I have a NcStar 10~40x50mm illuminated on my savage 10FP (.308) and I can hit vienna sausage cans all day at 250 yds. I used to buy the hype that only the name brands (Leupold, Nikon, etc) made quality scopes until I gave NcStar a try. And my father has Leupold's on TWO of his rifles. Yeah, it doesn't have diamond clarity but for my eyes and the price I paid for it, it can't be beat. I'll take 85% just as good a scope for 25% of the cost of the comparable one. Scopes today just aren't the same as they used to be years ago. Unfortunately, people aren't willing to give anything new a try and are quick to bash anything NON-name brand because it either isn't name brand or the price isn't worth bragin about. They make $500.00 (and up) on down to $35.00 DVD players, and many people use those $35.00 wally-world players and NEVER have a problem with them. Manufacturing cost for pratically EVERYTHING have came down...UNLESS you're buying a highfalutin name brand. People flaunt and floss in their Hummer H3's and I cruise on by in my Chevrolet Colorado that has the same in-line 5-cylinder as their H3 made by Isuzu. Yes Leupold and other do make optics that are exceptional but for the average hunter on a working mans budget, who may only hunt in his back yard (and never see Africa the Yukon or Alaska much less hunt there) without a "high and mighty" budget these scopes will fit the bill. Bottom line, Buy the best you can afford. If it comes with a lifetime warranty (NcStar does) and fits your budget give it a try. It beats not being in the woods at all. You don't have to buy LOW end and you Don't have to buy HIGH end. But don't believe the hype that you can't get exceptional bang for your buck for under $150.00.

FYI: I picked up my NcStar Scope for under $120.00 and after shooting well over 500 rounds (more than a few hunting seasons) it's still going strong. YMMV.