Just bought a Tikka 30-06 and need to put a scope on it. I have never spent a lot on a scope. I see Zeiss has one called Terra their bottom end scope. For the same money I can buy a middle or top of the line by others. What do you think?
Scopes your opinion
- Thread starter vortecMax
- Start date
unless you are taking a once in a lifetime hunt with game at long ranges, I'd go Burris or Leupold. I can't see a scope being worth more than the gun in normal use.
Leupold.
Leupold. Even the VX-2 is worth the money. Best price I've seen on Leupold is Bear Basin Outfitters. Check them out.
Bear Paw Jack said:
Me too. A middle of the road Leupold is a pretty dandy scope.
WAYNO.
rugerjunkie
Hunter
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2005
- Messages
- 2,048
Dont get pushed onto the leupold bus without actually going out and looking at some different models. Dont get me wrong...i have leupolds...along with a lot of other scopes. They are decent scopes but there are better out there for around the same money.
I have leupolds , nikon , burris , weaver , redfeild , vortex , aimpoint , trijicon , and they are all good. Weaver grand slams must be my favorite since i have over a dozen of them in different variations. I'll take one of them over a leupold vx2 anyday and yes , i have a couple vx2's.
What you really need to do is get out and compare scopes side by side to see which one you prefer. If possible , look thru them in natural light and not inside a store full of lighting fixtures. Big difference...
I have leupolds , nikon , burris , weaver , redfeild , vortex , aimpoint , trijicon , and they are all good. Weaver grand slams must be my favorite since i have over a dozen of them in different variations. I'll take one of them over a leupold vx2 anyday and yes , i have a couple vx2's.
What you really need to do is get out and compare scopes side by side to see which one you prefer. If possible , look thru them in natural light and not inside a store full of lighting fixtures. Big difference...
Can't go wrong with a Leupold.
Leupolds are mostly made in China these days. You're paying for an American name and Chinese materials & workmanship.
For the same money, Nikons and Weavers are equal in quality. Just my opinion, based on experience. The real test is a side by side field test comparison. The brand means little compared to actual functionality concerning your vision, the build of your body, your shooting style/stance etc.
As a rule of thumb for me I usually justify spending half as much on a scope as the rifle costs. If it's a $1000 gun it gets a $500 scope.
In the end, buy the best scope that works for you and that fits your budget. Don't worry about the name. Oh, and an unlimited lifetime warranty is always a bonus.
Peace and God bless, Wolfsong.
For the same money, Nikons and Weavers are equal in quality. Just my opinion, based on experience. The real test is a side by side field test comparison. The brand means little compared to actual functionality concerning your vision, the build of your body, your shooting style/stance etc.
As a rule of thumb for me I usually justify spending half as much on a scope as the rifle costs. If it's a $1000 gun it gets a $500 scope.
In the end, buy the best scope that works for you and that fits your budget. Don't worry about the name. Oh, and an unlimited lifetime warranty is always a bonus.
Peace and God bless, Wolfsong.
gunman42782
Hunter
For the money, there is no better scope than Nikon. JMHO.
powder smoke
Hawkeye
I'm in the Nikon camp, best bang for the buck in my opinion. ps
Wolfsong:
Leupold are really made in China? Really? I'm not doubting you but when did this start to happen? I thought even the cheapest Nikon for example is made in Japan or Taiwan. I didn't think China has the technology to produce higher quality optics.
I have the most expensive Leupold I could afford. (Read their cheapest model) and it's pretty good. Made in USA too. But I bought it 5 years ago...
Leupold are really made in China? Really? I'm not doubting you but when did this start to happen? I thought even the cheapest Nikon for example is made in Japan or Taiwan. I didn't think China has the technology to produce higher quality optics.
I have the most expensive Leupold I could afford. (Read their cheapest model) and it's pretty good. Made in USA too. But I bought it 5 years ago...
Big Old Boy
Hunter
Leupold made in China? Mine all say made in USA.
john guedry
Single-Sixer
I have a Nikon and like it a lot. That being said, I bought a Leupold for my grandson's rifle for Christmas and looking through it I can see why some of you fellas think so highly of them.
wolfsong said:
I think you are mistaken. Some of their other products, such as range finders, are made somewhere other than the US.
Most of my scopes are Leupolds, partially because they are made in the USA. My second choice would be a Nikon.
Paul B
Hunter
Most of my scopes are Leupolds, a few a Nikons and Burris. I have had three Leupolds turn toes up on me. Thankfully two occurred at the range. The third was two years ago on an elk hunt when I got a shot at a cow elk at 350 yards. When I shot, the elk went down. So what was wrong with that? I was holding for the chest for a lung shot and the bullet broke the cow elk's neck at the base of the skull. I usually can call my shots quite close and I'd called on the chest. This kept bugging me so when I got home and rested up a couple of days I went to the range and shot the rifle. Could not get a group and shots were literally scattered all over the paper. So I packed it up a sent it back to Leupold and in a few weeks it came back totally repaired. That's always been the result regarding their warranty.
With that said, it seems the field of view at all powers and especially the magnification at 9X is less that a couple of Nikons I have. Made the comparison once again when I was checking the sights on a couple of rifles at the NRA's Whittington Center in Raton New Mexico.
Frankly I've never bought a really expensive scope until a while back when a gentleman on another site was selling a new in box Minox 2x10X plex for half price. Seems he's planned a build that didn't pan out and the scope had never been mounted on any gun. He never even got the unlimited lifetime warranty activated so I bought it. Now what to put it on? It'll probably end up on the .35 Whelen as that's my primary elk rifle but there are a couple of other options. It'll be interesting to compare a $600 scope against the $250 average price scopes I've been using.
Paul B.
With that said, it seems the field of view at all powers and especially the magnification at 9X is less that a couple of Nikons I have. Made the comparison once again when I was checking the sights on a couple of rifles at the NRA's Whittington Center in Raton New Mexico.
Frankly I've never bought a really expensive scope until a while back when a gentleman on another site was selling a new in box Minox 2x10X plex for half price. Seems he's planned a build that didn't pan out and the scope had never been mounted on any gun. He never even got the unlimited lifetime warranty activated so I bought it. Now what to put it on? It'll probably end up on the .35 Whelen as that's my primary elk rifle but there are a couple of other options. It'll be interesting to compare a $600 scope against the $250 average price scopes I've been using.
Paul B.
I tend to buy the Leupold VX-3 scopes, and I like the 2.5-8X36 and the 3.5-10X40 scopes. I like them setting low on the rifle. Frankly I think you get what you pay for. Having said that tolerances on everything are getting better and scopes are getting better. There are things to consider like eye relief and how high the scope sets up. If you buy a lower price scope DON'T ORDER IT. Take the one you look through so you have no surprises. There is a place for a lower price scope but it's not where you go a long ways to hunt.
The Preacher
Blackhawk
Leupold
mikem2
Single-Sixer
The Burris Fullfield II with ballistic plex reticle is very good for price and has excellent low light capability from my experience.
speedsixman
Single-Sixer
I haven't used one, but Vortex has an unconditional warranty at least equal to Leupold's. I am looking for a quality .22 scope, and the Vortex Diamondback 2-7 .22 scope has a larger field of view than any other similar scope on the market which is important to me.
Their site didn't state that their optics are all made in the USA, but it was implied. They are veteran owned and have some 200 employees at their facility.
I'm sure going to give them a try and see how it performs.
Myron
Their site didn't state that their optics are all made in the USA, but it was implied. They are veteran owned and have some 200 employees at their facility.
I'm sure going to give them a try and see how it performs.
Myron
Do your own research, gents, and form your own conclusions. Leupold only discusses their "Gold Ring" series of scopes when addressing the question of "made in America" or not. That leaves a lot of their other scopes and products out of their response. Asia is a very large continent with many countries. Perhaps the glass used in Leupolds is made in Malaysia? Singapore? Japan (doubtful)? Or China? Who knows. But it's not made here.
At any rate, let your eyes be the judge, budget not withstanding. Weavers and Nikons are my choices over Loopies. Your mileage may vary.
Peace and God bless, Wolfsong.
At any rate, let your eyes be the judge, budget not withstanding. Weavers and Nikons are my choices over Loopies. Your mileage may vary.
Peace and God bless, Wolfsong.
Killer
Bearcat
I've gotten numerous used Leupolds at pawnshops for good prices and had zero problems with them.
ndcowboy
Blackhawk
I'm a Nikon fan. I really like the BDC reticule.
mikem2
Single-Sixer
Great point on used leupold scopes.
They can be sent to leupold for check out and repair for low price plus shipping.
They can be sent to leupold for check out and repair for low price plus shipping.
Mike Armstrong
Hunter
Nikon, Leupold, Weaver, Burris are all good scopes, and they offer enough variety in function and price to find a good match for your need.
My main advice is don't "over scope" yourself. Go for just enough power, weight, and cost to do what you REALLY are going to do. Too many guys buy a scope/rifle combination for a shot they are never, realistically, going to take, and then wonder why they are beat and flinching after a range session (too much GUN) and tired out after an hour's hike (too much scope--less scope means you can hike easier and carry more water).
Bigger, in almost all cases, is usually worse, in my experience, and more expensive. Get a simpler, lighter scope and put the extra money into range time and ammo. THAT is always worth the money. Oh, and it's FUN, if you're not over-gunned.
My main advice is don't "over scope" yourself. Go for just enough power, weight, and cost to do what you REALLY are going to do. Too many guys buy a scope/rifle combination for a shot they are never, realistically, going to take, and then wonder why they are beat and flinching after a range session (too much GUN) and tired out after an hour's hike (too much scope--less scope means you can hike easier and carry more water).
Bigger, in almost all cases, is usually worse, in my experience, and more expensive. Get a simpler, lighter scope and put the extra money into range time and ammo. THAT is always worth the money. Oh, and it's FUN, if you're not over-gunned.
speedsixman
Single-Sixer
Mike,
Some excellent advice about being "over-scoped". There are too many people running around with 3-9 or bigger scopes that would be better served by a 1-4 or 1.5-5 scope. For anything less than very long range shots they are not needed, and take longer to get on target at shorter distance.
Myron
Some excellent advice about being "over-scoped". There are too many people running around with 3-9 or bigger scopes that would be better served by a 1-4 or 1.5-5 scope. For anything less than very long range shots they are not needed, and take longer to get on target at shorter distance.
Myron
wolfsong said:
Wolf, I'd be curious to know where you did your research. You are using a lot of generalities rather than specifics in your alegations. Just curious.
Pierow
Blackhawk
My opinion is it would be nice not to have the need for a scope ever. All quarry within open-sight distance of my .30-.30 and my peepers stay healthy and useful till the end. Also would like to win the lottery, find the right gal and ring the gong with every shot. For now I'd settle for nice helping of Pamela's dump cake. I gained two pounds just reading the ingredients.
Pierow
Pierow
