Optics Discussion

[Onan18]

What is everybody running for optics and for what purpose? Dad and I have both always been Leupold guys and with the exception of a Tasco on a Marlin 336 30-30 that Dad bought used 20 years ago for like $100.00 (rifle w/ scope already mounted) a Simmons that came on a Marlin XS7 .308 that I bought used for $150.00 this past summer and a Bushnell that came on my Remington 710 .270 when Dad got it for me as my first centerfire rifle 22 years ago (and I can understand him not wanting to get a kid a nice optic) every optic we own combined has been a Leupold. Recently though Dad and I went to a gun show and there was a rep there from Osprey showing off their new made in the U.S.A. line of optics. The clarity was remarkably good (they claim to buy their glass from the same Japanese vendor as Leupold) and for the price I decided to try one. Mounted it on a Savage Axis .22-250 that Dad picked up in a pawn shop cheap and so far we are both impressed, will be interested to see how well it holds up in the long run.

 

[Onan18]

 

[Onan18]

I picked up this Sako L461 Vixen used a year ago for a fair price. It didn't have any kind of optic on it so the gunshop owner cut me a deal on this VX3-HD. Thing is a tack driver at 100 yards if I do my part.

 

[huskihl]

Vortex is pretty good for the cost. 1/3 - 1/2 the cost than anything comparable with a big name

 

[Onan18]

This is Dads deer rifle, a Sako AV in .270 Winchester wearing a Vari-X III 3.5-10x50

 

[Onan18]

Vortex is pretty good for the cost. 1/3 - 1/2 the cost than anything comparable with a big name

I have heard good things but have never tried one, you have good luck with them Kevin?

 

[Powerstroke Cowboy]

Athlon has some really nice optics for the price.

Ive got Nikon, SWFA, Athlon, Bushnell and hilux scopes. Bushnell, Athlon and Nikon binoculars and Nikon rangefinder.

I've had and used Leupold.

Nikon dropped their Lifetime warranty and hunting line of optics, kind of soured me on them. I do like the Nikon scopes I have though.

 

[huskihl]

I have heard good things but have never tried one, you have good luck with them Kevin?

Definitely. My boy and I each have their 10 x 42 diamondback binocs. He also has a 3–10 X 50 scope. Don’t remember the model

 

[Firewood Hoarder]

Athlon has some really nice optics for the price.

Ive got Nikon, SWFA, Athlon, Bushnell and hilux scopes. Bushnell, Athlon and Nikon binoculars and Nikon rangefinder.

I've had and used Leupold.

Nikon dropped their Lifetime warranty and hunting line of optics, kind of soured me on them. I do like the Nikon scopes I have though.

I too, was a fan of Nikon scopes. I have 3 of them on various rifles and was very impressed with them for the money spent. I was sad to hear they were discontinued.

Now I've been buying Vortex when I need glass.

 

[Czed]

What is everybody running for optics and for what purpose? Dad and I have both always been Leupold guys and with the exception of a Tasco on a Marlin 336 30-30 that Dad bought used 20 years ago for like $100.00 (rifle w/ scope already mounted) a Simmons that came on a Marlin XS7 .308 that I bought used for $150.00 this past summer and a Bushnell that came on my Remington 710 .270 when Dad got it for me as my first centerfire rifle 22 years ago (and I can understand him not wanting to get a kid a nice optic) every optic we own combined has been a Leupold. Recently though Dad and I went to a gun show and there was a rep there from Osprey showing off their new made in the U.S.A. line of optics. The clarity was remarkably good (they claim to buy their glass from the same Japanese vendor as Leupold) and for the price I decided to try one. Mounted it on a Savage Axis .22-250 that Dad picked up in a pawn shop cheap and so far we are both impressed, will be interested to see how well it holds up in the long run.

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I always ran nikon but their gone now
Recently I helped several people like up rifles for hunting season
And the vortex line is very popular I've never owned one but they were all nibe and clear with solid adjustments
Seems like quality
A few guy's have had them for years and keep buying more.

 

[Sloughfoot]

In that $200 to $500 price range I haven't seen anything that comes close to Arken. My adjustable 6-24 Arken I use for long range is as clear as the fixed 18x SWFA I have for hunting. For $2k to $4k, March is what most of the competitive long range shooters and hunters with deep pockets use around here. I don't know if March has an affordable option.

 

[They call me Mr. Kibbs]

Leupold used to be our go to scope, and still have a few and like them a lot. Never any problems but seems in the past 2 years they've priced themselves out of the deer / varmint hunting crowds around us.
Nikon Monarch was another favorite, but I think they're all but done. Have a Nikon Pro-Staff high magnification and like it OK but prob not buying another one.
Put a Vortex Diamondback on a 17 hmr last year and love it so far, and will be gifting a Vortex Viper next week to go on the boy's magnum rifle. I've known a few using them on 270, 308, 30-06 etc. rifle classes, but not sure about the magnum recoil. Reckon we'll see!

 

[huskihl]

Leupold used to be our go to scope, and still have a few and like them a lot. Never any problems but seems in the past 2 years they've priced themselves out of the deer / varmint hunting crowds around us.
Nikon Monarch was another favorite, but I think they're all but done. Have a Nikon Pro-Staff high magnification and like it OK but prob not buying another one.
Put a Vortex Diamondback on a 17 hmr last year and love it so far, and will be gifting a Vortex Viper next week to go on the boy's magnum rifle. I've known a few using them on 270, 308, 30-06 etc. rifle classes, but not sure about the magnum recoil. Reckon we'll see!

My boy put a Diamondback on his 300winmag and it’s fine so far

 

[Sloughfoot]

Speaking of scopes for magnums. Awhile back there was a guy at the range with an old military scope designed for one of the early model large caliber sniper rifles, 50 cal. maybe. It had sort of a suspension system. The glass was clear as any and it was very accurate. That thing probably cost 100x more to make than what one similar to it today costs.

 

[mainer_in_ak]

This past hunting season ran a burris Fullfield 2-7 on the 338 and a pentax (rebadged burris signature) 1.5-6 on the 22 LR

Next season will be sightron 1.75-5 scopes on both the .338 and the 9.3x62.

 

[Loony661]

I’ve got a few Vortex scopes. They are an amazing company. Veteran owned, lifetime-unconditional warranty. I had a scope issue and sent it in to them - they replaced the scope, free of charge, and it was technically my fault. I must have misread my torque wrench because they said the tube was crushed, but they still covered it. I’ve got a 1-4x32 LPVO, 2-7x32, 4-14x44, and 5-25x50… Vortex is headquartered in Wisconsin.

I also have Leupold 3-9x40 on my muzzleloader. And an old Weaver lying on the shelf.