the cost of some scopes - and other equipment

[WoodsCraft]

I have a friend with a $4000 Schmitt Bender scope on his $700 Savage rifle.
He won’t hesitate to mention what great glass it is and how much he paid for it.
Problem is that he ordered a scope in mil-rads. He has no clue on how to use that feature.
Took him elk hunting once in New Mexico. We had a down hill shot at about 450 yards. He emptied his rifle with the elk just standing there as the shot echoed from all directions in the mountains.
Handed him my 30-06, told him the holdover at that range and angle. Dropped it with the first shot using a $400 Nikon scope.
Lesson: it ain’t always the glass that’s the problem with shooting.

I can totally agree with that , but at the same time you can't hit what you can't see. Nikon used to make a good scope at the price point for which they sold. I own a few that are still giving yeoman's service .

 

[Rez Exelon]

I just wait till other people buy fancy stuff and then I buy it from them at "not fancy anymore" pricing when they go to sell it. I think I could probably put together 5 things in my entire vault that I own that were new when I got them, but that might be stretching it.

 

[BobbyV]

Check out the long-range subreddit for all sorts of info on the range of scopes for the money. Many on there swear by some "higher-end" models of Bushnell scopes.

Specifically this one:

https://www.eurooptic.com/Bushnell-...lum-DM2-MRAD-Black-Riflescope-MP53056DMI.aspx

 

[BobbyV]

And I will say it all depends on learning how to use what you have and see it clearly. Not all scopes are created equal. The views can be night and day different from one model to the next.

Those expensive scopes are priced that way for a reason.

 

[Catt57]

Since you included "other equipment" I'll voice my complaint about iron sights. IMHO there is no way any set of irons should be $70, $80, or $100+. In fact, IMHO the AR parts market is out of hand when it come to prices. I have 3 sets of $20 folding BUIS from Amazon and they work great, have held up very well, and are maintaining zero.

 

[turkeyrun]

I have Busnell, Tasco, Williams, Redfield, Burris, Weaver, Nikon, Vortex and Leupold scopes.
Scopes that were not clear, stable or I did not like the performance; I got rid of.

I do not have a scope that I paid over $300 for. My favorite scope is a Bushnell Scope Chief 3x9-40. Dad bought it around 1964. I have no idea what he paid for it. It came with a post reticle, was like shooting around a telephone pole. In 1983, sent it to a guy in Atlanta (I have no recollection of name) he built the scopes for US Olympic team. $35, shipping included, he polished lenses, cut down telephone pole, installed duplex reticle and resealed. I heard he passed in '94.

I do like the Vortex, Leupold and Nikon, but all of what I have, do what I need.
I worked with a guy that had nothing but Leica. Good for him, I couldn't justify one.
I could afford it, but didn't want to.
That's why Yugo and Rolls exist, cover everyone.

 

[Glocktogo]

I'll admit my biggest beef with modern optics is weight, not price. Some of these behemoths are closing in on 2 pounds with rings! I wouldn't mind if I wanted a benchrest gun, but I don't. Handling characteristics are important to me in a rifle. When you've got so much weight perched up high on the gun, it just throws off the handling.

I still fall back to Leupold for the most part because they seem to strike a decent compromise on weight, quality, durability and cost. With all the materials advancement of the past few decades these companies could produce a lighter set of scopes. They just don't.

 

[swampratt]

The last few years I have been buying Redfield scopes for my rifles.
In low light setting sun in front or behind me I do not get any ghosting or odd glare.
My Vortex CrossfireII ghosts as do my Tasco scopes but my Nikon and Redfield scopes do not.

Those Nikon and Redfield scopes are also easy to get eye position on Generous eyebox and a lot more eye relief.
My Vortex and Tasco scopes are eye position sensitive.

One thing I need in a scope with more than 9 power is Adjustable Objective. (AO)
I shoot longer distances than 100 yards and working up a load shooting 300 yards it is imperative that you get the same hold and eye position on the rifle.

You can be a little off on eye position with AO if you get it set right.

But the end all in scope choice for me is reliability, clear glass and NO glare.

 

[Chief Sapulpa]

I recently purchased an Athlon scope for a new rifle. It wasn’t terribly expensive at all and it had a ton a good reviews. I was looking at getting a Nightforce, then I stumbled across a YouTube video where a guy compared the Nightforce with the Athlon. I’m not normally one for listening too much to what people say in their videos since they’re getting paid to say things, but you can usually tell between who is getting paid and who isn’t. There were a lot of other sites referencing a certain individual who takes the time to compare all kinds of different brands, giving pros and cons of each, so that’s how I ended up watching this particular video. No, I didn’t necessarily want to spend Nightforce money, but I wanted one to try out. After watching the comparison video, it changed my mind and I went with the cheaper option, the Athlon. I also read a lot of other reviews to compare the two as well. You can generally tell an honest review from the nonsense reviews.

Most expensive scopes I have are ACOG’s with RMR’s attached. As others have stated, I have too many rifles and don’t want to spend a ton on all of them.

I purchased an Athlon Cronus ED spotting scope based on recommendations here and online. It wasn’t cheap but certainly the best one I’ve ever had. I did return several that I bought before it.

 

[jstevens]

Nightforce and Razors for me. My life depends on mine.