[Newt]

I've done quite a bit of research on what my next long gun would be. I finally decided on a Tikka T3 in .243. I would like to know what optics you've had good experiences with. I've got a Weaver that I love right now, but I may be looking for something different. I'll take the good and bad opinions. I'm trying to weed out the bad.

[dakotasin]

here's a flame-war waiting to happen, but, here goes...

i've had excellent experiences w/ leupold varix 2's and 3's - no experiences w/ 1's. i highly reccomend these.

i've had 2 out of 2 tascos go bad (and one was on a 223). i highly reccomend against these.

i've had 1 bushnell, and it is still operating fine, but the optical quality sucks - has 'walleye' vision and cannot resolve bullet holes from a 308 at 100 yards.

i am working w/ a swift right now. so far, zero problems. my only complaint is that the resolution is lacking, but for the price, really can't complain.

if you go leupold, expect there to be no problems.
if you go tasco or bsa, expect problems.
if you go w/ something else, it is all a matter of how well it resolves, it will probably function ok.

these are the only scopes i have experience w/... i have heard good things about sightron and weaver, though.

[MolonLabe416]

Leupold. I prefer the simplicity of a fixed power. Depending on what you plan to do with it that could be a 4x, 6x, or 10x. The lower the power, the more versitle IMHO.

[Leaky Waders]

The recent Midway catalog has a several page article discussing scope choices pages 302-305. ;) They also have a section on mounts and bases....

Pretty much, the author states that you can get a very high quality fixed power scope for much less than the price of an average gizmo'd out adjustable scope.

Scope prices seem to run anywhere's from 50 to several thousands of dollars.

Personally I prefer the leupolds, but have had good luck w/ tasco world class scopes too (they are like over 10 years old now - I think one maybe 8). Tasco is under some business strains so their stuff is very cheap right now...maybe a great deal...maybe just a waste of money www.cdnninvestments.com has a 50 dollar ao'd tasco in their catalogue.

Basically you'll get what you pay for...leupold = decent optics and reliable customer service. My tascos, which have worked well, came w/ a lifetime guarantee that is no longer honored. It's important to know that lifetime guarantee doesn't really mean your lifetime...it means the lifetime of the company.

Some of my friends...and many in these threads have had good luck w/ weaver grand slams. Others swear by simmons. Too bad we don't have enough money to try one of each ;)

I'd look at the scope as a seperate purchase enhancing your rifle. A good scope you'll most likely keep long after you've outgrown or got tired of your .243. Just like searching for the caliber and your rifle took you awhile...your scope selection may take a while too.

Good luck finding your choice...please post a review of whatever scope you choose.

V/R,
LW

[Newt]

Just wanted to thank you folks for throwing in your two cents. I'll be sure to post up whatever the results of the rifle and scope when I get them together. The hard part now will be to own a brand new rifle and not be able to shoot it for lack of glass on top. :D Any other suggestions are welcomed. I'll be checking in on this post, most likely, until I buy my scope.

Thanks again,
Newt

[Leaky Waders]

I love that movie...tombstone

I updated the link to cddn...I left out an N...hopefully it will work now.

V/R,
LW

[Larry Ashcraft]

I've had good results with Weaver (the old ones), Redfield and Leupold. However, I just bought a Burris Fullfield II for my .270 Ack. Imp. project. I believe it is the clearest scope I have looked through.

No performance reports yet though, the rifle isn't finished.

[zahc]

I broke a cheap bushnell on a 10/22. There are parts rattling around inside, and I never dropped it or anything.

[Quintin Likely]

I've got a Tasco World Class 3x9x40 on my Savage .223. It's not the best in the world, resolution sucks, but it does the job I want it to do just fine at the moment. Cost me about $90 bucks with a mil-dot reticle.

I've got a Bushnell Banner 4x12x50 on my Weatherby in 7mm Rem. mag. Truth be told, I haven't shot that big sucker enough from a bench to really evaluate how well the Banner is or isn't in regards to repeatablity or tracking. Kills deer pretty good. And the 7mm hasn't broke anything in the scope. Paid about $200 for it, I think.

On my Remington 700, I've got a Leupold Vari-X III 3.5x10x40. I love that thing to death. Tracks beautifully, laser beam accurate. Of course, it's also the most expensive scope I own, had to brown bag my lunch for several weeks before I got that one out of layaway.

You probably know, you usually get what you pay for when it comes to optics...I've had excellent results with my Leupold. I haven't broken my Tasco or Bushnell yet, so I guess that's a good thing, sorta, heh

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Newt--

I have a Tikka T3 .243 stainless/lite and I mounted a Zeiss Diavavi-C 3x9x36 on it---discontinued now.

If I were to get a new scope it would be a Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40(42??) at $399--- its the most bang for the buck scope out there.