Author Topic: Votes for Scopes (Read 2436 times)

GEWDOIT · « **on:** June 27, 2011, 12:33:21 PM »

Bushnell XLT, Bushnell 4200, Nikon prostaff, Leuopld rifleman QDM (Bass Pro) , Redfield Revolution, Votex Diamondback all in 3-9 X 40. Prices from range from $139- $199. Mounting it on a Marlin XS-7 in 7mm-08. Please rank in order of your preference since I may have to go with my second or third choice(times is hard)

charles p · « **Reply #1 on:** June 27, 2011, 02:22:41 PM »

Why are you purchasing a scope that you will soon wish to replace. Increase your budget a little and you wil never regret it.

GEWDOIT · « **Reply #2 on:** June 27, 2011, 03:45:31 PM »

Just doesn't seem right to put a 300+ dollar scope on a $340 gun. I know you get what you pay for to a certain point but my $350 dollar gun shoots about as good as my friends Browning X-bolt at less than half the price. I was looking for a good scope in the 130-200 dollar range to match up with the little Marlin

smokey262 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 27, 2011, 04:14:11 PM »

Bushnell 4200
Redfield Revolution
Votex Diamondback
Nikon prostaff
Bushnell XLT
Leuopld rifleman QDM (Bass Pro)

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #4 on:** June 28, 2011, 03:38:29 AM »

out of what you listed the 4200 is hands down the best scope of the ones you listed but where are you finding one for under 200 bucks? Maybe a 3200 but i doubt a 4200 For a couple bucks more you can but a vortex viper which would be probably a better scope then any of them. the redfields have decent glass but the two i had had major problems with holding zero and tracking. I love my leupolds but anymore buy at least a vx2 with click ajustments. I detest the friction ajustments on rifleman and vx1s. the prostaffs are good mechanicaly but crappy in low light and in my opinion buckmasters arent much better. Ive got and like my nikons but there all monarchs and are out of that price range. If you can find a 4200 for 200 bucks buy two. I bought them for that a few months ago when they were being phased out but i dont find them anymore. Another real good bang for the buck if theres any left were natchez had team primos nikon 3x9s that were refirbished for 180 bucks. There basicaly the old monarchs at prostaff prices. I bought two of them. Im not crazy about there circle bullet drop retiticles but you dont have to use it if you dont want to.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #5 on:** June 28, 2011, 11:14:12 AM »

Quote from: Lloyd Smale on June 28, 2011, 03:38:29 AM

out of what you listed the 4200 is hands down the best scope of the ones you listed but where are you finding one for under 200 bucks? Maybe a 3200 but i doubt a 4200 For a couple bucks more you can but a vortex viper which would be probably a better scope then any of them. the redfields have decent glass but the two i had had major problems with holding zero and tracking. I love my leupold's but anymore buy at least a vx2 with click adjustments. I detest the friction adjustments on rifleman and vx1s. the prostaffs are good mechanically but crappy in low light and in my opinion buckmasters arent much better. Ive got and like my Nikon's but there all monarchs and are out of that price range. If you can find a 4200 for 200 bucks buy two. I bought them for that a few months ago when they were being phased out but i dont find them anymore. Another real good bang for the buck if there's any left were natchez had team primos nikon 3x9s that were refurbished for 180 bucks. There basically the old monarchs at prostaff prices. I bought two of them. I'm not crazy about there circle bullet drop reticules but you dont have to use it if you dont want to.

I agree, the 4200 is head and shoulders above the rest on your list...

CW

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #6 on:** June 28, 2011, 11:36:24 AM »

i looked and no more team primos but they had these for sale at a good price. http://www.natchezss.com/Optics.cfm?contentID=productDetail&brand=NK&prodID=NK8407BR&prodTitle=Nikon Refurbished 2.5-10x42 Monarch Riflescope NikoPlex Reticle Matte

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #7 on:** June 28, 2011, 12:05:54 PM »

I look at it this way. Whether the gun cost 300 or 3000 dollars if im using it for big game hunting i want to have confidense in my scope and i want good low light performance. Opertunitys on trophy animals dont come along very often these days and I want good reliable equptment. I might be out there with a 300 dollar rifle if its proven to me to be reliable and accurate but you wont see a budget scope on it not matter what the rifles worth. Ive had to many bad experiences with cheap optics and wont waste my money on them anymore. Anohter thing is a guy will sometimes sell a rifle but at least for me i usually keep my scopes so because its on a cheaper rifle today doesnt mean it will be for ever.

Quote from: GEWDOIT on June 27, 2011, 03:45:31 PM

Just doesn't seem right to put a 300+ dollar scope on a $340 gun. I know you get what you pay for to a certain point but my $350 dollar gun shoots about as good as my friends Browning X-bolt at less than half the price. I was looking for a good scope in the 130-200 dollar range to match up with the little Marlin

smokey262 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 28, 2011, 02:41:03 PM »

Another scope you may want to consider is the Burris FullField E1, which is the new and improved FullField II. Fits right in your price range

Here is how I would rate it with the original list

Bushnell 4200
Burris FullField E1
Redfield Revolution
Votex Diamondback
Nikon prostaff
Bushnell XLT
Leuopld rifleman QDM (Bass Pro)

yooper77 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 28, 2011, 03:28:13 PM »

Quote from: GEWDOIT on June 27, 2011, 12:33:21 PM

Bushnell XLT, Bushnell 4200, Nikon prostaff, Leuopld rifleman QDM (Bass Pro) , Redfield Revolution, Votex Diamondback all in 3-9 X 40. Prices from range from $139- $199. Mounting it on a Marlin XS-7 in 7mm-08. Please rank in order of your preference since I may have to go with my second or third choice(times is hard)

If I can only pick from your list it would be the Leuopld rifleman 3-9x40mm scope hands down. Every other optics company falls short compared to Leupold's quality and stellar customer service in my eyes.

I recommend a Leupold VX-I 3-9x40mm scope which is in your retail price range new.

I strongly recommend a Leupold VX-II 3-9x40mm scope which retails approx new for $299. This scope can be found for less off auction sites. I bought one for $160 which included shipping.

yooper77

jason045 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 28, 2011, 06:34:49 PM »

A good rule of thumb I use is spend at least as much on the scope as you do the rifle.
Or close to it. There are very few bargains in the optics world. You generally get what you pay for.
Good optics cost, plain and simple. I dont mean to sound elitest, but there really is no substitute for quality glass.
That said, the 4200 for $200 is by far your best bet.

351 power · « **Reply #11 on:** June 29, 2011, 02:20:18 PM »

weaver

Casull · « **Reply #12 on:** June 29, 2011, 04:26:55 PM »

I'm with Yooper on this one. And, you'll never find Leupold refusing to honor their warranty, like I've seen Bushnell do.

GEWDOIT · « **Reply #13 on:** June 29, 2011, 05:52:16 PM »

Thanks for all your input. The 4200 3X9 40mm is on sale at Cabellas for 199.99 right now, the vortex diamondback and burris E1 are also 199.99 at either bass pro or Cabellas. I'm leaning towards the 4200 and just wanted some more input to confirm what i have read on reviews and post on this site.

Bugflipper · « **Reply #14 on:** June 29, 2011, 11:53:16 PM »

Out of what you listed, I would go with the 4200 as well. Light transmission would pretty well be the determining factor for me. The rest of them besides the leupold are 91-92%. All have near enough the same clarity as you wouldn't go wrong with any of them. The rifleman has 88% and is not as clear as the rest listed.
The 4200 is 95% and clearer than the rest listed.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #15 on:** June 30, 2011, 12:20:20 AM »

Quote from: Casull on June 29, 2011, 04:26:55 PM

I'm with Yooper on this one. And, you'll never find Leupold refusing to honor their warranty, like I've seen Bushnell do.

Many of you know I am a Leupold guy, thru and thru. I own nearly nothing else. BUT, this time I limited my comments to the OPs listed scopes.

One comment about the no questions asked Leupold warranty... Its NOT included for the Rifleman line of Leupold scopes... Rifleman is the bottom of the Leupold line and MANY others are superior.

CW

Swampman · « **Reply #16 on:** June 30, 2011, 12:43:33 AM »

Bushnell 4200 (as good as or better than the Leupold VX-II)
Leuopld Rifleman QDM (an ok scope)
Redfield Revolution (only because of the warranty, would I choose this over the Nikon)
Nikon Prostaff (a great scope)
Bushnell XLT (a Walmart bubble pack scope)
Votex Diamondback (not something I'd buy)

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #17 on:** June 30, 2011, 01:52:49 AM »

im not arguing with you as i about agree with the list as far as light transmition but keep in mind those percentages are advertising. A scope manufacture can claim 99 percent light transmition as theres no industrial wide test or standard they have to meet. They can about claim what they want.

Quote from: Bugflipper on June 29, 2011, 11:53:16 PM

Out of what you listed, I would go with the 4200 as well. Light transmission would pretty well be the determining factor for me. The rest of them besides the leupold are 91-92%. All have near enough the same clarity as you wouldn't go wrong with any of them. The rifleman has 88% and is not as clear as the rest listed.
The 4200 is 95% and clearer than the rest listed.

Bugflipper · « **Reply #18 on:** June 30, 2011, 02:45:50 AM »

Your right Lloyd, some of them even test in wavelengths that humans can't see in in order to get the numbers up.

Casull · « **Reply #19 on:** June 30, 2011, 06:28:06 AM »

Quote

One comment about the no questions asked Leupold warranty... Its NOT included for the Rifleman line of Leupold scopes... Rifleman is the bottom of the Leupold line and MANY others are superior.

CW

I don't know where you heard that, CW. But, it's NOT true. This is from Leupold's own website:

Quote

The Rifleman® delivers famous Leupold® ruggedness, waterproof integrity, and our Golden Ring® Full Lifetime Guarantee in a scope any hunter can afford.

yooper77 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 30, 2011, 06:51:12 AM »

Quote from: Casull on June 30, 2011, 06:28:06 AM

Quote
One comment about the no questions asked Leupold warranty... Its NOT included for the Rifleman line of Leupold scopes... Rifleman is the bottom of the Leupold line and MANY others are superior.

CW

I don't know where you heard that, CW. But, it's NOT true. This is from Leupold's own website:

Quote
The Rifleman® delivers famous Leupold® ruggedness, waterproof integrity, and our Golden Ring® Full Lifetime Guarantee in a scope any hunter can afford.

This is one of the false myth/rumors I have heard before, but Leupold confirmed on the phone with me that they cover their Rifleman scopes with the same Leupold Full Lifetime Guarantee. Plus its on their website see below if you wish.

http://www.leupold.com/hunting-and-shooting/products/scopes/rifleman-riflescopes/rifleman-3-9x40mm/

http://www.leupold.com/lightbox/features/leupold-full-lifetime-guarantee/

yooper77

cwlongshot · « **Reply #21 on:** June 30, 2011, 07:26:55 AM »

Quote from: yooper77 on June 30, 2011, 06:51:12 AM

Quote from: Casull on June 30, 2011, 06:28:06 AM
Quote
One comment about the no questions asked Leupold warranty... Its NOT included for the Rifleman line of Leupold scopes... Rifleman is the bottom of the Leupold line and MANY others are superior.

CW

I don't know where you heard that, CW. But, it's NOT true. This is from Leupold's own website:

Quote
The Rifleman® delivers famous Leupold® ruggedness, waterproof integrity, and our Golden Ring® Full Lifetime Guarantee in a scope any hunter can afford.

This is one of the false myth/rumors I have heard before, but Leupold confirmed on the phone with me that they cover their Rifleman scopes with the same Leupold Full Lifetime Guarantee. Plus its on their website see below if you wish.

http://www.leupold.com/hunting-and-shooting/products/scopes/rifleman-riflescopes/rifleman-3-9x40mm/

http://www.leupold.com/lightbox/features/leupold-full-lifetime-guarantee/

yooper77

This is new and great news!!! Thank you for posting it!

But believe me when I tell you it was not always this way! Shame on me for not checking before posting.

Limiting to the OP's list, I would still choose the 4200 Bushnell over all others, by a good margin.

CW

WSM264 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 12, 2011, 05:17:33 PM »

Before you buy a scope you have to ask yourself this: How many times do I shoot my gun? How many times do I look thru the scope?? Most people generally look their scope 10X more than they shoot their gun. That being said - there is nothing wrong with a $500 scope on a $350 gun.

4200
Diamondback
Fullfield II

Casull · « **Reply #23 on:** July 12, 2011, 05:37:47 PM »

Quote

Before you buy a scope you have to ask yourself this: How many times do I shoot my gun? How many times do I look thru the scope?? Most people generally look their scope 10X more than they shoot their gun. That being said - there is nothing wrong with a $500 scope on a $350 gun.

Not sure where you got those numbers, unless you're using your scope as a binocular. BTW, that is a major no no.

ironglow · « **Reply #24 on:** July 12, 2011, 06:01:59 PM »

I read somewhere that today's Redfields are really Leupolds with a different name..

Swampman · « **Reply #25 on:** July 13, 2011, 12:34:41 AM »

Not really.....

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #26 on:** July 13, 2011, 01:43:07 AM »

there made by luepold and id guess they use the same lenses as the rifleman or the vx1 but the tubes are totaly differnt as are the internal adjustments.

Quote from: ironglow on July 12, 2011, 06:01:59 PM

I read somewhere that today's Redfields are really Leupolds with a different name..

WSM264 · « **Reply #27 on:** July 13, 2011, 05:22:35 AM »

Quote from: Casull on July 12, 2011, 05:37:47 PM

Quote
Before you buy a scope you have to ask yourself this: How many times do I shoot my gun? How many times do I look thru the scope?? Most people generally look their scope 10X more than they shoot their gun. That being said - there is nothing wrong with a $500 scope on a $350 gun.

Not sure where you got those numbers, unless you're using your scope as a binocular. BTW, that is a major no no.

I guess you never practice shouldering or dry firing

Casull · « **Reply #28 on:** July 13, 2011, 05:35:38 AM »

Quote

I guess you never practice shouldering or dry firing

Can't say as I do. I practice dry firing with my handguns, but not with my rifles. If I'm shouldering a rifle, it's in the field or at the range, and then I like to shoot. And, if I were shouldering the rifle inside, then looking through the scope would be meaningless anyway. As for dry firing, I try to do that with a rifle as little as possible.