Overrated /over priced rifle scopes

J.Holly, I like your thinking, but I run the glass cost as much as the gun.

Not wanting to start anything, What is the difference between your "shooting rifles" and your "hunting rifles"?

I don't do any competitive shooting, I just shoot or hunt with what ever one I want to use that day or situation.

I'm guessing you shoot in competitions, i.e. benchrest or other.

No internet wars wanted or needed, just curious.
 
SteveM i got in to the nightforce because they where breaking records right and left back 20 years ago in the bench rest game.back then there was nothing even close to the nightforce.now that's a diff story.ziess has some scopes now that are bad to the bone.they also cost 5000.00 +.even now every time you here of a record being broke nightforce is the scope that was used.they use them a lot in competition.most of what i have read the tac groups dont like them because they are to heavy.i no longer punch paper i punch fur.i cant tell you how many predators i have shot on a half moon night with out using a spot light.i have a 5.5-22x56 nxs.they have a smaller power scope i wish i had it.think it is a 3-15x56.one of the main thing i like about the nightforce is the lighted rectial.this is why i can shoot fur with out a spotlight.i have a passion for shooting and hunting.love working up loads to see just how tight i can get them to shoot.i dont post things on here to start anything.i post them to maybe help someone out.the test they but them scopes through where dumb.i dont know of any one that would use there scope for a hammer.i do know some one that went elk hunting in CO dropped his gun and had to barrow a gun because the rectial was broke on his vx3 Leupold.
 
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Clayman, my shooting guns are just guns that don't go out anywhere but to the range. One of my hunting rifles is always in my vehicle. It pretty much goes with me everywhere. I have about 10 hunting rifles, and I have about 10 shooting guns, and then I have quite a few safe queens that never see the light of day.
 
I beleive the IOR product is worth the price. Mine is great, and the MP8 reticle is very precise for LR work. They also have a very positive adjustment in the turrets, which I prefer. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I beleive Burris is under rated. I have a few of them and really beleive they are my best hunting scopes. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

I beleive leupold is overpriced, as are US optics, S&B, Swarovski, Zeiss etc. I am not saying they are low quality, just not high enough to justify their price tags. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif

I happen to beleive that in the all around bench to bang and drag rifle game, the NXS is the best scope for the money. Their reticles and standard illum with rheostat make them the best buy. I much prefer these to most anything else I have used for LR work. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gif
 
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I would classify US Optics, Nightforce, Zeiss, and Swarovski all in the same class. If one if overpriced, then they all should be. They are all roughly the same quality.
 
The NXS can be used as a tire iron and a hammer also,..but at roughly $1000 less than the USO. USO has some great ideas with their calibrated EREK knobs and such, and now illum reticles, but I still can't find enough there to justify that price jump over the NXS.

sold my MK IV's and replaced with NXS's. That and the IOR tactical have my vote for "get what ya pay for".
 
Wacker,
What record breaking are you refering to with Nightforce ?
The benchrest shooter do not use Nightforce for the reason because they are too heavy, cant make the weight class.
 
VM, that is where I first heard about the NF optics from the .50 cal paper punchers. They were telling me the NF was the only variable that would hold up on the .50 cal's.

I know what you mean about the postings! LOL!!!..........Unlike some of the postings we have had on our board lately, this is the type of healthy discussions we need on this board concerning opinions that we may all learn something!

I missed a shot by 1/16 of an inch at the 1999 World Sniper Shoot at 200 yds. because my MK-4 windage adjustment did not move until the second shot! Moved me from 5th to 9th! However, after it moved it was dead on for the next 200 yd and 300 yd shots. [beeep] me off but it is the first time I have ever had one do that. In the real world, would not have made any difference but on the paper targets it did! LOL!!
 
I think it's funny how some people on here will have an $700 AR-15 and put a $100 scope on it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif You should at least spend the same amount on the optics as you paid for the gun. Also do yourself another favor and buy a good set of quality rings. Set your gun up right the first time and save yourself some money in the long run.

As far as optics hunting optics go. I believe if you have a $250 scope and compare it to a $500 scope you will be getting a scope that is twice as good. If you have a $500 scope and compare it to a $1000 scope it's going to be real hard to see an extra $500 worth of difference. But there will be a difference, most likely in the clarity and brightness in the low light situations. I think that once you get past the $400-$700 range there will only be slight differences. You will get more for your money in the $400-$700 range.

Remember with Leupold, Swarovski, and Zeiss you may pay a little more but the customer service is 10X better.

I think the best scope for the money right now are the Zeiss Conquest's. They are just hard to beat for the money and if you look hard there are some great deals on them as well.

Again this is just what I've learned through my mistakes in life and I'm still learning. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif

Darrell /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
Will said, Darrell. I often see owners equip a cheapie on top of a nice rig or fasten a $1K optic to a $1k gun only with $25 ring and base. As for great value, I think Docter Optics is also another brand you shouldn't overlook , it’s German glass on German ingenuity with German craftsmanship but only a Japanese price tag.
 
Well, I guess I'm one of those guilty of putting lower cost scopes on nice rifles, or I should say, on some of them. Most of my rifles wear Leupold, two have Nikons, and a couple of Simmons and Tascos, one has a Weaver and another has a Redfield. I've had "Leupolditis" for years, but have learned that the world turns with or without them.

Mike at DTech is building a 6x45 upper for me that will get a Leupold 4x12 A/0 Vari-X 2. That scope is just waiting for that new upper to arrive. But, I already have this scope, didn't purchase it just for this rifle.

I think there are a few scopes out there that are underated. While I prefer to have top glass, at least Nikon, I can't always afford it right away, and I think a lot of others are in the same boat. Currently my flat top Bushmaster has a Simmons Atec illuminated 2.8 x 10 that I really like, and paid about $120 for. It holds zero and works very well for what I use it for, a calling rifle, and that illuminated reticle is great. I also have another scope that I sometimes switch out on the Bushmaster, (which allows me to shoot different bullets zeroed with each scope) a Tasco World Class 4x, 5" eye relief, and I absolutely love this scope. Didn't pay much for it (about $80), but it fits this gun perfectly, is clear, holds zero, and has a nice crosshair. I've taken two bobcats while using it, and a turkey. Actually, if I could find this scope (it's no longer being made) I would buy a couple more at less than $100 each, since I like it that well.

As for resale value, I never consider that. I purchase a scope to use and keep. Leupold definitely has a good resale value, but as many others have said, they are over priced.

I guess we all would like top end scopes, but sometimes those top end rifles drain us of money until such a time as we can add a better scope, IF indeed there is ever a need or desire. Right now I'm very satisfied with the Bushmaster and it's Simmons and Tasco scopes. I don't have any immediate plans to put anything else on it, at least, not right now. I may never, and not because I can't afford to.

Good Shooting.
 
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I think it's funny how some people on here will have an $700 AR-15 and put a $100 scope on it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif



AMEN. Kinda like getting a $500 pistol and carying it in a $9.99 holster.
 
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