Just kind of wondering what ya'll think the best scopes for the money are. I think everyone knows that Leupold and Zeiss make some outstanding glass. Just wondering if there are some out there that people may not know of, and maybe adding in some specific models. Also, just wondering what ya'll have on ya'lls long range (1000 yrd) rifles, including base and rings. Thanx

 

For a mid range priced hunting scope I'll take a Zeiss Conquest every time. The 3-9 is very reasonably priced, and the 3.5-10 and 4-14 is now available in both 44 and 50 mm diameter.

 

In my book mid range price is $100-$250, which would exclude every zeiss and almost every leupold. My favorite for the money is the simmons 6.5-20. It comes in a mil-dot reticle which will light up in red for those low light shots, it also has target knobs, and can be oufitted with a sunshade very easily. If you are looking for scopes that are not real well known yet two that come to mind, both of which I have no personal experience with but have come very well recommended, are Mueller, and Swift. Swift is the cheaper of the two, but I hear that both are very well made and excellent for the money. hope this helps.

 

Good glass is available in every price range. I have a Ruger 77V in 243 that I shoot 500 Yards with with a Bushnell 3x-9x. Although a little under powered for this yardage I have shot 3 5/8 groups at 500 with this rig. I also use 1.5x-4.5x on my hunting rifles with outstanding success. Simmons also is very good. Although Nikon, Zeiss, etc. are excellent I believe that you do not need to spend $700-1000 on a "good scope to get success. I certainly do not need to with the success that I have had with my Bushnell $175-$300 scopes. Also I have a friend with a Tasco 6x-24x on his 6mm and he has shot groundhogs at over 700 Yards 1st shot (using BDC of course). My point is that this Tasco is not a $750 scope but a $200 scope. I feel that in these times now the old addage of "rifle $700, Scope $700" to get a good rig is just not applicable. I know that some will disagree but I use what I consider cheap scopes with great accuracy off the bench, offhand and att all distances up to and including 500 Yards. Hope this helps, just my 2 cents
Elast

 

I can say that I have a mueller 3x9x40 mounted atop a 243 handi ultra rifle and I am very pleased with both for the money. I think this may be one time I got more than what I paid for.