lancetkenyon
Well-Known Member
But...your wife (and kids) kills some amazing animals!
$$$$ Scopes
- Thread starter snjhunter
- Start date
cjl2010
Well-Known Member
Very true! Always appreciate your help and insight, even when it costs thousands haha!
Euler
Well-Known Member
I buy those scopes because they've been better, mechanically and optically, than $1k - $2k scopes I've owned and used.
The reality is that if you actually shoot, the price of a $4k scope is nothing compared to ammo, barrels, time, gas, etc.
Match the scope to the gun and the purpose. I haven't gotten in the TT, March, ZCO money scopes yet, but there are benefits at each tier.
Whether the benefits outweigh the cost is up to you.
For me, I'm ok with being at the Razor G III level for now.
As far as how much to spend on a scope vs the gun... I have a Razor Gen 3 on a CZ 457, and I only spent $400 on the CZ
Whether the benefits outweigh the cost is up to you.
For me, I'm ok with being at the Razor G III level for now.
As far as how much to spend on a scope vs the gun... I have a Razor Gen 3 on a CZ 457, and I only spent $400 on the CZ
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bas402
Well-Known Member
I've got lots of clients that are older but very successful. Their eyesight may not be what it was at 22 but they still maintain their physical fitness extremely well. Some of these guys spend upwards of $100,000 on hunts multiple times per year. So $4-$5 k on top tier glass is totally normal. They consider it an investment in success. I personally test the glass of many scopes in extreme lighting (or lack there of) conditions and scopes like the Z8i from Swaro will give you precious minutes and extra clarity that can make or break a hunt. Everything hinges on your priorities. I wouldn't spend $20,000 for a Lamborghini but won't blink an eye at triple that for a solid 4x4 pickup.
azarcher10x
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It's all relative to what your needs are for the optics. I'd pick a quality brand, middle of the road price range with the features you require for your situation. I'm a little biased towards Zeiss products, as a Staff shooter, but the same applies to other brands as well. First I want the best glass I can afford for clarity. I personally prefer a FFP over a SFP. Then it's magnification range and adjustability. I went with the Zeiss LRP S3 for those reasons. It also has a 34 mm tube, so I have 160 moa vertical adjustment. Since I shoot it on a 300 RUM, I might try and really stretch it out on a target way out there at some time! For hunting though, I limit it to 900 yards. It worked fine last week for an elk in CO at 114 yards.
My advice to any new gun hunter looking for a rifle/ scope combo and the have $2000 to spend. Put twelve to thirteen hundred into the scope and buy a rifle with what's left. You can get a rifle that shoots great for six to eight hundred.
RichCoyle
Well-Known Member
lance,
Lord willing my next scope will be about $3,800 because it has very good glass and the magnification I want.
Some may accuse me of Napoleon complex because I am a small man with a big gun. No matter. I will be a happy hunter.
Lord willing my next scope will be about $3,800 because it has very good glass and the magnification I want.
Some may accuse me of Napoleon complex because I am a small man with a big gun. No matter. I will be a happy hunter.
I have owned Burris for a long time & there warranty is outstanding
Hondo64d
Well-Known Member
I don't own any of the so-called "Alpha" glass. I'm certainly not opposed to it but haven't been able to justify the cost. That said, I have looked and shot through a bunch of it, and while very nice, the curve is really steep. You can have 95% (or maybe more) of the Alpha glass performance for about 50% of the price. I'm certainly not impoverished, and were I wealthy, I'd probably use the very top end glass. As it is, I tend to operate in that area where I think I get the most for the least.
I get very frustrated with very few of the manufacturers making a good FFP all scenario hunting reticle. That includes the Alpha glass manufacturers. Most seem to rely on illuminated reticles to make up the shortcomings in design.
There are some optics that perform way above where they should for their price. The one I have been using most recently is the 2-12 Athlon Helos BTR Gen 2. It is not ZCO nice for sure, but for the $, it is very, very good. Same for the now discontinued Bushnell LRHSi and Bushnell LRTSi.
Some of the folks that hang out over on Rokslide are developing a scope that I am very anxious to try out. It is being designed from the ground up as a perfect all scenario FFP hunting scope.
John
lancetkenyon
Well-Known Member
I am no giant...lance,
Lord willing my next scope will be about $3,800 because it has very good glass and the magnification I want.
Some may accuse me of Napoleon complex because I am a small man with a big gun. No matter. I will be a happy hunter.
adk hunter
Well-Known Member
My God! you squealed like a pig??
Wedgy
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A buddy has had the same 3-9x Bushnell on his 300 WSM for over 25 years and it has never failed, but he doesn't dial nor does he shoot past 400 yards. He just holds over and it has been very successful for him.
If you shoot long and dial a lot your chances of having a scope fail are hugely increased. If you are target shooting and plinking it's not a big deal but it is a hunting scenario where you have a lot invested then you see why people spare no expense. If you have chased your tail only to find it is your scope that went bad, that's enough for me to no longer buy "cheap" scopes. My buddies 12 year old kid missed his first opportunity at a big game animal, a cow, at a little over 700 yards , which is a chip shot for him. When they got home they confirmed zero and it was 8" high. It was one of those "what the heck dad ?" moments, as his dad chooses his gear. That was the second Athlon($600)they had go down. They all sport NX8's now and he took a mule deer at 1,113 yards earlier this year. Yes, a 12 year old and he has already learned not to use "cheap" gear.
If you shoot long and dial a lot your chances of having a scope fail are hugely increased. If you are target shooting and plinking it's not a big deal but it is a hunting scenario where you have a lot invested then you see why people spare no expense. If you have chased your tail only to find it is your scope that went bad, that's enough for me to no longer buy "cheap" scopes. My buddies 12 year old kid missed his first opportunity at a big game animal, a cow, at a little over 700 yards , which is a chip shot for him. When they got home they confirmed zero and it was 8" high. It was one of those "what the heck dad ?" moments, as his dad chooses his gear. That was the second Athlon($600)they had go down. They all sport NX8's now and he took a mule deer at 1,113 yards earlier this year. Yes, a 12 year old and he has already learned not to use "cheap" gear.
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