like Tasco just replace the scope, instead of repairing it. Because they made it cheaply and its not worth their time, they throw it out and give you a new one. I've had Tasco, Bushnell, Baush&Lomb,and Simmons, all fail to do as advertised. I have never had any of the 4 Leupolds I own fail to do as advertised or expected. Leupold is my choice for scopes,although I do know that there are other scopes out there like Swarovski, Zeiss, Leica, Nikon, Burris, that are good, excuse the spelling.Your price range would not be high enough to get a scope that I would be comfortable with when waiting all the time it takes to get that shot I've been waiting for, and finding out the scope ruined it for me.As for your choice in a large objective diameter, you do not need an objective larger than 40mm in a scope the size you are talking about, its basic math and the folks at Leupold will be happy to explain it. They actually told me they only make the 50mm in some of their scopes just because people want them, even though your eye can only use just so much light, its an exit pupil thing I cant remember well enough to explain, but they will. The tech. at Leupold actually explained why I should not be spending more money on a scope with a larger objective than needed, and not for the companys benefit, I will add. Hope this helps some, its just my opinion.

SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC

beachmaster73 · December 2001

Buy a used Leupold only if you want to have a reliable sturdy scope that will outlast you and loose virtually none of your investment for you. If that is not important to you...... buy anything else. My recommendation is the same as Nate's....3x9 with a 40mm objective diameter. There are a lot of scopes out there....they all work....some better than others....for the money Leupold works the best of all. Beach

Alerion · December 2001

Well, at this point I'm thinking it's going to be a Leupold. Especially since the Vari-X II 3-9X40 falls right into my price range ($214 in matte.) I might even bump the price by another $55 and get the 50mm version depending on what my ego feels like on the day I order it. BTW, the exit pupil diameter is equal to the objective diameter divided by the magnification.Tasco and Simmons weren't ever considerations. Bushnell is supposed to be making some pretty decent scopes in their "Elite" line (Elite 3200 fell in the price range) but it's hard to ignore their "Five Star" trash models. Weaver was a serious contender in their "V-Series", with the "Grand Slams" priced just a little higher, but I haven't seen any comments good or bad about Weavers. Add to that the fact that what is currently Weaver bears little relationship to what the company was a few years ago, before Blont bought them.The good news is that I fought off the urge to order a new scope the same day I bought the rifle. (Which would have been a Weaver V-10.) That's given me a chance to give this a little more reasonable thought. Since there's nothing I presently need to shoot with this particular rifle I still have the opportunity to evaluate everyone's input.Also, I appreciate everybody's constructive suggestions. No matter what scope I buy, I'm better educated with ALL of the ideas that have been presented so far.Anyway, the decision isn't made until I place the order! So feel free to keep the suggestions coming.Tom

Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool. [This message has been edited by Alerion (edited 12-06-2001).]

Boomerang · December 2001

Weaver makes a very good scope. IMO, the optics in the V-9 are better than the V-10 optics, eye relief much better. Can be had for $109, new. Just ordered one myself from Bear Basin.I have compared this scope with a Leupold VariX-II and the Nikon Monarch, the Weaver V-9 is comparable to both of them.Boomer

Protect our Constitutional Rights.[This message has been edited by Boomerang (edited 12-06-2001).]

Fletch21 · December 2001

if u go with the leupold vari-x II go to www.basspro.com and they have it $40 off for only 174 you cant beat this scope I have one and wouldnt trade it for anything

He Dog · December 2001

I find the quality of Nikon Monarchs equal to the Leupold Vari X III's and for a bit less. Bear Basin is the cheapest I have found and they are reliable and helpful. If you are looking for a basic 3-9x there are a lot of decent choices including Burris and Pentax. For my money for durability, light transmission and quality optics, I would (and do) choose Nikon, then Leupold. Sometimes a particular scope is made by one and not the other, but a 3-9 you have choices.

Teamblue · December 2001

I concur with He Dog. He knows whereof he speaks. At least compare the Nikon Monarch 3-9x40 with the Vari-X II so you can see for yourself. To get the light transmission capability (95%) of the Monarch you have to go to a Leupold Vari-X III at considerably more cost. You stated that light transmission ability was important, so you might as well have the most for your money while not sacrificing quality. The Vari-X II has a comparable light transmission of the Nikon Buckmaster which is rated at 88%, which while good, can be bettered by choosing a Monarch.[This message has been edited by Teamblue (edited 12-06-2001).]

Suggestions for Rifle Scope

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