Some people like to try many different rifles. I am one of them. However I like to try different scopes as well
So, it's not that you can't afford a "proven" scope, it's more like you have "too much money", and you can afford to keep on buying "unproven" scopes.....
I've love to take one of those cheapo scopes and freeze it over night and then drop it in warm water a few times. Don't forget to give it a good dose of magnum recoil inbetween tries...
That's the REAL proof of wether it's a "good" scope or not.
Where i hunted, if it couldn't take that, it would only be worthy of a "closet" firearm, or maybe for someone who can bring spareriflesalong.... I never had that luxury, and that's why i wouldn't put an unproven scope on a "work" rifle...
BTW, the only "back up" gun i ever took on hunts was a S&W M-29 because of weight restrictions, but then again, according to "you"they wear out faster than a cheapo scope!!
Drilling Man