Optic preference

[cole smith]

Just wondering what everyone's scope preference is for brand. Currently I'm using vortex scopes because they seem inexpensive, have a lifetime warranty and I could get a big objective lens and decent zoom. Now I'm considering spending a bit more money on a scope for target shooting. Anyone have a particular brand of scopes that they stick by and why.
Thanks

[Ice Fishing Maniac]

Leupold !! Been using them for over 25 years...no issues. If there was or I needed service, Canada depot is Korth Agencies in Okotoks.

[Dick284]

Leupold
Nikon
Sightron
Zeiss

Not necessarily in that order.

And I'm not a big fan of the big objective lens' either, even well after legal light, 40-42 mm obj's are enough.

[qwert]

I find it very revealing that everyone always mentions the great Vortex warranty, and reports their good personal experience.
Nobody seems to know anything about the Nightforce warranty, but I can guess why.

I like Nightforce because of their large range of vertical adjustment, and the MOAR & Moar-T etched glass reticles, and positive turret clicks and Zero-Stop. The glass is good and they are tough. The downside is high weight and cost. The weight can be a problem in any target competition class that has a weight limit, as it forces a choice between heavy barrel or heavy scope.

Good Luck, YMMV.

[stob]

Originally Posted by Ice Fishing Maniac

Leupold !! Been using them for over 25 years...no issues. If there was or I needed service, Canada depot is Korth Agencies in Okotoks.

x2 - also liked the S&B and Swaro's - never liked the Zeiss

[elkhunter11]

For target work, I like the Zeiss HD-5 with target turrets.Nice clear optics, near constant eye relief, and they track consistently. I used to own more than a dozen Leupolds, but now I don't own any. I am also not a fan of large objective lenses.

[Prairiewolf]

Originally Posted by cole smith

Just wondering what everyone's scope preference is for brand. Currently I'm using vortex scopes because they seem inexpensive, have a lifetime warranty and I could get a big objective lens and decent zoom. Now I'm considering spending a bit more money on a scope for target shooting. Anyone have a particular brand of scopes that they stick by and why.
Thanks

Vortex - my "hunters" choice, since they can be lightweight, the warranty lets me focus on hunting, and generally they're cost effective. I have a Diamondback and a Viper HS.

Leupold - I inherited one, a VX-2 I believe. Maybe a little better clarity than my Vortex Diamondback, good warranty but more money if I ever buy another.

I also have friends who really like the Swarovski line (too costly for me) and many who say their next scope would be a Bushnell Elite.

[Huntsman]

Nikon, Monarch, Pro-Staff(s), Omega and an M308.
Bino's and LRF are Nikon

Leupold VXI, my only one which is on my Win 88 that was my Dad's.

[bat119]

I've always been a leupold fan I've never had a bad one

[Ranets]

Originally Posted by qwert

I find it very revealing that everyone always mentions the great Vortex warranty, and reports their good personal experience.
Nobody seems to know anything about the Nightforce warranty, but I can guess why.

I like Nightforce because of their large range of vertical adjustment, and the MOAR & Moar-T etched glass reticles, and positive turret clicks and Zero-Stop. The glass is good and they are tough. The downside is high weight and cost. The weight can be a problem in any target competition class that has a weight limit, as it forces a choice between heavy barrel or heavy scope.

Good Luck, YMMV.

Nightforce all the way!! I have 3 of them all are fantastic NSX, ATACR, and on my hunting rifle I am running their SHV model have never had an issue or inability to clearly see either target or animal. Buy once cry once

[tchardy1972]

I use more Zeiss and Sightrons than anything but I do own one Nikon monarch 3 which is good value for the money and one Leopold vx2 that seems to never give any issues.

[north american hunter]

Zeiss and swarovski

[sns2]

Originally Posted by Huntsman

Nikon, Monarch, Pro-Staff(s), Omega and an M308.
Bino's and LRF are Nikon

Leupold VXI, my only one which is on my Win 88 that was my Dad's.

That VXI was responsible for a helluva pile of meat

[sns2]

You know, there are just an awful lot of good products out there. There really are.

[Huntsman]

Originally Posted by sns2

That VXI was responsible for a helluva pile of meat

And to add a cow moose last fall and a whitetail doe to the count

[sns2]

Right on

[Brad6510]

Currently all I run on my rifles is vortex crossfire 2's and Hawke Varmint series
Not to say there aren't better options but they all have been working flawlessly, haven't broken the bank and all my rifles are sub $800.
Personally dont feel the need to drop a ton on a scope for budget shooters
My 2 cents

[Got Juice?]

for the work i do varminting/target , my preference is SIGHTRON.

in order of personal preference:

1. SIGHTRON/NIGHTFORCE (tie)

2. ZEISS

3. LEUPOLD

4. BUSHNELL

[Smokinyotes]

For hunting Leupold or Zeiss. For target work NF or Sightron.

[JD848]

zeiss hd5 or victory ,minox za 5i and the ZE 5i .meopta, bushnell 6500 .As long as your shooting ok with the scope you have,that's all that matters .

[Huntsman]

Originally Posted by Brad6510

Personally dont feel the need to drop a ton on a scope for budget shooters
My 2 cents

^^^^ what he said

What I payed for my Nikon Monarch was the most I spent on a scope followed by the M308. I go by what this poor soldier can afford. Heck, I remember buying what I thought back then was a decent Tasco rifle scope from GVR........

[catnthehat]

I am not brand loyal when it comes to scoped.
What I do demand of a hunting scope-repeat ability , clarity in low light , thick crosshairs for fast target acquisition ,etc, can be found in any number of them.
Right now I have a 1-4x Leupold with QD rings if I need a long shot on my main hunting rifle that I cannot accomplish with the irons, and a 4x IOR with QD rings on the 2nd rifle.
However there are a mess of family heirloom guns with Weaver, Redfield, Kahles, and Bausch and Lomb scopes ( all vintage) in the vault that are ready to go

For match rifles I currently using a Lyman Supertarget spot that is possibly as old as I am and it is still perfect.
I also use an IOR 8-36 x with a 34 mm tube as a base line accuracy scope when evaluating rifles with problems, but only because it is knowingly accurate.
Cat

[Twisted Canuck]

My current favorite is a Leica ER, and close second a Kahles scope. I have a Leupold VX 3 as well, and a Bushnell Elite 6500. Both of these are good, but in low light the other two are superior.

[propliner]

My March 2.5-25x42 is the ultimate for me. I wish I could afford to put one on everything. it is lightweight, has incredible zoom and perfect glass. I'm not sure how they do it all in such a compact unit.

Second are the Leupold VX-3's. Excellent scope for the money.

I also really like the Burris Six-X. It stands up to big recoil without flinching. (out of production now)

[JWCalgary]

Only owned 4 brands so far

Leupold
Bushnell
Vortex
Zeiss

Best of the above is zeiss. Best eye relief, best glass colour, best clarity, best functionality.

Looked through a Schmidt & Bender and they are crazy good, but for me, way too much money.

Never liked the Swarovski as I couldn't find one with the obj. And reticle combo I wanted.

[gitrdun]

Most of my guns are scoped with Leupold. I have one Sightron, one Vortex. and two Bausch & Lombs.

I am not a big fan of Bushnell products although I may have one or two kicking around. I've also had the opportunity to work with Swaro's (not my own). Good optics but I find that they lack sub-tension and don't care for their reticle choices.

[Wanchuk]

After owning verrious bushnells and leupolds and vortex I recently switched to NF-NSX. From here on out every rifle of mine will be topped with a NF

[qwert]

Originally Posted by Wanchuk

After owning verrious bushnells and leupolds and vortex I recently switched to NF-NSX. From here on out every rifle of mine will be topped with a NF

and that is the biggest problem with Nightforce, once you have one you are ruined for anything of lesser quality.

Good Luck, YMMV.

[Smokinyotes]

Originally Posted by qwert

and that is the biggest problem with Nightforce, once you have one you are ruined for anything of lesser quality.

Good Luck, YMMV.

Tell me about it. I have a nxs 5.5-22x50 with the MOAR T reticle on my 6.5-284. Bought a nxs 8-32x56 for when my new Long range rig is done.

[huntingcrazzy]

Vortex or Leupold are my choices.