Get what you pay for?

Good thread, I'd love to hear other people's opinions on minimum quality for a good hunting scope. I've always had hand-me-down bushnells that have served well enough, my last scope purchase was a Nikon Monarch 3-12x42, and so far I've been very impressed, and for $300 lightly used, good value. What about newer bushnells? I've also heard good things about the VX-3's for 'entry-level' quality scopes.
 
Lowest I have gone in the past is Bushnell 3200 Elites, but I have been paying close attention to the new Redfield line, and might give them a shot.

I have a cheap bushnell on a 22 plinker, but even my go to 22mag sports a Leupold rimfire.

At the range is one thing, but when your out hunting, even just squirrels and rabbits, the last thing you want is a failing scope.

The quad trails have beat the hell out of some cheap scopes on me in the past, and there's nothing worse than taking that shot and instead of excitement, you get that feeling knowing your setup has failed.
 
I agree fully with scope is an investment. Buy good,...if you don't want/use the rifle and something else catches your eye, move it on and of course you retain the good glass for future toys. I do not practice what I preach however, I am weak and undisciplined........

I will be honest and say I've cheaped out since my first Bushnell 2x-7x X 20 I mounted on my new Cooey M600 "Rabbit Killer"( Well it had the rabbit in the stock) back in 1972. I've owned a few original Redfields Golden 5's( They were bright and held zero) from the good years and Bushnells when Banner and Scopechief VI were okay. Hey I even owned a few Early World Class Tasco's circa 1985ish that I thought were worth the budget pricing. You can see now I do cheap out............anyhow.......

I remember zeroing a Remington 660 for a gentleman many years ago for Big Game season. It was topped with a 60's vintage Redfield. It was the only hunter-grade scope I've ever handled that would shoot the box all day. If you are into precision you know what it means if your optics will "Shoot the Box". I've never personally owned, on my very best, and of course these were junk in alot of minds, that would move anything even close to what the Kellogg's box said it should when I clicked. All I hoped for and usually got was a maintained zero if lucky. Here's where putting one on paper, and holding rifle to this sighting alignment while bringing the crosshairs to the bullet comes in and cuts ammo wastage.

Maybe my cheap scopes just means I buy cheap rifles,.....hmmm.....something to think about.
 
On the flip side, methinks there are a lot of 1 MOA hunting rifles out there in the hands of 6 MOA shooters... Skill requires practice and can't be bought. But of course things can be made worse with bad product.
 
There are low-dollar scopes that are rugged and provide years of dependable service. The old M8 4x Leupold immediately comes to mind. They can still be had for cheap and I have yet to see, or hear of, one failing. As well, the older Burris Fullfield can be had for well under $250 and they are very solid and clear scopes. I picked up a nice 3-9x FF a few years back for $225. Looked new but was in the used window at a gun store. I've also got a Fullfield 2-7x on my 300 H&H and it's a great scope as well. Definite bargains.
 
If anything spend more for the scope than the rifle. I would rather have a quality scope on a cheaper rifle and not the other way around.

Don't forget the scope mounts either. You can have a great scope but if the mounts are loose you have nothing. The best scope money can buy will not overcome a crappy mounting system.
 
OP, will you sell me the scope adjustment caps off the NFG scope? I'm not sure if they will fit or not, but I'd be willing to buy & try. There is no brand name on my scope which is missing a cap. Just says M6 Scout Springfield Armory. It came on the rifle that I just bought from a fello CGN's dude in Quebec. PM me if you'll sell them. Thx.
 
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