When is it not considered an entry level Optic?

Back when I started Leupold were the top of the heap and I think the only folks who had great optics as good were the S&B and premier that were fitted to the early AI rifles.

mildot1960 said:

Back when I started Leupold were the top of the heap and I think the only folks who had great optics as good were the S&B and premier that were fitted to the early AI rifles.

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I think Leupold sat on the laurels for some time with the civilians side of the market and are still playing catch up honestly. Huge improvements with the Mark 5 lineup assuming most of the track well but illumination is still a $300 premium and their reticle selection is lacking less you want to pay the upcharge for Horus or the $100 premium for their CCH reticle.

S&B had this happen to them until recently as well, they were no longer really a huge competitor in the competition market because they jacked their prices so high.

Needless to say lots of competition is a great thing and there are lots of premium optic companies these days.

My good "relationships" with scopes has been the following:
1. Burris 3- 12 x 50 Black Diamond (1998) ->30 mm tube
2. Bushnell Elite ERS 3.5 - 21 x 50 W/H59 retile (love this scope)-> 34 mm tube
3. SWFA 3 - 15 x 42 (FFP. mil/mil, side focus)-> 30 mm tube

All these scopes have been rugged, good tracking and very reliable and all have "decent" glass without breaking the bank.

Capt'n C. - Your scope seems the same as mine but they normally sell for $700. I got mine on sale for $600. How did you ever get one for $400.?? Is it FFP (First Focal Plane)? If not FFP that will explain the price difference.

Eric B.

No Eric...mine is second focal plane...I've never even looked through a FFP scope. I know I like the SFP scopes, so I'm comfortable with that...just a bonus they are cheaper.

Litehiker said:

My good "relationships" with scopes has been the following:
1. Burris 3- 12 x 50 Black Diamond (1998) ->30 mm tube
2. Bushnell Elite ERS 3.5 - 21 x 50 W/H59 retile (love this scope)-> 34 mm tube
3. SWFA 3 - 15 x 42 (FFP. mil/mil, side focus)-> 30 mm tube

All these scopes have been rugged, good tracking and very reliable and all have "decent" glass without breaking the bank.

Capt'n C. - Your scope seems the same as mine but they normally sell for $700. I got mine on sale for $600. How did you ever get one for $400.?? Is it FFP (First Focal Plane)? If not FFP that will explain the price difference.

Eric B.

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@Litehiker im actually going to sell one. SWFA 3-15x42 MIL/MIL FFP for $500. I got into 34 mm tubes and I can't go back to 30mm. Lol

I hear ya Captn, I have a Bushnell ERS (3.5 - 21 x 50) 34 mm tube and like its adjustability range. It's on my 6.5 CM Ruger Precision Rifle for competition.

But for a 6.5 CM Ruger Amer. Predator hunting rifle all I needed was a 30 mm tube B/C, like the Bushnell H59 reticle, I've learned to mostly use the mil hash marks instead of dialing the turrets.
Howsomever that inexpensive rifle, with match ammo, Boyd's laminated stock and Timney trigger will shoot 1/2 MOA groups! Ain't CNC machining amazin'?

Eric B.

Sorry folks. Hit the wrong key before I was ready.

For me, I have upgraded my scopes to where I think I have over spent on some and they didn't make me a better shot nor did I bring any more meat home. I am actually looking for something different that costs about 1/2 as much and people seem to love them. Entry level? What you can afford very comfortably without you or the family sacrificing.

bob4 said:

For me, I have upgraded my scopes to where I think I have over spent on some and they didn't make me a better shot nor did I bring any more meat home. I am actually looking for something different that costs about 1/2 as much and people seem to love them. Entry level? What you can afford very comfortably without you or the family sacrificing.

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If I wasn't so much into low light performance I would still be using Tasco World Class. Cheap and repeatable turret. Truly amazing.

bob4 said:

For me, I have upgraded my scopes to where I think I have over spent on some and they didn't make me a better shot nor did I bring any more meat home. I am actually looking for something different that costs about 1/2 as much and people seem to love them. Entry level? What you can afford very comfortably without you or the family sacrificing.

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If I wasn't so much into low light performance I would still be using Tasco World Class. Cheap and repeatable turret. Truly amazing.

Good info for me a longtime lurker. I have always seemed to like Leupolds,although now I have been considering others for a new to me .338 win mag

I still like the Leupold Mk 4's and the new Bushnell Tactical Scopes,

I figured if the Leupold Mk 4 is good enough for the Army then it's good enough for me. But either brand are hardly budget models.

I had a Tasco World class. I was hiking up a mountain one morning in the dark and tripped over a rock. Gun went flying over my shoulder and landed on the scope. When the sun came up I could see that the main tube was bent and I could not even work the bolt.
Took the scope off and sent it in to get replaced using their lifetime no fault warranty.
They straightened it out and sent it back. And it was not completely straight either.
Last time I ever bought a scope in that price range.
I would not even consider any scopes under $500 any more except for the SWFA everybody keeps mentioning. I will have to check them out.

WyoHunter1 said:

I would not even consider any scopes under $500 any more except for the SWFA everybody keeps mentioning. I will have to check them out.

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If you get one and don' like it...I'd be happy to take it off your hands! LOL

Their quality is way over their price!

I have not owned any of the top end scopes but I did get my hands on a couple and the "feel" of the SWFA was just as solid as those scopes were.

I own three SWFA scopes!