If you could only have one rifle/scope...
- Thread starter archie_james_c
- Start date
Maybe he just doesn't like Germans!
On a more serious note, Chuck you seem to have a taste for the good stuff, and apparently you have put some effort into finding the right parts and bringing them together. So yes, it does seem funny that you would choose a scope that doesn't seem up to the standards of your rifles.
What is low light to you? 45 minutes before sunrise or after sunset? To my eyes there is a very clear difference in truly low, yet still legal light. But it is not just my eyes, I read a test from Finland a while ago that used pictures of deer and lines of letter, iirc. The results were quite outstanding.
Bearkilr did a review and comparison here:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=625262&highlight=summit
I recall one review on 24hr campfire too and again the reviewer noted that the higher end scopes were head and shoulders above the others.
I have nothing against Leupold scopes - I own four - one FX-II, one VX-III, one VX-II and one 3-9 compact. At the same time I have no problem acknowledging that they do not perform like a Swarovski, S&B or Zeiss. I have owned and hunted with all except S&B, so I am not just repeating what I have read.
BTW, I think FX-3 6x42 is ~$550, and the z3 2.5-10x42 is $925.
- Location
- Yellowknife, NWT
Hmmm....
Nothing real exotic. Just a good bolt rifle with gorgeous, shiny charcoal blueing or reasonable facsimile, maybe a pre-64 Model 70, or a newer Sako. Perhaps a Cooper; I've never seen one up close but the pictures are lovely. Beautiful, presentation-grade walnut stock is a must. Ebony forend cap and pistol-grip cap, classic stock with cheekpiece but no Monte Carlo rollover. 22-lpi wraparound checkering, perhaps in a nice fleur-de-lis pattern. Chambered in a cartridge that will allow me to hunt deer, black bear, moose, caribou, elk....no big bears and not too much recoil. I prefer the classics; .30-06, .308 Win, 7mm Mauser, even a .300 Savage. Maybe a modern classic, my beloved .280 Remington. Top end, power and recoil-wise, would be the .300 H&H. I realise what I'm describing is a fancied-up Model 70 Featherweight. I'm good with that.
Throw on a decent scope. I'd be happy with a Leupold VX-III or any of the top-line Euro scopes.
Nothing real exotic. Just a good bolt rifle with gorgeous, shiny charcoal blueing or reasonable facsimile, maybe a pre-64 Model 70, or a newer Sako. Perhaps a Cooper; I've never seen one up close but the pictures are lovely. Beautiful, presentation-grade walnut stock is a must. Ebony forend cap and pistol-grip cap, classic stock with cheekpiece but no Monte Carlo rollover. 22-lpi wraparound checkering, perhaps in a nice fleur-de-lis pattern. Chambered in a cartridge that will allow me to hunt deer, black bear, moose, caribou, elk....no big bears and not too much recoil. I prefer the classics; .30-06, .308 Win, 7mm Mauser, even a .300 Savage. Maybe a modern classic, my beloved .280 Remington. Top end, power and recoil-wise, would be the .300 H&H. I realise what I'm describing is a fancied-up Model 70 Featherweight. I'm good with that.
Throw on a decent scope. I'd be happy with a Leupold VX-III or any of the top-line Euro scopes.
- Location
- AB foothills
1899, I am so very sorry you don't like some of our descisions for optics.
I choose my rifle scopes for a purpose (same as Chuck posted above), cost has nothing to do with it. I have looked through and shot with most expensive scopes. I have also spent many long nights looking at Nightforce, Swarovski, Lieca, Ziess, Schmidt and Bender and at this time for the hunting I do and the rifles I own they don't offer me anything that I cant get from Leupold and usually with much less weight. If you look at the above rifle I posted you will know that to have that exact rifle built by Darcy Echols would be a very costly venture and guess what, I don't think I would pick another scope than I did even if it was built by him instead of Leeper, in fact I am positive.
All of my rifles are wearing Leupold scopes and there are many reasons for that. A few of the biggest ones for me is knowing that whatever happens to a scope it can be fixed or replaced, lenses changed, reticles changed, turrets installed all within usually less than two weeks and have it back at my door. I have used almost all of these services from Korth and the service has always been exceptional. Even when Canada Post lost one in the mail when on return from Korth, they sent me a new one Express Post no questions asked to use until mine was found. So I guess you can say I have some serious brand loyalty as well. I have dealt with Swarovski warranty before and I can tell you this, it was not a pleasant eight month experience.
Now, when it comes to optics that I can sometimes look through all day long (binoculars and spotting scope) it will always come down to Lieca or Swarovski every time, with my preference leaning towards Leica.
Now can we get back to what the OP asked, not what you think everyone should be choosing for optics. Not sure why we should have to explain ourselves to you anyways...
I choose my rifle scopes for a purpose (same as Chuck posted above), cost has nothing to do with it. I have looked through and shot with most expensive scopes. I have also spent many long nights looking at Nightforce, Swarovski, Lieca, Ziess, Schmidt and Bender and at this time for the hunting I do and the rifles I own they don't offer me anything that I cant get from Leupold and usually with much less weight. If you look at the above rifle I posted you will know that to have that exact rifle built by Darcy Echols would be a very costly venture and guess what, I don't think I would pick another scope than I did even if it was built by him instead of Leeper, in fact I am positive.
All of my rifles are wearing Leupold scopes and there are many reasons for that. A few of the biggest ones for me is knowing that whatever happens to a scope it can be fixed or replaced, lenses changed, reticles changed, turrets installed all within usually less than two weeks and have it back at my door. I have used almost all of these services from Korth and the service has always been exceptional. Even when Canada Post lost one in the mail when on return from Korth, they sent me a new one Express Post no questions asked to use until mine was found. So I guess you can say I have some serious brand loyalty as well. I have dealt with Swarovski warranty before and I can tell you this, it was not a pleasant eight month experience.
Now, when it comes to optics that I can sometimes look through all day long (binoculars and spotting scope) it will always come down to Lieca or Swarovski every time, with my preference leaning towards Leica.
Now can we get back to what the OP asked, not what you think everyone should be choosing for optics. Not sure why we should have to explain ourselves to you anyways...
- Location
- AB foothills
I have compared the same Swarovski scope (friend owns one) next to a 3.5-10x40 Leupold VX-3 and I could see no visible difference either, neither could the owner. If there was any difference I would say the Swarovski was a tiny and I mean tiny bit clearer but not nearly enough to make a difference in the real world. These two scopes side by side was a nice comparison because they are equals in weight and size.
I never slammed him for his choice in scopes and he never slammed me for mine, we just agreed that both were nice hunting scopes and continued shooting.
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shortaction
CGN Regular
- Location
- Manitoulin Island, Ontario
Actually, the original post does not say unlimited funds, it says if you could only have one gun and scope combo, what would use.
Here legal shooting is from half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset and I have never had trouble seeing clearly at those times with Leupold vx-I,II,III scopes. So unless the other more expensive brands of scopes are going to offer less weight or greater eye relief or better warranty I can't see why I would spend the extra?
Here legal shooting is from half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset and I have never had trouble seeing clearly at those times with Leupold vx-I,II,III scopes. So unless the other more expensive brands of scopes are going to offer less weight or greater eye relief or better warranty I can't see why I would spend the extra?
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
Some of you guys have no imagination. You can only have one, doesn't have to be one you already have...
I'd probably send many thousand of $$ to Martini and have him build me something like this in .300WM, with custom mounts and an S&B 3-12x42...
or maybe a Satterlee...
Why would anyone want something that ugly?
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Clearly the best quality scope I own is my S&B PM II 4-16X. Its super clear, and when you make an adjustment, the bullet impact moves the exact amount. But this thing is huge, and belongs on a target rifle rather than a hunting rifle. The Nightforce 1-4X is my current darling for a big game scope.
I have three rifles to choose from if I were ever forced by circumstances or regulation to go through life with just one. All three are a joy to shoot, and all can handily reach out to 300+ yards when I do my part. Trying to decide which two would be forsaken would be the hard part, lets hope I never have to.
I have three rifles to choose from if I were ever forced by circumstances or regulation to go through life with just one. All three are a joy to shoot, and all can handily reach out to 300+ yards when I do my part. Trying to decide which two would be forsaken would be the hard part, lets hope I never have to.
Not funny to me, its hard to even find a picture of a Miller rifle that doesn't have a gold ring parked on it. I doubt that it has anything to do with saveing money, given the price of the rifles.
- Location
- Dah Soo,ON
1899, I hunted a powerline this morning. I took my lowly junker M8 6X32 out with me. I could see 200-300 yards down the powerline well before the 1/2 hour before sunrise. I couldnt disect the bush like a Swaro could I'm sure. But I also don't feel comfortable glassing the dark with my scope when Im on public land .
Also this thread wasn't meant as a "whats your one dream rifle". It was more like if you had to build a gun right now to do everything what would it be. I make about 20K a year...so I couldn't justify a 2000$ scope, and I'm sure a lot of others couldnt either...
.Also this thread wasn't meant as a "whats your one dream rifle". It was more like if you had to build a gun right now to do everything what would it be. I make about 20K a year...so I couldn't justify a 2000$ scope, and I'm sure a lot of others couldnt either...
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Nearly! One was layign a beating on the other and teh loser was fleeing toward us with the victor on his tail. Maybe not a "charge" but more of a baboon stampede (now that I think of it, a baboon stampede is a thoroughly horrifying prospect).
They pulled up at about 7 yards but all I could see was hair. They didn't stick around too long and vaped into the jesse but it was one situation where I wanted low power!
Back to 1899, you're right, I totally missed what you were saying about "mid range" (didn't read your clarification until after I'd replied). I think most guys go with what they know. I'm sure a Swarovski Z6 would be a great scope, but I know that I love the Leupold 1.5-5x. Even if I was wanting a higher power I would lust after a 2.5-8x Leupold before I cast about looking for something else. I'm not a fan of 30mm tubes in a hunting scope and objectives over 40mm have to be mounted too high for my liking so I generally eschew the European offerings for something from North America.
Just modest tastes I guess.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
Some of you guys have no imagination. You can only have one, doesn't have to be one you already have...
I'd probably send many thousand of $$ to Martini and have him build me something like this in .300WM, with custom mounts and an S&B 3-12x42...
or maybe a Satterlee...
A stainless Mauser with integrated quarter rib and a synthetic stock? Looks like a steam locomotive with a satellite dish on top!
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
1899, I hunted a powerline this morning. I took my lowly junker M8 6X32 out with me. I could see 200-300 yards down the powerline well before the 1/2 hour before sunrise. I couldnt disect the bush like a Swaro could I'm sure. But I also don't feel comfortable glassing the dark with my scope when Im on public land
Also this thread wasn't meant as a "whats your one dream rifle". It was more like if you had to build a gun right now to do everything what would it be. I make about 20K a year...so I couldn't justify a 2000$ scope, and I'm sure a lot of others couldnt either...
Well I guess I need to see an optometrist!
And my mistake - I thought it was a dream rifle thread.
That's how I took it - "If you could only have one gun/scope (but ANY gun/scope) what would it be?" is how I read it.
Since I can't afford an Echols Legend, it'd be an M70 Extreme Weather, but still with a Zeiss on top (albeit only a Conquest instead of a Victory).
EDIT: Someone else had the same idea as me, and I'm liking what I'm seeing:
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You need to pump the brakes there. I simply asked a question and if it is an ordeal to answer - or "explain yourself" - then don't bother. I don't really care what you or anyone else spends their money on - that is your business. I simply asked why, when price wasn't listed as a consideration, people don't desire a higher end scope. I always thought they are less popular due to difference in price and possibly the 30mm ring issue - although that problem has now been solved. I was just curious - you know - hunting forum, exchange of ideas and information. One fellow said he doesn't want to buy a German made scope - good for him if that is his reason - he has a right to that view.
You feel the Leupold has a great warranty - great, knock on wood I have never had to use any warranty service yet. Would it be the end of the world to just say - "I prefer Leupold because of their warranty or customer service"?
Good grief.
- Location
- Dah Soo,ON
You need to pump the brakes there. I simply asked a question and if it is an ordeal to answer - or "explain yourself" - then don't bother. I don't really care what you or anyone else spends their money on - that is your business. I simply asked why, when price wasn't listed as a consideration, people don't desire a higher end scope. I always thought they are less popular due to difference in price and possibly the 30mm ring issue - although that problem has now been solved. I was just curious - you know - hunting forum, exchange of ideas and information. One fellow said he doesn't want to buy a German made scope - good for him if that is his reason - he has a right to that view.
You feel the Leupold has a great warranty - great, knock on wood I have never had to use any warranty service yet. Would it be the end of the world to just say - "I prefer Leupold because of their warranty or customer service"?
Good grief.
Hahha I got what you were trying to ask 1899, dont worry.
Sorry guys what I meant was kind of like a scenario involving you having to get rid of all your gear and run just one gun to hunt and shoot steel gongs/targets with. I didn't mean your dream gun...just a nice, solid rifle/scope that are within your means.
By this I mean custom hunting rifles on common actions, synthetic or semi-fancy wood stocks, leupold/zeiss/etc optcis.
Not gold plated mauser .375 H&H's with 25000$ wood stocks and a 1.5-8 Swaro....i certainly wouldnt bring that to my range and slap it down on my backpack to shoot steel gongs at 400 yards for 2-4 hours with....
