Would it be a sin...
 

...to mount a $200 scope to a $1200 rifle?

Specifically, I think I'm going to take the plunge and finally buy a Sako 75 Grey Wolf (laminated stainless), probably in either 270 WSM or 300WSM for no other reason than I like both cartridges really well. But for the scope I've been considering giving the Simmons AETEC Master Series scope a try (they will be priced at about $200-220 at MidwayUSA when they arrive at the end of August). I've read glowing reviews about the new Meade owned and designed Simmons and Redfield scopes, and a couple of the trusted regulars here seem to swear by the current AETEC scopes as being worth several times what they cost. I'm up in the air between the AETEC Master and a more expensive but time proven and trusted quality Nikon Monarch UCC 3-9x or 4-12x.

I guess something in my gut tells me that it's wrong to put a low dollar scope on a high dollar rifle...similar to putting retread bias tires on a brand new Corvette. I'm willing to spend $500 on a scope, but if the Simmons AETEC is really all it's cracked up to be, I could spend the money I save on other toys to go with it.



Mike

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

I have heard really good things about the Aetec. It's not the cost, but the quality of the lens that counts. I want to purchase one as well.

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

Personally, I'd think such a rifle would warrant a bit more investment on the optics. Like UT said, ACorvette doesn't run on retreads. Zeiss or Swarvoski (sp/) would be my choice. I was told once, "you spend half as much on the optics as you did the gun".

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

That Sako 75 Grey Wolf looks like a very nice rifle and personally I would get better glass on it then the Aetec. There’s nothing wrong with the Aetec scope. I have one but I wouldn’t do it. If I had to, I would put the Aetec for one or two seasons until I could afford something else. If you have confidence in the Aetec and you would be satisfied, then I would say go for it. The end result is you have to be satisfied and not worry about what everyone has to say. Good luck..;)

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

The ATEC is ok but not my favorite. I would put a Bushnell Elite 4200 on it. They have a good warante and let in 95% of available light, to get any better than that you will have to go to a $800-$1000 scope. The 4200 is $400 at cabelas but you can get them cheaper on other internet sights. They are very close to the Nikons and they have rainguard. You can fog them up with your breath and still see through them to shoot. I have the 4200 in 1.5-6x36 on my 7x57 and I am going to put a 4200 2.5-10x40 on my .223.

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

try thr burris L.R.S great scope very clear $369.00 this scope is just as good as the high price one.

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

I have one of the atec scopes on a 50 cal muzzleloader and has done well the last 3 years.
But if I was going to get a sako I would put a burris signature selecton it.
Think I would like to try one of the new atec's too.

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

IMHO the Aetec is what I would call a "decent scope" but not something I would compare too say a Conquest, 4200 Elite, VXIII, Signature Select etc... Sure it would work fine on the Sako and you probably wouldn't have a minutes trouble with it. I have not yet dealt with a new Master Series. They certainly should be better than present, but the only literature I have read on them is their own.

You are asking about a "decent scope" on a fantastic rifle, at least you aren't asking about putting a BSA on it! If you already have the scope that's fine. If all you can spend is $200-$250 then do yourself a favor and get a Nikon Buckmasters for that gun. They are LIGHTYEARs ahead of the Aetec in clarity, a simple glance through each will bear that out.

Good luck,
RA

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

I have not heard anything bad about the new Aetec, but I believe that, when it comes to optics, you get what you pay for. I am sure tehre are a few bargains, but all in all it is true. That being said, i think you can overpay for the scope. How far a shot are you taking, hunting conditions, accuracy expectations all come into play.I am big fan Pentax optics. I think they compare favorably with higher dollar scopes, but do not carry the same price.

Let me ask it this way. You are about to spend approx $1,450 on a rifle and scope. Could you buy a lessor rifle, better scope and get teh same accuracy.

I am like those before me. It would seem to defeat teh purpose to by a trophy gun and lessen the value with a $200 scope.

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

I have a Leupold VXII and an Aetec new in the box. I have low light tested both and formed my own opinions of sight clarity etc.... In my tests the Aetec wins hands down in every category except finish. I think Leupold is clearly the better looking scope but the Aetec is the better functioning scope.

Tom

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

I say it depends on what you intend to do with the rifle and how much money you have. I have always read to spend as much as you spent on the rifle on the optics. That's cool if you have the money, but what if you don't? I have had plenty of guns that shot really well with 50 dollar scopes on them.

If you are talking about target or long range shooting then a high power scope would be nice. And for sure the more money you spend the better the optics will be. But if it is for normal use or light hunting I don't see where you need a 500-1000 dollar scope. It sure would be nice, but a requirement? I don't think so. My .17HMR was $200 and it has a $400 dollar scope on it. However it has a 20 power varmint scope on it and it will shoot 1 inch or better groups at 120 yards if I do my part. Would it be less accurate with a cheaper scope, no, but the one I have sure is nice to look thru at that power.

I have remington 700ml inline muzzle loader that has a BSA Catseye 3.5-10x50 scope on it that cost like 150 bucks. It shoots plenty well at 100 yards and beyond. Before that it had a 50 dollar bushnell 3-9x32 on it. Guess what, it still shot 1 inch groups at 100 yards. Were these scopes as clear and bright as a Conquest, hell no. However they did do the job at a fraction of the cost which was what I could afford on what I make. The deer sure can't tell the difference I'll tell you that much;).

If you can easily afford a more expensive scope though I would get it. Or buy from a place like Cabela's where you can return it if your not happy. That is what I did with mine. I tried 4 scopes until I found the one I wanted. It ended up being a Cabela's Alaskan Guide model for 100 bucks more than I really wanted to spend. However for what I wanted to use it for the optics were much better. That is the most I have ever spent on a scope in my life. I doubt I will ever be able to do it agian with my income.

That's just my opinion any way.

Paul

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

I recently purchased a refurbished Nikon Monarch UCC 3-9X40 Matte from Natchez Shooters Supply for $199.95 with shipping it came to $214. I mounted it on a Remington 870 w/cantilever slug barrel. Firing saboted hard kicking slugs, around 80 rounds so far I've had no problems. I would buy one of the refurbed Monarchs over the Aetec. I do have one of the older Aetec's on my .50 cal muzzleloader and I believe the Monarch is a better optic.

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

You could get a nice Leupold VX-II for under $300 at this website...

https://www.dnrsports.net/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=DSC&Cat egory_Code=vx2scopesleu

Just my 2 cents

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

Is it a "sin" ? Nonsense. I realise that this was used in a euphumistic sense... but, I think that you should install whatever type of scope you wish - to h&## with anyone else's opinion. I absolutely agree that one tends to get what one pays for with optics. But, just because the rifle cost $1200...this doesn't mean that a good, workable scope must cost $1200 as well. There is a lot of scope "snobbery" out there. It seems that, to many involved in the shooting/ hunting sports, that the brand of scope is more important that the success of the user. It often seems that way, in any case. All that is really important is whether the scope works as intended...and thus, the character of the RESULTS. I certainly realise (and agree) that the odds of good results are much better with a fine piece of optical equipment than a cheap one....but there can be exceptions. The heart of it is - are YOU (the owner/ user) satisfied ?

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

Many purist' will tell you that the scope should cost as much, or more than the gun! I say bull hockey! I would stay away from any "under a hundred dollar," junk, but the Aetec is a good scope! I'd say it is as good as any low-end Luepies. Is it as good as a 800-1000 dollar scope? No! But the 1000 dollar scopes aren't 5 times better than the Aetec either! Aetec is good glass!

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

Putting a Simmons on a Sako is a sin roughly equivalent to having sex with your mother-in-law.

It was a bad idea to think about it....it was a bad idea when you was doing it and the next morning when you woke up you knew for sure it was a mistake.

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

I think I'm going to be ill at the thought![:'(] I can't even believe that my wife is related to that thing...er..woman! But your point is well seen.

Anyway, I think I'll probably just go with my original plan and put a Nikon Monarch on it, or maybe a Bushnell 4200 Elite. I'm prepared to spend $500 on the scope, or even a shade more. I think I might try an Aetec on my Savage 10ML-II. It's got a cheapy Bushnell on it right now and I wouldn't mind having better glass on it.

I really appreciate everyones input.

Mike

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

That's like buying a Corvette with a 4 cylinder engine!
Man buy a scope to go with that rifle! You said money was no object!

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

I don't agree, at least not completely! What about internal sealing?????

I'd much rather have a decent scope that the company has a history and reputation of NOT going south whenthere product isin the field, than a scope that's a bit clearer and of unknown quality!!!

Takeyour scope and put it in the freezer "overnight". Then drop it in a sink full of "warm" water and look for bubbles. "If" it won't pass this test, i wouldn't put it on my pellet rifle!!!

When i'm out hunting the last thing i need is my scope pukeing or even getting some fog in it, and i can say i've "never" had even one Leupold scope fail in any way in the field! I have thrown a couple cheaper scopes in the garbarage over the years though.

Drilling Man

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

Dude go with a better scope. If your buyin a rifle like that it deserves a little better. I hear those aetecsare decent scopes, especially for the price but I would definatly go with something else.

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

Mount a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40, or 3.5-10x44. Good luck.

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

I should have said quality of the scope in general. I was trying to throw in the fact that price isn't always a good indicator of quality.

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

The Aetec is a very good scope. There is no shame in mounting one of these on any rifle. I don't think you will find a tougher, better functioning scope for less the 600=700 dollars. Money don't come into play for me. I want something that works for the best darn price I can find.Go for it. The Aetec has an excellent reputation. Just start looking for negative reports on them. You will find few if any. The cheap scopes that Simmons makes has nothing to do with the Aetec. In the case of the Aetec, you finally do get what you pay for. Quality. Sorry that it doesn't cost more but thats life. Sometimes you get stuck saving money.

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

someone should call simmons and tell them that they should charge more for their scopes. then maybe they would sell more. :D:Dfor some reason guys thinkthey can't possibly be any good for that price. back in the 60's and 70's i heard the same thing about ruger everyone said you had to buy fromabig name gun makeror you didn't have a gun now look at them. i say if it works use it.

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

Spend as much on the optics as you spent on the gun?

Boys, I've killed deer with a gun WITHOUT A SCOPE that's not any kind of magnum.

Putting an AETEC on a Sako is akin to screwing your mother-in-law?

Apples to oranges, I'm afraid.

You could put a 10$ fixed 2 power scope on a Sako and it wouldn't be like that. Gross.

The AETEC is a fine scope. Why not buy it, put it on and see how you like it?



Spending 600 bucks on a scope is far closer to having sex with a mother-in-law than putting an AETEC on a Sako.

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

All I ask of a scope is that it is plenty clear as to not hinder a good hold, Maintain its POI. Gather enough light to shoot during all legal shooting hours and not fog up in nasty conditions. For quite a few years now the Aetecs have done all this and more. Who cares that it doesn't cost an arm and a leg? I have both the 3x9's and 4x12's with lighted rectical. I have in the past had Leupolds but I can't see ever spending more than the price of the Aetec again because when it comes to performance, they are top notch and will do the same job as more expensive glass. I choose to pocket the extra money for something else. The only thing they don't provide is snob value.;)

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

While the phrase "you get what you pay for," didn't get popular for nothing, money DOES NOT always mean quality either!
As JB states, all that is required from a scope is clarity, and holding a good POI! I don't care what scope you get, you will always find someonethat got a lemon! The better the scope quality, the less complaints you'll hear. Again, money is not always quality, I've seen people who didn't want to buy something until the price was doubled!

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

My theory has always been to buy the 'best' scope you can afford. A good scope on an ok rifle can make it a shooter, but a cheap scope on a great gun can cost you alot of headaches. Not to mention that if you've invested alot of good money into a 'big' hunt and end up with a scope failure, you hunt can be over, quick. Most outfitters won't pack you out of the mountains so you can drive to town for a new scope. Not worth the chance to me. I've never had a Leupold fail me, period. Has anyone here seen that rifle Leupold carries around in their display. It was lost in Alaska for years before it was finally found again. The Weatherby rifle was completely distroyed and unuseable, but the optics were as clear as a bell. Pretty impressive.

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

Do you plan on hunting with it right away? I'd put the Simmons on it and see how you like it, then, if you need to, retire the Simmons to the Savage and buy the Nikon of Bushnell for the Sako.

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

You could probably get away with that if you are hunting in flatlands with little chance of hurting the scope and a mild kicking caliber. But if you are shooting a harder kicking caliber (30-06 or stouter), and hunting in rugged terrain, I would spend a little more on optics. My Sako has an old 4.5-14X Leupold Vari X III and it has taken a beating over the last ten years without ever losing it's zero.

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

Same with the Aetec. It has matched my Leupolds in everything but cost. They have been every bit the scope of those costing three times as much.

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

It is definetly difficult to get past the cost factor. It was difficult for me. I use one of my Aetecs on my muzzle loader which I pack with 3 Triple 7 pellets. That is a lot of kick. It is dead nuts.

I will never buy another Lueopold as long as I live. I just can't stomach the idea that I spent $500 on a scope that isn't supperior to a $130 Aetec. I unfortunetly own two Leupolds now and if I could get my money out of them I would.

I would however consider a Zeiss Conquest. Zeiss has amazingly clear glass and I have never owned one.

Try the Aetec and if you can't handle the pressure your buddies put on you for shooting with a Simmons scope then go out and buy an expensive scope.

Tom

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

I don't know how Leupolds are made now, but I have a ten year old Vari X III on my 300 WBY and it is as clear as it was ten years ago.

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

Grizzlyman,

I also don't know how Leupolds were made 10 years ago but my measure of a good scope is not only clear it is also low-light performance. The aetec is pretty darn impressive in low light.

Tom

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

Use what you want, but don't criticize other people's choices. I shoot a $100 Bushnell on one of my rifles, and it's fine for it's purpose. I've got a $450 Leupold on another rifle and it's fine for it's purpose. What I said before has to do with the intended use vs the quality.

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

I guess I'm biased in this regard, because I have two Sako 75's and both wear Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 scopes. I've hunted pretty hard with the .300 Wby Sako in particular and have fired some 800 rounds of ammo with that Zeiss on it andithasn't given me any concerns whatsoever. So, the Zeiss Conquest gets my vote.

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

I looked at that Zeiss Conquest last year and really liked it. If I was going to replace the Leupold on my Sako, I would give the Zeiss a serious look.

RE: Would it be a sin...
 

Personally, I'd sell the $1200.00 rifle, buy a $500.00 rifle, and put a $1200.00 scope on it.You'd getbetter consistency out of it.