I have used a number of scopes, from the inexpensive to the expensive. I have had pretty good luck with Leupolds, but have come across some good Simmons and other lower cost scopes.

What have the other members come across for a good, all around scope? You know one that doesn't make you cringe when you bump it against a tree.

Lately for me it's been Nikon.

All of my scopes are leupolds anymore. I have just been very satisfied with theier products and customer service. THe VXII 2-7 or 3-9 are very hard to beat for an all purpose scope.

The best all purpose scope ever built for the money is a Leupold Vari X III in either a 1.75X6 or a 2.5X8.

In my humble and unjaded opinon.

Cringe because of the cost, or cringe because you think it won't survive?

I know several folks swear by the leupold fixed 6X42mm. I haven't had a chance to try them yet, but will likely be getting a couple before the end of the year. I did pick up a leupy vxIII 3.5-10 that I plan to wring out shortly.

Generally I've found the low cost scopes have less eye relief, are more critical of eye position, and the reticles tend to be very thin and lost in low light. They also seem to puke when subjected to higher recoil, and the images are a bit on the blurry side.

I picked up a new weaver K6 for my wifes .308, but I'm not impressed. Not much eye relief and I don't like the reticle. Haven't had a chance to zero it yet to see how it is on the range.

quote:

Originally posted by Thebear_78:
All of my scopes are leupolds anymore. I have just been very satisfied with theier products and customer service. THe VXII 2-7 or 3-9 are very hard to beat for an all purpose scope.

Exactly
Could add the 1.5X5 VXIII also

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:
The best all purpose scope ever built for the money is a Leupold Vari X III in either a 1.75X6 or a 2.5X8.

In my humble and unjaded opinon.

I got both, and really like them. The 2.5-8x is mounted on a Ruger M77 MK-II in .338WM. It has not failed me once, even after I have put a few nicks on the tube.

+1 for the nikon. The nikon monarch series is every bit as good as the vari x-III in my opinion and costs $100-150 less. Check out Jon's prices at www.theopticzone.com . He is about $75 cheaper than anyone else.

I,ve had a bunch of Buriss,s I had one that started out as garbage and after much tribulation ended up a brand new scope... My most recient one is Real good.........Leupolds are great ,,, But sometimes boreing......... The new fixed 4 x with the click adjustments I relly like.....................................Speaking of scopes ,,, Does anyone know where I could get a nice older varible Weaver repaired...???? Thank you .. gb .. out

Speaking of good all around scopes and Nikon Monarchs, check out this sale at Midway.Dont get more reasonable than that price.


http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=937299

I have always done well with Leupolds new or used. I love Zeiss Conquests too.

Right now I have a Weaver Grand slam and will see how it does this coming year.

I think it is also important to note Leopold's guarantee and customer service. My experience has been, "your fault, my fault, nobodies fault," if it's broke, Leopold will fix it for free.
Sure, I'd never intentionally abuse my optics or scoped rifle, but with that kind of customer care, I'd say the money spent on the original purchase isn't an issue.
I do own and use Weaver, Burris, but the majority are Leopold in many different flavors.

I rolled down a mountain this year on a 4 wheeler. THe leupold on my 300 win mag broke in half and the back base broke out the side shearing off the adjustment screw on the luepold single dovetail mount. I sent it in and they fixed it and had it back to me within a month. I had an interesting scope shaped bruise across my bad for a few days.

I've found that Burris is as good as Leupole. I have a Burris on my 416 Rem. and there isn't any problems with it. I also put a Burris on my 300 RUM. All my other rifles have leupole and quite a few handguns. One thing I like about Burris is the Bplex you can get in Burris scopes
at no extra cost.

I've heard Leupold has excellent customer service but have never had to use them. I've only been shooting with Leupy's since '89 but I have used other brands in the past, none of them could compare with the Leupolds I have owned. I'm still shooting the same Vari X II I bought back in '89 and it performs as good as the day I bought it.

I have a Leupold 2-7 variX II that has been on my 270 since 1984...never had a problem with it. Can't see much reason to not get a leupold.

It seems like the majority also use the Leupold Scopes, of one model or another, as the all around scope. I have had no problem with their scopes, but have had a few minor problems with their bases, and to a small extent, rings. I believe it may be more of an issue of attempting to fit a set of bases to too many different rifles than any problem with their production.

I had a Weatherby MkV that I tried 4 or 5 different base sets on. I could not get the scope sighted to the center ring, bottomed out, the scope was striking about 6 inches high. I purchased a set of Warne rings and bases, and no more problem. The Leupold sets were some that were supposed to fit about a dozen different makes and models. Although I have not expeirenced the problem with other rifles, I always have that in the back of my mind.

I haven't had a great deal of experience with Burris, but I recently aquired one so I can try it out.

Paul H., I guess I was referring to both when I stated "Cringe". Most scopes are rugged enough to handle minor accidents, but you never know.

Also, and I suppose it could be from my upbringing, but I have to say that I cringe a bit at the price tag on some scopes. I am aware that quality costs money, but...DAMN!

Is there that much of an improvement from Leupold (which I still consider to be a fairly High Quality Scope) to say a Ziess, or perhaps a Swarovski? I doubt I will personally ever pony up the money necessary to find out.

My VX II 3x9 has been on my 7mm08 since 1982 and for many years never had to adjust it til I switched bullets last year.

I have had great luck with my Zeiss Conquests, and my favorite is the 4.5-14x44mm.

Another vote for the Leupolds.

2X compact on the heavy hitters like .458 Lott

1.75x6, 2x7, 2.5x8, 3x9, or fixed 4-power for all of the rest.

I find that the 1.5x5 is not nearly as bright in low light as the 1.75x6 for use in the brush.

Dave

I started with Lymans in the 50's and still have quite a few in service. Then I got 10 Leupolds and they were good. Once I tried the Zeiss Conquest I would not buy another Leupold even if it were cheap.

I can see much better with a Conquest.

My last Conquests is a 4.5-14 from Cameraland.

I now have 5 Zeiss. I am not getting rid of the Leupolds as they are a little better than the Lymans but not by much.

leopold vx III gets my vote
ive had nikon
burris all good
but leopould has best eye relief for offhand shooting and proper posture while offhand shooting, may have have too much eye relief for prone or some bench
leopold LPS has goofy focus that dosnt woork good with scope covers, inever found a scope cover i liked that lasts very long but you need them in S.E. AK.
dont like strait tube 20mm as its harder to get snow out of front glass than larger objectives.[If your gonna be dumb, you gotta be toughQUOTE] [/QUOTE]

Leupold VX1 3x9 - it's not the VXIII but it's cheap and it holds up well...if it doesn't I only have to drive a little ways to the Leupold HQ to get it fixed.

True Story - My godfather found an older Leupold scope at a garage sale for $10 that was cracked. He took it back to the factory and they fixed it for him. They have excellent customer service. In high school I met one of the execs (that was either a Stevens or a Leupold) while doing a menial high school type job. He invited me to come to the HQ and take a tour sometime. In looking back, that was a pretty nice thing to do to some punk high school kid.

For an all rounder I like either a leupold 2-7 or 3-9.

A friend in PA told me an interesting bit about an old Leupold Scope an acquaintence sent in to be repaired,he couldn't see clearly thru the lenses. When it was returned he discovered it had been replaced with a brand new VX 2 3x9x40.Leupold satisfaction took a real jump with PA hunters.