[Red State]

Alright people, we have all seen the many threads where people ask what scope to put on their new gun. This thread is a little different.

Below are some of the most common, midpriced 3-9x40 scopes on the market. Note that all scopes have traditional "plex" crosshairs with no ballistic compensators. I have sorted the scopes in order of ascending price. All prices shown are the lowest I could find based on careful searches at midwayusa, opticsplanet, and walmart.

So for the following list, what scopes are the best value? Are there any scopes that would change places on the list if it was sorted by value or quality? What scope is the most overpriced?

Comments such as "my xxxx scope was much clearer/brighter/stronger than my xxxx scope" would be very helpful.

Bushnell Trophy $90
Bushnell Legend $128
Nikon Prostaff $150
Burris Fullfield II $185
Bushnell Elite 3200 $199
Leupold Rifleman $200
Nikon Buckmaster $200
Leupold VX-I $220
Nikon Omega $240
Leupold VX-II $300
Nikon Monarch $320

[RobertFBurnett]

Comments such as "my xxxx scope was much clearer/brighter/stronger than my xxxx scope" would be very helpful.

Wayyy back in 2000 when I wanted a scope for my new Browning, the Burris Fullfield was the one that the dealer thought filled clearer/brighter.

He also added that if 6 rifles in the same caliber with 6 different scopes go out deer hunting, the Burris will never be the cause of not putting meat on the table. That was an old shooters opinion years ago...but it seemed trustworthy at the time.

My $0.02

RFB

[theken206]

the bushnell elite 3200 and 4200 are quite nice pieces of glass for there relativley low prices.

the bushnell trophy is a hunk of junk IME.

[rantingredneck]

I've been very pleased with my Nikon Prostaff and am planning to purchase another. In shopping around and looking through various scopes in the 150-250 price range it seems to me that you've got to get significantly higher in price with other manufacturers to match Nikon's quality.

Also from what I've seen in them I can't tell a whit of difference between the Prostaff line and Buckmasters line other than the Buckmasters name (you know Jackie Bushman's got to get his cut on that one right?? How much do you think that is out of the 50.00 difference??)

For my money Nikon prostaff is where it's at. Sure I could spend more, but nothing I would use it for requires the extra investment. Some folks compete or spend 10K on guided hunts so the 1000.00 they spent on their scope makes sense.

To me, it would mean I owned a 1000.00 scope and was divorced for the second time :D.

[madcratebuilder]

In the mid-price line of scope I well recommend any of the Mueller scopes. I have the AVP on a 22lr, the TAC II on a M1A and the 8.5X25X50 Eradicator on my AR. All have crystal clear optics and have held up to recoil, return to zero fine, lifetime warranty. The TAC II on the M1A well get a work out this summer, I well see if it holds up.

[USSR]

Red State,

You left off the Sightron SI 3-9x40MD scope. Made in Japan (not China or a 3rd world country), and surprising quality for it's low price ($120).

Don

[Ash]

I have to agree with the Nikon observation. The Nikon Omega is really a shotgun scope so probably should be dropped. Some folks like the Pentax scopes, but they are mostly re-badged Burris scopes. That means they are good scopes, of course, and are worthy of discussion.

But, especially with the Nikon Team Primos scopes, you cannot get a better scope for the price by any manufacturer. Indeed, the Primos scopes are much BETTER than every other scope that is priced the same.

Ash

[skinewmexico]

Buckmaster and 4200 are very nice. And my son has a Pentax that looks good.

[guninthewater]

I've been extremely pleased with the two Bushnell Legend scopes I've used. Both were at least the equal of the B&L Elite 3000 I had many years ago.

[Master of Arms]

I can`t believe that you`ve not listed any Swift scopes because out of the entire list that you`ve posted Swift scopes are as good and better than any of`m. SWIFT, simply the best scope in that price range period.

[skinewmexico]

I think it's amazing that every month, photo magazines give quanitative tests on multiple optics, but no one does it to rifle scopes. That would eliminate all this subjective "my xxxxx is clearer than your xxxx" internet crap.

[PotatoJudge]

As I understand it, the Team Primos is about the same as the previous generation Monarchs and can be had for about $200. I have a 3-9 Monarch and prefer it over the Leupold VX-I, II, and older generation III's that I have been able to do side-by-side comparisons on.

Of the list you give I'd take the Buckmaster for overall value. Most of the guys I hunt with have the Nikon Buckmaster 3-9 and I have a hard time telling the difference between my scope and theirs. Check out www.samplelist.com for $150 Buckmasters.

[Ash]

Yeah, but the older Monarchs were very definitely better than the Buckmasters. The Team Primos Nikon, two years ago, would have sold for $300 and be labled Monarch (and be the top-of-the-line Nikon scope).

Ash

[Red State]

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like the Nikon Prostaff is one of the best values out there. I forgot all about Pentax. And I will have to liik into Swift, Sightron, and Mueller. I hadnt heard of those three before.

Anybody care to offer a comparson of the Prostaff vs. the Fullfield II?

Or how about the Nickon Buckmaster vs. the Leupold Rifleman? They are the same price, but is one better than the other?

[41magsnub]

I don't have the widest experience but my Bushnell 3200 has a slight leg up on the Nikon Buckmaster it replaced for clarity when set at the same power. I'd be comfortable with either though.

When I say replaced I mean moved to a different gun, still use both.

[one-shot-one]

for what it is worth, i like to buy american if i can find what i want made here, so while i have had tascos (both cheap & expensive)
bushnell's, redfield's, & Leupold's.
i now buy Leupold's for all my rifles.
never had one break and i can't say that about tasco or bushnell.
i have two redfields & four Leupold's that have not failed me and some are 10 years old.

[WayneConrad]

Burris Fullfield II $185
Nikon Monarch $320

I own these two.

The Fullfield has noticeable distortion at the edge of the field of view. The Monarch does not.

The Fullfield needs windage and elevation adjusted with a coin or screwdriver, and very carefully--the knobs move in tiny little clicks which feel a little sloppy and are easy to overshoot, as though they don't quite catch. The Monarch's windage and elevation can be adjusted by hand, clicks very crispy when adjusted, and leave you with no doubt that you have just moved exactly six (or however many) clicks.

The Fullfield does not have an adjustable objective. The Monarch does. This is not strictly a quality issue, but it does make a world of difference to the usability of the scope. Although I should have a perfect cheek weld every time so that my eyeball is always centered in the scope's eyepiece, an adjustable objective set for a known range eliminates a misplaced eyeball as a variable. That's a plus.

The Monarch, although it has the same size (40mm) objective, looks brighter and clearer to me. It is easier to see detail on the target.

Although the Monarch is about 1.7 times more expensive, I feel I got much more than 1.7 times the value out of it. Or, to put it another way, I wouldn't go back to a scope of the Fullfield's quality even at half the cost. It's not that the Fullfield is bad. It's just that the Monarch is so very good.

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I have heard the Buckmaster Nikon is just a Prostaff with a proprietary name and higher price - dunno if true or not. Regardless, good scope.

I think that the Fullfield 2 is one of the best values on the list, if not the best. But they're all pretty decent values for the price, I think, since that is such a competitive price range and magnification - they have to be.

[ADKWOODSMAN]

I have many older Weavers, some Bushnell scopes, but all my latest purchases (last 20 years) have been Leupolds. They hold their zero from year to year and always bring home the bacon.

[jimbeam]

I picked up a Browning 3x9 40mm from Natchez Shooting Supply, 129.95 on sale, supposed to be a Bushnell 3200 variant. When I opened the box the literature from Browning stated that you don't need any proof of purchase for warranty, just send it in. That is always nice with Leopold, just send it in for warranty. The Browning is a nice scope, especially for the price.

[Samgotit]

The Fullfield needs windage and elevation adjusted with a coin or screwdriver, and very carefully--the knobs move in tiny little clicks which feel a little sloppy and are easy to overshoot, as though they don't quite catch.

I'll certainly defer to the rest of your review, but I used a Fullfield II today to sight in a rife. Windage and elevation were easily moved with finger pressure only and the click stops were more than adequate.

Burris has a life time warranty. I'd consider sending it in if you actually need to use a coin.

[jkingrph]

I had just finished high school and was going to buy a scope for my new M 70 Win. The year was 1963 and I was looking at a Weaver K 4 when the dealer handed me a Leupold 4X. The Leupold is still on that rifle.

[atlanticfire]

I have both Bushnell 3200s and
4200s and for the money they are the best.

[kart racer]

Clearidge is another good scope for the money.I have pentax,weaver,nikon,simmons,etc.The pentax is the nicest with the nikon in a dead heat.I have a leupold rifleman than isn't near as nice as my mueller apv.

[280shooter]

I dont see any one list any of the new redesigned scopes,Doesnt any one like the Simmons scops.

[Funderb]

I have a bushnell 3-9x40 and an ncstar 3-9x40, amazingly, the ncstar was much more clear. Surprised me, made me a chinese import trustee, if not totally converted. I don't know If I trust them any higher though.

[RugerOldArmy]

Of that list, I only like the Monarchs. To my eye, very near that price range, I'd consider:

- Monarchs
- Grand Slams
- Weaver V or T Series
- Bushnell Elite 4200
- Burris Sig Select or XTR (XTR may be priced out of this range barely)
- Sightrons

Some may not like Weavers' glass, but their adjustments are rock solid and dependable.

Contrary to what most say, my most disappointing scopes have been Leupolds, especially my VX-III 8.5x25x50mm LR. (Lash issues and clarity is much less than the Elite 4200 or Burris XTR in similar powers). I'm not at all impressed with VX-I or VX-II for value.

The best bang for the buck scopes were Weaver T-36(s) (...limited to paper punching..) and a Bushnell Elite 4200.

The best I have is a Nightforce BR series, but I also have one of Nikon's Tactical Monarchs (4x16x50mm w/30mm tube, target turrets, mildots) that I like a lot.

YMMV...

[plexreticle]

Most of the scopes on that list are Chinese imports.

[Samgotit]

Burris Fullfield II are made in the Philippines if anyone is interested... at least the one I own was.

[sublimaze41]

I really like Leupold when I have the money. You can't beat their customer service and the quality is excellent. That being said..... Afew years ago I bought a Nikon refurbish model from Natchez. I put that on a muzzleloader and it takes all kind of punishment, never losing it's zero. One thing I can say about Nikons, to me they are very clear and bright, especially during the twilight hours.

[Red State]

Wayne Conrad, that was just the kind of info I was looking for. Thanks.

[GRIZ22]

I have a bushnell 3-9x40 and an ncstar 3-9x40, amazingly, the ncstar was much more clear.

Optics are pretty easy to get right now whether it be scopes or camera lenses. When you pay more you're generally paying for better mechanics. Lenses on cheaper optics might be glued in place rather than mounted in a metal ring inside the scope (or lens). The more expensive scope will take knocks and hold zero better than a cheaper one.

[Vern Humphrey]

IN 50 years of deer and elk hunting, I have only once used a 3X9 scope at any power level other than 3X. At 3X, a 3X9X40 scope will give you an exit pupil about twice the size of the pupil of your eye at maximum dilation. While coatings will make some scopes a little "brighter" than others, in modern scopes we've long passed the PII point when it comes to brightness. So I'd put my emphasis on reliability. It doesn't matter how bright the scope is, if the innards go "twang!"

I actually prefer fixed power scopes (when I can find one).

[Funderb]

the 8mm mauser says that the ncstar is still pointed in the right direction after 120 rds. I also had one scope that fedex the postal service replaced when they dented the tube, I took the old one apart and found that, as you say, lenses were mounted in rings, threaded into the tube. My LER on my m44 has stood up to 350rds on target. gotta say, china has treated me well.

I like fixed power scopes too, they are always clearer, with less glass.

I used an NCstar to shoot at night in the moonlight.
Worked just fine for me.

[browningguy]

Nikon Monarch $320
Burris Fullfield II $185
Leupold VX-II $300
Bushnell Elite 3200 $199 Tie with Buckmaster
Nikon Buckmaster $200 Tie with elite 3200
Nikon Prostaff $150
Leupold VX-I $220
Leupold Rifleman $200

I would add Weaver GrandSlam at the top of the list, mine is visibly better than my Monarch and for less money. On your list the only one I consider better than a FFII is the Monarch. I've resorted by my view of quality(primarily optical) and value, and I think I own/have owned all but a Omega. The two cheap Bushnell's are not on the list, they go to the top of the class for cheap scopes but really aren't in the same league glass wise as these. I'll be honest, at current prices I wouldn't have a Nikon Prostaff or current model VX1 or Rifleman, it's a sorry day they even put the Leupold name on that glass.

[George Hill]

http://www.madogre.com/Interviews/Rifle_Scopes.htm
OGRE'S TOP SCOPE PICKS:

If I was to do just a Top Ten, it would be full of optics that never dipped below a grand. So what I've done is to take a look at each price tier and pick a scope or two at that level. I'll start out on the low end of the price scale and we'll work our way up. Now the interesting thing about some of these scopes is that they can sometimes beat scopes at a higher price level. So you might want to take this list with you next time you hit the gun counter so you can check them out head to head with other scopes. When you are looking at a couple different scopes you need to compare the brightness, clarity, eye relief, magnification levels (are they actually magnifying as they are saying they are), and their history for strength. Another thing to consider is the reputation of the company for taking care of the customer after the purchase. There is no chart or number that allows you to rate a scope. Like say Candle Power or Lumens. End since everyone's eyes are different, optics are subjective. So here we go:

Nikon ProStaff BDC 3-9: $159.99. There are a lot of other scopes out there that cost from this price level on down, but seriously, there are none worth the money. Tascos, Simmons, Bushnell Banners... looking through them they generally have a nasty yellow tint that makes it look like you are looking through a jar of piss. They are total crap. If you can't buy a better scope... if you can't bring it up to this level... you probably shouldn't be buying a rifle scope. This scope is where clarity starts. The ProStaff is clear, reasonably sharp, and has a lifetime warranty. The BDC reticule works quite well with a little practice.

Vortex Diamondback 4-12: $189.99. Vortex is a new optics company that is taking the market by storm. I've not seen anything from these guys that have not been fantastic for the money. This scope might prove to be much better as we see how well they stand up to recoil.

Nikon Buckmaster 3-9 BDC: $209.99. I liked this scope so much, I went and got one and I'm glad I did. For only two hundred and ten, it's hard to beat this glass. The only downsides to this scope are first the funky rounded objective bell shape and the eye relief which isn't as roomy as it should be.

Nikon Team Primos 3-9 BDC: $269.99. This is an interesting hybrid scope which reminds me of the older Monarch series. It has the ProStaff tube, with the Buckmaster style focal ring. The clarity and brightness is outstanding. I wish they made this in a 4-12. For some variety. Nikon has the lower end of the market tied up, but the newest evolution of the Monarch series has disappointed me. They are not bad, but not quite as good as they used to be. Reason for this is the exporting of the manufacturing from Japan to the Philippines. This wasn't a beneficial move for them.

Bushnell Elite 3200 4-12: $299.99. This one has the parallax focus out on the objective bell. It has a decent eye relief for varminting and target shooting. Match this one up with a Savage or a Vanguard and you've got a good package without spending a lot of money.

Leupold VX-II 3-9 LR: $329.99. You can put this on any heavy recoiling gun and it will take care of business. The glass is great and light transmission is too. These new VX-II scopes are actually the old Vari-X III scopes that everyone hailed as world class. Nothing has changed here. It's still world class and hunters have taken these around the world and have hunted everything on the planet.

Burris 4.5-14 Fullfield II: $389.99. This has a larger bell, Mil-Dot reticule and is popular with guys looking for a tactical rifle scope that doesn't break the bank. I've seen these on a lot of flattop AR's and Remington 700 SPS rifles in all calibers.

Vortex Viper 4-12X40: $429.99. This is going to give the Leupold VX-II's and some of the III's a serious run for the money. The good warranty, the argon gas purging, side parallax focus, these scopes have a lot to offer. But again, since they are new they don't have the century long track record of proven history. Hey, Vortex – send me one of these, and I'd be happy to field test it! This scope here is one I am very interested in.

Leupold VX-II 4-12, fine plex: $439.99. I've topped one of my favorite rifles with this one. This is a good balanced rifle scope that is bright, clear, with great eye relief... the only thing I wish it had was turrets that were finger adjustable and not requiring a damn coin. Over 400 bucks and you have to break out a penny. That's a dumbass oversight that Leupold needs to fix. This is ridiculous. But that's my only gripe. Getting a better scope than this one, the price jumps considerable.

Leupold VX-III 4.5-14 B&C: $579.99. This is another personal favorite, a scope that has it all... no weaknesses. In fact, the VX-III doesn't know the meaning of the word “weak”. I love this one. The Boone and Crockett reticle is simple and brilliantly executed allowing very rapid use in the field to help calculate your hold over and windage. You can put this one on even the harshest recoiling guns.

Shepherd 6-18X40 V2: $725. This is a good scope for the money... probably the best of it's type if there was anything else like it. There are two sets of adjustment turrets. One for your zero and another to adjust for range and windage. This allows for serious precision long range shooting.

Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14: $749.99. Zeiss produces very fine optics for hunting in all conditions. This is one of the worlds best all around scopes and for what you are getting quality wise, it's hard to beat. Again, to get better than this, there is a big price jump.

Kahles 10X42 ZF95 Tactical: $999.99. The requirements of a great hunting scope are similar to a tactical scope. In this case, the scope has to be clear and bright and strong. Simplicity and ruggedness are Kahles halmarks. The reticule is designed for the most serious of shooting tasks and not just for bagging big bucks. I had a Kahles years ago and never found an equal. Of course, I have always been fond of fixed power rifle scopes and that one as given to me by a dear friend who no longer walks the Earth... so I might be a little biased. I wish I still had it. It was stolen from me by a room mate in College.

Swarovski 6-18X50: $1,069.99. If I have to explain this one, you've never looked through one. Swarovski has been the pinnacle for many years. Expensive, but worth it if you want the absolute best in optical quality. The only downside is strength and I've seen more than a few come back for repairs after being mounted on heavy recoiling arms. I wouldn't put this on anything from .300 Win Mag on up. But on something smaller – it's the best there is.

Leupold VX-7 3.5-14 B&C: $1599.99. If you guys wondered what you should get me for Christmas... this is it. And don't worry about getting me the same thing as someone else. If I get multiple VX-7's, that's fine by me. No social faux-pas here. I'd happily put one on every rifle I own. The strength, clarity, color transmission... it is on par with the Swarovski's and even bests the Z6 in my opinion... better field of view and eye relief at least in the examples I've looked through. This is my top pick.

Nightforce Optics 8-32X56 & 12-42X56 NXS MLR: Price? Don't even ask. Nightforce scopes are crazy expensive but worth it if you have the means. If you are in the market for a .50BMG rifle then these are the scopes you want. Fantastic optics, etched reticles for strength, illumination, if Government is buying you a scope – pick this one. These scopes are so good, CZ USA is putting them on the UHR, the Ultimate Hunting Rifle, and boasting MOA accuracy out to 1000 yards. Special Forces use these bad boys on their sniper rifles. Sure, they cost as much as a used truck, but this is what you want when lives are on the line.

Okay, this list is personal choice here. Don't fret if your favorite scope isn't here... I had to keep it brief. I cut out a lot of scopes that are great and others that are reputed to be good but I've not had personal experience with. Most of my choices are based on hunting and not fighting. But the way I see it, if your hunting scope is good enough to climb a mountain in the dead of winter into high altitude to bag game foul weather – it will handle popping off bad guys easily. “Tactical” as a scope type doesn't work for me. Reason why, the US Army buys a lot of Leupold scopes... same ones sold to hunters. Same tool, different application. And I've also found that Tactical scopes make fine and dandy hunting scopes too. Mil-Dots do not a tactical scope make... and neither does knobby turrets. So take this list for what it is, use it as starter for next time you are shopping for your pick. Look at these scopes and compare them with others and see which ones you like better.

[Ghost Tracker]

I've had several Bushnell Elite 3200 & 4200 models from all the way back when they were marked B&L (Bausch & Lomb). Good scopes against all competitors. GREAT scopes for the money.

[finz50]

Leupold.....on all my rifles.....never a problem

[Frog48]

I've been looking for a new 3-9x40 scope with a camo finish, and I've pretty much narrowed it down to the Nikon ProStaff and Nikon Buckmasters.

Will I notice a significant difference between these scopes?

[f4t9r]

I like the nikon prostaff

[MIL-DOT]

To a degree,you're comparing apples and oranges.....for instance, your $199 Elite 3200 is the non-parallax-adjustable,non-magnification-adjustable version. If that was what the 3200's were all about, i wouldn't have bought the one i just did.

[JWarren]

I dont see any one list any of the new redesigned scopes,Doesnt any one like the Simmons scops.


I don't know anything about a redesign, but the one that I found lying in the bottom of my closet will not make any list that will be remotely favorable to it.

I put this Simmons 3x9x50mm on my LR-308 just for kicks while searching for a good optic. Last week, I was playing around on my front porch around dusk-- checking for light transmission.

The Simmons that I have has so poor of light transmission that -- factoring in longer days in the summer and the daylight savings shift-- It would STILL have me leaving a deer stand 15 minutes earlier than I have with an old Redfield 4X I used to use.

I swear that I could see BETTER with my naked eyes than I could with this optic.



-- John

[Marshall]

For overall value, the Leupold VX-II is it. The quality is great and the scope will hold up to all demands. Couple that with clear and bright optics, long eye relief and Leupold backing, and I don't see a better valued scope in this price range.

My very next pick would be the Bushnell Elite 3200/4200.

[BoilerUP]

I have a Burris Fullfield II on my Remington 742 30-06 deer rifle; its a great scope for not having a gold ring around it.

I also bought two Nikon ProStaff 3-9x40s last year for inline muzzleloaders, and have been happy with both. If I recall, they cost somewhere around $150 from Dick's.

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Add the Elite 4200 and you have your answer of best value. They used to offer ONLY a 2.5-10x40 at around $375. Now they have a 3-9x40 at under $300!! Smokin deal. Also the Sightron S2 (not listed) and the Nikon Prostaff (listed) are very good values. The Fullfield II is also.

I am NOT impressed with the Bushnell Legend I have.

[Detachment Charlie]

After trashing a really clear Tasco (surprising, eh?), I decided to step-up for my AR shooting. It's only paper punching out to 100 yds, but the Nikon 3x9x40 Primos really is sharp, clear and no distortion. On sale it iwas $199, I couldn't say no. I think I got a great deal...the targets look like it also.:D

[Vern Humphrey]

There seems to be an awful lot of support for Nikon on this thread -- I'll have to try one.

[redneck2]

Even more than with most things, more dollars typically get you more performance when it comes to scopes.

As for Simmons...I had one and wouldn't take another for free. The lower line Tasco's, all Swifts, and BSA's...same thing

I've got a VX-III 6.5x20x44 for my precision AR. The shop had an equivalent power (but lower priced) Nikon at the same time. The Nikon looked really good until I tried it side by side against the VX-III. There was a street sign about 400 yards out that you couldn't read thru the Nikon but you could see clearly thru the VX-III. Doesn't mean that all Nikons are bad, just that a Leo that retails for $150 more is a better scope. It would most likely be the opposite if the money were reversed.

Point is, one manufacturer's $300 scope most likely will be noticeably better (side by side) than someone else's $150 scope. I had a 6x24x50 that I gave away on the "pay it forward" thread here. Tells you what I thought of it.

If Natchez has any of those Browning close out scopes, they're the screaming deal you're looking for IMO. I've got a 4000 B&L 4x16x50 on my 22-250 and a 1.5x6 on my muzzle loader. Optics are awesome.

HTH

[HM2PAC]

To mention Swift in the same breath with Tasco and BSA is ignorant.

You may wish to look into Swift, a company that has been producing fine optics for close to 100 years.

[S&WKING]

i have nikon on all my guns and my nikon monarch 6x24 is amzing

[Afy]

Falcon Optics... give them a try.

[stubbicatt]

There aren't many brick and mortar stores which carry them, but I am impressed with the IOR Valdada line of scopes. The Burris Fullfield II on my varmint rifle is bright and I can look through it all day without that horrific headache which sometimes results from such activities. The IOR is just so much brighter.

Eye relief on the IOR is quite a bit more sensitive. I mean that one can move his head around a bit more with the Burris.

The Hensholdt 4x on my G3 clone is also quite bright and quite effective.

HTH>

[MinnMooney]

You've asked a much tougher question that there are REAL answers for. In order to answer "Which is best for the money?" question, someone would have to have ALL OF THEM in the same place at the same time and do a real-world comparison (certainly not in the store at the scope counter).

I've had so many different brands of scopes and many within the same brand (but from their high-end to their cheaper scopes) & what I DO KNOW is that it is very confusing to pick a favorite. Who has the best reticles? Who has better clarity/contrast? Who has the better turrets, AO mechanism, lens coatings, windage/elevation repeatability and elevation range? Who does a better job of being able to focus on the target AND the reticle?

See what I mean? What are you testing for and what do you want compared?

[jpwilly]

Me, I'm a sucker for inexpensive scopes. I've got a Cabelas Pine Ridge 6-18x44mm Target Dot SF on my AR $159. It's bright clear and accurate. A Center Point Adventure Class 4-16x40mm IR on a Mossy ATR 30-06 $69. The glass isn't as good as a Nikon buckmaster but still really good for only $69. Also have a Barska 6.5-20x50mm Varmint Scope that's average at best but works. A Barska 3-12x50mm IR that is nice enough compared to many other low powered scopes. A Tasco 3-9x40mm $29 that's been on many rifles and shoots great...the image is very clear and bright. Even a NcStar 2-7x32mm Long Eye Relief on a M44 Scout rifle that works great and has held zero. I've looked through everything out there and can say that for the money the Nikon Buckmasters look like the best VALUE out there.