thehunter Posted June 16, 2008 Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 Over the course of the next year will be purchasing either a 300 Win Mag or 30/06. My question is what type of scope should I purchase? If someone could give me an idea as far as "best for my $" would greatly appreciate it. I will be going on a TN bear hunt next fall. All advice greatly appreciated. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted June 16, 2008 Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 There are a lot of great scopes out there that won't break the bank. Really it is all according to how much you want to spend and how much is expensive to you. Personally of the scopes I have used, I like the nikon monarchs about the best so far of all that I have used. I have yet to try a zeiss conquest, but next scope I buy may be one of them. Most of our deer rifles as well as my ml and varmint rifle are topped with 3-9X40 scopes which work well for this area. Burris scopes are also affordable and priced well, but in my opinion the brightness and clarity edge goes to the nikons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehunter Posted June 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 There are a lot of great scopes out there that won't break the bank. Really it is all according to how much you want to spend and how much is expensive to you. Personally of the scopes I have used, I like the nikon monarchs about the best so far of all that I have used. I have yet to try a zeiss conquest, but next scope I buy may be one of them. Most of our deer rifles as well as my ml and varmint rifle are topped with 3-9X40 scopes which work well for this area. Burris scopes are also affordable and priced well, but in my opinion the brightness and clarity edge goes to the nikons. Thank you very much. Now I've got some brands in order to do my pricing research. I've got between now & next Oct/Nov to get this together. I can't wait for the hunt to get here!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted June 16, 2008 Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 Just don't get misled into believing that the $100 scope in the display case at Wal Mart is "just as good" as the $500 scope at the gun shop. There is a difference. And that $500 scope isn't "just as good" as that $1000 scope either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehunter Posted June 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 Just don't get misled into believing that the $100 scope in the display case at Wal Mart is "just as good" as the $500 scope at the gun shop. There is a difference. And that $500 scope isn't "just as good" as that $1000 scope either. I live close to a basspro & of course shopping on-line they're pushing their Redhead brand but I want to check out the brands given me so far, Nikon, etc. This could be a once in a lifetime shot for me & although I'm a family man on a budget I want the best that I can affordably get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 I went through the same thing you're going through last year. I went with a Nikon Buckmaster 3x9x40 (about $200.00). I used it on a 300 ultramag in Idaho (bear hunting). The nicoplex reticle is ok as long as your not shooting long distances. If you plan to shoot 3-500 yards I'd go with a BDC reticle. My hunting buddy purchased a Nikon Monarch (about $300.00) for the trip. He liked the Monarch and I liked the buckmaster. The weather was terrible, rain snow and fog almost every day. Both scopes performed well. They never fogged up on us and both shot true the entire time. I'd recommend either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 I am fond of my Bushnell scopes. I have an old Sportview and a Legend. They have never done me wrong. Be sure to check out the prices at http://www.natchezss.com/optics.cfm?category=20 before buying at BPS's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted June 18, 2008 Report Share Posted June 18, 2008 Another thing to keep in mind is that even a $49 scope looks great in the store. The big differences are in low light and clarity at distances. I use Nikon Pro-Staffs which were $150. I am very pleased with them. My next scope will be either a Buck-master or Monarch. Nikon is the best scope for the money IMO. You can get a better scope, but you will have to spend a lot more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted June 18, 2008 Report Share Posted June 18, 2008 Nikon is the best scope for the money IMO. You can get a better scope, but you will have to spend a lot more. Ditto! I own Nikon Monarch, love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodshed Posted June 18, 2008 Report Share Posted June 18, 2008 Love my Nikon Monarch for 200.00 at Natchez!! Less than that for a refurbished one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turningcustomcalls Posted June 19, 2008 Report Share Posted June 19, 2008 I have had good luck out of Tasco. Just another option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guesswho Posted June 20, 2008 Report Share Posted June 20, 2008 You wont be dissappointed in Nikon. I too have a buckmaster and love it. I will say this too. The scope is only as good as the rings/base you use. So go with a good quality midranged priced (200-300) scope and some real high quality base/rings and you will not be dissappointed. The Elite 3200 series are nice by Bushnell too. Leupold as well. If you go with a good name brand and get the better quality unit you will be happy. Just don't settle for the 99 dollar special at the local walmart and expect great things. I speak first hand on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camocop Posted June 21, 2008 Report Share Posted June 21, 2008 i started equiping all my firearms with Pentax Light Seekers. i looked through these next to Leupold vx series and Nikon series and was impressed with the clarity and light gathering capabilities. i have now been shooting with Pentax for over a year and have had NO complaints. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehunter Posted June 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2008 Ok, based on guesswho's comments I'm looking at a purchase of the scope & then the rings separately? I guess I just figured the scope would come with all you needed. Again, you're talking to someone that's always used a 12 guage or a 22 that already was scoped. I'm very new to some aspects of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted June 21, 2008 Report Share Posted June 21, 2008 Ok, based on guesswho's comments I'm looking at a purchase of the scope & then the rings separately? I guess I just figured the scope would come with all you needed. Again, you're talking to someone that's always used a 12 guage or a 22 that already was scoped. I'm very new to some aspects of this. Yes, you will have to buy rings and bases to mount your scope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zach90 Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 Before you make a decision check out Leupold. Best in the business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wadeocu Posted July 31, 2008 Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 Kahles or Zeiss both make great scopes in the $400 range(superior to anything Nikon makes). I got the Kahles AH 2.5-7 for right at $400 and think it was a great buy. The glass compared very favorably with my Dad's Swarovski. They are more expensive and, frankly, the Nikons mentioned here are indeed excellent choices in their price range $200 +/-. Go north of 1k and you can get Zeiss, Swaro etc. scopes that are far superior to the $400 +/- range Zeiss scopes such as their Conquest line. My point is that you should decide how much to spend and then pick the best quality scope you can afford. For the most part, there is a huge qualitative difference between the various price range scopes, but within a given range there are indeed some favorites. If you are looking in the saem range as I did early this year, take a long look at the Kahles scopes. Check out the guys at opticstalk.com - very knowledgable bunch and the site sponser (SWFA) has some great prices too. Check out their sample list for some really good deals. - Jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zach90 Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 Leupold is by far the best for the $$$. Great customer service and warranty. VXII is all that I have used and will be buying the VXIII. No complaints Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampDawg Posted August 4, 2008 Report Share Posted August 4, 2008 i am a firm believer in leupold, you cant go wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clrj3514 Posted August 4, 2008 Report Share Posted August 4, 2008 i have a 3-9x40 Nikon Monarch on my 30-06 and I love it. its a great scope and not too expensive. I also have a Nikon Buckmaster on my 243 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Predator Posted August 5, 2008 Report Share Posted August 5, 2008 Leupold - lifetime warranty. Buy the model you can afford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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