The best rifle scope for the money
 

Hey,

I've recently just posted up my first writeup comparing what I think are some of the best rifle scopes for the money.

This has been a labour of love that has taken almost 5 months of in depth testing with each scope. I feel the scopes reviewed are great for beginners and veterans alike and I have also tried to breakdown the best way to go about selecting a scope for your needs.

Please let me know what you guys think as I would really appreciate some criticism on this as well as some knowledge on what you think is the best scope for the money right now in order to pick one up and write about it for my next post.

...Deleted by CalHunter...

Sorry, I made that decision twenty years ago
 

And I still have the same scope today.

Besides, I'm not sighting in for a 700 yard shot and need all those optics. Never did get in a range finder. Thats all in my sight in procedure at 100 yards.

Us old guys have to save money.

Since I have no kids I can afford to test these out and write about them. What scope do you have anyway?

Also what did you think of the article?

For everyone's information, that is not a post he wants people to click on, but rather a website owned by the OP that is tied into Amazon.com as a money maker. Knowing that, I still went down through that lengthy dissertation and I'm afraid I would have to disagree with most of what was written regarding the various ones you picked based on their cost. All the "go to" rifles in my safes have Leupolds on them and I've never had a single problem with any of them. Some have even been out of production for many moons since I have a number of decades of shooting/hunting under my belt. I live by the old saying that "you get what you pay for" and feel that is certainly true regarding scopes and I won't cut corners to save a few bucks when buying one. I know Leupold is a time tested company out there that has great products for the money and even more they have an unbeatable lifetime warranty if something ever does happen and requires that the company be contacted. I guess you could say that I'm a Leupold guy all the way and will never change. Also, I see that you made a post in another thread on this site saying you had heard Leupold scopes are good, made in the USA, and are asking for comments. That would tell me that you must be a newbie in the shooting/hunting sports if you are making a comment like that and asking questions about one of the oldest and best companies in the business.

x2 . not sayng others aren't good scopes but leoupolds have never failed me. they have a great warranty but I have never needed it. that says all that need be said.

My rifles like Leupold and Swarovski. Nuff said.

Awesome thanks for the help :)

I did test out all the scopes and I have been shooting for a number of years. Leupold scopes where very good but the bushnell one I have tested did not loose zero even after putting over 100 rounds through my rifle at the range and for the price I rate it as a very good scope.

Leupold is a great brand however the lack of fog proofing on some of their scopes really sucks as much of the competition already includes this.

Please tell me how you came up with that statement that some Leupold scopes lack fog proofing. Even their cheapest scope that they call the Rifleman is nitrogen filled and sealed to eliminate moisture and fogging! Also, are you making money when you post on Forums and get hits/views like you are on this website? It appears to the best of my knowledge that your website that you had posted for us to click on that has your review and that was deleted by a Super Moderator is tied in with Amazon as a money maker for you and that company. True or false? Do you buy or are possibly given the various products you test from them?

I'm sure he's meaning external fogging of Leupolds lenses. Would be nice of Leupold. I don't know why it's not used but they must have their reasons.

ezearl - Thats exactly what I mean, many of their competitors also have fog proofing on the outside of the scope to prevent this. If scopes fogged on the inside that would just be a terrible scope and no worth the money but even a lot of cheap $50 scopes don't fog on the inside.

Topgun 3006 - Yes the links on the site are linked to amazon for affiliate purposes, I dont lie about this and thats also why it is mentioned on the footer of the website. If you look around the net you will find that 90% of the websites reviewing products have affiliate links its just the way the internet works. The products reviewed on this site where purchased with my money and not donated for reviews, the affiliate links are just a way to try and recoup some of these costs and the costs of running a website.

I am not directly trying to sell any products to you but asking for your opinions on the article written and to try and help new scope buyers with information.

Thanks for the response and explanation SD!

How do I find the article you wrote? I'd like to read it. I'm also a Leupold fan like Topgun.

Rain x anti fog works wonders just apply before a hunt and good to go ! I also am a leupold fan I have at least 6 or 7 maybe more.

I wouldn't put Rain X on any scope of mine, especially one of my Leupolds. Can't be good for the lens coatings. You might email Leupold and ask.

iv'e been doing it for years and no problems.

No problem, the article is here: ...Deleted by CalHunter.... I just hope a moderator does not remove it this time as I was just looking for comments and criticism on my writing and the write up of the scopes.

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I've got a friend that applies rain x to his scopes but I would just prefer to buy one with a built in coating already as I agree with bdan68 as I thought this would damage the coating over time and could void the warranty claim.


I suggest you review the rules at this link.
http://www.huntingnet.com/articles/m...oom-rules.html

Here's the way I see it if you have a great scope that fogs up on you what good is it ? I buy leupold there one of the best I can afford if I have to replace a lens once in a while it's worth it. Not that I've had to. my LPS scope I've been applying rain x for 20 plus years and no problems at all.

[QUOTE=StuartDell;4285511]No problem, the article is here: ...Deleted by CalHunter... I just hope a moderator does not remove it this time as I was just looking for comments and criticism on my writing and the write up of the scopes.

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I believe the Mod removed it because it appears to violate the rules of this website (see #10 on linking because you appear to be offering a service and every link within your website is a direct link to Amazon to sell that product). There are certain rules that members need to be aware of and if you haven't read them you may want to.

Topgun,

That makes sense, however i bet i could find many other such websites linked on the forum.

Still now I'm aware and wont do it again :)

Sorry to notice this thread so late but I will pass this info along anyway. In the April/May 2015 issue of Peterson's Hunting magazine Keith Wood did an article titled "Best Budget Glass". For the article he evaluated a Zeiss Terra, a Leupold VX-1, a Weaver Kaspa, a Bushnell Elete 3500 and a Burris Droptine. They were tested and evaluated in the areas of ergonomics, eye relief, mechanical quality, optical quality and durability and assigned a score--5 was a max in each area so a score of 25 would be perfect in all areas. The Zeiss scored 22.5, the Leuposd & Weaver both scored 22, the Bushnell scored 19 and the Burris scored 21. I though the tests were well thought out and should separate the sheep from the goats. In the durability test, the dial covers were removed and the scopes immersed in hot water then placed in a freezer, later mounted on a rifle and tested. All five scopes passed this test and received 5's. The Zeiss had the best optical quality, the Leupold was next followed by the Weaver, Bushnell and Burris in order. The Leupold would have come out on top overall except that the adjustments did not track precisely while "shooting the box" adjusting 4 inches each way so the VX-1 was rated a "3" in that area while the Weaver and Burris were perfect and the Zeiss scored "4.5". This was an interesting article and made me a little more impressed with the quality of these five scopes.

Nikon prostaff or monarch are great scopes that won't break the bank

I was ALMOST ready to laugh my big ole butt off when I saw "Budget" and Zeiss" in the same sentence. Since I had yet to ever lay my eyes on one for under $900 new. Well in the 9x + power range anyway. I think I saw one a while back in the 7x range that was like $750 :D Till I looked up the Terra models. Never seen or heard of them. In all honesty, if price wasn't a factor, Leupold would have to pack a lunch, dinner, and probably breakfast for the next day in a fight with Zeiss. They are, without a doubt, the best scope on the market today. But, as was already stated, you get what you pay for. But in my lowly opinion, they are still over priced. Leupold and Nikon, to me anyway, are about the best deals that can be had in the optics world with the newer company Vortex coming up on them with a passion.

Something most folks either don't know or don't think about, is the glass for most all of the major high quality scope manufacturers come from the same place. Either Germany or Japan. While the COATINGS and SHAPE (design) may be proprietary, the glass QUALITY is the same.

You're new and you received 2 warnings. You are free to PM this kind of information (including links) to any other members requesting it. You cannot, however, post it in a forum as that violates the rules.

CalHunter
Moderator

SH54, the scopes were:

Zeiss Terra 3-9X42 MSRP $445
Leupold VX-1 3-9X40 MSRP $250
Weaver Kaspa 3-12X50 MSRP $185
Bushnell Elite 3500 2-9X50 MSRP $636
Burris Droptine 3-9X50 MSRP $311

Yes and? I do have the common ability to read there Jenks..As I stated, fairly clearly I thought, I hadn't ever seen the Zeiss Terra line and didn't know Zeiss had a scope for under $900 in the 9x range. It surprised me because I have always liked Zeiss (who wouldn't?) but I just don't think spending $900-$1200+ on a vari power 3-9 scope is the best spending of my money. I'll have to go look through a Terra now to see how they compare to my Nikon's that are relatively in the same $400-$500 price range.

SH54, I thought you might be interested in seeing the prices of the scopes tested. I did not put that or the specific power of the scopes on my original text. No bad vibes intended.

Sorry Jenks,,Haven't slept in a couple days and I'm a little grouchy...well grouchier than normal :D

No problem SH54. I can not type out a very long post because my computer decides to lose the internet connection. I have to be fast so sometimes I do not think out what I am typing very well. The post with the scope powers and prices I lost twice before I got it done so it was a little quick and to the point. There will be no war across the Mississippi. I hope the sleep situation improves.

I've seen many times where the base model Leupold VX-2 can be had for around $299. Except for the Weaver Kaspa, that $299 price point would still be cheaper than the other models mentioned. I have an VX-1 and have looked through the VX-2. The difference in optical and build quality of the VX-2 is quite noticeable over the VX-1 series and could have certainly changed the outcome of the authors test. Why the author didn't use that model, I find kind of curious when they tout knowledge and as mentioned, the VX-2 price point would still be cheaper than the all remaining models, aside from the Kaspa. Not choosing that Leupold for the test seems to skew the article, somewhat, IMO.

$636 and $445 don't strike me as budget glass, but your posting about this article is certainly well regarded in my case.

Game Stalker, I wondered about the "Budget" part of it too. I did buy a new "Blemished" VX-1 last summer for $100 after the rebate. I could find no blemish on it.
Optical quality was evaluated by studying optical test charts thru the scopes and by an outside test. They made a rack to hold the scopes side by side, set them all at 6 power aimed at a decoy deer placed in the shade of trees 70 yards away. As dusk came on the guy checked each scope to see if it presented a "shootable" view as it became darker. The difference between the worse and the best was six minutes, the Zeiss was slightly better then the Leupold.

I was comparing the 2x7x33 VX-2 to the VX-3i 2.5x8x36. They can be found priced at $299 and $399, respectively. I concluded that since the VX-2 had such good light transmission for the price and w/the similar Leupold lifetime warranty, that would be the way to go. Plus the fact it can be mounted lower without functional interference and quick line of sight. That VX-2 seems good enough to rob some sales from its more expensive but better sibling. That warranty changes the game.

I'm late to the party but being on extremely limited fixed income now I cannot afford to spend on a scope what I used to without giving it a thought. I'd put Nikon Prostaff, Leupold Vari X 2 (older predates the VX-2 and equal to the VX-1), VX-1, Bushnell Elite 3500, Weaver Classic, and the like about the most inexpensive I'd trust in the 150-250$ range. Moving on up to 300-400$ range The Monarch 3, Leupold VX-2, Bushnell Elite 4500, Weaver Grand Slam, Zeiss Conquest (or Terra-forget which is which offhand), Vortex, and the like are the better choices in that range. The last category I'm going to talk about is the scopes I find the most versatile, and best for the dollar. This involves 450-600$ and consists of Nikon Monarch 5, Leupold VX-3, Bushnell Elite 6500, Zeiss (forget exactly which model line), Burris Veracity, Weaver Super Slam, Vortex, and the like which offers a full 5x power zoom except for the Bushnell 6500 which has a 6x power zoom. In fact I'm going to top the new Browning A-Bolt 30-06 my best friend & brother gave me with a Monarch 5 3x-15x-42mm and make it my 1 go to all purpose bolt rifle, semi retiring the rest of my bolt rifles. If I could afford 1 I'd grab a Leupold VX-6.

SB, you will love that Mon-5 on top of that .30-06. I have one on one of my Mod-70's which is my absolute first choice rifle for Elk. Has been for 30 or so years. I got the SF model with the Nikoplex ret and the Turret custom marked for my load. I don't particularly care for all that BDC jazz. I either use Mil Dot or custom turret dial in method. Found a lucky sale on it picking it up for right at $450 (about $145 off) in a going outta business sale.

Budget glass
 

I have a Vortex diamond back hp 4x16x42 with bdc and the glass is extremely nice on that odd point price range (329.00$) and now a new company is taking over the tactical forums like sniper hide with the new Athlons and their lifetime transferable warranty kinda like vortex's forever warranty
A quick search on snipers hide will show the huge following the Athlon line is gathering comparing to high end Vortex night force Schmitt &Bender and other hivh optics these are as much as 1/3 of these and delivering same as or better performamce.
I havent had a chance personally to look through them .But if i can people save money i will

YOu do want to buy big guns but gotta keep them safe in big expensive gun safes as well.

Natchez has the Nikon Monarch 5 3x-15x-42mm on sale for $318!!!!!

Where to find the best scope, right here!
 

Hey there,

If you are trying to find the best scope that ensures your best possible hunting experience, please visit assassintactical.com.
We carry a wide variety of Pulsar Thermal Imaging and Night Vision Scopes. We ship anywhere in the US.

The website rules say that your ad can only be placed in the Classified Section!

Midwayusa.com has Leupold VX-1 and VX-2 rifles scopes on sale. Prices start @ $179.99 & $239.99 respectively.

Since I have no kids I can afford to test these out and write about them. What scope do you have anyway?

Also what did you think of the article?