If you could choose only one scope

[Murder]

I have had a Bushnell Elite 4200 on my main hunting rig for several years and while I will say it has been flawless, held its zero and never fogged etc even when dropped, I would like a higher quality scope with windage and elevation marked reticle. I am heeing and hawing about whether or not a middle of the road scope ($6-800 range) is all a guy could ever need, or if I shoot for the stAR's and spend big money.

If you could have just one for hunting BC to cover hunting the dense vancouver island timber to wide open mainland space, which would it be and why?

[moosinaround]

Vortex, or Leupold, viper series for vortex, vx3 for Leupold. As for the actual scope dimensions, a 30mm tube, 40 mm objective, variable power, and in one piece rings. Moosin

[BCBRAD]

The two hunting rifles I use have 6x42 Leupold's on them. One has an M1 turret (30-06) the other a CDS (9.3x66).

Been through a lot of scopes over the years and on the variables 6X was the default power setting, near all animals were shot with the scope at 6X.

The 6x42 has a very generous eye box compared to many variables set at 6X, the generous eye box is real beneficial at close range and 6X is good for at least 600 yards.The optics are very good at 6X as well, some variables are optically good at the lower power settings but go to sh!t at higher settings.

These 6X's have bagged game from 50 feet to 425 yards, these in conjunction with a decent pair of binoculars and a range finder are no handi-cap.

[RackStar]

Leupold vx3i 3.5-10x40

[Ferenc]

I too am a fan of the fixed power scopes having the old made in Colorado Redfields and now a 6x42 m8 leupold .. Made good back then... Still good today !!

[Andrewh]

I had a Zeiss 3.5-14 x 44 and I was amazing - clear, lovely reticle and bright.

After 4 seasons I had 3 little balck dots develop ton the edges of the field of view (like the size of a hole in a needle end), you had to really look for them if you know what I mean. I send back to Zeiss in the summer and I had a BRAND NEW HD5 3-15 z800 in the hands shortly after.

[SWD]

Nikon 3x9 x40.
Clear never a problem.

[ACE]

The two hunting rifles I use have 6x42 Leupold's on them. One has an M1 turret (30-06) the other a CDS (9.3x66).

Been through a lot of scopes over the years and on the variables 6X was the default power setting, near all animals were shot with the scope at 6X.

The 6x42 has a very generous eye box compared to many variables set at 6X, the generous eye box is real beneficial at close range and 6X is good for at least 600 yards.The optics are very good at 6X as well, some variables are optically good at the lower power settings but go to sh!t at higher settings.

These 6X's have bagged game from 50 feet to 425 yards, these in conjunction with a decent pair of binoculars and a range finder are no handi-cap.

As above ....... have four 6x Leupold scopes. One is a 'compact' on a M70 Featherweight .... others are also on M70 Winchesters.
One piece Leupold bases ..... Leupold 'low' rings .......
Foolproof, sturdy, un-complicated ..........

[untilthelastbeat]

I'm a huge leupold fan like many others I agree the vx3 line is absolutely the way to go for lightweight mid price scope. However if you don't mind a couple extra ounces and you want windage/elevation turrets paired with the amazing MOAR reticle check out the nightforce shv 3-10 x 42. I just put one on my rem 700 titanium after selling my nxs 5.5-22x50. Il tell you first hand after owning the nxs the shv line has identical glass and quality in tracking for a fraction of the price. $1100 for the compact shv 3-10 x 42 and it's 20 Oz I belive. Great all around scope for the price. Cheers

[takla1]

Owned a Ziess Diavardi {1966}6x fixed on my weatherby for over 35 yrs without an issue.The gun/scope have been together since new and hold zero to this day and never been off the gun for repair,excellent optics and gathers light like crazy.This gun is not a cabinet queen and goes into the field for at least 2-3 weeks every yr since bought.

takla

[todbartell]

Leupold Vx3i 3.5-10x40mm CDS / Duplex reticle

[whitlers]

Love my Leica ER 2.5x10x42

[Sportster]

Said it before and I'll say it again. you won't regret buying a vortex viper HS 2.5 - 10 x44. Not saying that the other scopes mentioned are not nice glass because they are. I just like that 44 objective lens.

[Sunzuki]

I'm a big fan of Leupold and my next quest to be a VX-R series of some sort.
And to think I have an M8 6X just back from Korth for a tune up and no where
to put it...........yet.

[bcsteve]

Leupold Vx3i 3.5-10x40mm CDS / Duplex reticle

^^this with or without the CDS or the VX3i 2.5-8x36 closely behind.

[Ferenc]

I'm a big fan of Leupold and my next quest to be a VX-R series of some sort.
And to think I have an M8 6X just back from Korth for a tune up and no where
to put it...........yet.
If you don't find a place for it... Get a hold of me. : )

[BCHoyt]

Swarovski... Best glass I have ever used and will only use!

[skidderman]

After 45 yrs I've tried a few. Will stick with leupold. For the money the quality & reliability is all I need. Currently have a VX3 in 4.5-14-50 & a 3.5-10-50 & like em both.

[kevan]

Does Leupold still produce the 6X42 .
I could use two more but never see them advertised ?

[BgBlkDg]

My favourites are the 1.75x6 M-HD, with the 3.5x10x50 M-HD and for certain rifles, the 2.5x85 M-HD, the last has to be custom-ordered from Korths by your dealer.

I have found in 50+ years of scope ownership-use that, overall, Leupy scopes work best for ME and I no longer buy anything else for my rifles.

The cost is usually less than a Swaro Z3 and these are the only other scopes I will buy for my rifles, all of which are lighter models for foot hunting in the mountains.

[beretta]

Nightforce!

[boblly1]

i have two rifles i use my main being 270 win with 3x9 leupold the other that backs me up is 7mm-08 4x12 redfield but for years i used a 308win 2.5-7 variable for timber hunting til got older and it became harder to navigate the hillsides

[Moose63]

You are over thinking this thing. Guys used to use just a fixed 4X redfield and do just fine. Keep your elite 4200, if its working for ya. Dont get caught up in the marketing hype

[mtnmanmike]

Swarovski... Best glass I have ever used and will only use!

x2 Swaro Z5 3.5-18x44. Only way to go, imo

[milarm_cody]

Grandpa shot Leupold, Dad shot Leupold, I've shot nightforce, burris, steiner and leupold. I now have nothing but Leupold. I also stock more Leupold than any other brand at the shop because I believe in them and they sell. I have a VX6 3-18x44 on my 300 WM and a Vx3 2.5-8x36 on my 308. Love them both.

[pork n beans]

I have night force, Bausch and Lomb, Leupold, and Swarovski, I used to have an aim point as well. Swarovski is the best. Next scope will be Swarovski. Just can't beat the clarity and brightness.....you can't go backwards once you've used one.

[pork n beans]

That being said....the other aforementioned brands are all pretty darn good...I can't complain about them....just Swarovski is the best of them all in my experience.

[1/2 slam]

Swarovski Z3 4-12x50

[Stormy]

Kahles, I've tried the rest including Swarovski's and Nightforce - I'd still take the Kahles any day over the rest.

kahles are the oldest manufacturers of rifle scopes in the world, if they wherent any good they would have disappeared a very long time ago, everytime I visit my Companies HO in Europe, another scope just seems to find its way into my carry-on......Lol!

[twoSevenO]

Kahles, I've tried the rest including Swarovski's and Nightforce - I'd still take the Kahles any day over the rest.

kahles are the oldest manufacturers of rifle scopes in the world, if they wherent any good they would have disappeared a very long time ago, everytime I visit my Companies HO in Europe, another scope just seems to find its way into my carry-on......Lol!

isn't that the case for every company ever?

And why aren't they being sold here? I haven't seen a Kahles scope since that old scottish guy closed his store in Langley.

[Gateholio]

I only use Tasco. It's the best.

[rocksteady]

I had a Redfield on my 30 06 for 25 years before it pooped.. would not hesitate to use it again

[ditch donkey]

leupold vx3 3.5-10x40

[landphil]

I only use Tasco. It's the best.

This. And their warranty is even better than Vortex - you save the shipping expense...




...by cutting it open to see how it should have worked, and then throwing it away instead.

LOL


I really like the VX-2 4-12x40 AO with LR duplex I bought last summer, if only I could find another deal like that - Kijiji SCORE!

[twoSevenO]

I only use Tasco. It's the best.

Only on the alpine rifle. Because plastic lenses and prisms are great weight savings. And ounces make pounds ;)

[RiverOtter]

The two hunting rifles I use have 6x42 Leupold's on them. One has an M1 turret (30-06) the other a CDS (9.3x66).

Been through a lot of scopes over the years and on the variables 6X was the default power setting, near all animals were shot with the scope at 6X.

The 6x42 has a very generous eye box compared to many variables set at 6X, the generous eye box is real beneficial at close range and 6X is good for at least 600 yards.The optics are very good at 6X as well, some variables are optically good at the lower power settings but go to sh!t at higher settings.

These 6X's have bagged game from 50 feet to 425 yards, these in conjunction with a decent pair of binoculars and a range finder are no handi-cap.
^^^^This^^^^
For a do it all scope, it doesn't get any better. Huge eye relief, big FOV, tough, simple and affordable.

A close second would be the VX3i 3.5-10x40.

Throw an M1 or CDS on top and you're there.

[anethema]

I've had a few Leupolds in this price range and currently use a Vortex Viper HS 4-16X44.

I would say the Viper glass is as good, maybe even a hair better than Leupolds in the price range.

Since they are so equal the thing that really sells the Vortex for me is the warranty. It is lifetime, which is cool. But it isn't just a warranty. It is lifetime insurance also. The scope falls off your gun and you run it over? They will replace it, for free, no questions asked. For ever.

You just don't see that in many other makes. For the price I don't think you can BEAT the glass, though you can prob equal it. But beat the glass AND the warranty? No way.

EDIT: Jesus I sound like a shill. Sorry just love my scope haha.