Scopes/Optics

[AJ]

There is a lot of opinion when it comes to optics. Some stick with "name brand" some go for value. Pick out the features you want in a scope and use that to narrow your search. For instance, I buy 44mm objectives. That eliminates Leupold, why they only have them on the competition scopes is beyond me. Maybe you want a certain magnification and it will eliminate some models/brands. You are the one that is shelling out the $ for a scope, get what you want.

Light transmission

There are a lot of scopes that give good light transmission. It is also fairly objectionable. What is a bright picture to me may not be the same to you. You have to compare them side by side. Sometimes even scope to scope.

Optical Clarity

Again, this is another objectionable but important quality. It can also play together with the light transmission level. During the last few seconds of legal shooting light can you still make out your target?

Magnification Range

What power level do you want? If you want certain magnification levels, it can reduce the choices.

Tube Diameter

Do you want 1" or 30mm? The 30mm scopes often offer bigger exit pupils for better light transmission. This also comes at a price of not only higher prices, but also larger rings and higher weight.

Scope Weight

If you are outfitting an Ultra Lightweight rifle, you don't want a 2 pound scope on top. Usually, the higher quality scopes are lighter than the cheaper scopes.

Objective Diameter

Larger diameter objective lenses will give bigger fields of view. They also will determine how high your rings need to be. When choosing a 50mm and larger diameter objective it can mean extra high rings. These are not the best things for accuracy. Too often they place the shooters head too far above the stock for a rock solid gun mount. Keep that in mind.

Mechanical Repeatability

This can be important in a varmint gun or a gun that will have the scopes adjustment changed frequently. For the typical deer gun, its not that big of a deal.

Holding Zero

This is one of the most important in my opinion. I can live with a scope that is a little darker, not quite as clear, weighs more, etc as long as it stays put. It can be the clearest, brightest, lightweight scope in the world, if it does not hold zero, its junk.

The nice thing about Cabelas catalog is the scope specifications. It lists all the info in one place. You can compare scope to scope and weed out models that don't match what you want.

[Huntr104]

I prefer my Nikon Monarch UCC scopes. I even like them better than my Leupold VX-III's.

But for the money. The Nikon Pro Staff scopes are very nice too. I have a couple of them as well

[JimT]

AJ pretty much summed it up, but I actually prefer a 40mm or 32mm scope just because of the gaumminess of them. If you have good glass a 44mm is not needed in my opinion. I have had great luck with Weaver and leupold scopes. I also have a Burris Fullfield II that is nice, but I do not like how you have to turn the entire back of the scope to change power. There is nothing wrong with the Vari-X III at all. I would buy one in a minute.

[Orion_70]

I shoot Leupold and have never had a problem with any of them. Other people I know swear by the European optics;Zeis, Swarovski, and khales. The leupold scopes have always done great for me I've wanted to try some of the European scopes though, just to see if they are as good as they say. AJ pretty much summed it all up though.

[tedicast]

I recently bought a Bushnell 3200 elite, 3X9X40. I am very impressed for the money. I have a Leupold Vari-x 2, 2x7, and I think the busnell is a nicer scope, for less money. Just my opinion.

[MarylandQDMA]

one word: BURRIS!
http://www.burrisoptics.com/
I have 2 one on my 50cal encore (signuture searies 3x9x50) and one on my 7-08 encore (Black Diamond 4x16x50) you just can't beat the quality for the price!
frank

[too_pointer]

N2, good choice, you should be plenty happy with that
too_pointer

[robk]

for my encore 25-06 i use anikon buckmaster in 3x9x40 and it is one of th enicest scopes i have ever owned and i wouldn't be afraid of using the legend from bushnell. i have used their lazer range finder the pro 600 for several years and it works flawlessly and by next muzzleloader season i will have a legend 2x7x32 or 40. they are 95%light transmission so your going to be bright and clear at low light conditions and you need that for those late arriving deer. you don't have to pay a fortune for a good quality scope but if i had the money i would dang sure buy the more expensive toys. but since i have to be frugal in purchases i spend many an hour reading and gong out and checking out the different scopes to find what i need. and in my price range. a budget is what you look at in most of oour lives and you have to save up for your specials and to me a scope is in a special need and i sure like them. bushnell and nikon work for me
good luck
rob k