What's the Difference in Glass

[Bronco72]

The only time I noticed the difference in quality of glass was when I was ground squirrel shooting! On the days when I had the cheaper glass up my eye was pretty tired at the end of the day, 8 to 12 hours out in the field usually looking through the scope. On days when I had the better glass my eye was not as tired. So I usually buy once and cry once! I have noticed that I usually have about as much in glass as I do in the rifle. Did not plan it that way, just something I notice after the fact.

 

[LoonWulf]

Im at 1/3-1/2 the value of my rifles for most of mine.

My Patriots at about 1/1 depending on which scope ive got on it at the time.
My target rifle is 4/1.

 

[Walkalong]

My target rifle is 4/1.

4 to 1 scope to rifle?

 

[LoonWulf]

4 to 1 scope to rifle?

Naw 4 rifles, well probably 2-3 in reality, to one scope....i just thought it sounded funny.


Thats my used parts 6.5CM. The whole thing cost less than 400 bucks. Scope on there is my Riton Conquer x5 list was something like 1200

 

[bassjam]

I added a Riton Optics 3 Primal 3-18X50 to my .300 WinMag rifle, and at under $600 (got it on sale), I am very pleased.

That's good to know. I just got a Riton 3 Primal 3-12x56. I'd never heard of them before and there isn't as much information out there as there is for Vortex, but the deal was too good to pass up so I figured I'd give them a shot.

 

[CraigC]

Primarily they offer a greater adjustment range and are stiffer just because they are bigger in diameter.....I dont know if upsizing the components inside makes any difference, or if they even do it. I havent pulled apart a 30mm tube scope.
Anyway, those previous options only really matter to me on the scopes used for longer distance shooting. I shoot most of my rifles at distance, and running out of adjustment is frustrating, especially when you dont have a graduated reticle to fall back on.

In a hunting specific scope, Ill accept 30-40moa of adjustment, and take the trade-off of lighter weight.

I also dont really get the advantage of 30mm tubes in LPVs, but I also dont generally use LPVs, so my opinion is based on limited experience.

EDIT: 30mm and larger tubes usually come with better turrets (in addition to more adjustment range), as they are generally meant for more dialing than their 1" counterparts....

Agreed, 100%.

I will point out, however, that some of the Leupold 30mm tube scopes seem to be lighter than much of the competition. We put a VXR 1-4x on Dad's SCAR and it was pretty light, even with the illuminated reticle. I think around 10oz.

 

[Mick Boon]

Knowing what I know now I would never pay $500 for a scope. I've paid more in the past, but those days are over.

PS, I'm a big fan of glass etched reticles, they are much more refined.

 

[ms6852]

Based on my eyeballs and no scientific or medical proof, you have to see through the scopes yourself to make your final decision. In my 55+ years of hunting deer and other animals I realized that I do not need high magnification scopes. Personally I would recommend a 3 - 9 x 40. Do not spend the money on higher magnification and larger objectives, in doing so, something has to give and at the price point of $500 usually the optic coatings are of a lesser quality. In my lifetime of hunting , using my 3 x 9 x 40, the highest magnification I have used was 6X on an antelope at 345 yards. Make the most of your $500, in my opinion a rifle scope of 3-9X40 will have better glass than a riflescope that has 5-25X50. Good luck and let us know what you decided on.

 

[12Bravo20]

Different scope for different uses. I still stick with a 2-7, 3-9, or 4-12 with a duplex reticle for most hunting situations while hunting the Ozark's or river hills here in Missouri. But I do more target shooting now days so I want higher magnification with either a MIL DOT or Christmas tree reticle on rifle. used for that purpose.

And yes everyones eyes are different. Several people looking through a single scope can have different opinions and experiences with that scope. Again different types of scopes and reticle for different purposes. Go with what works best for you.

 

[ms6852]

Different scope for different uses. I still stick with a 2-7, 3-9, or 4-12 with a duplex reticle for most hunting situations while hunting the Ozark's or river hills here in Missouri. But I do more target shooting now days so I want higher magnification with either a MIL DOT or Christmas tree reticle on rifle. used for that purpose.

And yes everyones eyes are different. Several people looking through a single scope can have different opinions and experiences with that scope. Again different types of scopes and reticle for different purposes. Go with what works best for you.

I agree each scope has its uses . Like you I use my higher magnification scopes on my 22 lr rifles as I do a lot of target shooting with them at 200 yards. Surprisingly my more expensive scopes are used on all my 22's so that I may see bullet holes to 200 yards.

 

[JFrank]

Higher magnification and cheap glass will only make your viewing experience worse.

 

[JFrank]

Knowing what I know now I would never pay $500 for a scope. I've paid more in the past, but those days are over.

PS, I'm a big fan of glass etched reticles, they are much more refined.

I’m curious as to what you know now that makes you chose a low budget/ cheap glass over something of quality like Ziess or Swarovski ?

 

[Conelrad]

Milspec scopes for me. Missing dinner is one thing, losing your a$$ is another.

I live in some rough country, close to the Southern border. I don't hunt, either.

The quality goes in before the name goes on...

 

[Megawatt maker]

I’m curious as to what you know now that makes you chose a low budget/ cheap glass over something of quality like Ziess or Swarovski ?

I think it's pretty obvious. $500 won't even come close to getting into a Zeiss, even 1000 barely will..and Swaro? That's even more $$$$.

500 will get you into decent glass..usable for most hunting, and durable enough for the same.

Of coarse..more $$$ better scope...and I'm on the side of cry once..because I too have learned that the hard way over the years...

But one thing that's different now..everyone has gotten better at this. Even cheap low end stuff is roughly equal to 20 years ago mid range...so in reality..a 500 Burris is actually a pretty good scope now.

 

[Mick Boon]

I’m curious as to what you know now that makes you chose a low budget/ cheap glass over something of quality like Ziess or Swarovski ?

I have never had a Ziess or Swarovski so I can't comment on those, but I've has some pricey Leupolds in the past, and the Spina Optics scopes that I discovered on Ali Express have exceeded my explanations in every way. The most expensive one I have bought cost a mere $93 USD including shipping. It's a tough quality scope.

The only problem with the Spina optic scopes is that they do not suit classic traditional rifles.

I have no doubt Chinese scopes were junk in the past, (that's why I used to buy Leupolds ) but they make high quality ones nowadays.

 

[JFrank]

I have never had a Ziess or Swarovski so I can't comment on those, but I've has some pricey Leupolds in the past, and the Spina Optics scopes that I discovered on Ali Express have exceeded my explanations in every way. The most expensive one I have bought cost a mere $93 USD including shipping. It's a tough quality scope.

The only problem with the Spina optic scopes is that they do not suit classic traditional rifles.

I have no doubt Chinese scopes were junk in the past, (that's why I used to buy Leupolds ) but they make high quality ones nowadays.

A $93 quality scope ? That doesn’t seem possible but everyone has a different viewing experience.
Thx
J

 

[JFrank]

I think it's pretty obvious. $500 won't even come close to getting into a Zeiss, even 1000 barely will..and Swaro? That's even more $$$$.

500 will get you into decent glass..usable for most hunting, and durable enough for the same.

Of coarse..more $$$ better scope...and I'm on the side of cry once..because I too have learned that the hard way over the years...

But one thing that's different now..everyone has gotten better at this. Even cheap low end stuff is roughly equal to 20 years ago mid range...so in reality..a 500 Burris is actually a pretty good scope now.

Perhaps re-read his statement and then read my question again.

 

[Mick Boon]

A $93 quality scope ? That doesn’t seem possible but everyone has a different viewing experience.
Thx
J

You are right that it doesn't seem possible, but it is.

 

[JFrank]

You are right that it doesn't seem possible, but it is.

I suppose it depends on one’s expectations.
Could you post a link to their products ?

 

[Mick Boon]

I suppose it depends on one’s expectations.
Could you post a link to their products ?

Am I allowed to post a link here ? I guess I can always delete if if I'm told to..... This is the nicest one I have bought ... https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001298758743.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.5b7438daFgsdbx&mp=1

 

[LoonWulf]

.....ive been very happy with most of my 500 dollar scopes.....
But they have all been bought knowing i was compromising in some areas to get improvements in others.

Optics for turrets, weight for adjustment, size for power range etc....or vice versa

Horses for courses......im pretty sure i can cram another saying in here.....but i cant think of one atm.

Am I allowed to post a link here ? I guess I can always delete if if I'm told to..... This is the nicest one I have bought ... https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001298758743.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.5b7438daFgsdbx&mp=1

Haven't gotten yelled at yet about it ......

Spinas are also available on Amazon, ebay, and ive seen them listed on at least one gun stuff website.

They are one of the low cost brands I haven't tried. But most of the cheap ones ive used recently have held up just fine, and been surprisingly decent optically.
Trade off is that at the lowest price points they are even more individualistic than scopes usually are..... Might get a great one, might get an absolute crap one. The majority will fall somewhere to the middle and the range will likely be wider than more expensive scopes.

 

[Mick Boon]

.....ive been very happy with most of my 500 dollar scopes.....
But they have all been bought knowing i was compromising in some areas to get improvements in others.

Optics for turrets, weight for adjustment, size for power range etc....or vice versa

Horses for courses......im pretty sure i can cram another saying in here.....but i cant think of one atm.


Haven't gotten yelled at yet about it ......

Spinas are also available on Amazon, ebay, and ive seen them listed on at least one gun stuff website.

They are one of the low cost brands I haven't tried. But most of the cheap ones ive used recently have held up just fine, and been surprisingly decent optically.
Trade off is that at the lowest price points they are even more individualistic than scopes usually are..... Might get a great one, might get an absolute crap one. The majority will fall somewhere to the middle and the range will likely be wider than more expensive scopes.

That's new ! they were not on Amazon last time I looked. They come from the same place but it looks like you gar a better deal if you get buy then on Ali Express.

 

[LoonWulf]

That's new ! they were not on Amazon last time I looked. They come from the same place but it looks like you gar a better deal if you get buy then on Ali Express.

Yeah just ordered a couple to add to my scope testing stuff, they are a few bucks cheaper on AE for sure.....These are kinda out of the purview of this thread but hey, should be fun.

 

[Mick Boon]

Yeah just ordered a couple to add to my scope testing stuff, they are a few bucks cheaper on AE for sure.....These are kinda out of the purview of this thread but hey, should be fun.

Which ones did you order.

 

[LoonWulf]

Which ones did you order.

2-12x44 & 1-4x20