What scopes are you using for center fire rifle hunting? I’ve decided that I want a new hunting rig (whitetail) for next year and I want some decent glass. I’d like to keep the optic under a grand. Vortex and Leupold are my first choices. Thoughts?
Scopes
- Thread starter kemo357
- Start date
Bustedknees
.308 Win
Well if you make up your mind tonight there's a 20% off sale at Academy Sports, free shipping too.
GTN
.308 Win
I’ve seen some great videos about this one being great bang for your buck
Bustedknees
.308 Win
if its for hunting I'd stay away from the tactical type scopes. exposed turrets in the weather and too much of a snag possibility.
Carlos Hathcock
.450/400 Nitro Ex
I have probably no less than 10 Vortex scopes. You should have no issue finding one under 1K. Plenty magnification and reticle options.
Saltwater60
.950 JDJ
I have a luepold VXIII freedom scope and I love it. It’s well within your budget. Super easy to sight in, holds zero for last 3-4 years, never dogs up. I like it so much I bought a second one just to have around. It was around $300.
I associate with two different Gun Shops; one is specifically a Gunsmith (has been >35 years) and they won't stock or recommend the Vortex line of optics... they will order you one, but that's your choice.
In all fairness, Vortex DOES sell a lot of optics, and will without question replace anything with their name on it. I've never owned one, but have shot rifles equipped with them and they seem to be as good as many other optics from Asia and China.
Scopes are a personal choice, and the difference between a three-hundred-dollar scope and a five-hundred-dollar scope can usually be found in that half hour before and after the Sun goes down.
Buy enough scope for the application: but don't put on too much scope; too big, clunky, lots of big knobs/wheels, etc. if you're going to be climbing mountains or fighting through the Brush.
Another thing learned the hard way: How well can you see under full magnification? MANY scopes go fuzzy under full magnification and can't be focused out, so a 3~9 might seem great up to 7X but 8 starts to blur and 9x is useless.
Nikon made some really great scopes, but they've discontinued Rifle Scopes.
Most of the big names have three or four tiers or more of optics so beware of high prices on lower grades simply because of the Brand name.
As far as I'm concerned, you can't go wrong with a Leupold, and as technology improves so does the quality in relation to the tier, so the entry level Freedom of today might be of the same quality as a VX3 of a decade ago.
In all fairness, Vortex DOES sell a lot of optics, and will without question replace anything with their name on it. I've never owned one, but have shot rifles equipped with them and they seem to be as good as many other optics from Asia and China.
Scopes are a personal choice, and the difference between a three-hundred-dollar scope and a five-hundred-dollar scope can usually be found in that half hour before and after the Sun goes down.
Buy enough scope for the application: but don't put on too much scope; too big, clunky, lots of big knobs/wheels, etc. if you're going to be climbing mountains or fighting through the Brush.
Another thing learned the hard way: How well can you see under full magnification? MANY scopes go fuzzy under full magnification and can't be focused out, so a 3~9 might seem great up to 7X but 8 starts to blur and 9x is useless.
Nikon made some really great scopes, but they've discontinued Rifle Scopes.
Most of the big names have three or four tiers or more of optics so beware of high prices on lower grades simply because of the Brand name.
As far as I'm concerned, you can't go wrong with a Leupold, and as technology improves so does the quality in relation to the tier, so the entry level Freedom of today might be of the same quality as a VX3 of a decade ago.
FRANKIE
6.5 Creedmoor
Never had a Vortex, owners seem to be very satisfied. But you can’t go wrong with a leupold
They will take care of you warranty wise in almost any circumstance. Goes for older Redfields also. Yes something good coming out of Oregon.
They will take care of you warranty wise in almost any circumstance. Goes for older Redfields also. Yes something good coming out of Oregon.
oc shooter
.223 Rem
I've owned a few Vortex scopes good value for the buck much prefer Leopold to them but my go to scope in recent years is Stiener bit hard to find under a grand but it can be done low light visibility is unbelievable
Shoots100
.357 mag
I always recommend mid tier Leupold scopes as a first, second or third choice.
I used Vortex scopes on my PRS rifles and had turret issues with them, but I've never tried their hunting line of scopes because I've never had an issue with my Leupold scopes.
Leupold does have a great warranty, but I buy Leupold because of not having had to use the warranty.
Not that Leupold hasn't had issues with some of their scopes, but with the amount of scopes they sell, there's bound to be an issue with some of them.
I used Vortex scopes on my PRS rifles and had turret issues with them, but I've never tried their hunting line of scopes because I've never had an issue with my Leupold scopes.
Leupold does have a great warranty, but I buy Leupold because of not having had to use the warranty.
Not that Leupold hasn't had issues with some of their scopes, but with the amount of scopes they sell, there's bound to be an issue with some of them.
Acer-m14
.950 JDJ
just saying LOL ..
mca90guitar
.357 mag
I have a Leupold vx3i 3.5-10x40 on my .308. does the job.
FRANKIE
6.5 Creedmoor
And don’t forget about leupolds CDS ballistic dials. I believe you get one custom one made for free with each CDS scope you buy. Otherwise $80.
www.leupold.com
CDS BALLISTIC DIALS
Leupold’s Custom Dial System® (CDS®) helps you easily compensate for bullet drop and make ultra-quick adjustments on the fly. We’ll customize your scope’s elevation dial to match your exact load, muzzle velocity, and environmental conditions for unprecedented precision. Every CDS model scope...
www.leupold.com
MuttCat
.44 mag
I tend to favor Leupold (not LEOPOLD), and I like Simmons for my 22 plinkers. But fact is there's a ton of high quality brands out there. Pricewise, lots of folks end up paying for more scope than they really need, and trying to sort through hype is a pain.
Don't forget the used scope market. I've seen many nice deals right here.
Don't forget the used scope market. I've seen many nice deals right here.