I've been in the market for a new rifle scope lately, under $200 if possible, but most of the ones I have been able to find any information on are either made in China (at least the lower-end scopes), or the place of manufacture is almost impossible to find. My question is, are there any decent rifle scopes that are made in the U.S. and, if not, anywhere else besides China that you can get without having to pay premium prices? I have one Bushnell scope that has Korea stamped on the bottom, but others don't, and Nikon says their Buckmaster scope is made in the Philippines. Any others out there?
Scope's place of manufacture
- Thread starter TheOldPro
- Start date
Most Leupold scopes are made in Portland, OR. They have a line called Rifleman, and they are made in China, but all the other scopes are made in USA. Burris has a few scopes made in the USA, but most of their scopes are now made overseas. US Optics scopes are made in USA. Nightforce has scopes that are made in USA, but some made overseas.
Jim Watson
New member
I was looking at a Sighttron S1 marked "Japan" at the SHOT Show. Looked like a nice clear scope.
Mighty few scopes besides Nightforce and USO made here, and I think NF uses Japanese lenses.
Mighty few scopes besides Nightforce and USO made here, and I think NF uses Japanese lenses.
Wildalaska
Moderator
IIRC, NF and Trjicon lenses are ground and coated in Japan from Taiwanese glass, the rest of the parts are made here and the scopes are assembled here. Zeiss is aseembled in the US/Germany (depending on model) from German made components and german ground and coated glass (which comes from Taiwan)
Leupold grinds, coats and makes it components here. I bet they use Taiwan glass too, as that is the center of raw glass in the world for optics.
WildtaiwanstuffisasgoodasanythingelseaskintelAlaska ™
Leupold grinds, coats and makes it components here. I bet they use Taiwan glass too, as that is the center of raw glass in the world for optics.
WildtaiwanstuffisasgoodasanythingelseaskintelAlaska ™
Premium Leupolds, high-end Burris scopes and a few exotics are made in the USA. Some of the best popularly priced premium scopes are made by the two major optical works in Japan. Those include the Bushnell Elite line and Weaver. Other fine scopes come out of the Philippines, those include Nikons and the moderately priced Burris lines. Chinese built scopes are generally bottom of the barrel.
I'm told that the very best scopes still come out of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. They tend to be out of my price range.
I'm told that the very best scopes still come out of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. They tend to be out of my price range.
I, like you tried to get a good scope for 200 bucks... couldnt do it. The best deal I found with great value was the Bushnell elite 4200, at walmart it was 265.00 . It can take high recoil unlike the cheaper ones has a titanium alloy tube ,95% light transmission and rain guard lenses. an awesome value.
I forget which magazine called it "scope of the year"
It compares with some scopes costing almost twice the price.
I forget which magazine called it "scope of the year"
It compares with some scopes costing almost twice the price.
fisherman66
New member
Not all of Leupolds, and definitely not most of their bino lines in terms of sales. Some Euro glass lines are actually assembled in China of German components.
Today China is assembling some pretty good glass, and making optics from bottom of the barrel to good.
The Nikon Team Primos for $200 is the best deal going, and it is made in the Philippines along with the other Monarchs. The Bushnell Elites are made in Japan and you can get an Elite 4200 3-9x40 for $290 now (used to be $250). Sightron, some Weavers, Nightforce and Super Snipers are also made in Japan. The Leupold Gold Ring scopes, most Burris, US Optics and Zeiss Conquests are made in the US.
The cheapest good quality scopes are coming from Japan and the Philippines these days. The Conquests are also offering some really good bang for buck but are a step up in price. Leupolds are generally nice from the VX-3's on up but are generally priced much higher ($100-$200 more) than comparable scopes from their competition.
Wildalaska
Moderator
Which ones
WildletusknowAlaska TM
AllRoundHunter
Inactive
Bang For Buck
I am looking for a scope for my 300SWM. I have 3 kids and 1 of them is in college, so price is an issue. I havent had to buy a scope in 10 years so Im a little out of the loop. I'm looking to stay under $350. Im sure I will get as many different answers as there is members, but any advise would be helpful
I am looking for a scope for my 300SWM. I have 3 kids and 1 of them is in college, so price is an issue. I havent had to buy a scope in 10 years so Im a little out of the loop. I'm looking to stay under $350. Im sure I will get as many different answers as there is members, but any advise would be helpful
fisherman66
New member
Minox
BV compacts - China
BV full size - China
BLs - China
IFs - China
Aspherics - Japan
HGs - Japan
Fisherwillthatworkforyouman66
Leupold gets a huge amount of glass from Korea
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Wildalaska
Moderator
Are you talking rifles scopes or low end optics models ?
Wildwhatsabv?Alaska TM
Wildwhatsabv?Alaska TM
fisherman66
New member
Low end is really in the eye's of the beholder, unless you are talking about the bottom of a manufacturer's product line and not the quality across multiple manufacturers.
BV - VW-Designed BV binoculars offer clear views even in extreme temperature fluctuations. They have extended exit pupil and twist-up rubber eyecups that befits even those who wear glasses. Multi-coated lens elements provided in the binoculars reduce glare for brighter images with more neutral colors. - Minox marketing material
FishercanyouTMsomethinglikethat?anythingelseIcanresearchforyou?man66
Wildalaska
Moderator
I thought we were talking about riflescopes here, not Binos
So what low end Euro scopes are made in China?
WildsinceyouknowallAlaska ™
So what low end Euro scopes are made in China?
WildsinceyouknowallAlaska ™
Scopes
I've been very impressed with the Pentax Gameseeker scopes. I believe them to be the "best buy" for the money. I've mounted 3 on my own firearms. They optically out perform my Leupolds (VXII) and have held up well. They are Chinese made and I do not feel they will be available very long (as this depression developes I think many Chinese products will be unavailable). I consider them the equivalent to some Burris scopes. Some Chinese products have made great improvements in quality (sad to admit). Just my opinion but I do use them. As an aside, I do sell Leupold along with Buckmark, Pentax, and a couple other lower end scopes.
I've been very impressed with the Pentax Gameseeker scopes. I believe them to be the "best buy" for the money. I've mounted 3 on my own firearms. They optically out perform my Leupolds (VXII) and have held up well. They are Chinese made and I do not feel they will be available very long (as this depression developes I think many Chinese products will be unavailable). I consider them the equivalent to some Burris scopes. Some Chinese products have made great improvements in quality (sad to admit). Just my opinion but I do use them. As an aside, I do sell Leupold along with Buckmark, Pentax, and a couple other lower end scopes.