I think I have narrowed it down to a few but would like some advice and opinions from all you experts. There is alot of good info here.
All the scopes I list are in the 3-9 x 40 category. This setup will be used primarily for hunting.
Okay,I took a trip to Gander Mountain today to get a look at some scopes.First I compared the Buckmaster, Fullfield II, and Elite 3200. To me the Buckmaster had the best clarity, Elite 3200 was a very close second,but not quite as clear, the Fullfield II did not impress me at all. Next I compared the Monarch to the Buckmaster, I really could tell no difference between the two optically, and it was the middle of the day so a low light comparison was not availiable. I really wanted to compare the two Nikons to the Elite 4200 and the Weaver Grand Slam but they had neither of these 2 in stock They did have a Conquest and all I can say is wow! That definitly was a nice scope, there was no problem telling the difference between the two Nikons and the Conquest. Just not sure I can justify spending that much.
Have any of you noticed a great difference between the two Nikons I list? I really could not tell any difference, but since the Monarch is supposed to have better glass there will most likely be a difference in low light situations. How does the Nikon Monarch compare to the Weaver GS and how does the Elite 4200 compare to both of these? I am assuming the Conquest is in class by itself compared to these other scopes. As far as Leupold goes, I really dont see the need to spend that much for a scope when there are others availible just as good or better for the same price.
The eye reliefe of the Elite 4200 was initially a concern of mine, but I do have a B&L Elite 3200 3-9 x 40 on a
Ruger 77 MKII Synthetic 300 Win. and have never been whacked with the scope, came very close a few times though, but that gun/caliber combination kicks like a mule on steroids . I think the Encore will tame the recoil a bit compared to that setup, maybe not though.
Thanks