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I need your help with scope choice.

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Mr. Scary View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mr. Scary Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: I need your help with scope choice.
    Posted: September/23/2005 at 11:51

Ok guys,

 

I have done my homework and have narrowed down my choices, of a new scope, to just 4. The problem I am having is that some of what I have heard isn't conclusive enough to assist me.

 

Here goes...I have a brand new Remington Model 700 in .300 Win Mag. The primary use will be Michigan whitetail and 1 trip to Wyoming, per year, for elk.

 

These are the models I have narrowed it down to:

 

Nikon BuckMaster, Bushnell Elite 3200, Burris Fullfield II, and Weaver Grand Slam.

 

Here is where I need the help.

 

I have heard the Nikon won't hold up to the .300 Win Mag's recoil for very long and that the warranty doesn't cover much.

 

I have heard that Bushnell's 1 year warranty is very suspect and there is no coverage afer 1 year.

 

I was told that the Burris has the best optics but the recoil will be too much for it. I heard the warranty is good. What about the spotting scope giveaway?

 

My brother has the Weaver and says it's junk. But everywhere else I look, the Weaver is considered the best for the money.Waranty?

 

 

How crucial is the warranty when dealing with the newer scopes? The last scope I bought was 8 years ago.

 

Thanks for the help...don't let me down.

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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/23/2005 at 12:28
Hmm.  I think you may need to reevaluate some of your sources.

I do not know a whole lot about Buckmaster and it is not my favourite scope, but it just has been redesigned and improved.  Others may know more about this.

Elite 3200 has a lifetime warranty.  They also have 1 year free replacement warranty.  There is a regular lifetime warranty after that.

Burris Fullfield II has a reputation of being built like a tank and extremely rugged.  I have never heard of them not standing up to the recoil.

Weaver Grand Slam is an excellent scope for a very good price.  The eye relief is a lttle short, but the glass is good.  They are rugged and have excellent adjustments.

Another competitor in this arena is SIghtron S2 3-9x42.  IMO this is the best for the money.  Very rugged with a lifetime replacement warranty and glass better than Fullfield II or Grand Slam.

In all fairness you can not go wrong with eny one of the three: Fullfield II, Grand Slam or Sightron S2.

I prefer Sightron because I tend to be a stock crawler, so Sightron's generous eye relief is a good thing for me.  However, that is more important when shooting off the bench and prone. 

Good luck with your choice.

Ilya
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fenian15 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote fenian15 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/23/2005 at 15:57
With the exception of the Bushnell, I have all of those scopes.  The Grand Slam is the best of them, no question.  It's not that the others aren't good, but the GS is just better overall. 

I have a Sightron 1 series...if the 2s are significantly better, then they should be very nice.  I've been meaning to try one, probably the 4x, but $$ are a problem now. 

Nothing against your brother, but if he calls the GS "junk", I'd suspect a recently acquired crack habit . I'd like to know by what critiria he can arrive at that conclusion. 

I'll gladly take all of his Grand Slams off his hands hehe. 




Edited by fenian15
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cheaptrick View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/23/2005 at 17:50
Originally posted by Mr. Scary Mr. Scary wrote:

 

 

I have heard the Nikon won't hold up to the .300 Win Mag's recoil for very long and that the warranty doesn't cover much.

 

 

My Buckmaster held up on a .300 Ultra Mag. 

 

 

If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/23/2005 at 19:18
Fenian15, Sightron S2 is significantly better than S1.  Better glass and better adjustments.  Both are very durable.  I currently have S1 3-9x40MD, S2 3-9x42MD and 3-15x42AO.  I have had a few others as well.  Sightron S2 4x32 is excellent.

Ilya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Acenturian Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/24/2005 at 05:00

I have a friend that has a Buckmaster and its held up fine to a fair amount of recoil. Its the older style and the new ones are supposed to give better light transmittion.  Burris makes a very good scope and they are built like tanks.  I've never hunted with a Bushnell 3200 but the ones I've handled in the store seemed to be good scopes.  Their 4200 is an AWSOME scope.  Of the ones you listed, atleast to my eyes I think the Weaver is the brightest, can clearest of the group.  Id say the Bushnell 3200 and Burris FF are about the same, the older Nikon maybe a little less bright and clear (splitting hairs)  Some people dont like the look of the adjustements on the Weaver.  I dont mind it, infact I think they are kind of handy for a cold weather rifle when the shooter is wearing gloves. I have never hunted with one yet, but I know people who do and they like the scope.  When I first had the opportunity to look through one I was at a gun show and I compared it to some of the others on the table and I was VERY impressed.  I personally thought it looked clearer and brighter than a very famous brand with a gold ring around the front  and it cost a lot less. 

 

I dont have any experience with Sightron BUT I respect a lot of people's opions around here since they have always given sound advice so I would add the Sightron SII to the list of possible scopes.  

 

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TwoLaneBlackTop Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/25/2005 at 23:10
I would go with the Weaver Grand Slam. Great glass and excellent adjustments for the money,
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Tip69 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/27/2005 at 23:47

I see Leupolds don't get much love here.........which is kind of a bummer, cause I had my heart set on one.

Anyway....... I have a Savage 99 in .284Win that I plan to use as a back-up(I have a BAR 30-06 w/Weaver Grand Slam).  I tried to get the iron sights zeroed, but that didn't work out to well........ so want to put a scope on it.  I have gone back and forth on what type.... I was initially thinking about putting on a fixed 4 X 32 but can't seem to find one that fits my budget now...... less than $199.

 

I might set it up in the future for my son.......now 11.... to use(deer hunting) might put on a SIMS recoil pad.  The .284 is a pretty good round and would warrant spending some $$ and getting a nice scope for it, but I can't do that right now.  I could get a VX I 3-9X40 for about $135 (employee discount)..... would that be a stupid thing to do....... could i do better....... tell me what y'all think!

take em!
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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/28/2005 at 00:05
Leupolds are perfectly good scopes.  They are just, IMO, overpriced for what they are.

For ~ $135 there not a whole lot of quality scopes out there, but there are some.  Sightron S1, Bushnell Trophy, Weaver V7 and V9 are the ones that come to mind.  Except for, perhaps Bushnell Trophy, they will have better glass than VX-1.  I am partial to Sightrons, but they are all decent.  If youextend your range up to $200 or so, you can get a Burris FUllfield II 3-9x40 or SIghtron S2 3-9x42 which are vastly superior to anything in the $135 range.

Ilya

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/28/2005 at 07:54

Just from reading other posts I figured those would be the scopes recommended. One of the reasons I wanted the Leupold was for the eye relief, up to an inch more than some.  I think I could hold out (and save up) for the Sighton, but for some reason, I wasn't wanting a scope with a 42 objective......was wanting to keep a low profile.

 

Are there any nice 32s out there?  Do you know why Sightron doesn't offer a SII in 32?

 

I see now that the V7 is 32..... how does this compare to the Grand Slam 3.5-10.5X50?  The V9 ER is 3 - 3.5 I guessing the V7 is about the same.

 

What is the deal with eye relief anyway....... most come in @3inches.. the Leupolds are about 3.5 - 4.  Why don't they all come in 4?

take em!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/28/2005 at 11:45

There are a few Sightron S2 scopes with 32mm objective:

 

4x32

2.5-7x32

2.5-10x32

 

I've used a 4x32 and it is very nice.

 

Ilya

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/29/2005 at 15:04
koshkin.......... SWFA has the 3-9X42 for $184.95 and the 4X32 for $179.95.  Is there much diff in these two scopes?
take em!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/29/2005 at 15:20

Well, as far as optical quality goes, all S2 scope use the same coatings and lens polish.  A fixed 4x scope will have fewer lens surfaces than a variable, so it will be a little brighter (at the same magnification). 

 

If I understand this correctly, you will be putting this scope on a Savage 99, right?  If that is the case I would go with a S2 4x32.  For big game hunting, you really do not need anything with more magnification than that.  Savage 99 stock is set up for iron sights, so it makes sense to try to keep you scope axis as close to bore axis as possible. 

 

Out of small and light 4x scopes out there I think Burris Short Mag 4x20 and Sightron S2 4x32 are the best deals.  You can actually mount the Burris about 2mm lower, but the Sightron has somewhat better glass.  Either one of the two would work just fine without disturbing the balance of the rifle and while still allowing you to get a pretty good cheekweld.  If you expect to be using it in low light, go with the S2.  Otherwise, it hardly makes a difference.

 

Ilya

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TwoLaneBlackTop Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/29/2005 at 16:19
For a little more you could also get the IOR 4x32, if I was going to get a fixed 4x power scope it would be the IOR.

http://www.riflescopes.com/products/IOR4X32H7A/ior_4x32_ hunting_rifle_scope.htm



Edited by TwoLaneBlackTop
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/29/2005 at 16:41

That IOR is an excellent scope.  It is a little better than SIghtron optically, but with low magnification scopes small difference in glass quality is pretty hard to see.  Is it worth a $75 difference? That depends on how much disposable income you have and how important the ultimate glass quality is to you. 

 

In my mind mind, you can't really go wrong with either.  Of the 4x scopes that I have had I only kept two: a Burris 4x20 and an IOR 4x24 Tactical with a CQB reticle.  If I were to buy a fixed 4x scope now for a hunting rifle, I'd go with a Sightron.  I think it offers the most glass for the money.

 

Ilya

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/29/2005 at 20:52

Sounds like I'll be getting a SII in 4X32....... thanks....... normally I wouldn't base my purchase on the opinion

of 2 strangers, but i have heard good things from other sites..... i.e. chuckhawks and the like.

 

I bought the Grand Slam cause Outdoor Life gave it great review........ and I've heard nothing but good things since, so I guess I did ok with that one...... hopefully, this will turn out just as well.

 

Thanks!

take em!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/29/2005 at 20:57

Well, Grand Slam is a very nice scope for the money.

 

As for Chuck Hawks, I read his articles, but they really should be taken with a grain of salt.  Some things he seems to approach with preconcieved notions that are not necessarily based on reality.

 

He generally seems to know more about firearms than about optics (he does not seem to have much familiarity with or appreciation for Eastern block weapons and/or cartridges).

 

I could be wrong though.

 

Ilya

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