The Accurate Reloading Forums
Optics poll
24 December 2005, 14:45
D99Optics poll
What's your favorite brand or riflescope.LeupoldBurrisSwarovski, Zeiss, Schmidt & Bender, Kahles, Pecar, KAPS, Meopta, Leica, Minox, Letitz, other Euro.Nikon, Pentax, Fujinon, other JapaneseSpringfield, Redfield, Weaver, other American
24 December 2005, 20:36
Rick 0311Unertl.
24 December 2005, 21:25
D99I think that would be included in choice number 5.
24 December 2005, 21:26
D99My favorite is Burris, as they are the best scope for the money period!
However, they are not the best scope for any money. Then I would say Zeiss, Swarovski, or Schmit and Bender.
You have to pay Leupold a lot more to get an equal product to a Burris.
24 December 2005, 22:02
PATRIOT76SCHMIDT & BENDER
24 December 2005, 22:53
Rick 0311quote:
Originally posted by D99:
I think that would be included in choice number 5.
I understand that...but why list some by name and then have an “and others†category? What if number 5 is the winner...how would anyone know which of the multiple choices came out on top?
24 December 2005, 23:51
SkidlyNightforce NXS 5.5 - 22 x 56mm Ill NP-R2
50bmg half inch holes ...... at long range!
25 December 2005, 12:52
Johnny foreignerquote:
Originally posted by D99:
My favorite is Burris, as they are the best scope for the money period!
However, they are not the best scope for any money. Then I would say Zeiss, Swarovski, or Schmit and Bender.
You have to pay Leupold a lot more to get an equal product to a Burris.
Burris were by far my first choice for everything from air rifles to CF rifles. However, about 1999, I bought two 6-24 signature scopes and the cross hairs were about 30 degrees off. After sending them back they were returned with one completely broken crosshair and one with a scratch on the inside of the objective lense. I also think their optical quality went down the tubes at the same time.
Now Zeiss do an affordable series in the Conquest, these have to be one of the best value scopes about. I like Nikon scopes, but my overall favourite is Swarovski. I'm just waiting for my 6-24 PVS to arrive.
DW
25 December 2005, 14:43
D99quote:
Originally posted by Rick 0311:
quote:
Originally posted by D99:
I think that would be included in choice number 5.
I understand that...but why list some by name and then have an “and others†category? What if number 5 is the winner...how would anyone know which of the multiple choices came out on top?
Basically, I just wanted an overview. I know Leupold is one of the top selling. And everyone knows that Swarovski, Zeiss, and Schmidt and Bender are the top of the heap.
I like Burris a lot, but everything I own isn't a Burris. I own Nikon, Zeiss, Docter, Swarovski, Leupold, Barska, Kahles, and Weaver.
There are a lot of scope companys, and I didn't list them all, I know their are at least another 10 Euro scope companys, probably 10 more American ones, and at least that many Asian ones. The ones I listed are the main players. It wasn't meant to be exclusive.
Then there are companys tha make product for another company and put their name on it. What do you call these?
25 December 2005, 14:47
D99I wasn't trying to come up with the best, I wanted to know what you guys liked best.
I think Schmidt and Benders are the best. I will never own entirly S&B as their price is inhibitive of such an endeavor.
2/3rds of all my scopes are Burris, they represent solid value, are tough, look good, and have the best optical quality among American scopes. They aren't the cheapest, and they aren't the most expensive. Just rock solid performance, at a reasonable price.
25 December 2005, 17:14
kbeboutI have switched to Kahles. I use their binos too. Best optics for the money as far as I can tell.
25 December 2005, 18:54
bulldog563Has anyone owned both Swarovski and Smidt and Bender and if so which do you prefer and why?
25 December 2005, 19:26
D99I have had both, and I prefer the Schmidt and Bender rifle scopes, but use Swarovski binoculars (obviously S&B doesn't make any).
I don't have any S&B rifles scopes right now, but I had a 1.75-6 Hunting model.
The Zenith, is really spectacular, I hope to get one soon in a 3-12x50.
Good luck.
25 December 2005, 19:37
jeffeossoThe tasco titan and euro (same scope, really..) are impossible to beat for the money.
remember, i said for the money
jeffe
25 December 2005, 20:53
Thomas JonesI voted for leupold. never had a real problem with one . and I once droped one right on the elevation turet with my heavy sporterizes mauser 35 whelen on top. Dented the turret cap so bad I neede pliars to take it off.
I like burris Nikkon Bushnell eliets too. But the Great sevice form leupold maked them my favorite. There is a new scope from Redfield thar might change my mind soon...tj3006
freedom1st
25 December 2005, 20:55
N. GarrettMeopta is my favorite.
Tasco Titan and Euroclass is second.
Jeffe,
Don't feel you have to qualify your like of them by the purchase price.
I've said this before, and I will keep repeating it: for the over 40 year old eye, the resolution of optics costing over $300 (discount price, not MSRP) is HIGHER than the resolution of the eye. This is due to opacification of the lens, loss of plasticity of the lens, and retinal cell drop out.
We like what we like, but not because it is "better".
Garrett
26 December 2005, 01:32
DMCI*Other American? Like what for instance?
Springfield, Redfield, Weaver???? I don't think so!
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EGO sum bastard ut does frendo
26 December 2005, 15:57
D99You hunt with that 14 pound M700?
26 December 2005, 20:07
DMCI*No, but I do hunt with it's bigger brother:
The M40A3 clone is 16# F class target rifle. The M70 shown above with the 6-30x58 US Optics Sn-3 is a varmint hunting gun for long range hunting.
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EGO sum bastard ut does frendo
26 December 2005, 23:02
Jay Gorskiquote:
Originally posted by D99:
My favorite is Burris, as they are the best scope for the money period!
However, they are not the best scope for any money. Then I would say Zeiss, Swarovski, or Schmit and Bender.
You have to pay Leupold a lot more to get an equal product to a Burris.
Ah, I'd have to agree with ya, D99. Tnough, I've compared Burris Sigs. with the Conquests and 800 dollar Swaros, optically, the Burris was brighter and just as clear as anything out there, actually had to give a salesman a lesson/reality check when we both checked out the Conquest scope. And the Burris scopes I've got now perform very well thank you very much, at the range and in the field.
Oh, and Burris and pentax should be classed together, since Burris makes Pentax, in America. Jay
27 December 2005, 01:59
cheaptrickDMCI:
What's the tube size on the SN-3 in the first pic??
Beautiful rifle, sir!!
cheaptrick.....out!!
27 December 2005, 07:10
WyatI have only seen one vote for the bushnell elite series. i like these scopes because they dont cost a fortune and their rain grard. maybe that is because i am from canada and my scopes use to always fog up until rainguard came out. was do others think of the bushnell elites? is there something out there better for the money?
27 December 2005, 10:26
DMCI*quote:
DMCI:
What's the tube size on the SN-3 in the first pic??
Beautiful rifle, sir!!
Rifle is M40A3 Clone, with Jewell single stage 1#, #7 Lilja 3 groove 1/10 twist 24".
That is what I call the USO Canadian Horus. It is the Day Optic offered by US Optics to Canadian Forces. I had them install a Horus H-25 Reticle.
Specs are: SN-3 3.2-17x44 TPAL, Metric EREK, Lit H-25, 3
4 Tube and low profile eyepiece. (In my opinion the hottest scope on the planet!)
Rings are 34mm Badgers.
Shown here in desert colors:
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EGO sum bastard ut does frendo
27 December 2005, 10:56
cheaptrick20 MOA rail, DMCI??
Badger too, I assume?
Did you mean 34mm tube??
cheaptrick.....out!!
27 December 2005, 11:05
DMCI*Rail is 20 degree US Optics. I actually have a Badger Rail, but I like this one better as it was a little longer than the badger. Rifle is clip slotted and rear reciever ring is milled back per USMC specification.
Rifle formerly had a USO MST-100 on it.
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EGO sum bastard ut does frendo
27 December 2005, 11:42
derfI too am partial to the Bushnell products. derf
Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati
27 December 2005, 13:45
ShopCartRacingFWIW, Weaver has not been an American company since the 1970's.
You can now file it under 'J' for Japanese.
27 December 2005, 16:09
AfrikaanderS&B, Swaro, Kahles, Zeiss and recently I have discovered the IORs (outstanding optics & mechanics, second to none in my opionion - and much cheaper than any of the previously mentioned ones !)
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Duc, sequere, aut de via decede.
27 December 2005, 17:53
Claret_Dabbler
S & B. Just bought a 3-12x50 with the L7 illuminated reticule. I am most impressed by the quality. I got a deal on it in the UK for £675 which is about $1200, this will live on top of my Sauer 202 .270win.
I have had other S&B's in the past, I also have a meopta, which I believe is the best value for money out there.
Regards
Just because you are paranoid, doesn't mean they are not out to get you....
27 December 2005, 21:11
Stonecreekquote:
Originally posted by ShopCartRacing:
FWIW, Weaver has not been an American company since the 1970's.
You can now file it under 'J' for Japanese.
I have no idea where the current crop of "Weaver" branded scopes are made, but I would venture in some Asian country other than Japan. A lot of optics are coming out of China, Tawain, Korea, Malaysia, and other Pacific Rim industrialized(ing) countries. What you're getting and from where is always in doubt with scopes branded "Bushnell", "Simmons", "Weaver", ""Redfield", or a half-dozen other tradenames.
27 December 2005, 22:47
Drop-ShotI agree stonecreek,I try to stay as american made as possible,the Burris fullfield series is made in the Phillipenes not in Colorado,Leupold on the other hand don't require a remortage on the house and offer the best warrenty in the business.I owned a varx-ll 3-9x42,I bought it in 1973,last year for the first time I had to adjust the scope and the crosshairs didn't move,I sent it back and a brand new vxll came in the mail the next week,can't beat it.Just an opinion from an old hunter.Drop-Shot
27 December 2005, 23:07
Jay Gorskiquote:
Originally posted by Drop-Shot:
I agree stonecreek,I try to stay as american made as possible,the Burris fullfield series is made in the Phillipenes not in Colorado
As far as I know, it's just the 3-9 and 4.5-14 FFIIs, if thats any consolation. Parts do come from Colo., and are inspected again once they get back from overseas.
Leupolds glass is made.....? Jay
28 December 2005, 00:17
PATRIOT76here is my S&B
28 December 2005, 05:39
small fishquote:
Originally posted by Drop-Shot:
I agree stonecreek,I try to stay as american made as possible,the Burris fullfield series is made in the Phillipenes not in Colorado,Leupold on the other hand don't require a remortage on the house and offer the best warrenty in the business.I owned a varx-ll 3-9x42,I bought it in 1973,last year for the first time I had to adjust the scope and the crosshairs didn't move,I sent it back and a brand new vxll came in the mail the next week,can't beat it.Just an opinion from an old hunter.Drop-Shot
It WILL happen with a leup(old),get used to it.
29 December 2005, 06:06
<9.3x62>Nikon has always served me well...
IMO, Monarchs are nice glass for the $...
30 December 2005, 02:39
D99Nice Ed Brown rifle and S&B scope.
Current run shows pretty much what I had thought.
Leupold 1st
German or Austrian 2nd
Japanese 3rd
Burris 4th
Other American 5th
This is why everyone else who makes scopes calls Leupold "that L word".
31 December 2005, 06:04
Fish30114D99, one of us can't read your poll. I just looked again, and the German or Austrian is still well ahead of the Leupy total, by percentage and total, as it should work out,
51 to 40 or
43% to 33%
31 December 2005, 10:51
Alberta CanuckOne more vote for Meopta as the best value for the money.
Also, a suggestion: When looking for a scope, look through more than one of each model. Individual scopes within a model (any make & model) vary greatly in performance....often even moreso than between brands.
As a result, I never buy scopes through the mail. I go to one or more major retailers and compare actual scopes, side-by-side, until I find the one that performs best for me within the price range I have in mind. Then I buy it regardless of brand.
(Of course, there are some brands which I will not even look at because of poor service, parts,or other customer support issues.)
My country gal's just a moonshiner's daughter, but I love her still.
31 December 2005, 20:03
Jay Gorskiquote:
Originally posted by Alberta Canuck:
One more vote for Meopta as the best value for the money.
Also, a suggestion: When looking for a scope, look through more than one of each model. Individual scopes within a model (any make & model) vary greatly in performance....often even moreso than between brands.
As a result, I never buy scopes through the mail. I go to one or more major retailers and compare actual scopes, side-by-side, until I find the one that performs best for me within the price range I have in mind. Then I buy it regardless of brand.
(Of course, there are some brands which I will not even look at because of poor service, parts,or other customer support issues.)
I may have to travel many miles to find a retailer that has a decent supply of scopes. i've been buying Burris scopes since I found out they're a better buy, brighter, etc. etc. than Leupold, and I always get them on-line. If, God forbid, something was wrong with them, I'd send it back to Burris for a "fix". None so far, if there was, I know they'd treat me right, bunch a Good guys at Burris. Jay
01 January 2006, 20:51
small fishquote:
Originally posted by D99:
Nice Ed Brown rifle and S&B scope.
Current run shows pretty much what I had thought.
Leupold 1st
German or Austrian 2nd
Japanese 3rd
Burris 4th
Other American 5th
This is why everyone else who makes scopes calls Leupold "that L word".
It is funny how leup(old) loyalists think they are the best when,clearly,they aren't. I think the purpose of this thread was too get the loyalists chimin' in for the "that l word". It hasn't happened but in denial,it prevails anyway.