Scope recommendations please **narrowed down now, see post #15**

peter2772000

peter2772000

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As I'm relatively lost in the world of scopes/optics, I beg for the input of those "in the know". My questions are many and involve different types of rifles, be warned!

Case #1; I have a 7mm Rem Mag moose-hunting rifle I finally decided to scope. I was already partial to Leuopolds before, but after reading a thread on scopes in this section, I'm pretty well sold on them.

- Fixed or variable. Before reading the aforementioned thread, variable was definitely the only choice for me. But in retrospect, why the heck would I be constantly twirling on the magnification anyways? I'm expecting to shoot at distances of between 100-300 yrds max. Wouldn't a 4x fixed be "en masse" for this range?

- Eye relief. It seems that with the low-quality scopes I own now, I'm always backing off/re-adjusting my head to get a clear view. It's a bloody pain in the butt and the kinda thing that'd prolly muck up a quick shot for me. Is this "finickiness" due to the variable mag setting being cranked up, or is it simply a question of quality? Does a larger bell at the shooting end of a scope help in this respect? I was thinking of a 42-50mm...

- Price. I'm gunning on spending around $600-$700. Will that ensure me nice optics? Also, if I buy a used scope and it turns out to be a dud, will Leuopold ask for receipts etc for repairs under warranty?


Case #2; Tavor 21 & SwissArms CQB. Both purchased recently. I want to pick an optic that I can use on either of them. I know that I'll have to buy an aftermarket rail for the Tavor if I'm indeed unhappy with the Meprolight that it comes with.

- 1x or magnified?; Fixed or variable? Illuminated reticle or red dot? Which is more practical? For all intents and purposes, these rifles will be used for punching paper 95% of the time. But I may get into 2 or 3 gun competitions some day. I'd hate to buy something that's useless. And cool factor is of utmost importance LOL :cool:

- Options/whistles/bells; Any particular options that this gizmo should have?


I know that some questions are vague, but I have no idea where to throw myself. One of the gunshop clerks here in town had me hankering for an $1800 Elcon something or other for my CQB. But damn, that's a lot of cash for something I won't be using that often. On the other hand, I don't want to cheap out and then end up spending the big bucks just the same when I become terribly disappointed with the cheap crap I'd already purchased.

Thanks for bearing with me. ;)
 
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Don't cheap out on optic's. I use Ziess And Swarovsky. I'd just as soon use open sights than a cheap scope that can't keep zeored. For most hunting a 3x9, or 3x10 is fine, you'll need the lower magnification in poorer light. My scopes generally cost as much or more than the rifle. The sights make the rifle.
 
For the 7mm, buy a VX3 3.5-10. I don't even know how many of those I have anymore (In different generations), but I can't remember a single big game hunting situation where I wished I had something else on the rifle. There are more than few instances where I was wishing for old faithfull though. I don't buy them without a B&C anymore.
 
IOR are not the best. We were the importer and dropped them due to too many failures and the world's worst warranty support, say 8 months turnaround if they decide to honour.

Very nice glass and features. Too bad about quality control and service.
Sighron are more reliable and Nightforce is so far ahead in quality control that to compare is a joke! We still have some new IOR's that we are selling at cost with the understanding that you are on your own if warranty is required.

Regards,

Peter
 
I would suggest nightforce all the way. A 3-15x for the 7mm and a 1-4x for the tavor and swiss arms with a quick detach mount. I don't think you would be dissappointed. Buy once, cry once.lol
 
Case 1: Leupold VX-3 1.75-6x32mm. Eye relief doesn't have anything to do with objective lens diameter. The size of the objective lens affects the exit pupil (objective diameter/magnification), or light gathering capabilities of the scope. Most people's eyes have a pupil diameter of 5-7mm, which places an upper limit on how much scope exit pupil is actually usable. Anything more than a 40-42mm objective has no benefit for the sort of magnification appropriate for big game within 300 yards and will be heavier, bulkier, and require higher rings to mount.

Case 2: Some sort of low power variable of around 1-4x. Red dot sights provide fast target acquisition at close ranges, but lack precision at long ranges. Fixed magnification optics like an ACOG are much better at longer ranges, but aren't very good for very short ranges. A 1-4x variable is almost as quick as a red dot at CQB type ranges, but with the added ability to turn up magnification for long shots; the best of both worlds.
 
Ok, so now I need guidance as to which grade Leupold to go with.

Leupold VX II 3-9x40
Either new @ $455.94 less my 10% discount at Le Baron plus taxes, or used.


Leupold VX 3 3.5-10x40 (non-illuminated)
Either new on special @ $570 (regularly $699.94) at Le Baron plus taxes, or used.


I can't take this anymore. My hurt heads :D
Leupold purposely mucks with your head by having VX 3 and VX III. Like I mean, Jesus...
 
For the kind of money your talking, consider taking a serious look at a Elite 4200 2.5-10x40. Or even a 6500 2.5-16x42. You won't match dollar to dollar quality with any other brand. I like to pay for quality and not have to pay extra for a name. Just like Harleys, they are all yesterdays technologies which you pay far to much just for a name.
 
canadaman30 said:
For the kind of money your talking, consider taking a serious look at a Elite 4200 2.5-10x40. Or even a 6500 2.5-16x42. You won't match dollar to dollar quality with any other brand. I like to pay for quality and not have to pay extra for a name. Just like Harleys, they are all yesterdays technologies which you pay far to much just for a name.
Click to expand...

Which is why I refused to even test-drive a Harley. I hate it when people buy stuff as a status symbol. Beemers are a particular pet-peeve, as is Armani, Gucci etc...

What concerns me is warranty claims. I cannot find anyone who complained about either the turn-around time or the quality of the repair when a Leupold did crap out. Yet you hear griping about mostly all of the other brands. And what shocked me the most is that I read about complaints from people who'd bought Swarofski and Zeis as well. That's scary.

I want a quality scope that I can forget about. I want to spend no more than $1k, and would be more'n happy to pay less. If there's one thing I absolutely abhor, it's skimping on a product and then regretting it every time I see/use it. I wanna do this right the first time...;)
 
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I can sell you a Bushnell Sportview I have not used since 1988 , It comes with Leupold lens covers and a 20 moa base good for 300 yards, shipped to your door insured for 995.00 :)
 
Nothing wrong with the Bushnell 4200 series, or the 6500 although they are a larger, heavier scope, if these don't turn your crank, you cant beat the V3 from Leup. If you are certain that your won't need the extra magnification, I wouldn't hesitate to get a str. 4 power, less things to go wrong, in the dark on opening day.
 
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