Rifle Scope...........

[Moosie]

Tell me the best one and Why !!!

I like I'Buglers because it has the distance on it with lines. But jsut wondering what you guys would buy if you had the coins.. Or what you've bought and how you like it !!!

[Steiny]

I have been very satisfied with Leupold scopes. The quality of the optics is hard to beat for the money.
Have pretty well settled on the 2.5 x 7 power scopes for my guns that aren't likely to shoot at something over about 250 yards, and the 4x12 power scopes on my longer range hunting rigs.

Longest I've ever shot a big game animal was a touch over 400 yards, so I don't need the mil dots or any of that stuff for hold over. Just carry a laser and know where my rifle hits out to those ranges.

I like the simplicity of a single cross hair. My go to guns are .270 and .300 Weatherby which have similar trajectory. Sight these rigs in for a 250 yard zero, and you don't need to think about much, so long as the critter is under 300 yards or so. Just center up on the vitals and shoot. Sometimes there is not much time for shot evaluation and analysis.

[Moosie]

Sometimes there is not much time for shot evaluation and analysis.

I agree, At close ranges sometimes not. But uhhh, at 300-400 yards if there isn't enough time to Drop a range on the animal and get a good rest Then you're just winging a bullet anyways .. ???

Last fall I used 'Buglers gun and liked the different Cross hairs. Dunno if I'll buy one or not but I have some good tags this year and I'd love to change my setup a little...

And Cali... no, I don't mean my bullets ;)

[mtmiller]

Not sure what "the different crosshairs" are, but I will guess a ballistic plex reticle.

I purchased a Burris ballistic plex last year and didn't like it. I sent it back and got a Leupold B&C 4.5-14. Lots of folks think it is silly for that much magnification, but it works for me and I think you can get a 2.5-8 (3 oz difference) if that floats your boat.

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/opticsplanet/leupold-vx-iii-boone-crockett-biggame-deer.jpg

Don't know if I need the ballistic plex, but it is pretty cool aiming dead on at 500 yards when shooting milk jugs.

Good luck on the hunts this year.

[Moosie]

MtMiller... NON of us "NEED" a scope even, Pa used to use a 30.30 open sights ;)

I'm looking at the Leup. VX III 3.5-10x 40mm Matte (B&C) @ About $550.

The 14x runs around $680. Something at 500 yards looks like it's at 50yd's. With a 14x it looks like it's at 36. 14 yards closer... ?? At 300 it's 30 and 22. a difference of 8.

I would think instead of the higher magnification, would it be better to go with the 50mm instead of the 40mm for light gathering ? (Sure I can use a spotlight... but ... ;) )

[mtmiller]

I think the 40 glass light transmission is more than adequate for my hunting.

Your price quote on the 14x is for the 50mm, if you go with the 40mm it is only $579. The 10X is $549. What do $30 and 1.5 oz mean to you.

I am not seeing the logic in your math, but that's alright. I see it as 40% more magnigfication, but that's just me.

Some folks like the straight 6, others 3-9 and for me 4.5-14. Lots of choices and hell, you have a clean credit card, buy 3 or 4 scopes and decide.

Later, I am out to scout a lope in this 100 degree weather.:D

[danr55]

Nikon 4-12X44 MilDot Reticle. With a little practice, you can compensate for bullet drop and windage out to farther than you should be shooting.

:cool:

[IdahoBugler]

Not sure what "the different crosshairs" are, but I will guess a ballistic plex reticle.

I purchased a Burris ballistic plex last year and didn't like it. I sent it back and got a Leupold B&C 4.5-14. Lots of folks think it is silly for that much magnification, but it works for me and I think you can get a 2.5-8 (3 oz difference) if that floats your boat.

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/opticsplanet/leupold-vx-iii-boone-crockett-biggame-deer.jpg

Don't know if I need the ballistic plex, but it is pretty cool aiming dead on at 500 yards when shooting milk jugs.

Good luck on the hunts this year.I use the 3.5x10x40 and love it. I haven't used all the scopes out there but I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be looking for a new one for a while.

[A-con]

I just put a new "Kahles" 3X9X42 with the "TDS" reticle on my mule deer gun.
I've only taken it out shooting once, but so far I'm impressed.
Opticaly, this thing is super clear and bright. It replacedl a Leupold VX III 3.5X10X 40, and the difference is like night and day. The Kahles is so much clearer and sharper it is like having a bigger scope, I didn't need my spotter to see .270 holes at 200 yards. The adjustments worked better, 1/4 MOA ment just that, 3 klicks ment 3/4" at 100 exactly.
I havn't had a chance to play with the TDS system yet, but it looks good.
TDS is similer to Leupolds B&C, it's the same range/drop reticle that Swarovski uses.
Kahles discontunied these, but "Dave Kauffman" still has some in stock, and for under $600, you might want to check them out.

Another euro scope to look at is the Zeiss Conquest. Ziess has their version of a range compensating retical. The Conquest is within a hundred bucks of the Leupold, and like the Kahles it's in a whole nother ball park opticaly.

[schmalts]

I recently bought 2 scopes. A Lupy and a Nikon with the bullet drop compensator. I like both of them.

[Moosie]

I am not seeing the logic in your math, but that's alright. I see it as 40% more magnigfication, but that's just me.



MtMiller, What does 10x mean ? Doesn't it mean it brings the object 10 times closer ? some soemthnig at 100 yards looks like it's at 10 yards ? That was my math, If it's wrong, thats OK, butthen explain what the "Magnification" on the scope means.

[AZ402]

I just bought a Meopta Meostar 4x16x44 for my 25-06. Great glass and It has the mil-dot reticle. Not sure if it's the best but it's one of the best for sure......

[kiwi hunta]

Thats a great choice, the local gun shop has one and a Docter optics for sale, man those Europeans scopes are great, I just bought a 2.5 to 10 by 48Hertel and Reuss for my 25.06 waiting for it to arrive from Germany,
Cheers.

[BuzzH]

I've never liked the scopes with different cross-hairs or dots...too "busy" for my liking.

I do prefer the dot reticles versus standard crosshairs. Its easier and quicker for me to pick up the dot in the scope in low-light, plus I can use the dot for a range-finder if I dont have an actual range-finder with me.

I sight my rifles in for dead zero at 300...which means I dont aim off hair out to 400. The rangefinder stays in the pack for everything from 0-300. Past 300 I range first and typically have time...so no need to be "winging" quick shots at 400 plus.

I prefer nothing bigger than 40mm objectives and nothing over 12x. Most of my rifles have either 2x7's, straight 4x's or 3x9's...with the exception of my varmint rig which has a 4-12x...and has spent 99% of its time on 8x. I prefer leupold over all others for price, clarity, warranty, and ruggedness.

I have burris, redfield, and a few old k4 steel-tube weavers that I've never had a problem with and have been good scopes as well.

[ashersdad]

I bought a Zeiss 3x9x50 for my new rifle. Only shot it a few times but so far no complaints. I really like how clear it is compared to other scopes I've used.

[Muley Crazy]

I just bought the Lepould VXL 6.5 to 20 by 56 then I shipped it off to the custom shop and had them build a bullet drop comp for my 300 win mag they say its good out to 850 yards but I don't feel to good beyond 600 with NO wind I have only put 60 rds down range so far but I have killed a lot of paper plates!! For the winers those type of shot are shot from prone only with a solid rest with only my check and finger touching the trigger

[Larry Landgren]

I always sware by the leupolds with the premier reticle dot system up intell premier reticle stopped doing them for leupold. I have 3 - VX III 4.5 - 14 X 40MM scopes and 2- V X III 6.5 - 20 X 50MM on my rifles all with the dot system and have never had fogging issues or any accuraccy issues. Only negative things i have seen with the dot system is your scope has to be cranked up to full power for the dots to work correctly.

For future scopes
Since I can no longer go with the doy system i will stick with Leupold but go with the turrent system

[Bambistew]

Most all my scopes are 3x9 leupolds, either VX1 or vari x 2's. I have a couple 2x7's on short range big boomers, also have one 4x12 leupy, and a 4x14 Simmmons on my 22. I've had problems using the higher magnification scopes, because I tend to use my x-hairs for range finding. I missed a really nice antelope one fall because I used the 14x scope on 14 and figured he was much closer than he really was. Consequetly I got to watch my bullet strike the dirt infront of him, and then run off. Bought a range finder the next fall. :D

No fancy reticules just standard crosshairs for me. I sight in for dead on at 300 yards +/-, and with most of my rifles at 400 its not more than 12" drop, most are in the 8" range with is holding on the spine and a dead critter at that range. I think the farthest I've ever killed an animal was a little over 400 yards, I'd say 90% of all other critters were inside 300 for the most part. The only problem with sighting in for a 300 yard zero is you really should aim about 3-4" low at 100 yards otherwise you'll shoot em in the spine. Still dead, but tends to ruin a little back strap from time to time. :D

[Big Fin]

Boy, I guess I am old school. All of my rifles carry fixed 6X Leopolds on a 42mm tube. After a while, you get very accustomed to gauging distances just by how large the object is in the scope. Had variable scopes, but found that I really didn't need the highest powers and the hassle of adjusting them all the time.

Straight powers work for me, but I have always been a little slow to pick up on a good idea.

[elk_hunter]

I just bought a Meopta Meostar 4x16x44 for my 25-06. Great glass and It has the mil-dot reticle. Not sure if it's the best but it's one of the best for sure......

How much was that? I just saw an ad for the first time on these scopes this weekend.

[elk_hunter]

I just bought the Lepould VXL 6.5 to 20 by 56 then I shipped it off to the custom shop and had them build a bullet drop comp for my 300 win mag they say its good out to 850 yards but I don't feel to good beyond 600 with NO wind I have only put 60 rds down range so far but I have killed a lot of paper plates!! For the winers those type of shot are shot from prone only with a solid rest with only my check and finger touching the trigger

That's what I was thinking of doing...something with a bullet drop compensation. Although, I've heard really good things about the Shepherd scopes that do this. Thoughts on Shepherd?

[brymoore]

I own the Burris Fullfield in 3x9x40. Its a good scope for the price level - a lower end medium level scope. I don't use the Ballistic Plex feature - I have my rifle sighted in for its MPBR. Shots up to 300 yards are held dead on, I drop eight inches at 400 yards. I don't shoot much past 400 yards.

In preparing for my sheep hunt, I have bought Swarovski binoculars. They've ruined me optically. Once you've played with great glass, everything else seems dark. I'm slowly going to upgrade the rest of my optics to the top three over the next few years. For a rifle scope, I'll probably consider the Zeiss Conquest and the Swaros. The Swaros seem light for their size.

[Muley Crazy]

elk hunter not to sure about shepherd scopes I don't know any thing about them. When you send your scope to Lepould they will ask for bullet type, bullet weight, BC, feet per sec (out of your gun) not what the manufacture says, average altitude, average temp, etc.... then they build your drop comp with that info for that round. If you want to change rds send in the new info and $90 and the will build a new one !! I paid 250 for mine but I got windage also. The cost up front is a little more but after that its not bad

[Spitz]

I'll second what Miller said. I have the VXIII 4.5-14 x 40 on my .300 and like it. You can get one brand new with warranty on ebay for $489 with the duplex and $550 with the B&C reticle. For the negligible price and weight difference you're picking up more power. When I've forgotten binoculars the extra 4x magnification came in handy.

If you go with the duplex reticle you can send the scope in to the Leupold custom shop and for $160 total get a custom BDC elevation dial like Muley Crazy's got. It's s'posed to be pretty cool. You just need to have your load info handy and stick with the same load for good results.

I don't know why you're worried about a rifle scope though, sounds like with the tags you drew 380" bulls will lick the sweat off the soles of your feet while they're hanging out the truck window. All you have to do is open the door, unzip your pants, club them over the head and load them up. :)

[Dangerous Dave]

BuzzH and I are on the same page. Nothing but a dot and crosshairs for me. I LOVE the Leupold dot/cpc reticle.
I've tried superfine crosshairs, balisticplex, duplex, peep-plex (Burris), European post reticles, milldot, etc... I've found that the more dots, lines, brackets, arrows, and numbers you have floating around in the ocular end tends to totally distact you to the point of causing you to forget where your sights are pointed when the rifle goes off. Least it does for me.
I'm a Leupold snob (all my rifles have them) but I've got to admit that there are brighter and clearer scopes out there. Most Leupolds come from the factory with their depth of field focused at 200 yards, and that's why they don't appear to be so clear at 100. For most ranges it's clear enough.
Gave my brother a 50mm Leupold, and he loves it and it fits his rifle great. It's great for looking at the craters on the moon.

[Calif. Hunter]

I don't have any scopes with an objective bigger than 42 or 44 mm. On my .257 Wthby, I have a 4.5-14 Nikon with the BDC. Since the Wthby shoots so flat, I have not yet used the compensation function of the reticle. On 2 Tikka T-3 Lites in .243 and .300 Win, I have 4.5-14 x 40 Burris Short Mag scopes. On everything else, I have 3-9 x 40 scopes, except for my .358 which has a Leupold Compact variable that goes up to 8x.

[AZ402]

How much was that? I just saw an ad for the first time on these scopes this weekend.

They are about $800, give or take a few bucks....

[elk_hunter]

They are about $800, give or take a few bucks....

OMG

[1_pointer]

If I had my druthers, all my big game rifles would be wearing fixed power scopes. Just less to go wrong and they're a bit lighter. I like Leupold for their ruggedness and warranty, plus thier optically good enough for me. A riflescope is just a place to hold your sights, binos and spotters are where I'd be concered with optically superiority.

PS- I doubt one gets that much more light gathering ability with a 50mm vs a 40mm. Any exit pupil over about 5mm is wasted because our eyes can't adjust any more than that.

[Calif. Hunter]

I remember reading that Leupold's compact ( I think it was 2.5 - 8 x 33) was actually their brightest scope, as it is easier to get smaller lenses matched. That is the scope I have on my .358, and it is a great one.