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Best deal for a good scope

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Rancid Coolaid View Drop Down
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    Posted: April/17/2007 at 21:23

My area has always been riflescopes; spotting scopes, not so much. I have little experience other than the trusty M49 which ain't the best peice of gear ever requisitined in my beloved Corps.

 

I need a good spotting scope.  Am looking for a good bargain on a really good scope.  I own a pair of Leica ultravids and a few Zeiss scopes (as well as now own or have owned Nightforce, Leupold, and USO.)  i know good glass costs, but I see no need to impress people with the brand on my scope.

 

I will be shooting out to 1,000 yards and would like to see holes out past 400.  I currently have a beater old Alpine I bought from an old Quantico instructor but it is not of the quality I would like.

 

What is the best bang/$ II can get?  I'd prefer at least 45X if not 60X.  Would ratehr buy the good stuff once and not buy again.

Thanx in advance.

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lucznik View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucznik Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/18/2007 at 11:27

Well, we know you want quality but, how much are you truly willing/able to spend.  There are a lot of good scopes out there in almost every price point so; it's hard to make any recommendation without knowing where you are at in this regard.

 

However, I truly don't know that any scope is going to reliably show you bullet holes (at least not in the black) at 400 yards.  On occasion, maybe.  But probably not regularly. Some of this will depend on what caliber you are shooting, how still the atmosphere is at any given moment, and the light conditions and direction at your shooting location.

 

 

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Rancid Coolaid View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/18/2007 at 15:17

I'll spend up to about $2,000 but would prefer less.  I figure the law of diminishing returns says at some point eh increases are incremental.  if i can get 90% the performance at 60% the price, I'll consider that a good deal.

 

As for bullet holes, my Nightforce 15X (assuming not too bad mirage) easily shows bullet holes at 300.  I'd like something with good enough glass to see holes even further.  I understand mirage, wind movement, ect play a big part, but I want something that sees all taht is see-able.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ND2000 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/18/2007 at 15:50

With your budget, I'd recommend the Swarovski ATS/STS 65mm with the 45X fixed eyepiece.  If you want to go to 85mm, I'd probably recommend the Zeiss Diascope.  Zeiss probably has slightly better resolution but is generally less contrasty.  Keep in mind the differences between the two are slight and generally noticable only in side-by-side testing.

 

Good luck, both are awesome.

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucznik Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/18/2007 at 15:57

Well of course there are always the "big 3:"  Zeiss, Swarovski, and/or Leica.  Despite what proponents of one or the other might want to say, they are all pretty comparable and you won't be choosing wrong whichever you select.  Of course, you will pay a premium for them but, if you just must have the "absolute best," this is where you will inevitably end up.

 

Kowa has a good following in long range competitions and their Prominar series is quite incredible.  It is easily the equal (both in quality as well as price) of the above three mentioned scopes.

 

The Nikon Fieldscope has long held a position as one of the very best of all scopes bar none, and costs less than any of the above.

 

If you want to maximize your ROI, you should examine the Pentax PF-80 and the Bushnell 80mm ED scopes as well as the ED Minox scope (it proportedly gives its best performance with its optional wide-angle zoom.)  These last three can be easily found for under $1000 and give up very little (if anything) to the more "prestigeous" Euro scopes.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ND2000 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/18/2007 at 16:29

Most people would tell you to stay away from Leica scopes...just don't have anything to offer relative to the other two "prestigeous" names that Lucznik refers to.  I would agree that the Nikon Fieldscope would be an excellent purchase as well.

 

Whatever you end up buying, make sure you invest in the best tripod you can afford. It really doesn't matter what scope you get if its not perfectly stable, particularly for your intended use.  With this in mind, the Nikon/Pentax might be a better option for you as you could easily approach $2,000 when the whole system (spotter, eyepiece(s), tripod) is considered.

 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/18/2007 at 22:23
Thanx for the info and help.  I'll let you know where it all goes.
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