Quick Question Regarding Rifle Scopes..

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mrbill

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I have heard a few theories regarding scope price in relation to rifle price. The first is that the scope should cost as much as the rifle. The second is that the price of the scope should be 1/2 the price of the rife(ie- $400 rifle gets a $200 scope). I have also heard..."You don't put a silver saddle on a donkey."....meaning you don't put a $400 scope on a $150 gun. And then there are people who say it doesn't matter either way.
I know it's all personal preference in the end, I was just wondering if there was a generally agreed up rule regarding this. I know ruggedness, clarity, brightness...etc are more important than price, I'm just curious.
Thank you in advance.
 
I agree with vis35. My $280 VX-II works just fine with my $450 M77 for hunting, but I don't think any <$100 scope would be adequate to allow something like a 700 PSS or Model 70 Stealth to shoot at it's potential. I also wouldn't want less than a VX-I on a hunting rifle, although I've considered putting a cheap ($40-60) rimfire scope on my 10/22.

For hunting or typical recreational shooting, I don't think you can really go wrong with a Leupold, Nikon, or Burris with whatever specs and price you want.
 
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My general guideline is the (at least) 50% rule. But, as you mentioned, it is totally personal preference. Some folks have to problem with topping off a gun with a $30 BEC, and if in a (financial/time) pinch, they will do. Be prepared for any shortcomings, though.

If build quality and optics are very important to you, you'll pay more. How much more depends on how high a build quality and optical level you want or need to go. Again, some folks think a VX-I (or similar) is good enough, others want the highest.

It's my opinion that the more you get a chance to look though a bunch of different scopes of the entire spectrum of build quality and optics, the more you will gravitate to the higher end. At least, that's how it was for me.
 
You should buy the best scope you can afford, however don't let the snobs who brag about spending $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ get to you.

Case in point, I have a rather inexpensive Bushnell 3x9 scope on my Winchester Model 70 .30/06 bolt rifle. I've had both for probably going on 25 years now and that scope has been through everything, rain, snow, sleet, submersed in water (when I fell into chest deep water crossing a creek), been dropped by my brother, and I have zero problems to report.

There are some fine inexpensive scopes out there, Leupold makes some, Bushnell is another. There 3200 series is supposed to be excellent.
 
Scope prices

I really think that as in most things, you do get what you pay for, meaning a cheap BSA anything will not last long or be reliable (from personal experience). Tasco is o.k. for some things, but they have changed hands several times recently and so things have become spotty.

For anything I use seriously (I am NOT law Enforcment) such as hunting or serious long range target shooting, I will spend A LOT MORE money on scope than the gun.

For instance, My huntimg rifle is a custom built 6.5 X55 Swede that has a Bushnell Elite 3200 3X9. The gun was $425.00 by the time i finished building, the scope was like $275.00 I think on sale deal.

My long range target gun is a Savage Model 10 in .308. It sports a Swarovski Model 94f 10X42T. The scope retailed at twice times the cost of the rifle. The combination is .50-75 MOA accurate to 600 meters (that's the longest range I have available to shoot). I bought the scope from a retailers trade in basket for a whole lot less, as he offered a full refund if unsatisfied. I had to report to him that I would be keeping the scope. Swarovski also gave me a lot of help and extended the lifetime warranty to me as the "new" owner.

So, in the end you can pay too litlle, but you can also pay too much as someone said earlier. I bought the Swarovski used, so consider that if you want more scope, but can't afford retail. Usually you can talk your local shop owner into keeping an eye out for you, and as he is making trade-ins, he can sell you something that comes in.

My personal experience with "cheap" scopes is just that, but INEXPEXSIVE does not always mean cheap.

Hope that helps...
Spoon
 
In optics as with many other consumer goods, the low end is designed by bean counters, the high end is for pros or those with too much money, and the sweet spot delivers good performance for the dollar. Often these are found at the most competitive price point (in the case of scopes, I'd put that at $150 to $300). In that range, there is a need to distinguish the brand you're trying to sell from a jungle of similar glass. That can result in taking a good, proven design and adding things such as special lens or barrel coatings, special glass compounds, or specialized parallax or turret adjustments. You win, so long as you're working with a brand that has a good track record.

Try as many as you can, gather lots of anecdotal information from other users, and buy a good, solid scope that's a good match for the type of shooting you do. There are a lot of factors that don't translate to $$, so get the picture through the glass instead of the ads.
 
Thanks for all the input. My reason for asking is two-fold. First,and mostly, curiousity. Second, I have in my possession a Leupold VX-II 3-9x50 that I need to find a rifle for. My dad was going to get me a 1903-A3 action that i was going to build a custom rifle out of. Unforturnately, that is not going to come to fruition. So now, I have to decide what rifle to get to put it on. I was just trying to get an idea of about how much I need to budget for.
 
I think for recreational shooting and hunting your scope fits the bill just fine. I have a 3-9X40 VX-II and I like it a lot. My deer rifle has been dropped ON the scope (sling swivel pulled out while my hands were full; luckily the ground was soft so all it got was dirty) and it still held it's zero and performs flawlessly.
 
get a good set of leupold std rings to go with it, those "RIFLEMAN" series are just overpriced weaver rings anyways
 
I'm with Vitamin G:
There are always exceptions - I have a $350.00 Leupold Vari-X III 4-14x40 on my Ruger 10/.22. I bought the rifle new for $129.00 and accurized it myself.

But....I tend not to buy a scope that's less than about $200 Wholesale. I used to have a cheap Tasco scope where the crosshairs would spin around inside whenever I shot a round off. Piece of junk, but I certainly learned that you get what you pay for.
 
Hey Bill - some darned good input here (this is ol' HB BTW - if that means anything to you! Hope you and Ms Bill are doin' OK :) ).

I have two or three Leupolds and love them but do also have some budget scopes that actually represent good value too. Never could aspire to top end Nikons tho.

This thread BTW is well intersting - a newer scope from Meuller - I am well interested. Take a look HERE
 
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