Scope brands, what's worth the $$?

[bigmyk2k]

So, I have a .22 semi rifle, and a .308 Mossberg that I paid way too much for. Neither have glass, and I want to get something for each.
I have a few good LGS's and I'll be up at Tanner tomorrow afternoon, and I was wondering if anyone could give me a brief primer on what brands are worth what kind of money.
The LGS showed me a couple in the $150-200 range, but I really don't know anything.
I think I want to be in the 3 or 4-9X range, and I can get one supposedly designed for .22 here for only $35 (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/bsa-sweet-22-3-9x40-mm-scope-matte-black.aspx?a=644012), which seems reasonable, since I only paid ~$120 for that rifle, but I also don't want something that is going to break, or be worthless.
As for the .308, I do want something quality and durable- both for practice and hunting- but don't want to spend an arm and a leg. Are there brands that are dependably good, without breaking the bank?

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

So, I have a .22 semi rifle, and a .308 Mossberg that I paid way too much for. Neither have glass, and I want to get something for each.
I have a few good LGS's and I'll be up at Tanner tomorrow afternoon, and I was wondering if anyone could give me a brief primer on what brands are worth what kind of money.
The LGS showed me a couple in the $150-200 range, but I really don't know anything.
I think I want to be in the 3 or 4-9X range, and I can get one supposedly designed for .22 here for only $35 (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/bsa-sweet-22-3-9x40-mm-scope-matte-black.aspx?a=644012), which seems reasonable, since I only paid ~$120 for that rifle, but I also don't want something that is going to break, or be worthless.
As for the .308, I do want something quality and durable- both for practice and hunting- but don't want to spend an arm and a leg. Are there brands that are dependably good, without breaking the bank?

You rifle can only meet its full potential through the glass. So in other words, your rifle is only as good as the scope. I personally like leupold for the price.

[car-15]

I've had good luck with vortex

[JM Ver. 2.0]

Add a zero to that price and you can get a Swarovski.... :D

[Tinelement]

Bam!!

Here ya go!
http://www.ar-15.co/threads/69673-FS-Leupold-VXII-2-7-x-33

[ROFL1]

[bigmyk2k]

Bam!!

Here ya go!
http://www.ar-15.co/threads/69673-FS-Leupold-VXII-2-7-x-33

[ROFL1]

I've actually been watching your thread, but I would have a hard time spending twice what I paid for the rifle on a scope.
Good price for what it is though!
[Beer]

[DHC]

So, I have a .22 semi rifle, and a .308 Mossberg that I paid way too much for. Neither have glass, and I want to get something for each.
I have a few good LGS's and I'll be up at Tanner tomorrow afternoon, and I was wondering if anyone could give me a brief primer on what brands are worth what kind of money.
The LGS showed me a couple in the $150-200 range, but I really don't know anything.
I think I want to be in the 3 or 4-9X range, and I can get one supposedly designed for .22 here for only $35 (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/bsa-sweet-22-3-9x40-mm-scope-matte-black.aspx?a=644012), which seems reasonable, since I only paid ~$120 for that rifle, but I also don't want something that is going to break, or be worthless.
As for the .308, I do want something quality and durable- both for practice and hunting- but don't want to spend an arm and a leg. Are there brands that are dependably good, without breaking the bank?

I've purchased quite a few scopes the past couple of years - and here is what I've found:

* Barska sucks.
* Osprey a bit better than Barska - a bit.

* Vortex Crossfire (their low end) may be about the same as Osprey.

* Burris Fullfield II is pretty good - but I don't like the eyepiece rotation when dialing up/down the power.

I will not buy any of the above again.

The good ones:

* Vortex Viper model is very good.
* Burris Six-X - an outstanding, though expensive, scope.
* Nitrex TR-1 (same as Weaver Grand Slam) - THE best value for your money. High quality Japanese optics at a fraction of the cost of others. Example - 3-9X42 scope for $119 at Natchez (regular price more than $300)
* Weaver SuperSlam - excellent scope. Top of Weaver's line and as good as most high-end scopes on the market.

Also, take a peek at Primary Arms. The owner is VERY honest about the quality and price-point of the Chinese scopes be makes under the Primary Arms logo - and they are not bad at all for the price. The optics are not quite as good as high-quality Japanese optics, but probably as good (or better) than Philippine optics.

I hope this helps.

[Ashton]

I wanted a budget scope too and found this.

https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary_Arms_4_16X44_Illuminated_Mil_Dot_Scope_p/pa416x.htm

Glass is clear, I've put thousands of rounds through the gun and it still hasn't broken or degraded in any way.

Google it. All good reviews.

[Ridge]

I've had good luck with vortex

Agreed. I have a Crossfire on my M1A.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b100/89Sunbird/2012-08-03115428.jpg

[cysoto]

...I can get one supposedly designed for .22 here for only $35 (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/bsa-sweet-22-3-9x40-mm-scope-matte-black.aspx?a=644012), which seems reasonable, since I only paid ~$120 for that rifle...
Those are not even worth $35; don't waste your money. BSA, Barska, Osprey, Counter Sniper (amongst others) are throw-away scopes.

You will be hard pressed to find a "good" scope for under $300. SWFA makes a fixed 10x that has really good features for its price. If you need variable magnification, you may want to look at something like a Nikon Monarch.

[bigmyk2k]

Lots of good info so far. Natchez looks like a good place to buy optics for a great price.
I haven't seen Bushnell mentioned so far. Good or pass?

[gonz13]

I've had good luck with vortex
+1

[Goodburbon]

Bushnell Elites are ok.

[Goodburbon]

for a .22 though the Nikon Prostaff 3-9x-40 would be fine, I even have one or two on a few of my .308s.

[encorehunter]

You might want to look at a Sightron. There are three different models, the SI, SII, and SIII. I have a SI on my 338WM, and it has taken all the abuse and held true. I have a couple SIIs on my 25-06s, and they are really nice. The SIII I have is heavy, but the glass is great. SIs start at under $100, but you can find them on sale for closer to $50 sometimes.

[Great-Kazoo]

For the .308 spend some money. For the 22.....well it is a 22, what are your goals (realistic) distance and performance wise? I have a few simmons scopes that have worked very well dropping p-dogs out to 100yds on both 22 & 22 mag. Most of the realistic shooting is up to 50yds -75 tops. I have 4 different scopes a BAC, Tasco, Simmons and Nikon sitting here, if you would like to road test a few b4 spending any coin. They are most definitely not "High End" optics but do work for their intended purpose.

[Danimal]

There are a few brands out there that make quality scopes for different applications. I would plan on spending about $400 minimum for the .308 if you are going to use it for hunting or want it to hold zero for very long. Then for the .22 I have never had a scope fail no matter how cheap they are. I would spend around the $50 price point, because as jim stated above, what are you using it for? Are you shooting the cheapest .22 that you can buy just for practice plinking? Those group around 5 - 10 MOA at best in my experience and even super cheap scopes will not hurt that. But if you are looking at building a more accurate gun and using more expensive ammo like mini-mags or match grade .22 you should spend at least in the $200 range on the 22.

As far as brand in those price ranges:
Leupold
Nikon
Burris

These have some decent offerings, but do your research because quality varies a lot between models:
Vortex
Bushnell

[BPTactical]

Another +1 for Nikon. Great glass for what you DON'T pay for.

[ford_muscle1]

I have Redfield Revolution's on a couple of my rifles great glass nice and clear and are made in the USA. Plus they are under $300. I have one on my .338 Win Mag and it takes the recoil and the bouncing around when out hunting and the zero has never been knocked off the slightest.

[RonMexico]

Best bang for the buck is vortex

[OneGuy67]

Anyone heard of Schonfeld scopes? I saw them at the gunshow, but there isnt any information out there on them.

[soldier-of-the-apocalypse]

I like redfeilds revenge and revolution models in the under $300 mark they hold a good zero and they have verry verry good glass for the price

[Cman]

Anyone heard of Schonfeld scopes? I saw them at the gunshow, but there isnt any information out there on them.

I was wondering the same thing. Looking through the scope at the show seems to be nice and clear.

[nynco]

This is the best scope for the money that I have found.

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexviper2-7x32

[nynco]

More info on that scope. Also if you order from the above link contact them first to make sure they have it in stock. That scope is discontinued but it was amazing for the price point. I have one and I love it.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-riflescopes-vpr-m-02p.html

[jerrymrc]

I like redfeilds revenge and revolution models in the under $300 mark they hold a good zero and they have verry verry good glass for the price

+2 The budget scope under $200 that held up to my FAL. Made here with a lifetime warranty.

[spongejosh]

I have a $40 3-9 Barska on my .22 and it works fine. I sight it in at 100 and I can hit anything at the .22 steel dogs match with a little hold over or under. If you want something with turrets that you will be moving all the time, you'll need something more expensive.

I have a Nikon on my .223 and my dad has one on his .260 and both look great and are holding up well.

[soldier-of-the-apocalypse]

for my remington 597 .22 I use a old leopld 4x with a volqaurtsen trigger and that thing is a absolute tack driver and I paid $100 for the scope

[gos]

The Leupold Rimfire EFR scopes are really nice for small guns, though a bit pricey.

[wctriumph]

I have had experience with Burris, Redfield and some cheap scopes, no complaints.. If you shop around you can get a pretty nice scope for your .308 under $300. For the .22 almost anything under a $100 will be just fine.

But, no one has mentioned scope rings! Pay attention and make sure that you get decent rings or a good scope will not be able to hold zero. If you don't have any experience mounting and sighting in, ask a good gunsmith like Bert at BP Tactical to mount and bore sight for you.

Jim offered a test drive. take him up on the offer if you can as he is a wealth of good info.

Have fun.

[BPTactical]

Anyone heard of Schonfeld scopes? I saw them at the gunshow, but there isnt any information out there on them.

Right there with NCStar.[LOL]
Icky yucko.