Rifle optics: a blue collar spending perspective for cost / benefit

[High Plains]

A NIB rifle awaits me (or you) and the old question on how much to spend on a scope rolls around again. My late friend and follow hunter Rex spent as much on the scope as the rifle. In his words, this makes the rifle worth twice as much. He could easily afford that kind of spending. I have taken a more frugal approach——-how much can I spend on a scope after forking over X amount for a rifle? The easy answer is spend more than you can afford because the performance will make you forget how much you paid. You can’t spend money you don’t have, so the price has to come down to meet reality, ergo the scope options shrink too.
The most I paid for a rifle scope meant I had one of the best scopes available from 2005-10. I bought it in 2023 and it is still a fine scope. As a side note I think matte black scopes and rings look odd with a glossy rifle barrel. Stainless steel barrels don’t go with brown walnut stocks either. Looks never stopped a beating heart either.

 

[MarshallDodge]

My first scope wasn't much to write home about, one of those cheapie Tasco rimfire scopes. I think I was 13 when I bought it at Kmart for $9.99

Years later, when I became an adult, I picked up the Simmons 6-20x Whitetail for $99 at Midway. It was actually a decent scope for the money and did well on a varmint rifle.

A few years after that, I inherited a little money, and picked up a Nightforce Benchrest. It has been on several rifles over the last 25 years. While it lacks some of the features of more modern scopes, it has excellent glass and is a solid target scope.

I would hate to spend good money on a hunt or shooting competition and have an optic fail. Sometimes spending a little more can insure a quality experience.

 

[cfullgraf]

My mother said when it came to buying kitchen cooking ranges, pick out the best you can afford and then get the next one up. You won’t be disappointed.

This axiom works with many things.

I’ve been disappointed with economical priced scopes. Fortunately, the stock market treats me well.

But, I still do not like buying expensive scopes just for buying one. Several years ago, I went on several prairie dog hunts up in South Dakota. Our guide recommended good, fixed power scopes versus variable power scopes. You can get a better fixed power scope for less money than a variable power scope.

So, I put a 12 power fixed power scope on my prairie dog rifles. Rifles for other game would have different requirements.

Just one data point to consider.

 

[marksman13]

With modern rifles and scopes, I think you need to spend about half as much on the scope as the rifle to get equal quality. For instance, I’ve got a couple of Springfield 2020 Waypoints that ran me somewhere in the neighborhood of $2200 OTD. Both of them are topped with a Leupold VX-5HD 3-15X scope. I got one of them in the trade but I caught the second on sale at Midway for $1100 I think. Maybe slightly off on prices, but roughly half the rifle cost was spend on glass. I think there are plenty of good options for less, but that formula has worked well for me with serious hunting rifles.

 

[troy fairweather]

I really depends on the rifle and its use add on top what you can afford.

 

[Ed]

I bought a used model 70 in 1991 that had a Tasso scope on it. Hunted with it for years. Never lost its zero. Upgraded to Leupold just because. Changed that out to another rifle and put the tasco back on. Still zeroed. That thing is a beast. I got the oddball I guess. It works perfect for the hunting I did.

 

[Mini30SS]

A few years I would have recommended a Nikon Pro staff 7 as a good base level, for a good quality scope. Since that is no longer a choice, I think a good Current Baseline choice would be a Vortex Diamondback, or Strike Eagle. Burris also makes some good quality baseline scopes. All of these are in about the $250 - $300 range. Also, the Leupold Vari-X scopes are also right there. Goto Euro Optics or eBay for best pricing. I am very happy with any of these. I don't own any hunting , or sporting rifles ( that are scope ready), that are worth more than $1200, so I am good with these, which are all second focal plane scopes.

The cheapest scope I have mounted, is a Bushnell dusk/dawn 1.5- 4x variable on a beater Marlin 336 in .35 Remington. I got a 400lb Black Bear with that combo about 15 years ago. I will not own a cheap Tasco, Simmons, or Weaver scope for any of my center-fire caliber rifles... Maybe for a rimfire.

For my next step up in quality, I am thinking about a variable power Vortex Diamondback first focal plane scope. This particular scope cost about $400, is really good, but I hear they may be discontinued soon by the manufacturer. I think I will go shopping online now..

 

[CraigC]

I really don't think about it like that. While a nicer rifle will generally call for a nicer scope, I put the scope I want on the rifle. How much one costs relative to the other doesn't really factor in. When I got my CZ .416, I knew it was going to get a Leupold 1.5-5x (favorite scope, have several). I wouldn't have spent twice as much for something else for some arbitrary reason. On the flip side, the first Leupold 1.5-5x I bought spent some time on a Remington 597 from Walmart. Right now my most expensive optic is a Vortex Razor that's currently on top of a 10/22. Even though it's far from a cheap build, it's still about half what the scope cost.

And I love walnut and stainless together!

 

[PWC]

Only you can make the determination. Read reviews, and get the best YOU can afford for Your use

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I buy used quality scopes.

 

[gotboostvr]

I find there's alot of very serviceable scopes starting around the $200 mark.

You can either have decent features, with OK execution and mediocre glass, or decent glass, with no features.

There's uses for both types of scope. But you don't start getting decently well rounded scopes until you start getting north of $350. That $350-500 range is where most consumers are getting the best bang for their buck. Especially if you're shrewd and buying used from leupold, or vortex and can confirm you're not buying a knock-off.

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

I dont subscribe to 'the rifle price must be proportional to scope price'. I was told on here that often the scope may be more expensive than the rifle itself, especially if your collecting budget rifles.
I have bought budget scopes on sale and put them on expensive rifles, so there isn't a correlation for me. I just want it to work well.

 

[Show Me]

A scope is a good one if it does what i tell it every time. Some of the best scopes and the worst have come on cost effective rifles. Long time Bushnell store customer on the bargain side. Obsolete, discontinued, refurbished, gun show extras, ect.

Remember the blow mold plastic package Walmart Bushnell 4x12 that hung for years in the stores. Bushnell got a corrugated paper 4x4 pallet back from a Walmart distribution center. So old the packaging was yellow. 29$. Bought two. Crushed one with Ruger rings.

Business card builds points at Cabela's so I have 3 Vortex diamondback and am very pleased. Two tactical, one hunting style.

Here is a Hawke brand 2x7 with Hawke rings that works just fine. Never heard of this of this one. Also not expensive.
And a simple Vortex 4x12. Also good and not expensive .

 

[jmr40]

A lot has changed in optics in the last 10-15 years but I've not found anything with a MSRP under $200 to be worth the effort. That doesn't mean you can't sometimes find a $200 scope discounted and selling closer to $150. But for me that is the bottom end of acceptability.

Things rarely work out this way, but in my experience, price is usually a pretty good indicator with optics. No matter who makes it just about every $200-$300 scope will be pretty equal in quality. Same with $300-$500 scopes or $500-$1,000 scopes. Which you choose comes down to which features you like and are willing to pay for. Some scopes in the same price range will be heavier or lighter, some have more eye relief etc.

The low end Leupold VX-Freedom scopes selling for $200-$300 are never a bad choice. I think there are better scopes, but you won't go wrong with one of those. IMO the most scope for the money right now is the Burris FF-II. MSRP is right at $200, but a 3-9X40 can be found for $160. I'd rate them equal to the Leupold VX-Freedom.

For me the sweet spot is in the $300-$500 range. My favorite scope is the discontinued Zeiss Conquest, this was only the 3-9X40 version. They were actually made for Zeiss as well as other companies by Meoptia who put their names on them. Cabelas sold them for a while at $500, but when they closed them out reduced the price to $250. I have one with Zeiss badges, bought 2 of the Cabelas scopes @ $250 each and have found 2 more Cabelas scopes on the used market for under $200. The mid-range Leupold VX3 and its variants sell for about the same price and are a good choice too. As would many others in that price range. I just have less experience with the others.

As said, I could live with a $200 scope if on a tight budget, but for me the $300-$500 range is what I like. A $500 and up scope is better. But only marginally better. Even when you get to $1000+ you don't get a scope that is 3 times better than a $300 scope. Maybe 10-20% better. But for some people that small gain in performance is worth it and they can afford it.

 

[Charlie98]

My brother and I were just having this discussion yesterday. He recently picked up a new hunting rifle... a Ruger American in .308... to hunt deer. It came with a scope, a knock-off tacticool scope of some sort, and while it works (the rifle shot sub-MOA on it's first outing...) it's obviously inexpensive, and not really appropriate for the role he has in mind. The 'spend as much money on the glass as the rifle' metric came up, and that's always been my general rule of thumb, even though I never really was a scope shooter. Following that logic, he's going shopping for a $600-800 optic... that seems to be a very competitive price range for a good scope, although some investigation and 'buyer beware' certainly applies.

I buy used quality scopes.

Some years ago, I bought a Savage 10TAC... the cheapo Cabelas version of the 10-series, not quite the FP, but not a hunting rifle, either. Because this was my first rifle worthy of a 'good' scope, and never having been a big scope shooter... I realized I didn't know what I really wanted or needed... so I went used scope shopping. I found a very nice used Burris Veracity, mounted it up, and we are living happily ever after. It cost more than the Savage did, but, again, I was looking in the $600-800 price range... nearly twice the cost of the rifle... but buying used allowed me to keep it a little more budget friendly.

Even when you get to $1000+ you don't get a scope that is 3 times better than a $300 scope.

I would agree... once you get past the $800-1000 range, you are starting to pay for the absolute quality of the components, not necessarily the function of the scope... but becomes a victim of diminishing returns.

 

[mgmorden]

"Spend as much on the scope as the rifle" is just a pointless axiom. If taken literally and you bought a $350 Savage Axis and put a $350 scope on it that worked well, would that same scope NOT work on a $2000 rifle?

Plus modern manufacturing has GREATLY helped a lot of things: many scopes sold today would sell for many times their current price in the past (adjusted for inflation of course) because a lot of operations are being done by CNC (eg computers) which is cheaper but also precise by nature.

As with all things, use case comes into play a lot. I for example don't care about a lot of features in scopes. I typically hunt in densely forested areas out of a tree stand. I'm unlikely to ever got a shot on a deer beyond 150 yards in these conditions. As such optical clarity is important but not to snobbish levels. For zoom? I usually leave mine set at 3x all the time. I'm not going to touch the turrets for elevation adjustments on the fly because everything is always within max PBR. Basically the only thing I care about is that a scope holds zero well and it doesn't wander. For that I've found anything $150-ish and up from a reputable maker (Leupold, Vortex, Burris, Nikon (RIP), etc are all brands I like) will hold zero fine for me.

Summed up: don't buy $35 junk scopes, but depending on use case you can totally get by with a budget scope.

 

[hoardingthemanual]

I buy $400 scopes like vortex diamondback or arken epl. I only shoot paper, casually.

 

[Crosshair]

The easy answer is spend more than you can afford because the performance will make you forget how much you paid.

This is known as "Buy Once, Cry Once" and is sound advice.

Our guide recommended good, fixed power scopes versus variable power scopes. You can get a better fixed power scope for less money than a variable power scope.

Fixed power scopes are such a forgotten gem. Old fixed power Japanese and Korean Tasco scopes are relatively inexpensive on ebay, but have bright and clear glass. Fixed power Leupold scopes are an absolute delight.

The LPVO trend brought people back to 4x and 6x. People are unfortunately repeating the same mistakes and think you need a 10x on a lightweight 16" .223. Plenty of fixed 3x-5x prism scopes, but their designs largly shackles them to ARs. No easy way to mount them to 1" or 30mm rings.

 

[entropy]

I'm going to trot this story out one more time:
When I worked at an outdoor store in St. Paul famous for it's outdoor experts, a guy came in dead set on buying a Weatherby in 7mm Weatherby Magnum, and having it scoped, and he had $1200 to do it with. I started by asking him why he wanted a 7mm Wby. Mag.
He said his hunting buddy had one and killed deer dead right there every time. I asked him if he'd shot a 7mm Mag. before, and he hadn't. I asked where he deer hunted and if he planned on hunting out west. No, but his buddy  did hunt out west either his. He hunted deer in North Central Minnesota, actually not far from where I hunted. I then asked him what he was using currently to hunt with. He was using a borrowed Win. 94, which he shot well enough, but he definitely wanted a scoped rifle, and thought he'd "upgrade" to the 7mm Mag.
So, asked him to hear me out with my suggestion. Yes we had a Weatherby in 7mm Wby. Mag., a beautiful Mk V Deluxe, but it was $1000, leaving him $200 for a scope, mounts, case and ammo. (about $50 a box back then)
So I showed him a Winchester 94AE, explaining that this model was designed for putting a scope on, and we could set him up with a scoped rifle he was already familiar with, that wouldn't kick the crap out of him, and all the accessories, for well under what he'd budgeted.
I then showed him a Leupold VX-II 2-7, explaining it was a great scope for where he hunts, far better than what he'd have been able to put on the Weatherby with what would have been left after buying it.
I then told him I'd mount and boresight the scope, set him up with enough ammo to sight in with, plus the best ammo to hunt with, and a case, and told him the total. Under $800.
I suggested he take his wife out for a nice dinner with some of the savings. He left very happy, though my boss was pissed, we'd had that Mk V in the back room for a long time.
The guy got his deer, DRT, and I made them another customer for life.

The moral of the story is you are indeed better off spending more on good glass. I'd rather buy a bone stock Savage Axis, and put a Nightforce on it than a Seekins or Accuracy International and put a Bushnell Sportview on it.

 

[Charlie98]

"Spend as much on the scope as the rifle" is just a pointless axiom. If taken literally and you bought a $350 Savage Axis and put a $350 scope on it that worked well, would that same scope NOT work on a $2000 rifle?

Look at it a different way... is the rifle itself capable of exploiting the scope?

Money being no object, I would not put a $2000 scope on my Marlin model 60, let alone my $450 Savage, in much the same way I would not put a Bushnell Banner on a $2000 chassis rifle.

 

[lightman]

I guess I've never considered the cost of the scope vs the cost of the rifle. My choice of scopes is based on their intended purpose. I do like nice scopes though! At Deer Camp when some of the guys start bragging about their Simmons, Tasco, ect I just sit there quietly and politely listen. It fits their needs and I'm happy that they are happy. But when they sit down at the bench behind one of my rifles they usually blink at how clear and bright my Leupold, Ziess or Night Force is!

 

[redneck2]

These threads come up quite often, and I really wonder if the OP can’t afford a better scope, or if they simply can’t justify the cost in their mind. You can justify $80 for a carton of cigarettes or a tank of gas, both which are gone in a week, but you can’t justify the cost of one of each added together to buy something you’ll use for 30 years? I still have a scope that’s over 30 years old. Was very high end at the time but it has served very well.

I know a girl that always whines about being broke but she smokes two packs a day and just got a $600 tattoo. There are very few Americans that can’t figure out how to get something they really want within reason. I saw that the average car payment is somewhere around $800. I’ll bet that when most people go in to buy a car they don’t ask for the cheapest one, they get the model with the options they want, costs be damned. Everyone needs an automatic butt wiper and $3,000 worth of tires and wheels

My S-I-L worked in a RV plant and used to buy breakfast and lunch off the food truck. I showed him that he could save $20 a day by taking food from home. They saved $100 a week. To me it’s priorities but it’s your money

If you want to get the money painlessly, pay for everything you buy with folding money. Never use your change. At the end of each day throw it in a jar. In a couple months you’ll have your money. But virtually no one has the discipline to do this.

 

[9x56MS]

With the advances in computer controlled machining and manufacturing scopes are better than ever. For 3-500 now you can get a scope that used to cost 2000 or more. I typically don’t shoot long distances so have no need for all the bells and whistles. Good clear glass and bullet drop crosswords out to 500 are all I need. I generally spend between 250-500 for a good quality scope. I miss the Cabela’s branded meopta’s as they were a very nice scope for the money.

 

[9x56MS]

These threads come up quite often, and I really wonder if the OP can’t afford a better scope, or if they simply can’t justify the cost in their mind. You can justify $80 for a carton of cigarettes or a tank of gas, both which are gone in a week, but you can’t justify the cost of one of each added together to buy something you’ll use for 30 years? I still have a scope that’s over 30 years old. Was very high end at the time but it has served very well.

I know a girl that always whines about being broke but she smokes two packs a day and just got a $600 tattoo. There are very few Americans that can’t figure out how to get something they really want within reason. I saw that the average car payment is somewhere around $800. To me it’s priorities but it’s your money

If you want to get the money painlessly, pay for everything you buy with folding money. Never use your change. At the end of each day throw it in a jar. In a couple months you’ll have your money. But virtually no one has the discipline to do this.

You should meet my wife. I have to use a dolley to take her change to the bank.

 

[9x56MS]

I bought a used model 70 in 1991 that had a Tasso scope on it. Hunted with it for years. Never lost its zero. Upgraded to Leupold just because. Changed that out to another rifle and put the tasco back on. Still zeroed. That thing is a beast. I got the oddball I guess. It works perfect for the hunting I did.

I had a tasco pronghorn 1.5 x 5 on an Ithica 12 gauge deerslayer for over 20 years. Never lost zero or it’s crosswire.it is on my savage 99 in 308 now.