Other than Leupold, what do you use?

workinwifdakids · July 8, 2007, 11:14 PM

There may very well be no finer scope than Leupold, and for your money you get an industry-leading warranty and perhaps the highest-quality optics money can buy.

However, the cost is steep. I know, I know - you get what you pay for. However, are there other high-quality, reliable rifle scopes that don’t sting the wallet quite as badly?

What other companies' scopes do you trust, use, and enjoy?

BobR · July 8, 2007, 11:23 PM

I use Leupold, Nikon, and steel tube Weavers on my varmint/predator guns. I also have a few "budget" brand scopes on rimfire guns.

bob

FirstFreedom · July 8, 2007, 11:30 PM

Burris Fullfield 2, Burris Signature Select, Bushnell Elite 4200, Bushnell Elite 3200, Sightron S2, Nikon Monarch UCC. I believe all of these to be better *values* than any Leupold, IMO, to name a few. So far I've had real good luck with these, espec. the Elite 4200 and Signature Select. Don't get me wrong - Leupolds are up there, too, in overall value, even considering the steep price, because they are very good, and the warranty is excellent. Use Leupolds on big boomers, for the warranty, and others for .30-06 down in recoil impulse, roughly. For rimfires and non-hunting centerfires, where utter reliability is not at such a high premium, I use Millett Gold, Barska SWAT line, Swift Premier, Bushnell Trophy, Bushnell Banner, Nikon Prostaff, and Mueller.

hoytinak · July 9, 2007, 12:06 AM

All I really use is Nikon's and Bushnell's. I've had great sucess with both. I do have cheap tasco on my 10/22 that has been through hell and still holds it zero perfect without any problems.

Yithian · July 9, 2007, 01:41 AM

If I could afford a Leupold, you would see me running to the local Weapon Dispensory and getting a Meopta.

I looked thru one once and hate the fact that I did everytime I think of it.
LOL
I can't afford to own one.
Leupolds are sunglasses IMO compared to the Meostar.

Damn! Why did I have to read this thread?!?
Curses!

50 shooter · July 9, 2007, 10:18 AM

I would say that Leupold is the upper standard, from there you have scopes like Ziess, Nightforce, S&B, U.S. Optics.

IOR is about the same as Leupold just a little cheaper, don't know how their customer service is.

fisherman66 · July 9, 2007, 10:22 AM

Sightron offers alot of value.

Uncle Salty · July 9, 2007, 12:05 PM

Cabela's Alaskan Guide Premium (made by Light Optical Works in Japan). They area fansatic value.

Doyle · July 9, 2007, 08:05 PM

I think Millett is the best "value" scope out there. You can get one of their silver buck series for less than $100.

Ruger4570 · July 9, 2007, 08:57 PM

I have had such good luck with Burris I guess I will stick with them. I had one a long time ago and the reticle went from+ to x. They replaced it in days, even before I sent mine back for repair. They said to keep it and just send the old one back.

DIXIEDOG · July 11, 2007, 02:06 AM

I have used Leupold, Nikon, Burris, Bushnell, Tasco , and Sightron. The Sightrons have been by far the best scopes I have purchased. The price is good, the brightness and clarity of the SII or higher models is the best I have seen, and they never seem to float like some scopes where you need to keep making adjustments to your zero. Don't get me wrong Leupold makes a good product but in my opinion they don't have anything on Sightron for quality at a great price.

oldbillthundercheif · July 11, 2007, 02:17 AM

Unertl. Who needs Leupold?

Omaha-BeenGlockin · July 11, 2007, 12:20 PM

As I have been saying for 3 or 4 years now-----there is no better scope under $1000 than the Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40 for $399-----don't even waste your time with anything else.

nobius · July 18, 2007, 04:17 PM

But, I like BSA Scopes. There, I said it, I feel so much better now.

But seriously, I use on on both of my .22's and am considering buying one for my .308. The optics are good on them, I have never had one break. No reticle slippage. Consistent adjustments. I have used the one on my 10/22 out to 150 yards and it was a nice clean image.Nice performance from an inexpensive scope.

Napahunter · July 18, 2007, 05:53 PM

Use to be a Leupold guy. The problem their prices went up and their tech. stayed the same. I went to Burris and never looked back.

spctim11 · July 18, 2007, 07:25 PM

Bushnell Elite 4200

SA1911A1/45 · July 23, 2007, 05:43 AM

Leupold, Bushnell, and Weaver.

a1huntingsupply · July 23, 2007, 07:42 AM

Leupold & Nikon for precision shooting, Bushnell & Simmons for plinking

sparkysteve · July 27, 2007, 08:24 PM

I have a Leupold VX-II 3-9x40 on my .30-06, a Bushnell Trophy 4-12x40 on my .223, a Bushnell Trophy 2-7x32 on my muzzleloader, and a cheap Tasco 3-9x40 on my .22. They all work great.

Magdaddy · July 27, 2007, 08:44 PM

5 Burris
1-Weaver
1-Millet
4-Tasco
1-Leupold
1-Bushnell

I've had excellent customer service from Millet, and Burris. Both times because of abuse, sent scopes back explaining this and saying let me know how much to fix it. Both times replaced for free other than shipping.

July 8, 2007, 11:14 PM	#1
workinwifdakids Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 216	Other than Leupold, what do you use? There may very well be no finer scope than Leupold, and for your money you get an industry-leading warranty and perhaps the highest-quality optics money can buy. However, the cost is steep. I know, I know - you get what you pay for. However, are there other high-quality, reliable rifle scopes that don’t sting the wallet quite as badly? What other companies' scopes do you trust, use, and enjoy? __________________ "Lieutenant Onoda, reporting for duty, Sir!"

July 8, 2007, 11:23 PM	#2
BobR Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2000 Location: The Dry Side of WA Posts: 561	I use Leupold, Nikon, and steel tube Weavers on my varmint/predator guns. I also have a few "budget" brand scopes on rimfire guns. bob __________________ Sarcasm.....just one more service I offer.

July 9, 2007, 01:41 AM	#5
Yithian Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 719	If I could afford a Leupold, you would see me running to the local Weapon Dispensory and getting a Meopta. I looked thru one once and hate the fact that I did everytime I think of it. LOL I can't afford to own one. Leupolds are sunglasses IMO compared to the Meostar. Damn! Why did I have to read this thread?!? Curses! __________________ Pondering the differences, terminally, between the V-Max and the A-Max.

July 9, 2007, 10:18 AM	#6
50 shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2002 Location: SoCal PRK Posts: 986	I would say that Leupold is the upper standard, from there you have scopes like Ziess, Nightforce, S&B, U.S. Optics. IOR is about the same as Leupold just a little cheaper, don't know how their customer service is. __________________ I see the world thru bloodshot eyes Streets filled with blood from distant lies The dogs of war never compromise, No time for rearranging.

July 9, 2007, 10:22 AM	#7
fisherman66 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2005 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 4,679	Sightron offers alot of value. __________________ la plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu'il n'existe pas!

July 8, 2007, 11:30 PM	#3
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	Burris Fullfield 2, Burris Signature Select, Bushnell Elite 4200, Bushnell Elite 3200, Sightron S2, Nikon Monarch UCC. I believe all of these to be better values than any Leupold, IMO, to name a few. So far I've had real good luck with these, espec. the Elite 4200 and Signature Select. Don't get me wrong - Leupolds are up there, too, in overall value, even considering the steep price, because they are very good, and the warranty is excellent. Use Leupolds on big boomers, for the warranty, and others for .30-06 down in recoil impulse, roughly. For rimfires and non-hunting centerfires, where utter reliability is not at such a high premium, I use Millett Gold, Barska SWAT line, Swift Premier, Bushnell Trophy, Bushnell Banner, Nikon Prostaff, and Mueller.

July 9, 2007, 12:06 AM	#4
hoytinak Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 5,721	All I really use is Nikon's and Bushnell's. I've had great sucess with both. I do have cheap tasco on my 10/22 that has been through hell and still holds it zero perfect without any problems.

July 9, 2007, 12:05 PM	#8
Uncle Salty Junior Member Join Date: June 25, 2007 Posts: 9	Cabela's Alaskan Guide Premium (made by Light Optical Works in Japan). They area fansatic value.

July 9, 2007, 08:05 PM	#9
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	I think Millett is the best "value" scope out there. You can get one of their silver buck series for less than $100.

July 9, 2007, 08:57 PM	#10
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	I have had such good luck with Burris I guess I will stick with them. I had one a long time ago and the reticle went from+ to x. They replaced it in days, even before I sent mine back for repair. They said to keep it and just send the old one back.

July 11, 2007, 02:06 AM	#11
DIXIEDOG Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: Maine Posts: 265	I have used Leupold, Nikon, Burris, Bushnell, Tasco , and Sightron. The Sightrons have been by far the best scopes I have purchased. The price is good, the brightness and clarity of the SII or higher models is the best I have seen, and they never seem to float like some scopes where you need to keep making adjustments to your zero. Don't get me wrong Leupold makes a good product but in my opinion they don't have anything on Sightron for quality at a great price.

July 11, 2007, 02:17 AM	#12
oldbillthundercheif Junior member Join Date: April 21, 2006 Location: New Orleans Posts: 2,450	Unertl. Who needs Leupold?

July 11, 2007, 12:20 PM	#13
Omaha-BeenGlockin Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2001 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 1,183	As I have been saying for 3 or 4 years now-----there is no better scope under $1000 than the Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40 for $399-----don't even waste your time with anything else. __________________ I take the leech that's bleeding me Can't stop to save my soul I take the leash that's leading me -------Metallica

July 18, 2007, 04:17 PM	#14
nobius Member Join Date: July 8, 2007 Location: Upstate, SC, USA Posts: 73	I know I am going to take a good ribbing for this But, I like BSA Scopes. There, I said it, I feel so much better now. But seriously, I use on on both of my .22's and am considering buying one for my .308. The optics are good on them, I have never had one break. No reticle slippage. Consistent adjustments. I have used the one on my 10/22 out to 150 yards and it was a nice clean image.Nice performance from an inexpensive scope. __________________ http://www.conserv-eral.blogspot.com "I aim to misbehave" - Captain Malcolm Reynolds

July 18, 2007, 05:53 PM	#15
Napahunter Junior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Napa,CA Posts: 10	Use to be a Leupold guy. The problem their prices went up and their tech. stayed the same. I went to Burris and never looked back.

July 18, 2007, 07:25 PM	#16
spctim11 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2006 Location: SE Louisiana Posts: 210	Bushnell Elite 4200

July 23, 2007, 05:43 AM	#17
SA1911A1/45 Member Join Date: August 19, 2002 Location: California Posts: 67	Leupold, Bushnell, and Weaver. __________________ Keep your powder dry.

July 23, 2007, 07:42 AM	#18
a1huntingsupply Member Join Date: August 8, 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 62	Leupold & Nikon for precision shooting, Bushnell & Simmons for plinking __________________ A-1 Hunting and Shooting Supply - www.a1huntingsupply.com

July 27, 2007, 08:24 PM	#19
sparkysteve Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2005 Location: Byron Center, Michigan Posts: 418	I have a Leupold VX-II 3-9x40 on my .30-06, a Bushnell Trophy 4-12x40 on my .223, a Bushnell Trophy 2-7x32 on my muzzleloader, and a cheap Tasco 3-9x40 on my .22. They all work great. __________________ I have ADHD........Attention, Defficit, Hey there goes a squirrel! Dont tread on me.

July 27, 2007, 08:44 PM	#20
Magdaddy Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2007 Location: North Georgia Posts: 127	5 Burris 1-Weaver 1-Millet 4-Tasco 1-Leupold 1-Bushnell I've had excellent customer service from Millet, and Burris. Both times because of abuse, sent scopes back explaining this and saying let me know how much to fix it. Both times replaced for free other than shipping. __________________ Give an idiot power, and you just end up with a powerful idiot.