Scope Education

462

California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
Ric,
Thanks for the memory jog. I have a Weaver V7 (2.5-7) that I traded a case of beer for, many years ago, and has been squirreled away since. The ocular lens is shaped like an old 4:3 aspect ratio television CRT.
 

Ian

Notorious member
I had one of those on a .22, bought new in the early 80s. It died on a Benjamin .22, my first lesson in why airgun scopes are special.
 

Idaholewis

Active Member
My SWFA 10x is only $299
I shoot steel out to 1250 with it.
I have shot a 4" plate at 1000 yards with it. Excellent optics.

I want one of these SWFA’s!! I’ve been saying it for awhile now, I need to break down and Buy one!

Anyone here know anything about these Guy’s? Riton Optics, I started a Thread about these on a Muzzleloader forum not long ago, Nobody has one?
 

Ole_270

Well-Known Member
I only have one Vortex, an old model Viper 2-7 on my AR. Haven't had the least bit of trouble with it in the several years I've used it. Not as clear as my VXII and VXIII scopes and has a bit of a doughnut appearance, but it's been more dependable and tracks better than quite a few of my Leupolds.
 
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Spindrift

Well-Known Member
I have scopes of several brands (Leupold, Zeiss, Meopta, Docter, Redfield, Nikon, Vortex, Ultimax, Nikko Sterling). My advice would be

1) Get a scope with variable power. If you are a bit unfamiliar with scoped rifles, you might shoot best with lower power (like x4-6) in the beginning, but you’ll soon appreciate the possibility of cranking up to x10-12

2) Parallax adjustment is not necessary for your use (range shooting to 200y). It does no harm, but you don’t need it. It is a non-factor.

3) Don’t waste money on illuminated reticle. They are fantastic for low light hunting, but not needed for range shooting- put your money in optical/mechanical quality instead

4) Scope mounts matter. You want something rugged, stable and as low as possible. I prefer steel. From Leupold.

5) Big lens in front -> high mount needed for clearance -> less cheek weld, unless you have adjustable stock (or build some height on the comb, somehow). You don’t need a big lens in front for low light conditions, but the «eye box» will be bigger. This means the scope will be less fussy about eye placement. This is where you have to find a compromise.

My personal favourite in this price range, for range use, would be Nikon. The optics are surprisingly clear. And they are mechanically quite good. The clicks are tactile and clear, and the turrets are easily reset with no tools (lift cap-reset to zero- drop cap).
 
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Intheshop

Banned
Used Japan made Bushnell Elite 3200 4-12X40. Heckuva scope,perfect on a 223. Should find one around 200. Mine was way less and was mint but it took patience and diligence to find it. Always keep an eye out for one.
 

Intheshop

Banned
Another old school sleeper is a B&L. Fantastic glass on this 3-9X40. Only gives up a tiny bit to a 4-12 on load development.... and is more,"centermass,meat on the table" vs between the eyes in the field. But stay away from cheap 3-9's. Look at used Ziess Conquests 3-9's. Gonna be 300+ but dang,what a hunting scope. The above B&L spoiled me on tracking and clear,easy to use glass. DD(daily driver R700 out in the rain).

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Winelover

North Central Arkansas
Have a few Vortex CrossFire's but they are only on guns that I don't hunt with. So far they are holding up. One is a 1 x 4 with a lighted dot/cross hair. It's mounted on a CZ Scorpion 9 mm carbine that gets shot a lot. The bolt on that blowback is massive, curious if it will hole up to the jackhammer effect. Besides the price and the no BS warranty, I like the lighted dot.

All of my firearms for serious work, have either Leopold or Trijicon's. You get what you pay for in optics. I stayed from Nikon scopes. A LGS owner, back in Michigan, sold both. When I was scoping out a recent purchase, I asked him about Nikon. He said to stick with Leopold. He was also a big game hunter that made regular trips to Africa. I took his advise and never looked back. I would recommend Nikon cameras and binoc's...........I have both, but no rifle scopes.

I have one Burris, 6 X 24 for load development. It has a mill dot, that is very hard to see...........and is only for the vertical plane. I never bought another Burris................it's just OK.
 

popper

Well-Known Member
Nikon is out of scope busines, unfortunately - most of mine are Nikon. Got a 223 scope for the BO pistol recently (3x fixed) works very well and was cheap. Fine crosshair and good glass.
 

462

California's Central Coast Amid The Insanity
My understand is Nikon quit the scope segment because of Vortex's popularity.
 

RBHarter

West Central AR
I know a smith that swears by Vortex .
I've been quite happy with much lessor scopes .
I gave $75 for a basically new El Paso Weaver K4 . So far the 3-9×40 Tasco is holding up fine on an 06' .
I have about 250 rounds under a Leatherwood 2-7×25 scout type .