Author Topic: Other Than Leupold (Read 812 times)

Trail Bum · « **on:** June 09, 2004, 10:50:39 AM »

What would you consider Adorning the Top of your ML, for Reliability and Performance ? Thanks !

Underclocked · « **Reply #1 on:** June 09, 2004, 11:02:10 AM »

Sightron SII or above. Any of the better Bushnell models (I've one that cost me $65 that has been very reliable.) Millett Buck Gold.

Lot's of good optics out there. Stay away from the very low-end and store-brand stuff. My recent experiences with Tasco have sucked.

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #2 on:** June 09, 2004, 11:58:57 AM »

As Underclocked mentioned, good luck with Elite 3200 Bushnells, and Sightron SII's.

For less pesos, the Millett Buck Gold and the Bushnell Legend 2 x 7.

For more moolah, a Bushnell Elite 4200 or a Zeiss Conquest.

DEPUTY · « **Reply #3 on:** June 09, 2004, 12:09:45 PM »

all those and even the new scopes from mueller have impressed me as well

Nic_58 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 09, 2004, 03:37:05 PM »

Other than Leupold, huh?? Well, if that's the case then, I would probably have to check out the Bushnell 3200 and 4200 series of scopes. They get great reviews from everyone who uses them.

grouse · « **Reply #5 on:** June 09, 2004, 03:39:58 PM »

Quote from: Nic_58

Other than Leupold, huh?? Well, if that's the case then, I would probably have to check out the Bushnell 3200 and 4200 series of scopes. They get great reviews from everyone who uses them.

I am going to get another 3200 scope. I really like it.

Big · « **Reply #6 on:** June 09, 2004, 04:10:13 PM »

I have a Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x40 on my TC Black Diamond. Great scope; like it as much if not better than my Leupolds. It's standing up well to having burned pyrodex sprayed on the underside. Like it so much that I just put another one (2-7x32) on a shotgun. I use Leupold's QRW quick release bases and rings, which makes for easier cleaning, and it always returns to zero when I put it back on.

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #7 on:** June 09, 2004, 04:14:43 PM »

There is nothing about the design, construction or performance of a Leupold that makes it in any way a better scope than many, many other brands. I've got yet another Vari-X III that came on a new rifle-- optically, it is just not as good as a Sightron SII or an Elite 4200, it does not have the full 3X power range that you are promised.

Scopes are old technology-- it has been a long time since Hans Lippershey made the device widely known, and Galileo Galilei turned it to the night sky in 1609. What Leupold scopes are, is horribly overpriced-- as the consumer is paying for lifetime warranties that have had a cumulative cost over the years. Yet, a riflescope is a wearing part-- though few hunters shoot them enough to take all the life out of them from the inside out.

The Zeiss Conquest is in a far higher league, the "constant eye relief" league, Sightron has a better erector assembly, Elite 4200s have better glass, zoom range, stronger tubes, and RainGuard. All give you the true power range you pay for.

Vapour · « **Reply #8 on:** June 10, 2004, 10:41:52 AM »

I've had good results with the Weaver "Grand Slam" line. Very bright glass. My next purchase will probably be a Sightron SII though, just to compare.

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #9 on:** June 10, 2004, 02:01:35 PM »

Quote from: Vapour

I've had good results with the Weaver "Grand Slam" line.

There shouldn't be a great deal of QC difference between Grand Slams and Elite 3200s-- as they are made in the identical plant. They lack the titanium tube and Rainguard of the 3200, but's that's about it.

Vapour · « **Reply #10 on:** June 11, 2004, 04:40:04 AM »

So they use the same glass and coatings in both, or are they simple made in the same plant?

sabotloader · « **Reply #11 on:** June 11, 2004, 05:31:21 AM »

After listening to all the discussions on this and other boards about the Bushnell "Elites" I bought one (3x9x40) and put it on my Remington a week or so ago, got out and sighted it in over the week end.

I was impressed with it's clarity and it certainly fit well and shot well atop the Remington, one of the better things for me at least was I was able to use "low" leupold rings. I like the scope as close to the reciever as I can get it.

I guess I liked it enough to go back and follow that purchase with another one only this time I got a "firefly" - the price was so good I couldn't turn it down. I am still adjusting to the size of the cross-hairs in the "firefly", they are much larger than I am use to, but I guess they need to be that size to put the green reflective material on them. Well anyway I am sitting here with it on the table trying to decide what to do with it, everthing I have is already scoped, maybe I just need to buy another rifle.

It has been cool and raining here all week so just out of curiosity I put the scope outside on the patio rail and let the rain work it over real well. It certainly got wet. I picked it up checked the lenses, they were wet, but know big drops, you could see through it just fine. I then blew a big breath of warm air on the lens - no fog. Brought the scope into the warm house and set it on the counter - no fog. Ran warm water from the kitchen sink on the scope and lenses - no fog - no problems. Maybe this rainguard stuff does work. I wish it were hunting season for the real test!

Right now I am pretty sold on the Bushnell "Elites" + I have two "Trophies" that function really well. Beats the heck out of the prices I paid for Leupold's on my center fires.

oneshotonekill · « **Reply #12 on:** June 11, 2004, 02:25:34 PM »

Swift premier series. I've had them on several ML's and centerfire rifles plus a few air rifles (all of the premier line is air gun rated) for the money they are a great scope.