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Help me select a new scope |
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brdsideofdabarn
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/13/2007 Status: Offline Points: 12 |
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Posted: June/13/2007 at 09:41 |
I have been a long time reader, but this is my first time posting. Since many of the posters here seem to be well informed, I would like to get some opinions on several scopes. What I have gleaned from reading the boards is the value of certain features such as... of mil dots, target knobs, side or easy focus and acceptable magnification levels, and most important... you get what you pay for. That being said, I have narrowed it down to these 5. None of them have all the features I want... but they fall in my budget and all have had favorable reviews on this site. Any feed back or opinions on the following would be greatly appreciated. Bushnell 5-15x40 Elite 3200 Rifle Scope Nikon 4.5-14x40 Buckmaster Riflescope Nikon 3.3-10x44 Monarch UCC Riflescope Leupold 3-9x50 VX-I Riflescope Leupold 3-9x40 VX-II Riflescope The platform it will be mounted on is a .308 Remington 700. One last thing... there isn't a whole lot of discussion about mounts... What do you all like ? One or two piece, steel vs aluminum, and what brand and type of rings?
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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First and foremost, exactly what features do you want? There may be exactly what you want out tehre somewhere and you simply haven't come across it yet.
Looking at your chosen few, I see you are staying close to the $300 line - but getting up to $330 for the Leupold.
I would recommned you consider bumping your pricepoint about $50 and looking at Bushnell 4200s and maybe even the Zeiss Conquest on the Samplelist (3-9x40@$349.00)
Obviously, knowing all the features you want will help us recommend better. The 4200 and Conquest are, without question, well worth the extra $50 over what you have listed.
As for mounts, I say stell, strong as hell, no dovetails, only rails, and get the best you can afford. |
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thinkingman
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/13/2006 Status: Offline Points: 93 |
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Nikon Monarch has the best glass of the ones you selected. That's quite a range of scopes you have there. What is the intended use? I would not spend the $ on the Leupolds. There are better scopes for less $ and there are too many repair/replacement stories involving Leupold for me to be comfortable. |
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brdsideofdabarn
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/13/2007 Status: Offline Points: 12 |
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Here is my thought process for the scopes selected. I plan on shooting paper (at mid to long ranges 200 -900 yrds), but would like to have the ability to hunt with it as well. Ideally, I want a scope that has a mil dot reticle, and target turrets for range calculation and fast adjustment. As for magnification, it seems most of the distinguished shooters, I have been reading about, use a 3x9 or a 10x. I have set 3x9 as my baseline, based on field of view at 200 yards or less. The side focus seems like a nice feature, but is not a deal breaker. I did find several barskas with all the features as well as some BSA's but the reviews on those brands were unfavorable. Are there any other brands or models, besides the bushnell 4200 and conquest, that I should look at? As for the samplelist, I was under the impression it was "as is" merchandise with no warranty. |
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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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I can't speak for everything on the Samplelist, but I have bought 2 Zeiss Conquest and a pair of Leica Ultravids and all have lifetime warranty. BUT, everything on the sample list does not, I think Nikons on the sample lsit have 30 day warranty.
Are you shooting known distance ranges or unknown distances? A mil dot is a nice thing to have but most who get them nevert use them - or not much.
With your stated prupose, I can't see anything being a better fit than a 10X SuperSniper. It's in your pricerange, has optics comperable to the better stuff youa re looking at, and has all the features you want. It is a great scope for bench work; not too high for 200 yards, not too low for 900 yards. Only recently have military snipers moved way from fixed 10X scopes (to the very best variables.)
For the money and the purpose, I'd say buy a 10xSS and be confident that you ahve spent your money well. (And you can get a BDC for it, whcih makes it all the better!) |
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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if you can afford the SIghtron 4-16x42MD, that would be an optimal choice for the money, for you needs. If you can not, this is another good option for a fair amount less: Mueller Tac II 3-10x44. Japanese made scope with decent glass, MilDot, and quite a bit of W/E adjustment. http://www.swfa.com/pc-10574-1506-new-mueller-3-10x44-tac-ii -riflescope.aspx ILya |
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tahqua
MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9042 |
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Is that a sporter weight .308 M700?
If it is a PSS/VS/VSF heavy barrel type I would go with the Monarch that you asked about. If it is a sporter weight I would go with RC's suggestion and look at a 3-9x40 Conquest or the Elite 4200. Even the Monarch 3.3-10 might not be too huge on a M700 short action. Conquest, Monarch and 4200 are all very good optics for the money. Edited by tahqua |
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brdsideofdabarn
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/13/2007 Status: Offline Points: 12 |
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Its a SPSV with a 26 in. heavy contour barrel. I am going to focus my research on the Conquest, Monarch and 4200. Does anyone else have any experience with the sightron?
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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Those are good scopes, but I wouldn't exclude the SuperSniper.
Go read the reviews.
http://www.swfa.com/c-231-super-sniper-rifle-scopes.aspx
It's good gear. For that rifle, I'd be perfect, and not badly priced. |
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Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
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brdsideofdabarn
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/13/2007 Status: Offline Points: 12 |
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Hmmm... the SS does seem to have it all... What brand of rings? Does the SS come with any rings? I want to go with a steel base. Is it important to match ring and mount manufaturers? I think rail is the way to go as well.
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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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http://www.swfa.com/pc-4649-633-burris-xtreme-tactical-30mm- rings.aspx
The 10x SS is a great scope, for the actual money spent. IF you plan on doing more target shooting, the SS will serve you well. I personally would prefer a variable for hunting though.
I guess it depends on WHERE, HOW and WHAT you are planning on hunting. I couldn't imagine taking a fixed 10x into the briar patches and thickets where I hunt. |
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jonbravado
Optics Master Joined: October/05/2006 Status: Offline Points: 1131 |
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yeah, cheap makes a very important point - if you are hunting, fixed 10 power is not good.
if you are punching paper, the SS 10x is perfect.
J |
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Dolphin
Optics Master Joined: October/05/2006 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 1795 |
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Of all the scopes you listed, the Monarch is clearly the best, from all standpoints. I agree with Koshkin on his two recommendations. I do not own that Mueller, which is the best scope they make, but I own several others and they are excellent, especially considering the money paid. I was going to replace one with a Burris FFII and after compaing the two extensively, left the Mueller on. The Sightron is excellent, but more money. If you are going to do any hunting, stick with a variable. You will be perfectly happy with the Nikon.
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Dolphin
Optics Master Joined: October/05/2006 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 1795 |
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Oh, by the way, I would stick with Warne mounts and rings or the Lightweight one piece Talley mounts and rings.
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Focus
Optics Master Conquistador!! Joined: June/05/2007 Location: Maine Status: Offline Points: 1006 |
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Steel one or two piece bases and burris signiture zee rings. Conquest,
monarch, or 4200 elite scope, my personal preference is the conquest.
focus |
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I Can See Clearly Now......<><
If Accurate rifles Are Interesting.....I've Got Some Savages That Are Getting Mighty Interesting...... |
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brdsideofdabarn
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/13/2007 Status: Offline Points: 12 |
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Wow, thanks everyone for all the good info and advice. I am going to go with the Nikon ... The versatility and clarity of a buckmaster I saw in the store was impressive and is what put it over the top. I couldn't find any local sightrons or muellers. So, between Nikon 4.5-14x40 Buckmaster Riflescope and the Nikon 3.3-10x44 Monarch UCC Riflescope , What one would you pick? The price is the same. One has 4% more light transmission and is a newer model while the other has a side focus and slightly more magnification.
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pyro6999
Optics Retard OT TITAN Joined: December/22/2006 Location: North Dakota Status: Offline Points: 22034 |
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the monarch is a much better scope than the buckmaster.
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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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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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I had an older 4.5-14 BM on a .300 RUM that held up great.
Alas, the Monarch is the clear winner here. Good power range for hunting too, I think. |
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jonbravado
Optics Master Joined: October/05/2006 Status: Offline Points: 1131 |
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monarch is their flagship scope - great optics.
J |
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