OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc. Homepage SWFA     SampleList.com
Forum Home Forum Home > Scopes > Rifle Scopes
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Difference for $500-1500?
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials.

Difference for $500-1500?

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
Al D View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: September/06/2011
Location: Placerville
Status: Offline
Points: 16
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Al D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Difference for $500-1500?
    Posted: September/22/2011 at 22:48
I'm looking for my first nice 2 scopes.
They are going to go on a SP 22-250 and 308.
I'm deciding between a Nikon Monarch 5-20 for about $550
or Vortex Viper 6-25 for $750
or Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20 for about $1000
Or a Leupold Mk 4 6.5-20 for $13-1500
Is there a big difference between the quality of the glass?
I'll be doing mainly target shooting. 2-300 yards a hopefullyu further.
$5-600 is my preferred price range for each one, but I'll step up if there is a noticable difference.
I hear buy once cry once, but also keep hearing about diminishing returns after your already up to $500.
Any comments are welcome.
Thanks,
Al

 

Post edited to remove competitor links.


Edited by Roy Finn - September/22/2011 at 23:14
Al in Placerville CA
Back to Top
bugsNbows View Drop Down
Optics God
Optics God
Avatar
bowsNbugs

Joined: March/10/2008
Location: North Georgia
Status: Offline
Points: 11200
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bugsNbows Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/23/2011 at 07:33
Only you can decide where to draw the line on price. I'd suggest you add the Sightron III line to your list. 
If we're not suppose to eat animals...how come they're made of meat?
               Anomymous
Back to Top
SVT_Tactical View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Chief Sackscratch

Joined: December/17/2009
Location: NorthCackalacky
Status: Offline
Points: 31233
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/23/2011 at 08:06
The Viper has good reviews but you'll be waiting on it a while, the PSTs are in demand right now. The Conquest is noticably better in quality than the monarch to my eyes. and worth the price difference to get a scope from a company that will back their products 100% with a good history of it too.  The Conquest will also oust the Leupold as better scopes are availible for the price range of them.  If you get to that price also look at IORs or the new SS 5-20,  the SS 5-20 is priced well below its worth and competes with scopes costing much more.
Back to Top
JGRaider View Drop Down
Optics Master
Optics Master


Joined: February/06/2008
Status: Offline
Points: 1540
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/23/2011 at 08:40
do you really need 20-25x for shooting @ 300 yards?  
Back to Top
SVT_Tactical View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Chief Sackscratch

Joined: December/17/2009
Location: NorthCackalacky
Status: Offline
Points: 31233
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/23/2011 at 08:52
Originally posted by JGRaider JGRaider wrote:

do you really need 20-25x for shooting @ 300 yards?  
If you don't like carrying a spotter with you, it helps.
Back to Top
supertool73 View Drop Down
Optics God
Optics God
Avatar
Superstool

Joined: January/03/2008
Status: Offline
Points: 11814
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/23/2011 at 09:12
This one will have glass as good as any you have listed.  It has gotten very good reviews for the accuracy of the adjustments as well.  And it is right in the middle of your price range.

http://swfa.com/Sightron-6-24x50-SIII-30mm-Riflescope-P48418.aspx

If you are wanting a scope that is capable of lots of knob turning, I would spend more than $500.  Especially with a scope with a lot of magnification, you want good glass when you get that much magnification.  But if you just plan on setting the knobs and leaving them there, there are a ton of hunting scopes in the $500 range that will be all you could ask for. 
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."
Back to Top
bird_hunter66 View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice


Joined: September/29/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 88
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bird_hunter66 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/23/2011 at 09:32
Check out the sample list.  They have some nice Leupold VX-R and VX III there as well as some Zeiss Conquest for sale at really good prices.  I have the VX-R 3 3-9-50mm myself and I really like the fire dot feature.  Also if you don't mind spending a little more the Swarovski Z3 on the sample list are a really good buy for the money.  I have one of those as will and its my best scope by far at dusk and dawn.  Although the Leupold and Zeiss aren't far behind.  Buy any of these and you'll never need to replace them or regret it.
D. Holmes
Back to Top
tahqua View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Have You Driven A Ford Lately?

Joined: March/27/2006
Location: Michigan, USA
Status: Offline
Points: 9042
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tahqua Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/23/2011 at 10:40

I would not dismiss the Leupold. The 6.5-20 is one of a few of their scopes they seem to have just right. Though not the Mk 4, I've used 6.5-20x40 on a .300 Wby Mark V and it is a solid scope.

We have a member here from Denmark who uses, and has the choice of many, top European brands. He uses a Mk 4 on a nice set up and likes his a lot.

http://swfa.com/Leupold-Mark-4-LRT-Riflescopes-C124.aspx?s=Name%20ASC&p=1



Edited by tahqua - September/23/2011 at 10:41
Doug
Back to Top
stickbow46 View Drop Down
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Avatar

Joined: January/07/2009
Location: Benton, Pa
Status: Offline
Points: 4678
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote stickbow46 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/23/2011 at 22:04
Another good buy is the Z5 Minox series.Glass is as good as the Zeiss & you get a +5 magnification[only 3 on the Zeiss]
Pearls of Wisdom are Heard not Spoken
Back to Top
Al D View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: September/06/2011
Location: Placerville
Status: Offline
Points: 16
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Al D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/24/2011 at 19:54
Thanks for all the options and opinions.
Who would have guessed that buying 2 scopes would require so much research ( for a noobie)
 
"do you really need 20-25x for shooting @ 300 yards? "
I'm hoping to get out a lot further in time. I tried one on a freinds rifle and really liked it.
 
"Check out the sample list."
Am I missing something? they only seem to be about 10% cheaper. Not that it doesn't help, but for 10% aren't you better off new?
 
"I would not dismiss the Leupold. The 6.5-20 is one of a few of their scopes they seem to have just right"
I found this on sale at a local store for $699 new. I was going to buy it until the salesman said Leupold downgraded thier warranty from "no questions asked" to "Factory defect only"
It would be nice to know I'm covered if there is something questionsable that's wrong.
 
"Z5 Minox series.Glass is as good as the Zeiss"
I'll look into that one. For the price, if it's as good as the Zeiss glass, that could be an option.
 
Since I'm new to rifle shooting, I'm not real clear yet on what the dials will do for me.
that's one of the reasons, I may get a few thousand rounds fired before I step up to real money.
4 new rifles to break in as soon as they get out of California 10 day jail.
Al in Placerville CA
Back to Top
R H Clark View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice


Joined: July/26/2011
Location: NW Alabama
Status: Offline
Points: 200
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote R H Clark Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/24/2011 at 20:12
Check with Leupold on the warranty.I recently bought a Leupold off the sample list.The SWFA guy told me there was no change in the Leupold warranty.Being the type person to check things twice,I called Leupold.The guy at Leupold told me he was new but would find out about the warranty.He put me on hold and came back a few minutes later telling me that there would be no change from the regular Leupold warranty.
 
I've never even heard of a "factory defect Leupold scope".I believe the models sold on the sample list are cosmetic blemish and display models.There might be a small scratch or such on the tube.Sometimes just the box isn't perfect.I don't think there would ever be an actual defect in the scope or scratch on the glass.The condition B model I received looked perfect.
Back to Top
Urimaginaryfrnd View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Resident Redneck

Joined: June/20/2005
Location: Iowa
Status: Offline
Points: 14964
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/25/2011 at 08:50
Originally posted by Al D Al D wrote:

Thanks for all the options and opinions.
Who would have guessed that buying 2 scopes would require so much research ( for a noobie)
 
"do you really need 20-25x for shooting @ 300 yards? "
I'm hoping to get out a lot further in time. I tried one on a freinds rifle and really liked it.
If you want to get out past 600 yds you need to be careful what scope you select in the 20x top end group as most of them only have 40 to 50 moa of internall adjustment which is often not enough to get to longer distances.
 
"Check out the sample list."
Am I missing something? they only seem to be about 10% cheaper. Not that it doesn't help, but for 10% aren't you better off new?  Sometimes there are some good deals I picked up a Zeiss 4.5-14x44 Rapid Z800 that was a demo scope that Zeiss took to a trade show or something and it still had full warranty but was about $300 less than regular retail, so sometimes there are good values but they sell quick.
 
"I would not dismiss the Leupold. The 6.5-20 is one of a few of their scopes they seem to have just right"
I found this on sale at a local store for $699 new. I was going to buy it until the salesman said Leupold downgraded thier warranty from "no questions asked" to "Factory defect only"
It would be nice to know I'm covered if there is something questionsable that's wrong.
? sounds like BS to me call leupold and ask them their warranty has a long history of being good and unfortunately many of their scopes have needed warranty repair. I still run a couple of their scopes but there are better values. On the up side they tend to have enough internal adjustment.
 
"Z5 Minox series.Glass is as good as the Zeiss"
I'll look into that one. For the price, if it's as good as the Zeiss glass, that could be an option.
worth a look, also consider the Sightron S3 scopes
 
Since I'm new to rifle shooting, I'm not real clear yet on what the dials will do for me.
that's one of the reasons, I may get a few thousand rounds fired before I step up to real money.
4 new rifles to break in as soon as they get out of California 10 day jail.
Buy a 6x42 Super Sniper scope and learn what the dials are for. You dial in correction for the drop of trajectory.  http://www.kentonindustries.com/pics/ttctypes/  You can have knobs engraved to match distance based on what caliber and bullet you select. Then want 400 yds turn the knob to the mark for 400 yds.
SWFA SS 6x42 Tactical Riflescope SWFA SS 6x42 Tactical Riflescope
Stock # - SS6X42
  • Matte
  • Mil-Dot
  • 30mm
  • Rear Focus
  • OK for .50 cal
  • 1/4 MOA
$299.95
Add SWFA SS 6x42 Tactical Riflescope to Cart

Tasco
Super Sniper
SPEED DIAL


"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger
Back to Top
Urimaginaryfrnd View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Resident Redneck

Joined: June/20/2005
Location: Iowa
Status: Offline
Points: 14964
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September/25/2011 at 09:17
With tactical knobs there will be numbers on the knob what you have to figure out is what the numbers represent as far as using them to compensate for the drop of the bullet. 
you input your info into a balistic callculator and it tells you how many clicks to dial in with the knobs then you go to the range and try it and see if the estimate was right or if you need to make notes on what was actually needed then make a chart of how much to dial in for what bullet weight and tape it to the stock.  Mil Mil systems like the 3-9 Super Sniper make lots of sense but no matter if your clicks are Mil based or 1/4moa based  its just numbers and all you need is the correct number so you can turn the dial to the same place every time you want to.  This is one really sweet scope If I was scoping rifles I would have this on at least one of them.
SWFA SS 3-9x42 Tactical 30mm Riflescope SWFA SS 3-9x42 Tactical 30mm Riflescope
Stock # - SS39X42MQ
  • Matte
  • Patented First Focal Plane Mil-Quad Reticle
  • 30mm
  • OK for .50 cal
  • 0.1 MRAD
$599.95

"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
Bobby Paul Doherty
Texas Ranger
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.229 seconds.