corey012778

i am intrusted knowing, I am still saving up for an brand new muzzleloader even thou i am waiting to see if an the offer we made on the house is taken.

right now, I am looking at an $600 budget for the gun and scope. with $450 at most on the gun the rest on the scope.

so $150 for the scope

so that is some where around 33% of the cost.

yes, if I finally get an brand new m/ler I will put an nicer scope on it.

oldsmellhound

I've had pretty good luck with cheaper scopes like the Simmons Prodiamond and Truglo shotguns scopes. I know a lot of guys pay more, but especially with the Simmons, I've put them through the ringer, dropped them, hunted in heavy rain, snow, etc. and no problems so far. As far as percentage, lets see....

#1. $120 rifle with $40 scope (Simmons) = 30%

#2. $160 rifle with $40 scope (Simmons) = $25%

#3. $170 rifle with $70 scope (Truglo) = 41%

On the other hand, if I would buy a $400 muzzy, I probably would not put a $40 scope on it- I would invest some more.

Breechplug

I Bought one of My ACCURA's SS/Camo for $349 and My Leupold Ultimate Slam ML Scope for $250, Total $599, this is My Favorite ML set up and the one I use the Most for Hunting.
One of My Other ACCURA's SS/BK has a Nikon Pro Staff on it, ML $299 Scope $180, Total $479
My Wifes ACCURA BK/SS with a Bushnell Dusk to Dawn ML Scope is Mossy Oak, ML $349, Scope $89, Total $438.
So for your Budget of $600 I was able to buy a Nice MLer and also Buy a Nice Scope to go with it. I know you were looking to buy a ACCURA, if you can find a Older ACCURA V1 for around $300 (New) and get a Bushnell Scope in 3X9 for around $90 your only looking at a total of $390.
I like the Bushnell Dusk to Dawn MLer Scope as Much as I do the Leupold Ultimate Slam MLer Scope, I was kind of Surprised at the Quality of the Bushnell, Crisp and Clear and Always Holds Zero even afetr Multiple shots of a Magnum 150gr Load.
What Im getting at is reguardless of what MLer you Buy, Your Budget of $150 for a Scope will still get you a Good One, why should you feel that spending $150 on a Scope will just get you a mediocre one and you'll have to Up-Grade later?
Heck I have another Bushnell 3X9 on a Shot Gun that only cost me $39 and it's never let me down after almost 20 years.......
(BP)

corey012778

bp, to tell the truth, i may not spend 150 on an scope. just budgeting for that amount. I may not have to spend 450 for the gun. I always budget more then I plan to spend.

as for the scopes/gun combos. I run around 24% to 64% the gun cost vs scope cost. i am all about the deals

I got one scope that retailed for $100 the place had it for $40 and I got another $20 off that.

Breechplug

Wait untill after (Christmas) and look for them Good Deals that will be out there, Search the Classifides on the Forum, you will find a Deal. The Economy is in the Toilet now so Everyone wants Your Money, and the Retailers need it too.
I also have Mlers, a CVA Stag Horn Mag, cost $99 with a Bushnell Scope on it that cost Me around $50. I would'nt feel Handicapped taking it out on a Hunt, it's taken Deer befor and it would take them again, and that was on a $150 Outfit,,,,,,,for Your $600 I could put togeather one Heck of a Nice Outfit weather it be a CVA, TC or a Knight all with Good Scopes. Cabela's has the TC Triumph Weathershield/Bk on Sale for $399, you can Buy that one and add a Nice Scope to it for less than $200, Have Money Left Over and Feel Like a King.
(BP)

corey012778

looking into getting an 45cal, so kinda leaves tc out of the running and I have my heart set on an cva accura. and I am looking for brand new this time.

Breechplug

Why a 45, and wich ACCURA a older V1 or the Newer V2? I find the Newer ACCURA V2's to be valued to much for just a different Breech Plug and some Rubber on the Stock. If the Older V1's had the QRBP and No Rubber on the Stock it would be My MLer for Life.
(BP)

corey012778

it is going to be the V2. if I could find an NIB V1 I would not bother me one bit. don't know how I fill about qrbp.

why 45cal, I have lee reals and lee improved minnes in 45cal as well as .451 molds and an .459 mold I can try as full bore. I enjoy shooting 45cals more then i do 50cals, I like shooting my 54cal more then i do 50cal.

Palehorse

Last 2 scopes (in chronological order) I bought in that price range that I thought were as good as most eastern states hunter will ever need:

1. Nikon ProStaff 2-7x for $149 (Old design with slow focus eyepiece)
2. Redfield Revolution 2-7x for $139

Other scopes I have liked (you might find used?):

1. Leupold Vari-X III (1992) 1.5-4.5x (best M/L scope I have ever used?)
2. Nikon Monarch UCC 1.5-4.5x (a bit of edge distortion at 1.5x)

nysbowhunter

Spend every penny that your budget will allow, period! I am not trying to sound foolish its just that you get what you pay for. I realize that most of us (myself included) fall into the $100 to $300 dollar range on a scope. There are excellent scopes out there for this kind of money. It's better to wait a while and buy one when funds allow. I have missed an opportunity because of a fogged scope, lesson learned! Doug.