The best Leupolds Nikons Zeiss Swarovski,Schmidt and Bender
use the best lens coatin, and have set the standards for image quality and brightness as well as performance. Even though the performance and image quality have improved with lower end optics and narrowed the gap somewhat, don't think it will last forever. To improve your odds of it lasting try these ideas..First off if a low cost scope is what you want, don't go with big large objective, high power, heavy scope Stiff recoil can cause a heavy scope to slip in it's rings, and sheer off screws.Don't compensate on this. Larger objective lenses may give you a bigger exit pupil and higher resolution, with all else equal it very seldom is.With what ever you choose to go with, either go with a better quality fixed 4 or 6 power on a 36 or 40mm objective or a variable in a 1.5 - 6 40mm. If you need a greater power than 6 with a 40mm objective lens on a muzzle loader, check your watch.. It's probably too late to shoot.But yeah I choose a scope that is reliable under heavy recoil and go with a low magnification, that is lighter but still gives you a good eye relief.A fixed power scope may be best for this condition that you may want to look at.