Arizona Hunter wrote:

I am a huge fan of the Bushnell Elite scopes (new and old ones). Their Rainguard ....

I love mine!

This is my first post on this site. I have been visiting for 3-4 years. I am not a weekly hunter but have been hunting 2-4 times per year for 30 years using 30-06, 243, 270, 7.62x39, 7mm STW calibers. I have several leopold scopes, 1 redfield, 1 burris, 2-3 tasco. They are all good. What no one asked 1 year ago, when this topic started is what kind of rifle, caliber and expected hunting area he is going to. The above scopes work very well in the 50-250 yard shots.
In the past 2-3 years, I have been working on an encore, 7mm STW caliber with a Super Sniper 10x42 tactical scope from SWFA. I finally have some loads which shoot well. However, I find that using a tactical scope opened a whole new hunting area to me, namely the 250-500 yard animals which in the past, I would only watch. Using the point blank ballistic software as initial setting, I can reliably hit the farthest target at our local range (450 yards Oahu Hawaii). I still have not taken a shot at any game further than 275 yards but with my current load and scope, I feel comfortable shooting at game to 500 yards. This scope has a 30 mm barrel. The field of view is adequate. My last deer (axis) in April on Lanai was at 50 yards. This scope works well for stand hunting. Obviously, if stalking, you would want a 4 power scope. However this scope has the capability of a 1000 yard shot using the point blank ballistic software. Best of all, this scope still sells for $300. Bushnell has a 10x42 tactical scope which has a 1" tube and is not as flexible as this scope. The variable power scopes which Bushnell, Burris, Leopold, Millet, Nightforce and other manufacturers sell are all highly desirable but very expensive. So, in conclusion, if a hunter requires a scope for possibly long distance shots, looking at a tactical scope is a good option. Starting off with a SWFA super sniper is affordable for most people. Made by Tasco(?) but the glass quality is excellent.

welcome aboard adaniyamd, pull up a stump and grab a beer. Hawaii aye? hope the hunting is good around there I bet the fishing makes up for it. good point on end use being important. thats why I love my 3x9s the 3 for up close and the 9 for long range or when I have time.

As Elvis said mate...welcome aboard.

The end use of a scope is a good and valid point. Also, interesting point about using tactical scopes for hunting mate. I would be a little concerned about those big adjustment towers and the possibility of damaging them or knocking the scope out of zero. Apart from that, they are a good option.

Cheers, Vince

adaniyamd, thanks for the good input and joinning us. Welcome aboard!

Load- DOPE the load you are going to use in 50y increments and from a cold bore.

Glass- if you are not comfy twisting the turrets getta BDC of some sort or a mildot reticle. Then DOPE the load/scope and list it on the stock or scope objective bell. Clear tape over soap note w/shaprie works well. Make extras.

That way when you range your target you'll know exactly how much to come up or hold over. I'm not a twisting fan- I can't see the #'s on the dials or hear or feel the clicks so, I hold over using the reticle graduations after I've found load's drop. With a mildot reticle you can lead for windage/moving targets too. Mil-dot reticles are by far the most versitle.

Uncovered tactical/target turrets aint the best thing for the bush as Vince said.

Yeah same thing stovepipe said. I think maybe.

My eyes leave something to be desired, and even more so my wallet.

The SWFA sounds good but I also bought a BSA scope that sounded good, money don't buy everything but the BSA is now a standby scope in case something happens to my regular scopes. It is not bad it is just unreliable after several shots. Bought a Pentex and don't like it at all, bought a Nikon Prostaff and am unsure how I feel about it but I ain't singing any praises yet.

So, for guys who are not rich and picken Leopold's of the tree ain't an option, what scopes are a true value.

3X9 is OK but at my age and with these eyes more is better, What about Cabela's Alaska Guide scopes?

I am real tired of spending $$$ on scopes that don't cut it, but refuse to spend $800 to $1200 for a scope. Oh yeah and then you say well maybe if you bought the Leopold in the first place you would not have wasted so many $$$. Well you may be right but I'm too far in the game to change now so please don't go there.

All the top brands make bargain bomb proof scopes. the lad I shot next to on the highpower line was banging away on that M1A with a BSA scope on it and it's put with that and a whole lote more so....nothing wrong with big $$ glass if you can swing it but I cant. Elite 3200 on sale is about all I can do and now that the others are catching up I'm probably going to try some of them. Millet, BSA, etc....all are making darn good magnum proof glass now.

lesterg3 wrote:

So, for guys who are not rich and picken Leopold's of the tree ain't an option, what scopes are a true value. 3X9 is OK but at my age and with these eyes more is better, What about Cabela's Alaska Guide scopes? I am real tired of spending $$$ on scopes that don't cut it, but refuse to spend $800 to $1200 for a scope. Oh yeah and then you say well maybe if you bought the Leopold in the first place you would not have wasted so many $$$. Well you may be right but I'm too far in the game to change now so please don't go there.

Lester -sorry to read of your scope dillema(s)!I have a recommondation at least,try out the mueller scopes,I have several-all the same type (4x-16x)tactical,and as a torture test I have one mounted on a 50bmg bolt gun,and a friend has the same.Neither of them have malfunctioned yet with all of the recoil!Hope you can fid something that fits your needs from their website.
mueller optics rifle scopes

I had the bushnell elite 3200 on my 340wtby and after the 3rd shot, the reticule was broke!! Called them up and got a return # and sent it in, 2 days later I received a brand new one. Shot around 200 rounds through it and so far so good.

Back in a previous life (and two wives) ago I had a 4x Bushnell that sat high on a Lee Enfield Mark 4? That scope took a beating and never let me down. Now that I am on wife number three and back into the shooting game I had to decide what optics to buy from a bewildering choice. Here is my list.

308 4-12X40 Bushnell Banner
223 4-16x50 Millet TRS Mildot
22 3-9x32 Tasco Rimfire


I am happy with the first two but the Tasco is a bit out of focus at about 20 yards. It isn't enough to ruin a hunting shot but paper targets are a different matter. I didn't expect this from a "rimfire" scope.
My TRS in conjunction with the tables produced from my load development and Point Blank make me feel more confident as I start reaching out beyond my self imposed max of 200 meters.

I'm happy with my Bushnell Elites as well as my Burris Fullfield and Signature Select.

TRBLSHTR wrote:

[Lester -sorry to read of your scope dillema(s)!I have a recommondation at least,try out the mueller scopes,I have several-all the same type (4x-16x)tactical,and as a torture test I have one mounted on a 50bmg bolt gun,and a friend has the same.Neither of them have malfunctioned yet with all of the recoil!Hope you can fid something that fits your needs from their website. mueller optics rifle scopes

+1 for Mueller scopes I love my Illuminated Sport Dot 3x9 for night time coyotes.

Try and find one of the Nighteater scopes by NikkoStirling. I have one of the 4-16x44 LRX models and it is a dandy! Buildt in sunshade, side parallax andtarget turrets. They are made in China for an Australian company that invented them 55 years ago. Chimo

I got lazy and didn't read through all of the posts to see if anyone already mentioned it, but I will throw out Redfield. Made by Leupold and American made with a lifetime guarantee. I bought the 4-12 for my 6mm and I have no complaints. Glass is clear and seems to draw light very well. I paid 210 for mine.
Chris