Scope

[rcooked]

Hello. I am starting the process of looking for a scope for my T/C Triumph and I was wondering what insight others on this forum could provide. Figured the experts out there could save me some research time.

Thanks in advance.

[.358 MAN]

Hello. I am starting the process of looking for a scope for my T/C Triumph and I was wondering what insight others on this forum could provide. Figured the experts out there could save me some research time.

Thanks in advance.Leupold makes a nice muzzelloader scope. I think they are around $200.00.

[Rich M]

We need more information....

How far you wanna shoot?

I'm getting a 2x Tru Glo red dot for my CVA Wolf - figure on shooting inside of 150 yards - the 2.5 inch dot is nice. $90 - Cabelas I've been shooting red dot scopes for years - had one on a lever 30-30 and loved it to 100 yards - kept every shot inside the dot (5-inch) at 100 yards. My mom got us started on them by getting a red dot for her pistol (she likes to make cans dance).

***An edit - the Truglo red dots got such poor performance & quality reviews that I decided against it and am looking towards a Bushnell scope instead.***

Otherwise, what's your budget? The Bushnell 4200 is a good deal for the 3-9x40 at $250 on SWFA.com, has real nice reviews all the way around. The Nikon Buckmaster is $199 there and likewise has good reviews (same manufacturer - just no rain coating).

Otherwise - go Leupold. Solid name, solid reputation, great customer service - no problems. The competitive shooters really like 'em. Thay are having a special on the above-mentioned website - free shipping and a choice of items when buying Leupold. I liked the idea of free rings & mounts.

I just spent 3 months agonizing over scopes for a rifle and could not talk myself out of a Leupold VX-II - at $300 it isn't chump change. I didn't like the "limited warrantee" of the Bushnell and Zeiss. The Burris is heavy. So Leupold it is. I'm also supporting a little bit of our economy. Things would likely be better if we all were able to buy Amercian made products every now & again. Blame the politicians for letting the companies go to China & Japan.

The Bushnell 3200 is supposed to be nice - there is a "Browning" version out that is a little cheaper I think. It's the same scope minus the rain coating.

I've read a lot of good things about the Bushnell line (old Bausch & Laumb). Everything Bushnell & Nikon is made in Japan now. Same glass & tubes, just some different coatings.

As for the Tasco, Simmons, BSA, Barka, Federal, and other "non-premium" names (cheap scopes) - you get waht you pay for and couldn't pay me to put them on a gun I needed to rely on.

[Lodiman]

Buy american if possible.

[tddeangelo]

IMHO, the "limited" warranty on Zeiss isn't that limited. Yeah, they won't replace turret caps if you smash one. Leupold probably will.

I have owned, currently own, or have used products from Zeiss, Leupold, Weaver, Nikon, Bushnell, Tasco, Simmons, and whomever makes Cabela's Pine Ridge optics. I have looked through Kahles, Swarovski, Meopta, Leica, and more. For $400, my eyes can't be persuaded that there's a better scope than a Zeiss Conquest 3-9, but that's just me.

Personally, I don't like large objectives or high magnification. I am going to be getting a Triumph somewhere in the next year or so, and I will likely either put a Leuy Vari-X II on it from one of my deer rifles and put that rifle's original Weaver K4 back on it, or I will shop for optics. I have no issues whatsoever with Leupold, but the competition isn't far off the mark, if at all, anymore. Nikon makes some great stuff, and the Conquest line is a can't-go-wrong option.

Of the 20-30 riflescopes I've had experience with, wanna guess which brand was the ONLY one I've EVER seen need a warranty claim to be made? Leupold. And they took care of it promptly and professionally. I have had my Conquest for around a year now and not a hitch. I've had a couple of Nikon ProStaff's (bottom-end Nikon's) for about the same time, and likewise no problems. When I take scopes out at or near pitch dark, guess which one lets me see the best, no question? The Zeiss. In the bright daylight, which one is most sharp and clear? The Zeiss.

For $100 or so, I'd look at the Nikon ProStaff line. They're not bad, imho, and cost is decent.

For $200-ish, look at the Nikon Buckmasters, some of the Bushnell models, or some of the mid- to lower-end Leupolds (Rifleman, VX-I, you might get a VX-II at this price range).

For $300+, my personal opinion is that the Conquest is the best quality for the most reasonable price.

[Rich M]

I'm not debating Leupold vs any others. There are a good number os quality optics out there for reasonable money - the competition must be fierce.

I remembered somethinr about someone finding a Leupold that had been run over by a logging truck and sending it in for service & receiving a new one. It was so long ago, I may have the details mixed but that's what I call a warrantee. LOL!

Zeiss gets a lot of thumbs up from the guys who use them. The Bushnell 4200 is very close to a Burris Signature Select - a little less "controlled light" (not quite as crisp) but they look nice. Burris Sig Select is supposed to be close to the Zeiss.


We need to know your budget so we can start debating scopes, recticles, and the works! Keeps us out of trouble.

[tjen]

I put a Leupold VXI 2-7x33 on my Omaga because it works for all distances it could be shot at. And it is small in size compart to most other like power scopes.

[rem 700]

I like tjen's choice. The Leupold Rifleman is also a mid-price scope that I like. Nikon is a brand I like as well.

[rooster52]

On all my muzzleloaders that have scopes,I have went to Bushnell Trophy 3-9x40.I like the wide angle and the big eye bell ,it gives you a great sight picture.They may not be as bright and clear as some ,but they are good enough for hunting and gathers plenty of light to keep you hunting thru legal shooting hours.I have had arround 20 of these scopes and have never had a bad one.You can buy them from$60 to $100 and consider them a good buy in the optics world.

[drakemaster]

I have 3 guns with the same Bushnell wide angle scope and agree, they are great and clear. Since then, I have put Nikon Omega around $250 on a black powder and like it really well. I've also used the Leopold VX1. The Burris Fullfield II is a nice scope, very clear, and has a 'forever' warranty. All of those are in the $200-$300 range. I also like the Nikon ProStaff scopes for around $150.

[Spin4Trout]

If you're looking for some serious bang for your buck, check out Bushnell's Banner Dusk & Dawn. I think I may have spent around 60 or 70 bucks on each of them. I have one on my slug gun and another on my muzzleloader. Never had any problems with reticles moving due to recoil, even with 130 grains of loose Triple 7 or 3" slugs. Both of mine are in 1.5-4.5x32. I hunt primarily in Ohio with the majority of shots under 100 yards and quite often in dense woods. That's why I went with the lower power models. The low power works great for target aquisition when deer are right on top of you.

[oldpilot]

I'd say that the best value under $150 is the Nikon Prostaff, a good value scope
Under $200, the Bushnell Elite 3200 1.5-4.5, 2-7, 3-9
Under $250 The Burris FFII 2-7, 3-9
Under $300 the Elite 4200 3-9
Under $400 Leupold European 30mm 1.25-4, 2-7, 3-9// This scope is, to my eye, better than a Zeiss Conquest
I own all these scopes along with several other types, and feel these are the best value in their respective price ranges
Good Luck

[GreatWhiteNorth517]

The Banners are a good value, so is the Trophy for less than $100.

[gunsmit 101]

I agree with the Nikon, one of the best scopes for the$.
Bushnell also a reliable scope for the $.

If you are reallllly on a budget I would suggest BSA or Barska, they are inexpensive well made scopes.

Stay away from simmons scopes they are the only scopes I have ever had that every one of them lost tension internally and started bouncing all over the place. Didn't matter if on a 22 or 450 Marlin.