There are a lot of good scopes out there. The Leupold is one of them. I have a straight 6X leupold I bought well over 30 years ago. And it is as good today as it was then. Spend the little extra now, and he will have a scope that will undoubtedly last his life time. And have a warranty that is backed by a USA company as well.

I do not think too much about their bases and rings. Get a good one piece steel base, and steel rings. Just my opinion. However I have not had a lot of luck with the cheaper aluminum stuff. Tom.