lets talk optics

[Guest Mugster]

So today, I saddled up and went down to outdoor world at opry mills. I hate going down there, but its one of the few places I can compare glass. I walked a lap around the mall to look at the freaks, and then settled in at the gun counter and started looking. 2 hours later and I was back on the original sales rep after going through all 5 of em. He was looking peeved. I felt bad, so I picked up a couple boxes of .308 and a latte to go. I had an optic headache.

They had a couple rifle stocks you could affix too, so I got both of them going and tried to compare head to head across brands in like powers, from zeiss to BSA. I looked at both a white target on a black background and a dark target on a white background, and one jumble of color. I also glassed as many good looking chicks as i could.

Here's what I learned:

1. The nikon pro hunter line of scopes is hard to beat across the board. The prostaff stuff is pretty darn good too. Clear bright optic, good reticles, friendly eye relief. No, I don't sell em.

2. Leupold scopes are all over the map in terms of optic quality, reticle crispness, and even eye relief. Some of the more expensive ones were very nice. They have so many models, I believe its designed to confuse the consumer. Try before you buy. The lower line leupold's can't compete with nikon or bushnell. Its really surprising to try 3 different models of 3-9 and the experience seems like the scopes were made by different companies.

3. Zeiss makes a consistent/quality product. Nuff said.

4. BSA actually pushes Zeiss on optical quality at the lower powers. I was surprised. The BSA reticle is not always clear at the higher powers though. And they might dim down a little. On eye relief, there's no comparison, the big Z comes through. I have my doubts on BSA's durability, but that's an unfounded speculation. BSA scopes continue to tempt me with a good looking product that performs at a rock bottom price....but i'm not ready to try one yet.

5. Nikon monarchs are alot of scope.

6. The bushnell 3200 line has real good optical quality but the eye relief might be a problem over anything 6x'ish. Ditto their lower lines of scopes, unless you stick with a lower power. They didn't carry the 4200 line and i was disappointed to not try that line.

7. The house scope brand kinda sucks. Red something or other.

[TGO David]

I have a Nikon Monarch on 3-9x40 on my Remington 7400. Love it. Wouldn't trade you it for a dozen BSA scopes. Prior to having the Monarch, I had a BSA 3-9x40 and it lasted about one season before getting to where it wouldn't hold zero for more than two or three shots.

I took the BSA off of my rifle and threw it into the trash. My Nikon has held perfect zero for over 8 years now. No kidding.

[Guest mw.]

Pentax has some good looking scopes if you can find them. I picked up some at Academy in Rivergate on sale.

[Rightwinger]

+1 on the Pentax. My big .340 mag wears one and its bright/clear, clean reticle at all powers and most of all, has handled the recoil without problem. Great scope for less money than you would drop on Leupy or Nikon.

[Guest Mugster]

I believe you on the monarch.

I've been looking hard at this:

http://www.swfa.com/pc-8760-2201-nikon-25-10x42-monarch-riflescope.aspx

And thinking about selling some blood for this:

http://www.swfa.com/pc-6856-219-nikon-25-10x50-monarch-gold-30mm-riflescope.aspx

Sigh, and will probably settle for this:

http://www.swfa.com/pc-6837-220-nikon-3-9x40-buckmaster-riflescope.aspx

[Guest Mugster]

Pentax has some good looking scopes if you can find them. I picked up some at Academy in Rivergate on sale.

I'll have to check that out. I've never looked through a pentax.