At what price do scopes become expensive in the U.S.

I am from Canada and read alot about the price you guys quote on scopes. The prices you quote sometimes almost make me cry. An example someone quoted 800 dollars for a Leupold vx6 up here they start at 1200 or more. So what do you guys call average price decent scope and at what price do high end scopes start.

Depends of what you want it to do...for Long range--personally I think $1800 and above is getting steep.

For a duplex scope $1000

22 scope on rim fires $700

Just my opinion....

If all your shots take place less then 300 yards and just for hunting you can find alot of decent scopes for 500-800 dollar range. I shoot the Athlon Cronus a 1600 dollar scope. I can't stand looking through my Vortex PST anymore compared to the Cronus. People always put scopes on the bottom of their list. But every hunter out west and here in AZ will tell you get the best glass for glassing because its a game changer. Well if your shooting long range great scopes are a game changer.

If speaking strictly of LR optics.... Solid but "affordable" scopes fall into the $900-$1500 range. Top self IMO starts >$1800. I agree with Zeke, if you don't spend as much or more on your optics as you did your rifle, you're doing it wrong. (again IMO).


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Where would a Night Force 4x16 SHV start for price this will help me guage price and quality. Lets call the SHV a lower upper end scope. Then we could use a Schmidt and Bender don't know their models that well but mid model as upper upper end. Up here that S&B will run you 4000 plus. The Vortex Viper hst can be upper mid range. Here that scope will 1400 maybe less but in that ball park.

The 4-14x SHV runs about $975 with the 5-20x coming in at $1170. The cheapest 5-25x Schmidt & Bender PMII I know of pulls in a whopping $3200usd. I purchased an HST a few years ago.... Right around $450...I think?



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You can find good quality scopes starting at/around $ 500.00 and quality and features can drive that up to over $1,000.00.

There comes a point that price exceeds the advantages a scope has for the money (Point of diminishing returns) and you may not be able to tell any difference in a $1,000.00 dollar scope and a $3,000.00 dollar scope.

Everyone's eyes are different and just because a scope is expensive
doesn't make it the best for everyone. My advice to someone looking for a scope is to look through as many as you can, and look for the clearest, brightest scope for your eyes. Try to look at a sign with small printing on it at 2 or 300 yards and read small print on the sign and you will be able to tell the difference in them.

To me brightness and clarity are one of the most important features in a hunting scope. Don't over power it unless you plan to shoot 1500+yards on a regular basis. you don't need over 14 to 16 power in most situations and these can becomes to much at times.

So look for a scope with good turrets for positive adjustments, power that handles your needs, best reticle for your needs, and most important the brightness and clarity that is best for you. the price is secondary unless you have unlimited funds. And don't buy a scope based on price. Your optimum scope will show its self and maybe you will be lucky and not have to spend $3,000.00 + for the best scope for you. The best scopes for my eyes are in the $ 1,000.00 to $1,500.00 range with an occasional $700.00 + depending on its intended use. (Not that I would not hesitate to buy a $4,000.00 dollar scope if it was the best for me and the intended use on some of my custom rifles).

Just my opinion

J E CUSTOM

Thanks JE good points for people looking for scopes to buy. My reason for this thread was just to see what the $ difference is between scopes in the U.S. and Canada. What I am learning is that maybe at regular price we are not so far apart but that you guys seem to get way better sale prices that we do. You also seem to have alot more options on where to shop. We do not get near the selection of optics in our Bass Bro Shops as you guys do. Then when it comes to large sporting goods stores who carry fire arms we only have 3 that are multi stored.

Wild Bill G said:

Thanks JE good points for people looking for scopes to buy. My reason for this thread was just to see what the $ difference is between scopes in the U.S. and Canada. What I am learning is that maybe at regular price we are not so far apart but that you guys seem to get way better sale prices that we do. You also seem to have alot more options on where to shop. We do not get near the selection of optics in our Bass Bro Shops as you guys do. Then when it comes to large sporting goods stores who carry fire arms we only have 3 that are multi stored.

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I've given up on box stores, they have limited options, poor price points. Find some independent dealers at gun shows. Often they have the best selection in the brands they carry

Wild Bill G said:

Thanks JE good points for people looking for scopes to buy. My reason for this thread was just to see what the $ difference is between scopes in the U.S. and Canada. What I am learning is that maybe at regular price we are not so far apart but that you guys seem to get way better sale prices that we do. You also seem to have alot more options on where to shop. We do not get near the selection of optics in our Bass Bro Shops as you guys do. Then when it comes to large sporting goods stores who carry fire arms we only have 3 that are multi stored.

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Firearms and optics vary from State to State in the USA. I purchase almost everything online. Kalifornia is about as bad as it gets imo. We do have Bass Pro and they pretty much suck. My local small firearms dealer charges a fortune and he always argued with me when I tried to order through him. I gave up, I order online now and life is good.

Note: the communists here in Kalifornia are making out of state ammo purchases illegal after the first of this year. Winning LOL

Is that partially due to the lead ammo ban.

U.S. optics...like the company are around the $2,000. Some more, some more less.

Wild Bill G said:

Is that partially due to the lead ammo ban.

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https://www.pewpewtactical.com/gunmaggedon-guide-californias-new-gun-laws/

AB1235 addresses some of the ammo craziness. As an example, we will only be able to travel out of state and bring back only two boxes of ammo for hunting. We will not be able to purchase ammo out of state and bring back to California. Absolutely no more online purchases and shipments to home.

I think it's purely based on the individual and the application. I use what I consider high end scopes for serious PRS competition that cost $2500-$3000. On the other hand my go-to LRH scope that I have had great success out to my max range of 1200 yards cost less then half that amount.