Rifle Scope - Which is the best value for the $$$$

[Zar]

I bought a Savage 7 mm Mag & scope combo package last year and I love the gun . I am not so sure about the cheap Bushnell scope. i have had cheap scopes in the past and I wonder at what point is it worth extra $$ to pay for a quality scope. Scope range from $100 to $ 3000. I bought a Bushnell Elite 3200 last year for my .270 and I can notice the difference that it was better optic quality from what I had . Is it worht going to a Zeiss ($500) or a Leopold ($400) or another Bushnell Elite ($350). I hunt for one week a year and don't do a whole lot of shooting but when I do shoot I don't want to worry that I cheaped out. I am looking for a 3X9 - 40 scope for general Moose and Elk applications in Alberta Foothills. Any great help would be appreciated.


Cheers

 

[magnet]

i am in the same boat right now. i have the 7mm savage scope riflr out of the box deal. got 2 seasons and about 80 rounds out of the simmons scope on it. was out last season and i adjusted it but seems to be out again. looking to upgrade so wil be nice to see what guys say.
one more point i think we should add is we dont want to spend 1500 bucks on a scope for a 400 dollar rifle.
so lets here what everyone has to say.

 

[DRD]

I'd look for a used Bushnell Elite 4200 or a good used Leupold. Used prices but you still get a good peice of glass.

 

[funtimes]

I would spend a little $$ on a scope, sure the rifle may be $400 and say you buy scope for $300 - 400 most scopes are warrentied for life you can send them in to be repaired if need to. The scope should last as long if not longer than the rifle.(I would think) I had a scope given to me that was fawked and sent it back and Bushnell sent me a new one to replace it.

I have a Leopold VX3 3.5x9 on my 700 and I love the optics. I have always wanted a Ziess,but I don't want to spend that much $$ for the 1-2 weeks a year i go hunting.

I do like the idea of buying a used on also.

 

[bigz64]

Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 MC is your best bang for your buck, it retails in edmonton for $500 but i got it on sale at wholesale for $400. which is what the price says on the zeiss website. to go up one size in this scope is a 300-400 price jump. it has the same level of warranty leupold has, limited lifetime transferable

 

[magnet]

Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 MC is your best bang for your buck, it retails in edmonton for $500 but i got it on sale at wholesale for $400. which is what the price says on the zeiss website. to go up one size in this scope is a 300-400 price jump. it has the same level of warranty leupold has, limited lifetime transferable

i have no problem spending that on a scope if it is good. thanks for all the responses. always liked the leupold before, and am thinking of going that way but if i can find as good cheaper sweet deal.

 

[MATTIAC]

leupold!!

 

[trailrider]

If you want to save a few bucks look at a Burris I have one on my 300 wsm, in my opinion every bit as good and clear as Leupold and a couple hundred cheaper. I have had mine for 4 years and not an issue with it .

 

[higher n you]

i have a several leupold scopes ranging from $400-$1500. the quality stays the same just more options and power on the higher end. good at low light. just picked up a leupold 3x9x40 ultimateslam for the new smoke pole. if you average your purchase over 10 years it doesn't sound as bad as i'm sure most people keep the same unit that long

 

[OVERKILL 19]

Burris is by far the best bang for your buck! Leopold are great but was not the ? I own several of both. Can't tell the difference except price.

 

[Zar]

Well I did it -I bought a Zeiss Conquest 3X9 40 MC from Bass Pro. I compared the Bushnell Elite , Leupold VX l, Leupold Rifleman. The actual Leupold I wanted to compare was the VX ll but they had no stock left. Zeiss was the most expensive but it was the easiest for finding the target in the eye piece (recticle) . Bass Pro had a deal that you could trade in your old scope and get a $ 100 credit toward a scope that was $ 500 or more. I traded my old Tasco Pronghorn (POS) $ 99 scope I had in my junk bin an paid $400 + tax for th Zeiss. Bushnell and Leupold have great " no questions asked " warrantee and so does Zeiss but I know personally on binoculars tha Bushnell will send you new gear if your gears fails without questions asked - I hope that Zeiss can do the same if and when I have to make a warrantee claim . Thanks to all for your feedback

Cheers

Zar

 

[higher n you]

i did not know bushnell will replace bino's. my bushnell bino's are out of focus on one side. going to have to call them tomorrow!!

 

[Zar]

i did not know bushnell will replace bino's. my bushnell bino's are out of focus on one side. going to have to call them tomorrow!!

I have done this twice. In both cases the binoculars fogged up on the inside ( seal failure ). I sent the gear to Bushnell and they repalced the entire binocular. The binoculars were at least 5 years old in both cases

 

[jay007]

They say that you should plan to match the price of your firarm with your optics, Leopold is always a good choice, but have heard a lot of good reviews fom the bushnell elite. but I would also suggest going to the shop and looking through some, look through into a dark corner and compare how well you can see, some of the cheaper ones will be much darker.

Personally I agree with your choice to change from the scope that came with the package, they are usually cheap scopes that dont transmit light well.

If you are wanting some advise from guys that know waaaaay too much about this you can go to Canadiangunnutz.com (hope its alright to mention as they are not any kind of competitor to this site). I am a member and the guys know everything there is to know about canadian gun laws, product, accesories, and probably a list of good rifle scopes in your price range. Also there is a Equipment Exchange (basicly classified) with hundreds of new and used scopes for sale on this site. I have purchased 1 scope and 4 firearms from there with nothing but great results.


Hope this helps, I am far from an expert on this stuff, I do not spend thousands of dollars on my firearms but find shooting the next best thing to sledding.

 

[MACHINE]

Go with a Bushnell cant go wrong that what i have on my 300 win mag {Remington}

 

[jay007]

got 2 seasons and about 80 rounds out of the simmons scope on it. was out last season and i adjusted it but seems to be out again. l

If you are mounting you own scope make sure you are putting lock tight on your ring screws

 

[Hambone]

A good option is a redfield the were recently purchased by leupold and I've heard nothing by great reviews about them. However you can never go wrong with bushnell their warranty is excellent. I recommend a small shop in Edmonton called P and D enterprise they take their time and install the scope properly not like most big retail outfits they have a excellent selection of rings and bases they even hone the rings before installing the scope

 

[Zar]

A good option is a redfield the were recently purchased by leupold and I've heard nothing by great reviews about them. However you can never go wrong with bushnell their warranty is excellent. I recommend a small shop in Edmonton called P and D enterprise they take their time and install the scope properly not like most big retail outfits they have a excellent selection of rings and bases they even hone the rings before installing the scope​

Yes i agree -when I lived near Edmonton P&D Enterprised gave me great advice on my old scope and gun set up and I often question when "the big stores" mount a scope if they are doing it right. Years ago i also used Wolf's Gun repiar to work on my gun. I recently saw that Redfield scopes was offered - i don't recall seeing Redfield for a few years now until recently. I am not sure if Redfield was not being distributed or out of business but Redfield has had a great reputation in the past.

 

[Zar]

If you are mounting you own scope make sure you are putting lock tight on your ring screws

Yes i agree . After a only 30 rounds my scope that came with the gun had very loose ring screws. I didn't notice that the scope had moved but it would have been a problem eventually.

 

[blubbles]

I cant believe nobody has mentioned Vortex yet... They use the exact same glass as Ziess and many more expensive scopes but at significantly less cost. And their warranty is bar none. I had my scope of my 22-250 get smashed (fell off of truck cover) which they simply replied "bring us a bag with all the parts and we will send out a new one" I would never buy another brand ever again.

- From their website: - And I honestly believe it.

"The VIP stands for a Very Important Promise to you, our customers. We will repair or replace your Vortex product in the event it becomes damaged or defective—at no charge to you. It doesn't matter how it happened, whose fault it was, or where you purchased it. You can count on the VIP Warranty for all riflescopes, red dots, rangefinders, binoculars, spotting scopes and monoculars."