Scopes

[Dirtymike]

When do you have too much scope? I mean I can you have too much scope? I have fairly inexpensive scopes and they are working fine for me. My 3200 elite holds its zero everytime it has been bumped. It shows me what is out there and the bullet always seems to hit is mark. It is on a 270 wsm browning x bolt. Am i not doing the rifle justice? Now I dont shot 1000 yard shots or even have a clear pathway to shot that far where I hunt. And I dont have the skill to make 1000 yard shots. So really what are you gaining in a 1000 dollar scope over a $300 scope. I just cant justify it, yet, maybe i just need to know more about scopes. My eyes may not even be good enough to see the difference. While looking thru a friends $1000 bino and my cheap nikon i could not see the difference. Or i did not know what i was looking for. You tell me.

[dcw]

So how much for your scope? Just kidding
Wrong section but I agree with you. I am a cheaper scope guy. No use in getting a scope that is worth more than the gun.

[stryker93]

I have a zeiss conquest 3-9x40 on my 270. About a $400 scope. It is very clear and a nice piece of glass. My BIL has a $2000 schmidt&bender on his Sako. In bright daylight there is very little difference. In low to almost no light there is a huge difference in clarity and brightness. It isn't worth the difference to me but if you have the means, why not get the best.

[CoachStanton]

This is a good thread. I am interested in everyone's opinion as well. My uncle always asks me this question when we talk about this very issue, "What is an extra 20 to 30 minutes in both the morning and the evening worth to you?"

[Dale Moser]

Is there a difference in a 400$ scope and a 1400$ scope, absolutely there is! Is there a grand worth of difference.......NOT EVEN CLOSE!

[txdukklr]

This is a good thread. I am interested in everyone's opinion as well. My uncle always asks me this question when we talk about this very issue, "What is an extra 20 to 30 minutes in both the morning and the evening worth to you?"

I agree and don't agree that you won't see a difference. I've sat in the blind with my son on multiple occassions and could see clearly and farther with my better glass in less then optimal conditions.

take any two-three sets of glass on a clear day and yes you'll wonder what your paying for.

Look through my Steiner's or zeiss's in the pitch black or dark fog and you'll see clearly when other class you'll see nothing. if you don't mind not seeing during those periods then not worth it.

[Northeaster]

Agreed - my Zeiss Conquest is as good a scope as I will likely ever need here in East Texas.
Except to say if you are a mountain or plains hunter great optics can make a huge difference when glassing all day for a 1000yd glimpse at an animal and judging if it is worth the stalk. Of course this is probably more spotting scope than rifle scope.

[QuackAddict]

You have too much scope when you look through it and see nothing more than individual hairs on a deer, and have to zoom out on the scope too see if you're aiming at the deer's *** or the vitals.

[dcw]

But there is only so much legal shooting light anyways for deer.

[JEG8233]

It really just boils down to what has already been said, those extra 20-40 minutes of shooting time. Some folks may need that extra time depending on where they are hunting. I know I have a setup up I use primarly in the rut that is back off in the thick stuff were that extra time could make the differrence in tagging that monster or not even seeing him. JMHO

[McClain]

Sort of a complicated question and subject. It just depends on what you need and expect out of your scope and firearm, along with personal preference and budget. Just as there are many rifle and caliber choices, and many automobiles for that matter, that basically work depending on your situation -- many factors go into deciding what's right for you. Chuckhawks.com, and several other sites have some good reading that point out pros and cons of various factors. Familiarizing yourself with these arguments and counter-arguments will hopefully help you focus on your particular needs/desires.

Not a clear cut answer to you question, I know -- but not sure there is an easy answer.

[Bonesplitter]

Not much difference for normal hunting situations. Doping for different ranges is where they come into play. And the clarity at extended ranges.

[BOHTR]

I never thought there was a difference.......I thought my Simmons scopes were as good as any.......until I looked through a buddy's Nikon Monarch. I decided that I needed some good glass. I ended up buying a Zeiss Conquest.....definiteley not top end, but its great glass. It definiteley adds shooting time and its crystal clear, edge to edge, even in very low light. When it comes to glass, you get what you pay for.

[Flint knapper]

There comes a point, when a scope becomes to big for the job. Too much magnification, or sets too high off of the gun.

[Mike D]

I used to be in that same crowd. I thought my Simmons Aetec glass was as good as higher glass. I finally broke down and bought a higher end Leupold scope on one of my rifles.

My Leupold is a Mark 4 4.5-14 x 50 and my Aetec is a 4.5-14 x 44.

I sat at the bench for 4 hours with the Leupold doing load development, then switched to the Aetec. There was a HUGE difference in brightness, clarity, eye strain, etc. Had I never owned a higher end piece of glass I would have never known.

There is definitely a difference and only each person can make the determination if it is worth it to them.

The best way to think about it is, you can spend up to a certain amount of $$ and get a LOT better glass. But at some point you will spend a lot of extra money and only see a small gain. From what I have seen that is in the $800-$1k range. Anything above that IMO you are spending a lot and gaining a little. Of course I haven't had the opportunity to spend any time behind some really high end glass like Swarovski and above.