How much money should you accually spend on a scope???
- Thread starter cereal83
- Start date
The usual rule-of-thumb is that one shold spend about the same amount of money on the scope as on the rifle. $100 rifle = $100 scope.
However, above a certain price one starts to see diminishing returns. Is a $300 scope 3 times better than a $100 scope? Probably. Is a $1500 scope really 3 times better than $500 dollar scope? Probably not.
On the other paw, if you think you really need to squeeze out that last 60 seconds of legal shooting time, on an overcast day, in deep woods, maybe the extra $1000 is a wise investment.
It needs also to be pointed-out that good, well installed mounts are even more important that the quality of the scope.
However, above a certain price one starts to see diminishing returns. Is a $300 scope 3 times better than a $100 scope? Probably. Is a $1500 scope really 3 times better than $500 dollar scope? Probably not.
On the other paw, if you think you really need to squeeze out that last 60 seconds of legal shooting time, on an overcast day, in deep woods, maybe the extra $1000 is a wise investment.
It needs also to be pointed-out that good, well installed mounts are even more important that the quality of the scope.
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I second Splatter!
An older gunsmith I used to deal with always told me to be prepared to spend as much for the scope as for the rifle... If you have $1000 to spend, a $500 rifle and a $500 scope is better then a $900 with a $100 scope.
I always though it made sense... Even more so since he did not deal in optics, so I was spending less in his shop.
Mike.
An older gunsmith I used to deal with always told me to be prepared to spend as much for the scope as for the rifle... If you have $1000 to spend, a $500 rifle and a $500 scope is better then a $900 with a $100 scope.
I always though it made sense... Even more so since he did not deal in optics, so I was spending less in his shop.
Mike.
I definately recommend the Bushnell Elite series. I have a 3200 3x9x40 on my .308 and it works like a champ!
The raingaurd coating is fantastic for crappy weather. Whilst hunting, my rifle takes a pretty good beating, as does my scope, and to date it stands up to the test.
Great value for the buck!
The raingaurd coating is fantastic for crappy weather. Whilst hunting, my rifle takes a pretty good beating, as does my scope, and to date it stands up to the test.
Great value for the buck!
I have a few of the 3200's in both 3-9x and 2-7x, and like them all. Another Bushnell (though without the Rainguard) which I think is pretty good value for the money is the Legend. I have one in the 2-7x which I bought new for less than $150. I find it very clear and bright. The Leupold scopes are excellent, and their warranty is legendary. A friend of mine picked up one with a broken cross hair at a garage sale for $2, sent it to Leupold, and got a brand new one in return. I know lots of very successful hunters though, who have used so-called "lesser" optics for many many years with no, or very few problems. Beware the super cheap bargain optics, and beware as well, those who claim you can't possibly get years of satisfactory use of something costing less than a Leupie, Zeiss, Swaro, or the like. Hey...the shopping can be half the fun!
I have four 3200s. They represent the best value on your dollar. Two of them are sitting on my 300WM and 45/70. No issue with recoil and/or eye relief.
If money is no object I will go for Leupold VIII. I think the VII is almost as good as the 3200, except you pay 30-50% more for the VII. Check the prices out at Le Baron.
If you ever hunt in the rain and/or snow, Rainguard is a life saver.
Warranty: Same life time transferable. Even better the Bushnell HQ is in Markham and Leupold repair depot is in Alberta.
I have not use the warranty service on my 3200s. I took a 25+ year old Busnell Custom scope for cleaning once. They did it for me within 30 minutes. No question asked.
Danny Boy
If money is no object I will go for Leupold VIII. I think the VII is almost as good as the 3200, except you pay 30-50% more for the VII. Check the prices out at Le Baron.
If you ever hunt in the rain and/or snow, Rainguard is a life saver.
Warranty: Same life time transferable. Even better the Bushnell HQ is in Markham and Leupold repair depot is in Alberta.
I have not use the warranty service on my 3200s. I took a 25+ year old Busnell Custom scope for cleaning once. They did it for me within 30 minutes. No question asked.
Danny Boy
Cheap scope that has served me well for my .22
I have a Ruger 10/22, and the scope I chose was a $60.00 Tasco golden antler 3x9. This scope is rugged, and has a lifetime warranty on it. Alot of guys have $500.00+ scopes on their .22 rifles. This is an absolute joke. The EFFECTIVE range of ANY .22 Long Rifle shell is really no more than 100 yards for most of us, and if your using it for gophers or other small varmints(the best use for a .22 in Saskatchewan I might add) most of your 'hunting' takes place anywhere from 15-50 yards. Even target shooting with a .22 is a little tedious at over 50 yards unless you have a real target gun (or a 10/22 with every mod Volquartsen ever made), in my opinion anyways. One suggestion I would make if you are going to use the .22 for gopher or squirrel hunting, is that you get raised 'see-through' scope rings. This way you can still use your open sight for a really close shot. Just my 2 cents.
I have a Ruger 10/22, and the scope I chose was a $60.00 Tasco golden antler 3x9. This scope is rugged, and has a lifetime warranty on it. Alot of guys have $500.00+ scopes on their .22 rifles. This is an absolute joke. The EFFECTIVE range of ANY .22 Long Rifle shell is really no more than 100 yards for most of us, and if your using it for gophers or other small varmints(the best use for a .22 in Saskatchewan I might add) most of your 'hunting' takes place anywhere from 15-50 yards. Even target shooting with a .22 is a little tedious at over 50 yards unless you have a real target gun (or a 10/22 with every mod Volquartsen ever made), in my opinion anyways. One suggestion I would make if you are going to use the .22 for gopher or squirrel hunting, is that you get raised 'see-through' scope rings. This way you can still use your open sight for a really close shot. Just my 2 cents.
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I do not really agree with Mykhaylo, putting an expensive scope on a 22lr is not a waste nor a joke as far as I am concerned. I shoot my 22's ten times as often as my centerfire. So for me it make sense to get the nicest 22's and the nicest optic to go on it. I get to enjoy them all the more.
Mike.
Mike.
my own rifles all carry leupold VXI or VXII scopes good glass and have longer eye relief than the bushnell's ... started with a bushnell banner scope on my .270 got changed to a leupold after scrounging up the cash for one.
also the leupold scopes have a lifetime warrenty regardless of damage or cause and is serviced in highriver (just south of Calgary) i believe.
also the leupold scopes have a lifetime warrenty regardless of damage or cause and is serviced in highriver (just south of Calgary) i believe.
john-brennan
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Vancouver Island B.C.
scopes
In my exsperience a good scope is priceless i own a pile of VXII 3x9 leupolds and have owned 3200 (not bad) but i would go with no less than a VXI for warrenty reasons, and i like leupold eye relief and optics better. Save $400.00 and get a VXII if you can.
In my exsperience a good scope is priceless i own a pile of VXII 3x9 leupolds and have owned 3200 (not bad) but i would go with no less than a VXI for warrenty reasons, and i like leupold eye relief and optics better. Save $400.00 and get a VXII if you can.
I have a Leupold VX -1 3-9x40 on my 30/06 and don't regret spending the extra money.
I think I got it for around $350 from wholesale sports.
I could be wrong about the price but it was around there.
good quality scope
I think I got it for around $350 from wholesale sports.
I could be wrong about the price but it was around there.
good quality scope
