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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Long Range Scopes and Other Optics
What is the best scope on the market PERIOD?
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<blockquote data-quote="Jerry Cunningham" data-source="post: 372741" data-attributes="member: 21139"><p>This has been a great thread and anyone should gain from it. Thanks to the internet so many knowledgable people can share their experiences. If I understood the original question he asked for the best scope period and later I think he said he was interested in the best glass. I would think that optical resolution charts should determine what glass can "resolve" the smallest pattern. I have never heard of anyone running such a test on the top five or six brands that are truly in the running. Opinions are certainly worthy of respect but nothing replaces science. Subjective opinions of what one likes best are simply personal preferences. Very little more. I do agree with the gentleman who noted that specific scopes from the same maker are often different. I was a manufacturer of rifle barrels for most of my adult life. No matter how hard one tried some barrels simply shot better than others. Exactly why is still a mystery. Even with very tight manufacturing tolerances and very tight raw materials specs the end product still varied from one to another. Therefore buying a "name" is not the same as having the best scope. Another gentleman pointed out that a certain optic just feels right. There is something that "clicks" between the product and the user. I know as a machinist that I have certain instruments that I would not trade for an identical model made by the same maker even if extra cash was added. I connect with that specific tool.</p><p>Since the top brands have different features one is not truly comparing apples to apples. The features become the selling point not specifically the brand name. I think the specific application is paramount as to scope selection. I have a good friend who makes rifles for African use on dangerous game. He feels that how well a scope holds together and still does its job is the heart of the issue. The glass in and of itself means little if the whole unit fails under recoil and/or demanding field use. He feels that none of the top scopes are strong enough for his use. However, he does speak highly of Nightforce. I agree with that viewpoint. Reliability of what the scope is designed to do is my most important issue. If any part of the scope fails me in any way then it must be replaced and it will probably be replaced with a different brand. I always suggest spending the most money you can on a riflescope that is built for the job that you intend. If you buy less than the one you <u>really</u> want than you will always regret the purchase in the long run. Save your money for whatever time it takes and then buy once from a company that gives a top warrenty and gives good service. I would not buy from a company that is so small that it might not be in business for the next ten years. </p><p>Unless one can quantify what one means by the "best" and agrees upon the methods that would determine what is the "best" nothing serious can happen. Measurable evidence obtained by objective people in a controlled setting is the first step. The second step is for other objective people to verify the same results. This is the only system that counts for me. Mankind placed a man on the moon through the use of scientific method. Opinion is respected but never trusted to yield any truth. The laws of optics, ballistics, and mathematics are well understood. However, these hard won tools are seldom used in general discussion. The person who start this thread mentioned that he bought a S&B rifle scope. It is a wonderful scope and I am sure he will be happy.</p><p>Jerry Cunningham</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Jerry Cunningham, post: 372741, member: 21139"] This has been a great thread and anyone should gain from it. Thanks to the internet so many knowledgable people can share their experiences. If I understood the original question he asked for the best scope period and later I think he said he was interested in the best glass. I would think that optical resolution charts should determine what glass can "resolve" the smallest pattern. I have never heard of anyone running such a test on the top five or six brands that are truly in the running. Opinions are certainly worthy of respect but nothing replaces science. Subjective opinions of what one likes best are simply personal preferences. Very little more. I do agree with the gentleman who noted that specific scopes from the same maker are often different. I was a manufacturer of rifle barrels for most of my adult life. No matter how hard one tried some barrels simply shot better than others. Exactly why is still a mystery. Even with very tight manufacturing tolerances and very tight raw materials specs the end product still varied from one to another. Therefore buying a "name" is not the same as having the best scope. Another gentleman pointed out that a certain optic just feels right. There is something that "clicks" between the product and the user. I know as a machinist that I have certain instruments that I would not trade for an identical model made by the same maker even if extra cash was added. I connect with that specific tool. Since the top brands have different features one is not truly comparing apples to apples. The features become the selling point not specifically the brand name. I think the specific application is paramount as to scope selection. I have a good friend who makes rifles for African use on dangerous game. He feels that how well a scope holds together and still does its job is the heart of the issue. The glass in and of itself means little if the whole unit fails under recoil and/or demanding field use. He feels that none of the top scopes are strong enough for his use. However, he does speak highly of Nightforce. I agree with that viewpoint. Reliability of what the scope is designed to do is my most important issue. If any part of the scope fails me in any way then it must be replaced and it will probably be replaced with a different brand. I always suggest spending the most money you can on a riflescope that is built for the job that you intend. If you buy less than the one you [U]really[/U] want than you will always regret the purchase in the long run. Save your money for whatever time it takes and then buy once from a company that gives a top warrenty and gives good service. I would not buy from a company that is so small that it might not be in business for the next ten years. Unless one can quantify what one means by the "best" and agrees upon the methods that would determine what is the "best" nothing serious can happen. Measurable evidence obtained by objective people in a controlled setting is the first step. The second step is for other objective people to verify the same results. This is the only system that counts for me. Mankind placed a man on the moon through the use of scientific method. Opinion is respected but never trusted to yield any truth. The laws of optics, ballistics, and mathematics are well understood. However, these hard won tools are seldom used in general discussion. The person who start this thread mentioned that he bought a S&B rifle scope. It is a wonderful scope and I am sure he will be happy. Jerry Cunningham [/QUOTE]
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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Long Range Scopes and Other Optics
What is the best scope on the market PERIOD?
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