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Rugged Budget Scopes? |
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wshive
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/11/2009 Status: Offline Points: 28 |
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Posted: June/11/2009 at 16:27 |
I'm looking for a budget general use scope for boar and deer hunting on a .30-06. I've narrowed it down to three scopes (but welcome suggestions for more!) in no particular order:
1. Sightron SII 3-9x42 2. Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40 3. Leupold VX-I 3-9x40 My MAIN concerns are ruggedness, ability to keep zero, and repeatability. I'd much rather buy a scope that's bomb-proof than one with slightly better optics but can leave me in the lurch at a critical moment. Because of this, I'm mainly looking for comments from people who have used these scopes (or other suggestions) extensively in the field with good results. Also, I'm open to slightly lower power scopes like a 2-7 or something because I imagine if I ever go for a 300+ yard shot, it'll be with a different gun. I'm newbie, but have spent a lot of time reading and researching. Go easy on me please!
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cyborg
Optics God Gaseous Clay Joined: August/24/2007 Location: North Georgia Status: Offline Points: 12288 |
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Welcome wshive.....
Of the scopes you've mentioned my nod would be for the Sightron SII. I like the power range 3-9 for a 30-06, it is my opinion the perfect range for that caliber.
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An armed public are citizens. A disarmed public are subjects. OATH KEEPER #8233 Support us, and join our cause. Cyborg |
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wshive
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/11/2009 Status: Offline Points: 28 |
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Thanks cyborg. Can you tell me more about your experience with the sightron as far as durability?
I should also mention that the Burris currently has a $50 rebate and comes in camo (the camo part I know isn't THAT big a deal but I am considering a camo rifle). |
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cyborg
Optics God Gaseous Clay Joined: August/24/2007 Location: North Georgia Status: Offline Points: 12288 |
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I can tell you that, I respect very much the opinions of those that have made reviews of this scope. They are reported to be very dependable, and of very decent optics.
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With Freedom comes great responsibility, you cannot have one without the other
An armed public are citizens. A disarmed public are subjects. OATH KEEPER #8233 Support us, and join our cause. Cyborg |
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Big Squeeze
Optics Master Extraordinaire GOOGLE NINJA Joined: August/30/2007 Location: Anaheim, Calif. Status: Offline Points: 3143 |
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Your first three choices of 3x9s should do just fine..........I don`t know how flexible your budget is, but another two scopes that imo, that can be added to your list for consideration are the 2-8x32 Nikon Monarch at $289 and the 3-9x40 Elite 4200 at $299. You certainly shouldn`t have any problems with ruggedness, holding zero, or repeatability with either one while getting very good glass for the money as well.
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cyborg
Optics God Gaseous Clay Joined: August/24/2007 Location: North Georgia Status: Offline Points: 12288 |
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Good points Squeezer.
We should probably add the Nikon Team Primos to that list as well. 219 dollars is a great buy for good glass.
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With Freedom comes great responsibility, you cannot have one without the other
An armed public are citizens. A disarmed public are subjects. OATH KEEPER #8233 Support us, and join our cause. Cyborg |
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swtucker
Optics Master Joined: September/03/2008 Location: Low Moor Status: Offline Points: 1430 |
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+1 on the Bushnell 4200. It's a really nice scope, for the money. I'd say it is as durable as any other brand, even some that cost far more. Of the brands you listed I like the Sightron the best.
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wshive
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/11/2009 Status: Offline Points: 28 |
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Thanks all for the input! Sightron seems to be the consensus. Will look into the Nikon Primos.
How much better are the Monarchs or 4200's? Are we just talking better optics at this point? If that's the case, I'm not looking to pay 40% more for 10% better.
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300S&W
Optics God Joined: January/27/2008 Location: Burlington,WV Status: Offline Points: 10592 |
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I'll throw one more in for consideration:
I've got one of these and a 4.75x40 GS. VERY NICE scopes.
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"I ain't got time to bleed!"
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Big Squeeze
Optics Master Extraordinaire GOOGLE NINJA Joined: August/30/2007 Location: Anaheim, Calif. Status: Offline Points: 3143 |
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Based on those prices anyway, you won`t be paying 40% more for either the Monarch or the 4200 vs the S11. 14% more for the Monarch and 17% more for the 4200 vs the S11 is worth it imo.
If you can`t stretch the budget and don`t mind the BDC reticle, the Nikon Team Primos is your best choice.
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wshive
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/11/2009 Status: Offline Points: 28 |
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Big Squeeze,
I've seen the SII for < $200 but also found the Monarch you mentioned for not that much more, so given that: Does the 2-8x32 Monarch have better light transmission to the point that it's brighter than the Sightron even though it has a 42mm objective? I do realize magnification is slightly lower in the Monarch which helps. If the Monarch 32mm is dimmer, however, then what advantages of the Monarch would I be paying for? |
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300S&W
Optics God Joined: January/27/2008 Location: Burlington,WV Status: Offline Points: 10592 |
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BETTER lenses and coating. My VXIII 1.75-6x32 is as bright as my SII 1.5-6x42 due to this factor.
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"I ain't got time to bleed!"
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Roy Finn
MODERATOR Steiner Junkie Joined: April/05/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4856 |
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I don't know how durable the Nikon and Sightron scopes are that are being mentioned here, but, I can tell you that if durability is what you are looking for you will have a very hard time finding a more durable variable than a 4200. And yes, I am speaking from experience having owned 6 4200's. Ditto on the glass.
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John Barsness
Optics Optimist Joined: January/27/2009 Status: Offline Points: 785 |
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I totally agree about the Bushnell 4200. The have been one of the toughest scopes for a long time now. I have had better luck with 4200's (and the 4000's that preceded them) than Nikons and Sightrons. You might also consider the Burris Fullfield II's. In my experience they are also very tough. |
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wshive
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/11/2009 Status: Offline Points: 28 |
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Great, just when I thought I had it narrowed to between the Monarch and the Sightron SII!
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300S&W
Optics God Joined: January/27/2008 Location: Burlington,WV Status: Offline Points: 10592 |
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Alright,I worked up loads on two rifles this summer that had 3-9x40 FFII's on them. Clear image edge to edge,adjustments did exactly what I wanted them to,and they held their zeros. Limited experiences I know but I wouldn't be afraid to buy one.
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"I ain't got time to bleed!"
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wshive
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/11/2009 Status: Offline Points: 28 |
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I'm getting the feeling I should just draw 4 straws.
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helo18
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: December/02/2006 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 5620 |
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+1 I have a FFII and a 4200. So far both have held up fine. The FFII has been beat to death (rolled on by a horse, and other horrors), and has had nothing wrong with it. Still as good as day one. |
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pyro6999
Optics Retard OT TITAN Joined: December/22/2006 Location: North Dakota Status: Offline Points: 22034 |
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i have a 4200 on a .375 H&H and so far its held up, but i also have a nikon monarch and a nikon team primos, havent had a lick of trouble with either.
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They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead" 343 we will never forget God Bless Chris Ledoux "good ride cowboy" |
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wshive
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/11/2009 Status: Offline Points: 28 |
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So maybe it's narrowed to the 4200 and the FFII after all. Short of a side-by-side stress test review, anectdotal info will probably be my deciding factor, so keep it coming. Helo18, great story about the FFII being rolled on by a horse. That's the sort of scope I'm looking for! (Not that I plan on being around horses much less having one roll onto my gun.) Anyone have anything to say on the Monarch or Sightron's durability? |
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