Scope brands, what's worth the $$?

[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