Scopes

[Mark Terry]

It's been a long time since I shopped for or purchased a scope for any gun and when I did, it was either Redfield or Weaver (anybody remember when scopes were steel and polished and blued?).

Now I need to replace a Redfield fixed 20X on a Ruger #1V. The old fixed 20x worked fine for ground hogs and crows but coyotes offer a little different dynamic (sound like a good excuse to buy a new scope?). I'm thinking of trying variable power.

I'm overwhelmed by the sheer number of manufacturers and the differences in pricing. Who can give me some good advice?

Thanks,

[Aggie01]

of all the scopes I have used, Leupold is the constant and to which all others are compared. some are better and cost more, some are worse and cost less.
the warranty is superb

[agrizz]

On the high end and depending on your pocket book you could look at U.S. Optics or Nightforce possibly IOR then there is the simple and relatively inexpensive Pride Fowler, followed by all the rest.

Also do not forget all the different reticals, lighting systems and the scopes with all the external adjustments you would ever be able to dream up.

For general use scopes with good value do not pass over the Nikons. Some of the Weavers are also set up very well.

Just depends on what your requirements are and what do you like in scopes?

While you are searching make certain that you check all the different reticals that these scopes offer.

[derekr]

I favor Leupold. My father has a Nikon that has served him well.

[aciera]

A friend of mine wrote the optics report for GUN DIGEST for 20 years.
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I asked the same type of question a little while back.
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"Without going to the high end ($$$$), Leupold or Nikon are your best bet. High quality and bulletproof. "
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He said get the best you can afford.

[AxeHandle]

The LR rifle shooters with bottomless pockets rant and rave about the Nightforce. Lee Jurras speaks highly of them too. Based on price and quality Leupold is my first choice. Made in the USA with the best warranty in the business. That warranty stuff is cool but an old friend once told me, "That warranty doesn't buy you much when you are out in the boondocks on the hunt of a lifetime, flip off your scope covers, and can't see squat." He bought Leupold.

[wickerbill]

For a fixed power scope I recommend the Weaver target scopes. Here is a 24X with a dot reticle on my Cooper 57M. The combo is deadly.

Here is another one on a FNH PBR in 308.

As for variable power scopes, I use Leupold VX-3's. Here is a 8.5 X 25 power VX-3 on a custom Rem 700. This rifle is a coyotes worst nightmare. I wish I still had it.(I do still have the scope)

Bill

[aciera]

Dec 31, 2010 11:27:32 GMT -5 wickerbill said:

For a fixed power scope I recommend the Weaver target scopes. Here is a 24X with a dot reticle on my Cooper 57M. The combo is deadly.

Here is another one on a FNH PBR in 308.

As for variable power scopes, I use Leupold VX-3's. Here is a 8.5 X 25 power VX-3 on a custom Rem 700. This rifle is a coyotes worst nightmare. I wish I still had it.(I do still have the scope)

Bill

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I would second the Weaver Fixed. I had a 1.2x (about) with NO markings on my 375H&H. Bob took one look at it and said:"Weaver, great scope, it will last on that rifle.

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In used, some older B&L were the best made at the time.

[brionic]

The higher-end Bushnell Elites are good scopes, too, for the money. I have a low power variable that has been a terrific performer for two years. I'd say it's on par with my Leupold in terms of build quality and optics.

[agrizz]

U.S. Optics, Nightforce and Pride Fowler are all first focal plane scopes. This allows you to use the variable power and the retical changes size with the variable power change. I believe tha t Leupould and Weaver have a couple on the market in the first focal plane as well. This one item is one of my requirements in any future scope purchases because for me they are simply easier to work with.

[Frank V]

I'm a big fan of Leupold, I would think a 4X14 would be great for Coyotes & other varmints. If I could I'd get either a Leupold or Zeiss. Get the best glass you can afford.
Frank

[Markbo]

I for one cannot afford Zeiss, Swarovski, Schmidt & Bender or any of the $$$ scopes. Just ain't happenin'. Based on what I CAN afford Nikon offers outstanding optics, as do Bushnell Elite. For less expensive scopes I happen to like Mueller and yes even Simmons. I have at least a dozen Simmons scopes and not one has ever given me a bit of touble and the optics are just fine - not great, but they don't cost $2000 either.

Heck Pillips has probably shot more prairie dogs than anyone else I know of alive today and he uses Simmons VTac scopes nearly exclusively.

FWIW none of the less than $2K scopes that I have had are great in the field. Even Leo & Weaver 36X are good only looking at white paper targets. In the field and less than bright light they are nearly useless too. Almost nothing that can't be done with a good (read not great) 4.5x14X scope, including 500 yard prairie dogs. If you can shoot a pasture poodle you can sure as hell shoot a coyote.

[Lee Martin]

I've had exceptionally good luck with Weaver V-Series. In fact, I've used 4x16's on a variety of guns to include an 8mm Rem Mag, a 300 Weatherby, and my 240 Incinerator. Never had a problem with durability and they're reasonably priced. I've also put a 6x24 V-Series MilDot on my 50 BMG. In fact, I know of a couple of 50 BMGs topped with Weaver-Vs and they've held up just fine.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com

[majorKAP]

Jan 1, 2011 16:32:27 GMT -5 Frank V said:

I'm a big fan of Leupold, I would think a 4X14 would be great for Coyotes & other varmints. If I could I'd get either a Leupold or Zeiss. Get the best glass you can afford.
Frank

I've got several of the Leupold VXIII 4.5x14's. But, for the money, on my varmint rifles I prefer the less expensive VXII 4x12 with a fine crosshair. As a matter of fact, I have them on a number of rimfires as well.

Not to be confused with the VX models sold at Walmart.

[Mark Terry]

Thanks guys. A few more days of studying the catalogs.....