Author Topic: Leupold vs. Nikon vs. burris vs bushnell vs. ??? (Read 2208 times)

DavOh · « **on:** January 03, 2006, 05:27:33 PM »

I want a .25-06 Savage for whitetail AND possibly Prairie Dogs / Coyotes.

What scope should I look at, Leupold(VX-I or II) or similarly priced Nikon(Monarch... Or does the Buckmasters compare to the VX-II?)
I prefer 3-9x40 with duplex ret. but am open to suggestion(especially in long range Pdog shooting since I've never tried it.

Thanks for your help everyone.

P.S. Figured I might as well be open to suggestion... :-)

whitedogone · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2006, 12:55:22 AM »

More power for them little dogs! For a little more than $300 you should be able to get into a way better class of scope than the Buckmasters/VXII lineups. I.E..... Monarch,Bushnell 4200, Weaver Grand Slam. If I was looking in same price point as the Buckmasters, I would consider the Burris FFII. WDO

Zachary · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2006, 02:59:30 AM »

Take a look at these scopes in each respective category:

Group 1
Nikon Monarch - best value in this price category
Elite 4200 - middle priced, but heavier and longer
Leupold VX-III - most expensive in this price category

Group 2
Nikon Buckmaster - best value in this price category
Elite 3200 - middle priced, but heavier and longer
Leupold VX-II - most expensive in this price category.

Go to www.theopticzone.com and check out these models in the particular magnifications you want.

For deer/varmints, your best bet is the 4x-16x or 4x-12x. This way, you can use the lower powers for deer, and the higher power for varmints at long range. I also like to use these higher mag scopes because I find them useful at the range, but hardly ever while hunting.

Truth be told, about 30 or 40 years ago, a fixed 4x was considered the all around big game scope, and the fixed 6x was considered the all around varmint scope. Back in the day, if someone used a 6x for deer hunting, he was considered a rebel. Yet today, with all of the marketing hype, a lot of people, including me, thought/still think, that you need 2000x magnification to shoot a deer at 50 yards away. I guess we now find it important to pin point the exact single strand of hair that we intend our bullet to shoot.

As such, don't feel foolish if I recommend the good 'ole 3x-9x. :wink:

Grubbs · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2006, 06:05:32 AM »

The Burris Fullfield II is much better than the Elite 3200 or Nikon Buckmaster, and just as good as the VX II for way less money.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2006, 07:23:59 AM »

Look at them all and make a decision, you are the only one that is going to use it and you need to be the one happy with you decision.

DavOh · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2006, 11:45:24 AM »

Well put redhawk....

I've never been good with major purchases like these. I've bought stuff too many times on impulse and found out later that it wasnt quite as great as I thought it was...

When I'm hunting 7-8 hours from home, that's the last place I want to find out that the "great deal" i thought i was getting wasn't so great after all. This is the first time I've ever had the pleasure of interacting with both like minded and not so like minded individuals to get great advice on major investments...

DavOh · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2006, 11:50:58 AM »

jeeze.... that sounded like one of those corny stock investment commercials!!!! :-D

victorcharlie · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2006, 11:53:42 AM »

Quote from: Redhawk1

Look at them all and make a decision, you are the only one that is going to use it and you need to be the one happy with you decision.

You feeling Okay?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2006, 02:12:50 PM »

Quote from: victorcharlie

Quote from: Redhawk1
Look at them all and make a decision, you are the only one that is going to use it and you need to be the one happy with you decision.

You feeling Okay?

I know why you said that, :-D I did not recommend the Leupold like I always do. So I am trying a new tactic this year and be more open minded. But I will still only buy Leupold scopes for "my" rifles.

But is the best thing to make sure he is satisfied with his decision. He did mention some good scopes and would not go wrong with any of them. Oh did I mention get a Leupold. :-D

DavOh · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2006, 03:16:44 PM »

I understand what you're saying redhawk... My dad is the same way...

Catfish · « **Reply #10 on:** January 06, 2006, 01:30:23 AM »

I bought 2 Burrius scope and both were junk. I had trouble with the last Bushnell scope I bought and I`ve never owned a Nikon. I bought my first Leupold scope in 1968. It went through a car wreck and looks like crap the way it got chewed up, but still works like new. I`ve got about 30 Leupold scopes from 2x through 36X. I no longer put anything but Leupold on my guns. Your best choice would be a 3 1/2 x 10 VX 111, but if you don`t want to spend quite that much money a VX 11 in 3 x 9 would make a good choice. A 4 x 12 would have an advantage shooting PD`s but the 3 x 9 would be better for deer in my oppenion.

Grubbs · « **Reply #11 on:** January 06, 2006, 08:53:59 AM »

For what it's worth (probably not much), I have had personal experience with these scopes that can be found for under $400 (best to "least best" order)........

Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40
Nikon Monarch3-9x40
Elite 4200 3-9x40 (like it less than Monarch only because it's loooooong)
Leup VXII
Burris FF II

Way donw the pecking order:
Leup Rifleman
Cheaper Bushnell
Simmons
Tasco

Leupold VX III is great scope but way too pricey
Good Luck

TNhunter · « **Reply #12 on:** January 06, 2006, 02:00:20 PM »

Nikon Buckmasters or Leupold VX1 or on up to the Nikon Monarch or Leupold VXII. No way would I place the Bushnell 3200 on the same level as a Leupold VXII. I like the VX1 above the 3200.

Zachary · « **Reply #13 on:** January 06, 2006, 03:28:53 PM »

I too would place the VX-II above the Elite 3200. But the Elite 4200 is above the VX-II.

The optics on the NEW VXIII are excellent - noticeably better than the older Vari-X III (now the VX-II). I would place the VX-IIIs slightly better than the Elite 4200s, but not by much.

Zachary

Ahab · « **Reply #14 on:** January 07, 2006, 07:18:02 AM »

I'm with Grubbs.

whitedogone · « **Reply #15 on:** January 07, 2006, 03:37:00 PM »

Quote from: Zachary

Take a look at these scopes in each respective category:

Group 1
Nikon Monarch - best value in this price category
Elite 4200 - middle priced, but heavier and longer
Leupold VX-III - most expensive in this price category

Group 2
Nikon Buckmaster - best value in this price category
Elite 3200 - middle priced, but heavier and longer
Leupold VX-II - most expensive in this price category.

For deer/varmints, your best bet is the 4x-16x or 4x-12x. This way, you can use the lower powers for deer, and the higher power for varmints at long range. I also like to use these higher mag scopes because I find them useful at the range, but hardly ever while hunting.

Why not include the FFII in group 2, Zachary? Now I'm not a big Burris fan or anything. But, I think that it needs to be included there also. WDO

Zachary · « **Reply #16 on:** January 08, 2006, 02:18:37 AM »

It could be included in Group 2, but I just don't like recommending any Burris scopes. I own some Burris scopes an I just am not that happy with them. For the money, I recommend the others. Again, that's just me.

Zachary

kudzu · « **Reply #17 on:** January 09, 2006, 05:36:19 PM »

Don't overlook the Sightron in this price range.

DavOh · « **Reply #18 on:** January 10, 2006, 08:42:29 AM »

since someone mentioned sightron....

I have no knowledge of these.... how are they?

-Davoh

"..a guy walks into a bar.... and says ow...."

whitedogone · « **Reply #19 on:** January 10, 2006, 02:54:30 PM »

Quote from: DavOh

since someone mentioned sightron....

I have no knowledge of these.... how are they?

-Davoh

I have heard good things about the S2 line. I have a friend that has one. And I have not been impressed. WDO

lostsniper308 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 21, 2006, 01:57:46 PM »

well i cannot find my digi cam right now but i'll be putting a Nikon pro-staff 3-9x40 in E-bay if your interested. i'll likely set the "buy now" price at $120-130 area.