Scope input for next rifle

B

BLS700

New member
I'm going to be scoping a 30 06 or .308 and am trying to decide right now on what scope. I'm leaning toward a Nikon Buckmaster or a Monarch. I'm considering a VX3 also but I'm not sure if its worth the extra money. Any input would be appreciated. It'll be in fairly dense woods with occasional trips to more open areas. Thanks
 
There's not nearly enough information in your request. Are you looking for a variable or a fixed? What power range? What's your budget? There are lots of good hunting scopes out there for about $300.00 and you'll make your search easier if you decide on a couple of criteria before you start looking.

For a standard 3X9 or 2X7 in the under $300.00 price range, I like Leupold, Weaver, Swift Optics, and Nikon, but that's just my personal preference. Most of a scope purchase is personal preference, so start looking and narrowing down choices.
 
In my case it's a Browning A-Bolt 30-06 and I can't complain about the Nikon Monarch 3-12x42. I opted for the flip up caps to keep pine debris and snow from accumulating while propped up vertical under a tree during the sit.
 
Sorry for the lack of info. I'd like to keep the budget at $400 or under and i'm looking for a 3-9 (2.5-10 for monarch 3.5-10 for VX3). It'll be a hunting scope and only at the range for load development and sight in. I'm looking for durability and clarity. I've heard knocks on the Nikon field of view and I've heard Leupold has gone down hill. I have both brands but haven't gotten one very recently so I'm not sure if mine are going to be good indicators of where the companies are now. My Leupold is a VXIII and my Nikon is a Buckmaster (its only been out 3x so I'm not sold one way or the other yet but the glass looks good to me).
 
The Buckmaster is a good $200 scope for the money. The Monarch and VX-3 are closer in price and performance. In my experience Nikon has clearer glass. I prefer Leupold if the price is close, such as the Monarch and VX-3. The Leupolds are much lighter, more compact and have much greater eye relief than Nikons. Plus no other scope maker has Leupolds reputation for continuing to work after taking years of use and abuse. Factors that are more important to me than slightly clearer glass.

Priced at $400 the Zeiss Conquest is a darn good scope and might be a good compromise between the Monarch and VX-3. Some would argue it is cheaper and better than either. I won't argue with them.

In the sub $200 range I've also been impressed with both the Burris Fullfield II and the new Redfield scopes. I give a slight edge to Burris between the 2.
 
I hadn't really thought about the conquest but that probably should be thrown into the mix. I've heard good things.
 
I'm pretty much a Leupold guy, but the new Burris Fullfield II has impressed me so far. The older version, which I bought, was $300. The newer version is about 50 bucks more than that, but has what they call a few improvements. The Burris has a really sharp focus. So...my first choice would be a Leupold VXIII, no doubt about that, and with the 30 mm tube if you can afford it, but the Burris is pretty darn good - though we are early in the 'relationship'. I also have a VXII, which replace the Nikon Monarch that died. I like the VXII quite a bit, though I'll admit that I liked the Nikon till it failed.
 
Of the three you mentioned, I'd go with the Leupold. The last few Nikons I had were aggravating to set in, but once you get them right they'll hold true. I was disappointed with the field of view of the Monarch. One thing that has always worried me is that there are loads of " factory refurbished" Nikons on the market from the Monarch UCC to the Prostaff
 
I have been switching from variable power to Fixed power. I realized all my shots on game were on 3X. Fixed power optics are less expensive, more dependable and have a consistently better exit pupil(better in low light). If you are going to be shooting under 300 yards, a 4X is good. 500 yards, 6X. 600 yards and over, 10X. YMMV....
 
There are some good comments in here. I was always a Nikon user and have (IMHO) found their lenses to be about the best for the bucks. I can't argue that Leupold supports their stuff the best of all. The Conquest would be my choice though. I am currently using (and very impressed by) a Mueller 4-16 X 50 AO but it is a heavy scope. Doesn't matter to me as I sit on stand and don't walk around anymore.

And the comment about a single power scope did make sense if you aren't going on any trips that require long range shooting in the future. I set mine on 6 power most of the time for 50-200 yards and after that would start cranking up the power.
 
I'd been toying with the idea of a fixed power scope but felt like I might regret it in some situations. What fixed power scopes have you been using fatwhiteboy?
 
Redfields are on all my guns I care about, even when I've had the ability to get better scopes Redfield can't be beat quality and money wise (great warranty as well!). However I understand you may be looking at a higher price scale, in which case some great options have been stated already
 
i just bought a Redfield Revoloution for my Daughtors deer rifle. We sighted her rifle with it and love it. The eye relief is awesome, the scope is very clear. and the adjustments are positive and precise. I recomend these scopes or any Leupold product.
 
BLS700:

Any if the high quality variables will do you fine. I'm partial to the Leupold line. A 2X7 would do you just fine.

Semper Fi.

Gunnery sergeant
Clifford L. Hughes
USMC Retired
 
The Leupold VXIII or the Ziess would be my choices of the ones listed. Also I'd throw in a Bushnell Elite 4200 for another one in the mix. Too many bad experiences in the heat of battle with Nikon for me to ever trust one of their products again. Might also take a look at some of the offerings from Burris.
 
There are some fantastic deals on basic hunting glass right now.
Check out cameralandNY.
Vortex Viper 3-9x 40mms are clearing out for $180. That's a great scope. I have a Nikon Buckmaster, and while it's a fine scope, it's not as nice as my Viper.
They also have Minox Z3s 3-9x 40mms in open box specials for $289-299 depending on reticle. That's a scope often compared to the Conquest for about $100 less. The warranty is still good on them.
If I'd had the money, I would have gone with the Minox, but I'm plenty happy with the Viper I bought from them.

The older Burris Fullfield IIs are nearly all on clearance.

Leupold is clearing out Rifleman and VXIs (which are basically redundant product lines since the Redfields are generally superior and cheaper and have the same warranty). VXIIs may also be on sale now.
 
Redfields are on all my guns I care about, even when I've had the ability to get better scopes Redfield can't be beat quality and money wise (great warranty as well!). However I understand you may be looking at a higher price scale, in which case some great options have been stated already
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Just curious as to which Redfields you have on all your guns. The newer ones since Leupold bought Redfield and started making them in the US again or the older ones made in some Asian country or the really older original ones that were made in the US also.
 
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