JagMagMan

I see a lots of posts about scope selection here and find many people that choose the cheap models, and to me they steer people wrong.
Please don't take this wrong, I am no elitest! I consider myself to be "thrifty."
I don't shoot 3000.00 custom rifles with scopes that cost almost as much! I shoot production rifles with "quality" glass on top.
So with that being said, here goes:
When looking for a scope (or anything else for that matter) remember the old saying "you get what you pay for!"
Here is where the quality curve comes in. While some will say "I have used a cheap Brand X for years with no failures," I don't argue that they haven't. You can get a good or bad scope in any brand.
But.... quality does cost money. Better materials and workmanship cost!
Beyond the material cost difference, I believe that the big differnces start in the quality control area. Mass production brings cost down, but some companies will sacrifice higher quality for more production! So your chance of getting a dud will be higher with the cheap models. You might be one of the lucky that get a good one, but the odds are against you.
I do think that at some point in the quality curve, you will be paying for more than you will ever need! If you can afford that luxury, that is fine too! I'd rather be over prepared than have a scope fail me on a hunt! (That one failure could be on a once in a lifetime buck! What dollar figure could you put on that?) Believe me, I've been there and done that!
So for me I'll always have a Leupold or better, from now on.
I would suggest to new scope buyers to sacrifice in another area of their hunting budget and at least go with a mid priced optics in Leupold, Burris, or Nikon scopes, just to name a few. You will NOT be sorry in the long run!

stubblejumper

I started out many years ago with a bushnell banner then moved up to leupold .I used them for several years and then moved up to the ziess 3x9x36.Last fall I had the opportunity to compare the leupold 3.5x10x50 the 3x9x36 ziess I was using and the new swarovski 3x10x42.I found that the swarovski impressed me much more than the other two especially in brightness at dusk(even though the leupold had a larger 50mm lens).I now have replaced all my hunting scopes with the swarovski.In canada the ziess 3x9x36 costs $800 the leupold 3.5x10x50 $879 and the swarovski 3x10x42 $1159 so the price spread is not that large.I have never had a failure with any scope in the field and do find all three good quality scopes but for the extra money the swarovski offers a smaller lighter scope(than the leupold) that is brighter and clearer than the others for not a whole lot more money.I could get by with much cheaper scopes but choose not to as I really value the extra light the quality scopes give me at first and last light.

boltman

I agree Frank. There seem to be a few guys on these boards who try to gang up on you when you suggest to someone seeking advice that they should spend the money on a quality scope. You get answers like "all my buddies and me use bushnell/simmons/tasco and we've never had one break, you're just wasting money on a leupold". I'll take them at their word when they say their cheapo scope hasn't broken but all that tells me is that they are either very lucky or don't shoot much. My favorites are the guys that spend $1500 on a weatherby and top it with a $80 simmons. They'd be much better off spending $400 on a savage and topping it with a $500 leupold. I've got a box of cheap scopes that failed over the years and cost me a bunch of money in ammo shot trying to zero them not knowing they had failed. Fortunately I've never lost an animal to a scope failure. I now only use Leupold or better (meaning swarovski, S&B, or Zeiss). With the amount of money I invest in hunting a good scope is really cheap insurance. As someone said "only a rich man can afford a cheap scope".

eldeguello

Seems to me that you won't go wrong opting for the best quality scope you can afford, particularly for a rifle (or pistol!!) having significant recoiland/or you hunt in a place where there's a lot of precipitation. You need a well-sealed scope.

Larry

propmahn

if you go cheap then have some iron sights on that gun

Ruger-Redhawk

We all agree that scopes have different qualities.Everybody has different opinions which is the best.I prefer Leupold's or Older Redfield's.Some can and some can't afford to spend big bucks for expensive glassware. Most of the time the subject of scope bases and rings are never mentioned.You can have the best scope money can buy. It's only as good as the rings and bases are.If they won't hold the scope tightly and correctly it will never hold it's zero.I would rather buy a little cheaper scope and buy the best set of rings and bases I can find.I guess you might say they are the foundation to accurate shooting.Ruger Redhawk

Edited by - ruger-redhawk on 02/08/2002 14:47:24

Slugbug

There are a lot of us out here... looking for the right combination of rifle and scope. It's good to get informed opinions on the matter even if they are slightly biased. Thanks for the question and the replies.

Critter Gitter

This is a nice topic.

Myself, I will only buy Leupold or Burris. 100% American made.

Adui13

Hmmm..
Perhaps I have been unintentionally one of these guys "steering them wrong". If so, sorry, I will go on record here, to say that if you have the $$ to spend on a higher price / quality scope DO IT!! you most likely wont be sorry, every one knows you usually get what you paid for. For me, I dont have the $$, so unfortunately my advice is usually tainted with the "save money now" syndrone.
This said, I now reiterate my testamony to the "junk" scopes made by Tasco, while I have only experienced second hand one scope, the world class, it has performed flawlessly for several years for the hunter who uses it. That isnt to say all Tasco's will, they apparently wont. but his does.
As for Simmons, wished I had read this sight before I bought mine, I probably would have opted for the tasco instead. My simmons has only been used for around 40 shots, and all those at targets. I pray that my luck holds till I can put a quality scope on top of that rifle, as it is definately a weapon worth the optics.

Ruger-Redhawk

Critter Gitter, I've noticed in a couple of your replies you bring up MADE IN THE USA.or 100% American Made. You and I think on the same level.It's all of our American jobs at stake here.If we Americans don't buy our own products who will? Awhile back I was going to buy a Nikon scope. I saw it wasn't made in the USA. I put it back and got a Leupold.If at all possible I buy American only made products. The job I save maybe my own. These big corporations don't care.Profit is bottom line.If we only buy American made products maybe some of our jobs will come back home.I like your attitude Critter Gitter. Ruger Redhawk <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> <img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>

Edited by - ruger-redhawk on 02/10/2002 09:54:04