Good Glass

[UnSafe]

Out last night and this morning for deer gun season, once again the importance of good glass (Optics) was shown to me.

I held on a doe after sunset, thought hard on shooting but waited for the buck that never came. The difference between naked eye view and through my scope (Leupold VXIII 3.5-10 50mm) was remarkable. Even at last light, when I could see only fuzz at the tree line, I could see crisp and clearly through the scope.

I've bought enough junk glass over the years to know the difference. Fuzzy images at max magnification, wandering zero, scrambled innards from recoil, etc.. It makes me wonder what guys are thinking when they post in the classifieds with their nearly new "Tactical" bolt guns topped off with junk glass. Maybe they wouldn't be in such a hurry to sell if they had waited and saved up for better glass.

 

[Danny]

I've owned several Nikons, a Leupold Vari-XII and III, and Simmons. And the absolute best low light scope I've ever looked thru was an old, maybe 40 years old now, Bushnell 2-6x32mm that a friend had. We compared them one evening. Just when the Leupold III became useless, he had me look thru the Bushnell and it was like I'd gained another 1/2 hour of light.

 

[woolworh]

Whats the best scope out there right now?

 

[Danny]

Whats the best scope out there right now?

The best scope out there is....

1. One that you can afford
2. One that will do everything you want it to.

For me, that doesn't have to be a $1,500.00 scope. I'm perfectly happy with a Nikon Monarch in 3-9x40.

 

[UnSafe]

Best glass? You could go on for days and not reach a consensus on that one, but Danny summed it up pretty well. I'd add:

1. Don't go any higher than you need in magnification. Higher magnification typically means less bright and more difficult to hold on target from an offhand position. Try hitting a pie plate or target at 200 yd with a 14X scope from a standing, unsupported position. Then crank it down to 4-6X and repeat the shots. High power scopes are for supported shooting.

2. Don't fret how low you can get the scope until you measure how high it needs to be for YOUR stock weld. Leupold sells super low (Super expensive)scopes that might need high rings to fit your face which wastes the extra money spent. When you bring your rifle up to position and settle into your personal stock weld, your field of view through the scope should be perfect. If you have to move your face around- Not so good. So, how does this affect scope choice? Some scopes are just not going to fit every shooter/ rifle combo. I had to add an extended rail to the top of my RRA flattop AR Varminter to get the correct relief and height for a VXIII 6.5-20X. For a shooter with a shorter face, this combo (Big belled scope/ stock without drop)would never work without a lot of facial contortioning.

3. Good glass ain't cheap. No, I'm not suggesting we all need Nightforce scopes but save money in the long run by waiting and saving up for what you need, instead of going cheap and regretting it later. Sure, that Barska, Simmons or NC Star scope might look cool in the catalog, but for other than a .22 plinker or midday short range deer gun they waste ammo.

Comparing multiple scopes in waning light is a good way to help the decision- Basspro shops are big enough to pick out a darker corner across the store.

 

[Glocktogo]

A good value for the money are the Bushnell Elite series scopes. Got more money? Spend it on better glass. It pays to spend as much or more on the glass as the rifle itself.

 

[338Shooter]

If you think that VX-III was nice, wait until you get your hands on good glass.

 

[Cedar Creek]

Yep - I screwed myself many times trying to save money on scopes. My philosophy now is to save until I can buy a Leupold or don't buy, but I do have a little Nikon ProStaff 4X on a Ruger 77/44 that is just right.

Cedar Creek

 

[ez bake]

If you think that VX-III was nice, wait until you get your hands on good glass.

Hahahahaha - I was sooo gonna post that.