I know what you mean. I would hate to loose a chance at a trophy because of a bum scope/ I never have and when I shoot a scope of any brand for enough years to gain full confidence in it, I have every reason to believe it will do the job for me. The Bushnells have never failed me nor have the better ones of any brand.

I have another, slightly different angle on this discussion. I happen to be one of those old-fashioned types that does NOT care for variable-magnification scopes. I have always preferred
a fixed-power scope of no more than 6X. Of my two current rifles, one wears a 6X and the
other, a 2.5X. (they are both .308's.... but I have never had any great difficulty in hitting the
target... at the ranges over which I shoot (250 yds max.)). Both scopes are moderately-priced models. I have had both for some time... and used them in all manner of conditions. They have both maintained zero very well.
My conclusion is that, as long as the scope is of decent quality in the first place (and not all
of them are) then one is more likely to get consistent performance from a moderately-priced fixed-power model than a similarly-priced variable. I would think that this would simply have to do with
the lack of optical and mechanical complication of the fixed-power scope. It is true (I believe) that
a more expensive scope will offer better overall quality, in most cases. The question, as I see it,
is, will the extra quality be worth the money ? In my experience, with my preference for fixed-
power scopes, the answer is no.
I must add, though, that if I used variable-power scopes, I probably would go much higher in
the price arena for a proven, well-regarded model. With the inherent complication and optical
design factors of the variable-power scopes considered, I think one would be better off in paying more (though not for, perhaps, the most-expensive model).

I faced the same scope dilema recently and decided to go with a leupold vari-x II, while you do pay for the name, the quality that backs is up is worth far more than the price you pay. We were up elk hunting when the 280 fell scope first onto some rocks, next morning we took it out and at 150 yards it was in about a 2 inch group on a paper plate. I would pay far more than $200 for that assurance

Targetpuncher. You are exactly right. I prefer fixed power scopes as well. When it comes to Fixed power there is very litttle to go wrong. I have tome 20.00 Tasco Pronghorn 4X scopes that have been in use for six years. All of them are on high power rifles and none has ever changed the point of impact one little bit. I wish there were more fixed power scopes available. My Simmons Pro-Hunter was 60.00 and it has been perfect as well as having better low light capabilities than any of my Luepolds.