Entry scopes - value, hardiness and functionality?

[H Wally]

Mmk - first off, I have scoured the reviews, but haven't found any in depth comparisons, so would like your opinions.

I'm looking to scope three rifles:

30-30

K31
Swedish mauser in 6.5 with heavy barrel

For the 30-30, conditions I hunt in are generally close bush, with some shots getting to 200 yards when there's a deer in a clearing. Generally these are in poor light, so a low power bright image is what's needed. During day the irons are fine, but I'm finding that in first light and late evening I'm losing my front sight and having problems keeping things lined up, but when I borrow a scoped gun these problems decrease significantly.

For the k31 and swede, I just want something that lets me see way out there if need be. Both these guns have shown themselves to be capable of great accuracy, so I'd like to see how much better I can get with finer sights. A variable sight would be ideal in case I ever wanted to bring them into non-range conditions where I may not want to look up a squirrel's nose at 500m.

So far I've identified Sightron, vortex and redfield as all good options. All three offer lifetime warranties, which I really like, as I've never had a whole lot of faith in scopes
Providing quality is similar, I would prefer to save money. That said, if there's a reason to buy better and it can be explained, I'm willing to make the extra effort in the belief that a better tool will last longer and work better.


The only cgn page similar to this one offered suggestions of companies, but not scopes for specific purposes/rifles/situations, hence my thread.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=659169

 

[little_airwolf]

I'm very hapy with my tasco 10x40 50mmm scope. Yes it's cheap, $180 bucks w/ two different sun shades. It my be overkill but I realy like it. Most peope stay away from tasco but the more expensive models I haven't had issues with.

 

[brybenn]

I've had great luck with barska scopes. They're cheap but work well. Even when my dumbass buddy dropped it on concrete and dented the bell housing. Still holds perfect zero. My 6-24-44 is alil fuzzy past 18 power tho nice clear and bright image at 14 or less.

 

[Crashman]

Mmk - first off, I have scoured the reviews, but haven't found any in depth comparisons, so would like your opinions.

I'm looking to scope three rifles:

30-30

K31
Swedish mauser in 6.5 with heavy barrel

For the 30-30, conditions I hunt in are generally close bush, with some shots getting to 200 yards when there's a deer in a clearing. Generally these are in poor light, so a low power bright image is what's needed. During day the irons are fine, but I'm finding that in first light and late evening I'm losing my front sight and having problems keeping things lined up, but when I borrow a scoped gun these problems decrease significantly.

For the k31 and swede, I just want something that lets me see way out there if need be. Both these guns have shown themselves to be capable of great accuracy, so I'd like to see how much better I can get with finer sights. A variable sight would be ideal in case I ever wanted to bring them into non-range conditions where I may not want to look up a squirrel's nose at 500m.

So far I've identified Sightron, vortex and redfield as all good options. All three offer lifetime warranties, which I really like, as I've never had a whole lot of faith in scopes
Providing quality is similar, I would prefer to save money. That said, if there's a reason to buy better and it can be explained, I'm willing to make the extra effort in the belief that a better tool will last longer and work better.


The only cgn page similar to this one offered suggestions of companies, but not scopes for specific purposes/rifles/situations, hence my thread.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=659169

For your 30-30 I would suggest something like a Vortex Diamondback 1.75-5X32 or at most a 2-7X35. These are nice light weight scopes that would work well on this tyoe of firearms for the conditions you mentioned. Cost would be about $200.

For the K31 and the Swede, you could go to a Vortex Diamondback 3-9X40, or a 4-12X40. These are bigger scopes, with higher magnification and come in around the $220 mark.

You will be hard pressed to find better value for you money. Irecently read a review that showed the Vortex Diamondback up against the Nikon, Bushenell, Redfield, and Burris in similar price point and the Vortex was the favoured scope of the reviewer.

Good luck!

 

[mlehtovaara]

For your 30-30 I would suggest something like a Vortex Diamondback 1.75-5X32 or at most a 2-7X35. These are nice light weight scopes that would work well on this tyoe of firearms for the conditions you mentioned. Cost would be about $200.

For the K31 and the Swede, you could go to a Vortex Diamondback 3-9X40, or a 4-12X40. These are bigger scopes, with higher magnification and come in around the $220 mark.

You will be hard pressed to find better value for you money. Irecently read a review that showed the Vortex Diamondback up against the Nikon, Bushenell, Redfield, and Burris in similar price point and the Vortex was the favoured scope of the reviewer.

Good luck!

This will be the way I go in the next couple weeks deciding on a 30-06/300 win mag. I am certain of the scope, just not so much the gun. LOL

 

[mlehtovaara]

A good read on some bargain scopes:

w w w.opticsthoughts.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29:qi nexpensive-scopeq-comparison&catid=4:rifle-scope-reviews&Itemid=4

Results:

1st Place - Vortex Diamondback
2nd Place - Burris FFII
3rd Place - Bushnell 3200
4th Plcee - Redfield Revolution
5th Plcae - Nikon Prostaff

I have both a Bushnell 3200, and a Redfield and agree with his placement of the 2 of them. I have heard of warranty issues with Burris and that is the only reason I haven't tried one of them yet. Like I said I am gonna be trying out the Vortex for my next scope, most likely in a 2-7 x 35 on a 30-06.

 

[gunpro]

for the 30-30 go with the 2-7x35 Vortex Diamondback
The other rifles you could opt for the 3-9x40 in the Diamond back line or get Crossfire's on 2 and put a Viper on the one that is special to you.

Hands down, if you ever needed warranty, Vortex would be the simplest and the best option here in Canada. Should have said IF you needed warranty on a Vortex

 

[Bassmaster]

'So far I've identified Sightron, vortex and redfield as all good options. All three offer lifetime warranties, which I really like, as I've never had a whole lot of faith in scopes'

I've always preferred the irons, so I feel your pain. I've recently started the switch over to 'glass' because of the age and eyes thing, and although I can't comment on Vortex or Sightron, my 'test' Redfield has made me wonder why I didn't do it sooner.....the price and warranty can't be beat......just my $0.02...

 

[peacefrog]

Have a look through the scopes you are considering. You would be surprised how much difference is actually visible in the quality of the glass. I recently checked out Millet, Bushnell and Leopold. By far Bushnell and Leopold had nicer glass, the millet glass was visibly distorted, the Bushnell and Leo glass, was smooth and precise, no distortion. I've had good luck with Bushnell Elites, and I recently bought a Sightron 6-24x50, which is excellent, however the reticle is a little thick - minor. Bushnell, Sightron, Vortex and Leopold all offer good to great optics that should fit budget and needs. I'm just waiting for Sightron to come out with their new 1-7x for my AR.