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which scope

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aero View Drop Down
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    Posted: December/26/2007 at 16:28
I've got a 1962 (I think) Colt "Coltsman Deluxe" with a Sako action in .308.  It's pretty much a deer rifle and I've been using a Simmons Mag 44   6.5 x 20 x 44 scope for the last 5 or 6 years.  I gave the Mag 44 to a friend and put a Simmons Blazer 6 x 24 x 50 on but it doesn't seem like a good scope and probably too much power for deer hunting.  I would like a little bit more than a 3 x 9 and have narrowed it down to the following and listed them in order of my rating, best first, base on what I've read:

1.  Bushnell Elite 4200 4 x 16 x 40 :  Seems like I couldn't go wrong with this scope for the price.  A little more than I'd like to spend but isn't that always the case.   Wish I could afford the 50mm but got to draw the line somewhere.

2.  Nikon Monarch  4 x 16 x 42 :  I wasn't going to put this one in here but thought someone might have an opinion on it compared to the Elite 4200.

3.  Burris Signature Select  4 x 16 x 40 :  Not sure if this would be that much better than the F.F. II but a little more variable power.   I am really wanting a larger object than a 40 but that's probably no big deal.

4.  Burris Fullfield II  4.5 x 14 x 42 :  Seems like it has some good features that stack up well to other scopes of more money.    A step up in price from the Simmons and Mueller.

5. (tie)  Simmons Aetec  4 x 14 x 44 :  I really liked the Mag44 and I've read the Aetec has fairly good optics.  I like the wide f.o.v.  I don't think it has an AO but I'm not sure if that would be that much of a loss.  The price is definitely right as I can get one for $225 - 250.

5. (tie)  Mueller 4 x 16 x 50 :  I don't know much about this brand other than have read some good pretty favorable reviews.  Again, the price is nice - about the same as the Simmons.

So, here's my thoughts.  I really want all of them.  Plus a Zeiss, and a Swarovski, and a Leupold, and .... well, you know.  But reality says I can afford the Elite 4200 but I'd be even better off getting the Aetec or Mueller and could even buy the other later and still spend what 1 of the others would cost.   As for cost, the list is pretty much the Simmons and Mueller against the rest.  I'm guessing between the first 4, the Elite 4200 would be the best buy.  Here's my questions:

How about between the Simmons and the Mueller?  Anybody think one is significantly better? 

I've heard it a thousand times - the guns only as good as the scope - and I agree for the most part.  But I'm trying to be cost conscience, practical, and still get a pretty good scope that I'll be happy with.  I'm really leaning toward the Aetec unless someone can give me some very good reasons to go with one of the others.  ANY feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas,

aero










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pyro6999 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/26/2007 at 17:19
theres nothing wrong with the monarch, the ffII isnt bad either, dont know much about the sigselect, and nothing about mueller or simmons i like my nikons and i just got a 4200 and havent done anything with it but its a nice scope as well. if it were me i would look at the sig select and the monarch and see which looks better, the mueller may be a good scope too, but i havent ever looked through one.
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aero View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote aero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/26/2007 at 17:36
Couldn't seem to edit the original post but I'm wondering if I shouldn't consider a lower power, maybe a 2.8 x 10 or 3 x 9?  I've always liked having more power and just in case I do some longer range hunting but it wouldn't be much if I did.  Price obviously goes way down on some good scopes in the lower powers.

Thanks,

aero
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/26/2007 at 17:43
if you go with a 3x9 more than likely you would save money as it is the most popular version of scope in the usa
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Focus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/26/2007 at 17:43
Well heres the extent of my knowledge.....The signiture select is in the same league as the monarch and 4200 elite......but its priced with the conquests. The fullfield ll has good optics but not on the level of the three mentioned above. The simmons may be great scopes but I would prefer to never have to deal with meade instruments in this lifetime (I just watched a friend go thru that and its not for me) I know zip about mueller scopes so I'm of no use there. I call it a wash between the monarch and elite....both have some nice features, and both have good clear optics. If you come down in power range, the $ will favor the 3x9x40 elite as the best buy of the bunch. Take your time and choose well....

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/26/2007 at 17:50
Hello and welcome to the OT!
 
I have been fooling around with a new Monarch in 4-16x with the BDC reticle. Out of that group (1-3) the Monarch is the shortest, lightest and most compact of the bunch and it has a locking side focus versus an AO. 
I'm very pleased with the scope so far.
 
I think the new Monarch in 2.5-10 (no side focus) would be a very nice, light, and fairly inexpensive alternative to the scopes you listed.
2.5-10x scopes are "the new 3-9x" now days, for better or for worse.
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote martin3175 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/27/2007 at 08:22
Can't go wrong with the Elite and get  Rainguard to boot. Could go after a 4200 3x9x40 and keep it under $250 . You will get a very noticeable improvement in clarity and brightness over your current 50 mm scope .
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote grumpy04730 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/27/2007 at 08:51
 I have four Burris Signature selects two being 4x16 they are great scopes for the money as is the fullfield II and the objective on the 4x16 is 44 mm. not 40
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote timbercruiser Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/27/2007 at 19:01
Isn't there a special offer with the 4200 now, maybe a nice rain jacket or something?
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aero View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote aero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/27/2007 at 19:57
O.K.  This is what I figured it would be.  A tough decision.  I keep telling myself the Aetec seems like a pretty good scope with some good features -  illuminated reticle, wide f.o.v., good eye relief.  I've just about decided it will be the Aetec or the Monarch.  I'm sure I'd be more than happy with the 4200 or the Burris SS but from everything I've read, which has been quite a bit so far, I've just about settled on the Monarch between the better scopes I listed.  I plan on going to a few places to see them in person and may change after a hands on, but right now it seems the Aetec if I go cheap or the Monarch if I step up.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Focus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/28/2007 at 06:22
I'm getting ready to get one of those 4200 elites in 3x9 myself. They are probably the best dollar value to be found right now while you can still get one.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote martin3175 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/28/2007 at 08:49
Originally posted by timbercruiser timbercruiser wrote:

Isn't there a special offer with the 4200 now, maybe a nice rain jacket or something?
 
 
Link for rain jacket coupon ( buy by 12/31 )
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