Decision for new scope

Hello,

I am in the market for a new scope and was wanting your to tap your valuble resoure of knowledge. I have often visited this site and enjoy reading the threads. Now I have the opportunity to purchase and can hardly wait to get the coveted responses. My setup is a T/C Encore 7mm-08. I have a budget of $400 and would like to get your suggestions. I am considering the following scopes but am open to suggestions. Keep in mind I do not want to spend more than $400.

 

1. Zeiss 3-9x40 Conquest Rifle Scope
2. Bushnell 2.5-10x40 Elite 4200 Rifle Scope
3. Nikon 3.3-10x44 Monarch UCC Riflescope

 

Thanks in advance!

Rings will be a seperate purchase. I plan on using all $400 on just the scope.

Conquest....hands down.

 

Where in SC are you located??

SC Hunter wrote: Cheaptrick, Is that name from the band? Anyway I live in Moore (near Spartanburg). I hunt in Laurens and Mountville. Are you an SC resident? Also what do you or anyone else think about the one piece talley rings for the Encore?

 

Negative....I just thought it up all by myself!!  

I never really like the band Cheap Trick, as a matter of fact.

More of a Humble Pie fan.....

 

I have some dear friends in Laurens.

The Warden (my wife) and I used to live in York and Clover SC once upon a time. Wish now we still did.

We live in Gastonia NC now. It blows!!

 

Never tried the Talley Encore rings, BUT, I have owned a few of Doug Talley's products and have been VERY happy with them. They are good to go.

 

Welcome to The OT, my friend!!

As much as I like the Zeiss Conquest I will cast another vote for the Elite 4200. I currently own 6 of the model you listed. The lens coatings is what separates the 4200 in your selection. Alot of folks, myself included, feel that optically the 4200 is as good as the Conquest. In the $400 price range, the 2.5-10 x40 Elite is my first choice for large game. Check out the FireFly reticle as well. For poor light it's a great reticle.

The Zeiss Conquest is a great scope and if you are experiencing Bushnell burnout, then by all means go for the Conquest. I was a diehard Leupold fan years ago when they were more reasonably priced. They are still very good scopes, but with scopes like the Conquest, Elite 4200, Signature Select, Grand Slam and Monarch they are having trouble keeping up. If there is an area where the Conquest is better than the 4200 it would probably be in very poor light. Some folks feel the difference is noticeable. I really don't see it. If you are looking at the 3-9 power scopes, the new Elite 4200 3-9x40 is a great scope and is $150 less than a Conquest. If there is a slight difference optically between the two it's not worth a 150 bucks. I don't think Cheaptrick would even argue that one as much as he likes Zeiss.