Who do you think makes the best rifle scope?

robfromaz1977

I HAVE TO AGREE WITH YOTUNAMAN ABOUT LEUPOLD. BEING MADE IN THE US IS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT THEM. I ALSO LIKE BURRIS A GREAT DEAL. I HAVE A BLACK DIAMOND 4-16 MOUNTED ON A 300 ULTRA MAG AND HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. IT IS AS CLEAR AS ANY SCOPE I HAVE LOOKED THROUGH. AND TO HOLD UP ON A GUN THAT KICKS AS HARD AS THE ULTRA MAG SAYS ALOT. BURRIS ALSO HAS A GREAT WARRANTY AND IS MADE IN THE US.

rstokes · Rookie Member Joined: Jul 26, 2005 Posts: 3

I currently own one Leica, Zeiss Diavari, S&B, Swarovski and Docter scopes and they are all they are all terrific scopes. Leica is now out of the scope business but has awesome glass. I always subscribe to the theory that for hunting your scope should be of a better class than your weapon. The best weapon is no good if you don't get good shot placement. I believe the best VALUE for a 300 mag is the Swarovski AV 3x10x42 (1") or the Docter 2.5x10x48 (30mm). These are both excellent scopes that will last a lifetime and can be purchased in the $800 range or less. By the way, the Docter line is the old Carl Zeiss Jena product. Cabela's was closing them out, but I don't know if they have any left or not. Good Hunting!

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

Welcome to the site robfromaz1977 and rstokes!

I'd love to own a Swarovski or Zeiss scope but sadly it falls outside of what I'm willing to spend on a scope. They look very nice however. I wish I had more time and money to try alot of the suggestions people give for components, ah well Smile

-DallanC

coyotehunter_1

Here are a couple of links to a web page that gives some interesting reading, a little insight on optical terminology and their reviews on several different scopes (updated 2004).

The Shooting Sports Scope Brand Page: A Quick Overview of Brands.
www.charm.net/~kmarsh/brand.html

What to do with a Cheap Scope? Idea

Give it to someone you don't likeâ€¦ wtf

The Shooting Sports Cheap Scope Page: www.charm.net/~kmarsh/...tml#choose

Good luck... Happy shopping!

Chet

sniper

My $02: I've owned Redfield, Burris, new generation Weavers, Tasco, and Simmons.

IMHO, Weaver is one of the best kept secrets of the shooting world. Leupold is excellent, as is Burris. The European scopes are marvelous, but I can't afford them.

The most bang for the buck, IMO, is a medium price American name brand scope. (usually made in the Orient, somewhere. 8O) Generally reliable, good warranty, and all anyone needs. LOTS of good stuff between $150-350.

Somebody posted this somewhere, and it seems to hold true:

Satisfaction ratio for scope sights and optics generally:

$$$$ = Very Happy

$$$ =

$$ =

$ =

ghall · Member Joined: Sep 08, 2005 Posts: 32 Location: Idaho

I think I am with the majority. Burris or Leupold. I have looked through a Swarovski and then through my Burris, the real difference I noticed was when it was early in the morning or late at night. The real high end scopes seem to gather more light in the low light situations. During the day I didn't see enough difference to worry about it, or justify spending that kind of money.

515034s10ring

I have only Burris (rifle, pistol, and speed dot) and Horus Vision scopes (tac and long range rifle). I did sell a gun (stupid me) with a Weaver Grand Slam 6-20 with a fine crosshair and i'm still kicking myself because that was a great scope as well.

My own personal expierences though had lead me to never buy or recommend Bushnell and Tasco because of total failures. With Bushnell and their claim to rainguard and fog proof lenses, it's BS. But when a sales rep tried to demonstrate it's ability by putting it into the freezer to show how clear it was..... ROFL

I could see better at night compared to that scope! With Tasco, i have seen lenses that have pop out many times.

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

HAha I like Snipers "chart"

/applaud

-DallanC

mikekuzara

I too have had problems with a Simmons scope that would not hold a zero.

The most reliable is the Weaver K-6 that my dad mounted on his Springfield-06 over 40 years ago. It doesn't pick up light as well as newer ones, but rarely has to be dialed more than 1 or 2 clicks from year to year. Still plenty clear and has been used to take somewhere around 70 to 80 deer and 30 or so elk between he and I.

The pawnshop route for Leupolds is the way to go. Usually the 2 weeks before and after Christmas.

shrpshtrjoe

Leupold when i can afford them. I have had good luck with the Nikon pro staff and with a simmons 44mag 6-5 to 20 mil dot on the 223 that responds very well and holds zero . I do like the Leupolds though.

JO422 · Member Joined: Sep 16, 2005 Posts: 33

Leupold makes first class scopes. For a 300 Win Mag these will hold up great. The Burris are also great scopes and Nikon and Weaver are a good bang for the buck. As with anything, you get what you pay for. Leupold and Burris are more expensive but both have great warranties and outstanding optics. They will also take a pounding and hold a zero. There is a reason why our military snipers are requesting Leupold, they work when other scopes don't. I can't personally justify paying the high bucks for the Euro scopes.

Bushmaster

Pretty expensive equipment those Leopolds and Burris'. I would put my money on Burris because it is manufactured in Washington state, I believe, and the conditions there are very hard on scopes especially the wet weather during hunting season (Never a sunny day). But I could only afford a Redfield 3X9 40mm Compact for my Browning A bolt .30-06 at the time. I have not changed that scope in anyway except to readjust it for my older eyes in all the years I have had it.

robfromaz1977

Not that it really matters but Burris scopes are made in Colorado. Also, I to had a Redfield that I bought from Wal Mart and put it on my 30-06. It gave me alot of headaches. I had to send it off to be fixed twice. Once the reticle broke while I was sighting it in. The other problem was the reticle was rotating clockwise for whatever reason. When I tried to sight it in, the adjustments would allways be in two directions due to the crosshairs being out of square with the turrets. After I got it back from repair the last time I gave it to my dad and he put it on his muzzleloader. I went out and bought a Leupold to replace it and never had a problem.

Bushmaster

Colorado...I stand corrected. Not that it matters...Sorry about that Redfield. One of the new ones? I bet... Mine is rather old and has seen many a hunt and is standing up just fine...

robfromaz1977

No it was quite awhile back when I had that Redfield. It probably wasn't as good as a real Redfield considering that it was a Wal Mart deal. It did account for 2 elk and 1 deer before I got rid of it. As for the new Redfield scopes, they start at 550 bucks and go up from there. I dont think I will be buying one of those any time soon. Look up SWFA or riflescopes.com if your interested.