Which Scope Deal and Why?

[Skylerbone]

I’ve been pondering and scheming lately. I think I want new glass, barring some other unique opportunity which might include saving my entire budget for a Sauer 200...

But for today, for our purpose, if you had a 6.5 Creedmoor, 30-06, and .300 Win Mag all wishing for an upgrade, which of these scopes would be your choice and why. I can also offer that two are, at present, fun range rifles and 1 (the 6.5) expected to see future hunts soon. Maximum available distance at the local rifle club is 600 yards.

 

[Peakbagger46]

For 500-600y as a range gun I’d go with the PST. I run that exact scope on my longish range .308 out to 700 and it does well.

For hunting and range I’d go with that Leupold.

 

[Peakbagger46]

Office Depot has a sale on rubber bands if your looking for a creative mounting solution

 

[Skylerbone]

I know my post is a bit convoluted, I just didn’t want to steer people too much. My situation is thus: I have 2 30-06s both bolt action, one with really good glass and FFP/Christmas tree, the other a Zeiss Terra, same as above (3-9x). I have 2 6.5 Creedmoor bolt actions with inexpensive ($200-$250) scopes from Minox & Leupold (VX-Freedom). Finally, I have a .300 Win Mag barrel for my Encore that used to wear a VX-3 that was sold with the .223 barrel several years ago so it needs a scope.

I figure on buying 1, maybe 2 of the above and scoping the .300 or possibly swapping a few out and using one of the scopes pulled on the .300

Just curious what THR’ers felt were the compelling deals among several that have been posted lately in other threads.

 

[CoalTrain49]

Red dot.

Just kidding.

 

[Skylerbone]

Red dot.

You’d probably make me buy a peep and shoot 500 meter steel, disparaging my manliness with every miss!

 

[Ohen Cepel]

SWFA sells Super Snipers that may fit your need.

 

[Walkalong]

I have an S-Tac 3-16x42 MOA3 scope and it is nice, very nice for the money. 2nd focal plane so you must use 16X for ranging or holds, or use 8x and double the numbers.

But the Vortex 4-16x50 PST EBR1 you list is the better deal/fit right now. it's a no brainer in the $500 and down price range while it's on sale.

I bought a Zeiss Terra on sale and as very disappointed with it. My son liked it and I gave it to him.

Not familiar with the others.

 

[2ndtimer]

I voted for the Leupold VX3i and the Burris MTAC. The Leupold is a solid hunting scope for a very good price, and the Burris is an excellent buy and should be a decent long range scope with adjustable objective. And you could get them both for the price of just the Vortex. I have had good experience with both Burris and Leupold products (though not these specific models) and trust their quality. And I am a cheap guy and always opt for what I believe is a great deal. (IMO, both the Leupold and the Burris MTAC are great deals, with the edge going to Burris on the deal, and the edge to Leupold on the quality of the actual scope mentioned.)

 

[cdb1]

Office Depot has a sale on rubber bands if your looking for a creative mounting solution

You stinker.

 

[cdb1]

I voted Zeiss and Leupold because:
I like them.

The Burris has 14X magnification and I’ve never seen a a scope with 14X for $220.00 that I cared for. If $220.00 is a sale price instead of regular price then I might connsider one.

Sightron scopes a are like hens teeth around here and I’ve never seen a Sightron scope so I can’t speak to it.

I don’t like Vipers.

 

[Skylerbone]

The Burris has 14X magnification and I’ve never seen a a scope with 14X for $220.00 that I cared for. If $220.00 is a sale price instead of regular price then I might connsider one.

Sightron scopes a are like hens teeth around here and I’ve never seen a Sightron scope so I can’t speak to it.

The Burris is on clearance, regular price is $549, and I forgot to specify AO (not side focus, which may be why it’s less favorable in today’s market) and has always been a point of contention with me on a hunting rig (additional adjustments which mean time and movement). Fine for precision range work of course if that’s where it lands.

I own a base model Sightron and I’ve had the pleasure of looking through an SIII (WOW!!!) which was IMO better glass than anything I currently own but I have yet to see an S-TAC. This on is side focus parallax adjustable.

I actually like some of the Vortex glass including my Fury binos, but have heard it described as underwhelming by a number of others, but that price on the Viper is a pretty deep discount for some very desirable features. I know I don’t much care for the Crossfire or Diamondback line at their price points which further adds to my confusion.

Again most of the list has been nabbed from other members’ posts...@cdb1...@Walkalong, aka the usual suspects.

 

[jmr40]

If you can find one of these it is the best scope I've ever used. Only the 3-9X40 version.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS-INSTINCT-HD-RIFLESCOPE/2347384.uts?slotId=1

This is the now discontinued Zeiss Conquest. They are made in the Czech Republic for Meopta and have been sold under various names over the years. When Zeiss dropped them in favor of the more profitable Terrra line of scopes Cabelas started having them made with their badges on them. They are also sold with Meopta markings. In fact the Cabelas scopes have Meopta in small print on the underside of the scope in fine print.

I have one of them with Zeiss markings that cost me $550 years ago. A couple of years ago Cabelas had them on clearance for $250 and I bought 2 at that price, and recently bought another used one for $250. They pop up from time to time on Cabelas website. My guess is that they only have a few left over.

That is only about $100 more than the VX3i at regular pricing and enough better to justify $100 more. But if you can get a VX3i for $320 I'd have to strongly consider going with it.

Another scope not listed is the $200 Burris FF-II. That scope is much better than the price would indicate. I'd rate it BETTER than a $350 VX2 and way better than the $200 Zeiss Terra. If I needed to scope several rifles on a budget that is the scope I'd pick. I think it is better than anything else short of a VX3 or Zeiss. One nice feature is that the duplex reticle and long range reticle with multiple aiming points are the same price. Most everyone else charges $50-$100 more for the long range reticle.

 

[cdb1]

The Burris is on clearance, regular price is $549, and I forgot to specify AO (not side focus, which may be why it’s less favorable in today’s market) and has always been a point of contention with me on a hunting rig (additional adjustments which mean time and movement). Fine for precision range work of course if that’s where it lands.

I own a base model Sightron and I’ve had the pleasure of looking through an SIII (WOW!!!) which was IMO better glass than anything I currently own but I have yet to see an S-TAC. This on is side focus parallax adjustable.

I actually like some of the Vortex glass including my Fury binos, but have heard it described as underwhelming by a number of others, but that price on the Viper is a pretty deep discount for some very desirable features. I know I don’t much care for the Crossfire or Diamondback line at their price points which further adds to my confusion.

Again most of the list has been nabbed from other members’ posts...@cdb1...@Walkalong, aka the usual suspects.

I would definitely consider the Burris then, AO is okay with me. I’ve wanted to look through a SII Big Sky or SII for years but literally have never seen a Sightron scope.

I like Vortex binos, mini red-dots and spotting scopes just fine. I also think Razor rifle scopes are good, I admittedly don’t care for Crossfire and Viper scopes and like Diamondbacks only slightly more.

 

[cdb1]

If you can find one of these it is the best scope I've ever used. Only the 3-9X40 version.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS-INSTINCT-HD-RIFLESCOPE/2347384.uts?slotId=1

This is the now discontinued Zeiss Conquest. They are made in the Czech Republic for Meopta and have been sold under various names over the years. When Zeiss dropped them in favor of the more profitable Terrra line of scopes Cabelas started having them made with their badges on them. They are also sold with Meopta markings. In fact the Cabelas scopes have Meopta in small print on the underside of the scope in fine print.

I have one of them with Zeiss markings that cost me $550 years ago. A couple of years ago Cabelas had them on clearance for $250 and I bought 2 at that price, and recently bought another used one for $250. They pop up from time to time on Cabelas website. My guess is that they only have a few left over.

That is only about $100 more than the VX3i at regular pricing and enough better to justify $100 more. But if you can get a VX3i for $320 I'd have to strongly consider going with it.

Another scope not listed is the $200 Burris FF-II. That scope is much better than the price would indicate. I'd rate it BETTER than a $350 VX2 and way better than the $200 Zeiss Terra. If I needed to scope several rifles on a budget that is the scope I'd pick. I think it is better than anything else short of a VX3 or Zeiss. One nice feature is that the duplex reticle and long range reticle with multiple aiming points are the same price. Most everyone else charges $50-$100 more for the long range reticle.

While not as good as the Conquest I think the Terra is a pretty decent scope. Which brings home the point to me that everyone’s eyes are different. To my eyes the Fullfield II isn’t as good as a VX-2 but better than a VX-1. I like them. The Euro-Instinct is to me an outstanding scope also and indeed says Meopta on the scope and box. When I worked the gun counter at Cabela’s I would have people l look through them. Usually you could tell by their expression they were seriously impressed. Half of the people would then by a Nikon or Vortex. These were the people that thought they were experts or were going to buy a scope brand because cousin Billy Joe Bob from Crack Whore Holler said too. The people who actually bought the Euro- Instinct usually didn’t know much about scopes or knew very much about scopes. The customers who didn’t know much I felt bad for because most of the people on my side of the counter were like Billy Joe Bob. Some of them didn’t own a single scope and never once did I see a single one comparing glass to actually see for themselves if what they were recommending was any good. They would recommend a Viper over any Swarovski we sold cuz “Vortex makes the best scope”.

 

[cdb1]

My apology for posting so much on your thread Skylerbone, I hope you’ll cut me some slack since you are my hero and generally a benevolent person.

I have two Meopta MeoPro 3.5-10x44 scopes with German #4 reticles. They are only sold by Camera Land. They currently sell for $400.00. They are my favorite scope in what I can afford. German #4 happens to be my favorite reticle but I understand they are not for everyone. Doug will also let you return a scope if you decide it isn’t for you and it hasn’t been mounted.

 

[LoonWulf]

Speaking of cameraland, I'm ordering a second Athlon Midas BTR when I get home from work in the .....well later this morning. They have them on sale at 250, and for that price I think they are an excellent buy.

 

[Elkins45]

The Burris is on clearance, regular price is $549, and I forgot to specify AO (not side focus, which may be why it’s less favorable in today’s market) and has always been a point of contention with me on a hunting rig (additional adjustments which mean time and movement). Fine for precision range work of course if that’s where it lands.

I own a base model Sightron and I’ve had the pleasure of looking through an SIII (WOW!!!) which was IMO better glass than anything I currently own but I have yet to see an S-TAC. This on is side focus parallax adjustable.

I actually like some of the Vortex glass including my Fury binos, but have heard it described as underwhelming by a number of others, but that price on the Viper is a pretty deep discount for some very desirable features. I know I don’t much care for the Crossfire or Diamondback line at their price points which further adds to my confusion.

Again most of the list has been nabbed from other members’ posts...@cdb1...@Walkalong, aka the usual suspects.

Sightron used to be the best bargain out there. Until a few years ago even their cheapest S1 was made in Japan, and it was one of the very few examples of getting more than what you paid for in terms of optics. I have a handful of them on my "occasional" rifles and like them very much. When they switched production to the Philippines they never quite recovered their optical quality IMO. The SII and above are still made in Japan and are just fantastic. I have an SII Big Sky on my left handed Win 70 and I wouldn't hesitate to travel around the world with it.

I've never owned a scope made in the Philippines that didn't have significant flaws, either optical or mechanical. These days before I buy an unknown scope I ask where it was made. If the answer isn't USA, Japan or somewhere in Europe I just move on. Nikon is making some of their SLR lenses there and they have taken a quality hit as well. I don't know what the problem is.

 

[I6turbo]

Another scope not listed is the $200 Burris FF-II. That scope is much better than the price would indicate. I'd rate it BETTER than a $350 VX2 and way better than the $200 Zeiss Terra. If I needed to scope several rifles on a budget that is the scope I'd pick. I think it is better than anything else short of a VX3 or Zeiss. One nice feature is that the duplex reticle and long range reticle with multiple aiming points are the same price. Most everyone else charges $50-$100 more for the long range reticle.

I agree on the Fullfield II 4.5-14x42 being an awesome scope for the money. I have 3 of them (because I think they are as good as or better than any scope I've ever tried at under $550 street price). From an optical standpoint (clarity, resolution, and just pleasant-to-look-through) I've compared them very carefully to the following scopes that I own, and none of these are better than the Burris at any comparable magnification level. In fact, I'd probably give the optical edge to the Burris in all cases.
Sightron SII 6-24x42 (mine are Japan built but I'm pretty sure the SIIs have been built in the Philippines for the past few years)
Weaver V-24 (Japan built)
Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44 (Philippines built)
Weaver Redesigned Grand Slam 4-16x44 (Japan built - I love this scope, very pleasant to look through, love the side focus, love the compact size and the related fact that it works on CZ rifles where other scopes of higher than 12X magnification aren't as well suited, probably my favorite overall so long as 16x is enough magnification, but it's not better than the Burris optically).

 

[I6turbo]

. The SII and above are still made in Japan and are just fantastic.

I believe the SII production moved to the Philippines a few years ago, around 2010 or 2011. I have three SIIs, all made in Japan, but they are not recent production models. Supposedly the only thing that changed was the place of manufacture, but I don't know if that's the case, or not. Also have a Big Sky 36 that was made in Japan.

 

[Nature Boy]

I bought a Zeiss Terra on sale and as very disappointed with it. My son liked it and I gave it to him.

I also bought a Terra, and while not as disappointed as you, my Leupould VX3 is a noticeably better scope.

 

[redneck2]

They would recommend a Viper over any Swarovski we sold cuz “Vortex makes the best scope”

We see this here on a majority of replies.

This thread is awesome, mainly because the replies are coming from guys that mostly own or at least have used what they’re commenting on.

 

[Skylerbone]

When Zeiss dropped them in favor of the more profitable Terrra line of scopes Cabelas started having them made with their badges on them.

I’ve seen these in the flesh as well, very nice scopes and solid feeling. The Bargain Cave was stacked with them but the price wasn’t suggesting that Cabela’s was really looking to get them out the door at the time.

I also bought a Terra, and while not as disappointed as you, my Leupould VX3 is a noticeably better scope.

I bought a Terra recently and for the money feel it compares very well to the Fullfield II and VX-2. I do have a pair of muzzleloaders that might benefit from swapping out Nikons for Terras particularly at the $200 asking price...I really wish tax season came in November so I could buy one of everything.

I have two Meopta MeoPro 3.5-10x44 scopes with German #4 reticles. They are only sold by Camera Land. They currently sell for $400.00. They are my favorite scope in what I can afford. German #4 happens to be my favorite reticle but I understand they are not for everyone. Doug will also let you return a scope if you decide it isn’t for you and it hasn’t been mounted.

I too am gr8ful for Doug and CameralandNY as a longtime customer who may have needed some hand holding when it came to decisions like this in the past. Been looking at those Meopta scopes a lot lately.

Apart from the Leupold, I’m surprised by the poll numbers so far. I currently own 5 Leupies, had 6 last month but gave one to mom. Solid choice for a hunting rig, but that FFP Vortex is nagging at me (I really like my Pride Fowler FFP).

Maybe @GunnyUSMC will come along and convince me to build or buy an AR upper and forget about scopes altogether.

 

[Legionnaire]

I didn’t vote. I have the Leupold and the Vortex. I’d opt for the Leupold for a hunting rifle, the Vortex for targets. I can’t speak to the others.

 

[Skylerbone]

After much thought and some serious digging, I found an NOS Leupold VX-2 6-18x40mm AO Windplex CDS and jumped at what will likely be a last chance at a VX-2.

Should give me enough magnification to accuracy test loads in different rifles and if the year goes well end up on a 10/22 accuracy build.