Where are the best deals? I prefer to use local brick and mortar if I have been to their store to actually shop, get advice and touch the product of interest. This is not the case. I have Been reading, and studying online, it looks like I'm buying without touching. If I roder, when the optic arrives, do you guys mount your own optice, bore sight, and dial in?
Where is the best place to buy optics
- Thread starter AldogSC
- Start date
Try this place. They have great prices and customer service. If you find lower prices let me know bucause I havent yet.
http://www.outdooroutfitters.com/default.aspx
http://www.outdooroutfitters.com/default.aspx
meat hunter
New member
Here is my take FWIW. To start with there are very few brick and mortar stores that have much of a selection. Brick and mortar stores are for the most part considerably higher than online sellers. Brick and mortar stores offer mounting and bore sighting but VERY few actually do it right.
Now with that said you should study, read and study some more. There is so much information available it can be mind boggling. Don't just ask a question on a board or two. You can get guys who will tell you anything. Guys who have no personal experience whatsoever so develop a filter for such by putting in the time to study. Figure out through study what it is you want/need in a scope. Tracking,repeatability,clarity and the big one for me, warranty.
Most scope manufacturers have lifetime warranties but many are limited in some way. I like the ones who have no limit on their guarantee. Not many of these but a short list is Leupold, Vortex, Minox, Burris and Zeiss. The main reason I like the unlimited warrantied optics is because the best deals by far are on previously owned equipment. A couple examples of this are recent purchases that I made. I got a $1400 Leupold Mark 4 that was like new for just over $900 and a $450 Vortex Viper for $250. Both of these are warrantied forever no matter who bought it first.
I mount, bore sight and dial in my own scopes. I don't mean to sound arrogant but not many people can do this right. I use torque wrenches, levels and plumb lines to mount the scope. I also have several different types of bore sighting tools.
It really all boils down to how involved you want to get in the sport. Do you want to strive for excellance or you just want to buy a rifle or two and hunt a little bit. I have a good friend who thinks pie plate accuracy is good enough. He has a couple cheap guns with cheap scopes and crappy factory triggers. He fills his freezer full of game meat every year. He also misses and wounds a lot of animals too. If one of his cheap scopes takes a dump he just goes to Wally and plops down his hard earned $39.95 for another scope and lets er rip again.
Now with that said you should study, read and study some more. There is so much information available it can be mind boggling. Don't just ask a question on a board or two. You can get guys who will tell you anything. Guys who have no personal experience whatsoever so develop a filter for such by putting in the time to study. Figure out through study what it is you want/need in a scope. Tracking,repeatability,clarity and the big one for me, warranty.
Most scope manufacturers have lifetime warranties but many are limited in some way. I like the ones who have no limit on their guarantee. Not many of these but a short list is Leupold, Vortex, Minox, Burris and Zeiss. The main reason I like the unlimited warrantied optics is because the best deals by far are on previously owned equipment. A couple examples of this are recent purchases that I made. I got a $1400 Leupold Mark 4 that was like new for just over $900 and a $450 Vortex Viper for $250. Both of these are warrantied forever no matter who bought it first.
I mount, bore sight and dial in my own scopes. I don't mean to sound arrogant but not many people can do this right. I use torque wrenches, levels and plumb lines to mount the scope. I also have several different types of bore sighting tools.
It really all boils down to how involved you want to get in the sport. Do you want to strive for excellance or you just want to buy a rifle or two and hunt a little bit. I have a good friend who thinks pie plate accuracy is good enough. He has a couple cheap guns with cheap scopes and crappy factory triggers. He fills his freezer full of game meat every year. He also misses and wounds a lot of animals too. If one of his cheap scopes takes a dump he just goes to Wally and plops down his hard earned $39.95 for another scope and lets er rip again.
Like you, I spent a lot of time online reading as much as I could before buying my scope last fall. It seems like several online retailers get good reviews all the time, most of them sponsors on this site. If you keep reading, you will find them. You will also find lots of info on methods of mounting, bore sighting and sighting in with and without tools meant to get the job done. Since you posted here, I think you are on the right track!
BTW, I went with Cameraland for my purchase. Good supply of scopes, fast shipping, and excellent customer service.
BTW, I went with Cameraland for my purchase. Good supply of scopes, fast shipping, and excellent customer service.
TXCOONDOG
Well-known member
As stated there are many places and the members here are a great help.
I watch for sales, buy used equipment with warranties, etc
I shop the PM sponsers, Optic Planet, SWFA, etc
I'm aslo a member of DVOR which is part of optic planet and they have daily clearance items at 10-70% off which is exclusive to members only.
It's free and you're not obligated to buy. Here is an invite for anyone interested:
http://www.dvor.com/s/6p0gkd.html
Just a few weeks ago I bought a Trijicon accupoint 3-9x40, Green for 585 bucks and bought two top end mounts for half of what everyone else was selling them for.
PS: I agree with alot of what Meat Hunter has said. A lot of people over torque or in some cases under torque which can cause problems. There are tools that can make it easy and now days there are instructional videos on YouTube, Midway, and many other resources as well.
However, if you are not mechanically inclined, etc, take it to a good gunsmith and not the gun nutt next door.
I watch for sales, buy used equipment with warranties, etc
I shop the PM sponsers, Optic Planet, SWFA, etc
I'm aslo a member of DVOR which is part of optic planet and they have daily clearance items at 10-70% off which is exclusive to members only.
It's free and you're not obligated to buy. Here is an invite for anyone interested:
http://www.dvor.com/s/6p0gkd.html
Just a few weeks ago I bought a Trijicon accupoint 3-9x40, Green for 585 bucks and bought two top end mounts for half of what everyone else was selling them for.
PS: I agree with alot of what Meat Hunter has said. A lot of people over torque or in some cases under torque which can cause problems. There are tools that can make it easy and now days there are instructional videos on YouTube, Midway, and many other resources as well.
However, if you are not mechanically inclined, etc, take it to a good gunsmith and not the gun nutt next door.
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foxrunner
Active member
www.natchezss.com VERY good prices!!!!
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Hedge
New member
Mount and sight my own scopes. As was mentioned above, most places don't do it correctly. Worse, they can screw up your scope.
Talk to Scott at http://www.libertyoptics.com. Knows his products and is a stand-up guy.
Talk to Scott at http://www.libertyoptics.com. Knows his products and is a stand-up guy.
Originally Posted By: HedgeMount and sight my own scopes. As was mentioned above, most places don't do it correctly. Worse, they can screw up your scope.
Talk to Scott at http://www.libertyoptics.com. Knows his products and is a stand-up guy.
My thoughts exactly on all accounts.
Scott is a good guy to deal with.
Talk to Scott at http://www.libertyoptics.com. Knows his products and is a stand-up guy.
My thoughts exactly on all accounts.
Scott is a good guy to deal with.
mtngroan
New member
Originally Posted By: HedgeMount and sight my own scopes. As was mentioned above, most places don't do it correctly. Worse, they can screw up your scope.
Talk to Scott at http://www.libertyoptics.com. Knows his products and is a stand-up guy.
Lucky for me Scott lives about 25 miles from me, and I have bought a half dozen scopes out of his living room, all of them Vortex.
Talk to Scott at http://www.libertyoptics.com. Knows his products and is a stand-up guy.
Lucky for me Scott lives about 25 miles from me, and I have bought a half dozen scopes out of his living room, all of them Vortex.
meat hunter
New member
After reading these other posts I realized that I did not specifically answer the OP's title question all the way.
Here is a list of places I have personally done business with.
Liberty Optics- Scott-first class guy but slow to return calls and e-mails. Once you do make contact with Scott he is good to go.
Sport Optics- Jay-best in the business in every way
Natchez- Brian Futch-great guy that is a total straight shooter. Good sale prices at times.
Optics Planet-anybody that answers but I will point out that you should SPEAK with them to verify stock. If they have item in stock they are first class folks. If you order online they will charge your card whether item is in stock or not. Then they may or may not notify you for weeks of a backorder.
Cameraland-Doug-only Doug IMO great guy but not everybody there has his ethics.
B & H Photo-I've only bought camera equipment and they were real good. They do carry some optics though.
JoeBob's-great folks with decent prices but don't keep a lot of stock
CS Tactical-some say good guys but they are bad to not return calls. That is a red flag for me. YMMV
Cabela's-well they are one of the big dogs. Sale prices are good sometimes but everyday prices on scopes can be beat real easy from a dozen places. Stay away from any optic that has Cabela's name on it. Cheap stuff with poor warranty.
Botach Tactical-stay away from these folks at all costs. The list of their transgressions is too long for me to type here. If you are bored and want to read a few hundred negative reviews just Google Botach customer service.
Others that I have had no personal experience with but have tons of great reviews are:
SWFA
EuroOptics
Here is a list of places I have personally done business with.
Liberty Optics- Scott-first class guy but slow to return calls and e-mails. Once you do make contact with Scott he is good to go.
Sport Optics- Jay-best in the business in every way
Natchez- Brian Futch-great guy that is a total straight shooter. Good sale prices at times.
Optics Planet-anybody that answers but I will point out that you should SPEAK with them to verify stock. If they have item in stock they are first class folks. If you order online they will charge your card whether item is in stock or not. Then they may or may not notify you for weeks of a backorder.
Cameraland-Doug-only Doug IMO great guy but not everybody there has his ethics.
B & H Photo-I've only bought camera equipment and they were real good. They do carry some optics though.
JoeBob's-great folks with decent prices but don't keep a lot of stock
CS Tactical-some say good guys but they are bad to not return calls. That is a red flag for me. YMMV
Cabela's-well they are one of the big dogs. Sale prices are good sometimes but everyday prices on scopes can be beat real easy from a dozen places. Stay away from any optic that has Cabela's name on it. Cheap stuff with poor warranty.
Botach Tactical-stay away from these folks at all costs. The list of their transgressions is too long for me to type here. If you are bored and want to read a few hundred negative reviews just Google Botach customer service.
Others that I have had no personal experience with but have tons of great reviews are:
SWFA
EuroOptics
yotekiller47
Member
I live within 15 miles of Natchez and they will not sell to me. They will not sell to anyone in TN,Alabama,or Georgia. Kinda crappy if you ask me.
DGW
New member
When looking for a particular scope to buy, always google the Brand/model with words for sale after it. You'll get a decent listing of who has it for sale and its price. Check Amazon for your scope too to find a seller. Optics Planet is a good place to check too.
However, have purchased 12 or so scopes last few years. Nothing high dollar or with a name normally connected with high quality and etc. But when I've decided on a particular scope and shopped around for best price, majority of time Natchez Shooters Supply has got my business. Think Natchez shipping charges are on high side, but still they managed to save me money on my purchases. As to service, few times I had to call Natchez concerning something, I had no problem with them.
However, have purchased 12 or so scopes last few years. Nothing high dollar or with a name normally connected with high quality and etc. But when I've decided on a particular scope and shopped around for best price, majority of time Natchez Shooters Supply has got my business. Think Natchez shipping charges are on high side, but still they managed to save me money on my purchases. As to service, few times I had to call Natchez concerning something, I had no problem with them.
meat hunter
New member
Originally Posted By: KAGOriginally Posted By: yotekiller47I live within 15 miles of Natchez and they will not sell to me. They will not sell to anyone in TN,Alabama,or Georgia. Kinda crappy if you ask me.
Yes I know....off target but....Why?
Natchez' parent company is a gun and sporting goods wholesaler. They sell to local stores in the tri state area. The prices that Natchez sells for are often what the brick and mortar stores pays for stuff. If they sell to local folks then their local dealers cannot compete.
Yes I know....off target but....Why?
Natchez' parent company is a gun and sporting goods wholesaler. They sell to local stores in the tri state area. The prices that Natchez sells for are often what the brick and mortar stores pays for stuff. If they sell to local folks then their local dealers cannot compete.
StabyhounDogs
New member
I second www.natchezss.com. They are having a year end sale now and a lot of scopes are $100 off the retail price.