Why is it so hard to find a good $200-$400 scope with a gloss finish?

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I just purchased a new CZ 550 American .308, and now I need some glass. Problem is, I don't want to put a matte scope on top of my glossy blued rifle. I'm normally very practical when it comes to "looks vs function" decisions, but I'm pretty much set on having this gun and scope match.

So, do you guys know anything I don't on this topic? Am I missing something? Is there some magical oasis of scopes where you can buy all of the scopes in matte and gloss?

Also, am I the only one who thinks that a matte scope on a glossy blued gun is funky looking?

I was ready to order a Vortex Viper 4-12x40 until I realized that I can't get one with a gloss finish. From what I've read, the Viper is superior to a Leupold VXII. So I would have a hard time spending more money on a scope that's not as good just because the one I want doesn't have the right finish. I just want something good in the $200-$400 range with a gloss finish.

What do you guys think about the Nikon Monarch line (particularly the 4x12x40 and 3-12x42)? I'm really considering one of those if I can find them in gloss.

Any other suggestions/advice? I know a little about optics, but I'm no expert like some of you. I definitely know you get what you pay for. However, I can't afford a Ziess and I don't want a Tasco.
 
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Nikon Monarch is high quality and one of the best values in that price range. I have looked through a 2.5-10 Monarch and 3-9 Zeiss Conquest back to back and found the optical quality roughly the same. The Zeiss is a more prestige name but the $400 Conquest model is only equivalent to other $400 (and, dare I say, $300) scopes, not to $1000+ scopes.

Weaver and Leupold also offer some glossy scope options in that price range. Both are quality makes, of course.

Not many people want gloss black, especially on quality glass, and that's your problem. Don't discount the possibility of the scope you want + a $5 can of gloss black spray paint.
 
My Leupold Vari-X III 2.5-8 was only $399.00 plus tax. I know that magnification is less. I do agree, the Zeiss Conquest I looked over...really nice.

Geno
 
I just want through the same thing with my mini-mauser. very few gloss scope. leupold and sightron both make some. I went with the vortex viper myself after I mounted a matte tasco I had around on the gun and it looked ok. I just couldn't justify the price increase to get gloss. maybe I'll take some steel wool to the stock and make it matte to match.
 
I think that it is probably cheaper to manufacture matte finished scopes. Just like the nice, gorgeous blue jobs on the guns of old, it takes more time and detail work to polish and apply the finish properly. In todays world, the bean counters only see the bottomline. Quality comes second.

Look at the finish on a new Rem 700 and one made 30 years ago. Big differance!
 
Keep a close eye on the used market and old stock at the online stores. Gloss scopes are not in particularly high demand, so they sometimes sell for less then they are worth.
 
From what I've read, the Viper is superior to a Leupold VXII.
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I don't know much about Vortex but everything I've read has been positive. However, before I went considering them "superior" to Leupold's VXII, I'd consider how long each company has been around. Vortex has simply not been around long enough. Leupolds are very well proven and the company has stood the test of time.
 
Why is it so hard...
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It's hard? I just went over to ebay, typed in "scope gloss", entered the price range from the title of this thread, and boom, 73 results. It took me right at 21 keystrokes. Is that what we consider difficult, these days?
 
It's true that there are significantly fewer options for glossy finish scopes. I was in the same situation earlier this year when looking for a scope for a polished blue/walnut rifle. I would have gone with the Leupold VX-II if I had chosen a glossy one. Guess what I ended up going with...Leupold VX-II in matte finish! I was set on the glossy but when I put the matte up to the rifle it really didn't look bad to my eye. And since I will use it for some hunting the matte finish being less reflective seemed like the better option. Also the Leupold brand lens covers and other accessories are matte.
 
Ok coromo, I guess I should have said "Why is the selection for gloss scopes so much thinner than the matte selections."

Either way, the practical side of my mind, coupled with my desire for a Vortex Viper, are starting to win. Ill probably just say screw it, and go without the glossy finish.
 
Huh... in 1950 matte = .......yuk! hehehehe

It's just the times, nobody dances the jitterbug anymore either! hehehehe

Thankfully, there are a few manufacturers still offering the gloss finish, and some of those manufacturers will 'special' one for you, if you just ask!

We still get requests for gloss finished units from time to time, mostly from the sandbaggers, but it happens.....It would be nice to have those steel bodied, blued Weavers back!
 
From what I've read, the Viper is superior to a Leupold VXII.
Click to expand...
You are absolutely correct, and I agree that matte scopes are an abomination on select rifles. I have went through the exact same search as you, and discovered that Leupold VX-3, Nikon Monarch, and Sightron S-IIBS were my only good options. Fortunately I didn't need as much magnification as you are looking for, which brings me to my next question...do you really need more than 10x? For hunting purposes I consider 2.5-10x42mm on the high side because you don't want to sacrifice field of view for unnecessary magnification (and more mag. = less FOV). I ended up with a Leupold VX-3 for my 375H&H because I wanted low magnification (1.5-5x20mm), but typically stay away from Leupy because I consider them to be a poor value (sub VX-3 has inferior glass, and VX-3 series and above are too costly IMO). I decided on a Monarch 2.5-10x42mm due to the 4x erector (allows for more adjustment range) and the slightly larger objective, and I am completely satisfied with this purchase. IIRC I paid about $270.00 delivered about 6mo. ago (sorry but I can't currently find it for anywhere close to that price). I would recommend going with the Nikon, despite how good the Viper is I doubt you will be satisfied with its finish. Here are photos of the scopes mentioned above:

IMG_4596.jpg

IMG_5796.jpg

:)
 
Shiny gun = Gloss scope - IMO.

Here's the Nikon Monarch 4-12x40AO in gloss. Mounted on a Sako AIII Finnbear, in .30-06. It's a couple of years old w/ the AO instead of the Side-Focus. It's a great scope w/ great glass but with the AO, it's a bit on the large side.
I still see 'em on ebay all the time.

Bruce

P8290005-1.jpg

P8290002-1.jpg
 
yep on my lacquer finished BDLs and savage-anschutz i have gloss leupolds and on my soft finished kimber Hunter-sillouhette and winchester super grade i have matte leupold didnt pay more than 300 for any of them.

a matter of visual aesthetics i guess.
 
I don't want to put a matte scope on top of my glossy blued rifle
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Reconsider that if you find a good deal on a matte scope, it'll look good (even on a glossy rifle).
 
I don't want to put a matte scope on top of my glossy blued rifle
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I agree, I would have a hard time buying a gun with a nice glossy finish and then put a matte scope on it. I am looking for a glossy scope for my SA-22. The only ones I can find are a Leupold VXI and a Leupold FXI.
 
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