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mtnman View Drop Down
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    Posted: September/09/2007 at 22:32
Hi folks, new to the forums here and to the world of rifle scopes as well.  Just purchased a new Remington 700 ADL .30-06 and need a scope recommendation.  I live in the Southeast and will be doing mostly woods hunting.  Therefore, I feel like a 3-9x40 will fit my needs.  This is my first trial in the deer hunting arena and as such am trying to keep costs low until I determine that it is something that I will want to continue.

As a result, I went to a local gun shop, which is well respected in my community, and the person behind the counter sold me on what was supposed to be a super deal on a scope.  It is a "Shooter's Edge 3-9x40."  The salesman claimed that it was made by Bushnell for them and was a quality scope for the money.  It retailed for $79, but was on sale for $49.  The side of the box says:
    Multi-coated lenses
    1/4 MOA precise windage and elevation finger adjustments
    Waterproof and Nitrogen purging for for proofing
    Shock proof
    Duplex Reticle

The salesperson also said that it had a lifetime over the counter guarantee.  Now, having came home and reading some of the warnings online about buying "cheap glass" I am growing more concerned about my purchase. 

Should I just relax and trust the salesperson's advice?  Or should I spend a little more money and buy something like the Busnell Trophey (the person at the counter said that the scope that I bought was just as good and half the price) or even the Elite 3200?





Edited by mtnman
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RifleDude View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/09/2007 at 23:39

Welcome mtnman!

 

You simply can't buy a good riflescope for $50.  A truly "good" scope will cost at least $200 or so.  There are too many good scopes on the market to risk buying a no-name scope.  First of all, understand that Bushnell is a brand name, and they don't actually manufacture anything.  They contract various other manufacturers in asia to make their optics for them to their specs.  I would imagine based on the price that your scope is made in China.  The good Bushnell scopes are made in Japan.  I would take advantage of that lifetime over the counter guarantee post haste and trade it in on a quality scope, which doesn't necessarily mean expensive.  But to achieve a reasonably high quality level simply costs more, and a company cannot make a high quality scope at a decent profit and sell it for $79 retail.  This is a purchase you may use for the rest of your life, so why go super cheap and risk it letting you down at a critical moment.  Buy something you can depend on.

 

What is your realistic budget? 

 

If you want a really good 3-9X40 config scope that won't cost an arm and leg, why not consider the 3-9X40 Elite 4200?

http://www.swfa.com/pc-7280-185-bushnell-3-9x40-elite-4200-r ifle-scope.aspx

 



Edited by RifleDude
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Joined: August/30/2007
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Big Squeeze Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/10/2007 at 00:49
MtnMan.........In the scope biz, you certainly will get what you pay for. Chances are, the salesman behind the counter does not have this scope mounted on his rifle, assuming of course,,,, he has a rifle!!......There are scope manufacturers who build the cheaper scopes, then market those scopes to retail dealers under a different name. In this case a scope called the "Shooters Edge."..........The sale price of $49 will certainly, not give you the,,,shooters edge! I can understand your desire to spend less until you determine if you like hunting or shooting. On the flip side though, if you don`t spend more for a decent scope and your $49 "Shooters Edge" fails you for any reason in the field or at the range, you just may prematurely, lose your desire anyway!........ A low end scope increases your chances for problems or disappointment.  A guarantee or a warranty is only a piece of paper. Yes! They will more than likely cover any problems, but at what cost, delays & inconvenience to you in driving time, gas & so on!! Not to mention the frequency of any problems should they occur........Obviously, you have a desire to hunt and shoot or you would not have purchased your Remington 700. So! Why would you want to take a chance right out of the gate & create potential problems for yourself that you don`t need? Hmmm? Why would you jeopardize your desire to have fun with an inferior product,,, only then to lose your desire because of it?..............This scope that you looked at,  is simply an inferior scope. Multi coated optics are not fully coated optics. There is a difference. The optic quality of the glass is far inferior as well. Your optical clarity and resolution will be inferior. What happens if you see a nice buck under a very low light situation & you lose a shot because you can`t see well enough? Under extreme weather conditions, should it occur, this scope will not give you any advantage. Yes! It`s waterproof & shockproof. But! Will the inferior lenses provide you a clear shot under the extremes without any blurring, condensation or distortions? I think not!............Treat yourself to a decent scope to match the quality of your rifle and to compliment the capabilities of the 30-06. If you decide to sell your rifle someday, you`ll get more money in return. Smart buyers of used rifles look at two things, the rifle and the quality of scope!!...............The person at the counter is only interested in one thing. Selling you a scope! Period! That`s it!! That is his job! He could give a rats rear end about anything you may go through later!. I wish I could have been there!!! He wouldn`t have liked me too much!! I ask hard questions! He would not have been to give me many answers! If this guy told you, that their scope was as good as the Elite 3200, what does that tell you? Assuming he said that! He is very wrong & misleading!!.......................Though not the quality in optics as the Elite 4200, the scope I own, the 3200 will in everyway satisfy your needs at a reasonable price. Like the 4200, it is very durable, will withstand a lifetime of 30-06 or greater recoil, has the wonderful Rainguard feature, which will give you clear lenses under any weather conditions, is warranted lifetime by Bushnell & its warranty is transferable should you sell your rifle!........Look at the Nikon Buckmaster too. I believe the Elite 3200 to be the better choice, but your eyes will be the final judge.......If you decide to really step up, then go with the Elite 4200. For the money, this scope has the best benefit to dollar ratio on the market. There is no other scope that will exceed the Elite 4200 for the same money. It compares in many ways to much higher priced scopes. If you choose the 4200, you`ll love it. The optics are outstanding!.......
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Urimaginaryfrnd View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/10/2007 at 10:19
423944M Bushnell 3-9x40 Elite 4200 Rifle Scope                                                                                  Bushnell 3-9x40 Elite 4200 Rifle Scope
  • Matte
  • Multi-X
  • 1"
  • Rainguard
SWFA: $259.95
More Info... Buy Now
8435 Nikon 3-9x40 Monarch UCC Riflescope                                                                                     Nikon 3-9x40 Monarch UCC Riflescope
  • Matte
  • BDC
  • 1"
  • Team Primos
  • Free SWFA Lens Pen w/ Purchase
SWFA: $218.95
More Info... Buy Now


Edited by Urimaginaryfrnd

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mtnman View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mtnman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/10/2007 at 20:18
Thanks for the advice everyone, I ended up going with the Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x40.  My gunsmith even mounted and bore sighted it for free.  Now to go to the range and zero it in.  Any advice for a person without any kind of bench?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Big Squeeze Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/10/2007 at 20:28
A much better choice than the,,,,,,,,shooters choice!...............  
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ND2000 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ND2000 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/10/2007 at 20:47
Mtnman -

Sight in for 1.0-1.5 inches high at 100 yards.  I'd recommend 150 grain bullets.  This is exactly what I do/use for my 30-.06, which is my primary hunting set-up.

Absolutely use a bench or some sort of rest system (even sandbags work just fine).  Any range worth their salt will have this for you to use.  You'll want everything motionless so all you need to do is pull the trigger when sighting in.  DO NOT rest the barrel on the front rest, it needs to be on the wood/synthetic stock.

Best of luck!

ND2000
You either get what you pay for or what you deserve.
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