New budget scope question

Trapper00 · #1 01-02-2007, 11:42 AM

I'm looking at setting up a nephew with a new scope for his inherited 30-06 for deer. While I have experiance with Leupold VX series, I'm looking at putting a budget level scope on his rifle (at least until he shows that he's into hunting). I have looked online at NIKON, LEUPOLD, BURRIS and see they all have entry tiers for their scopes. I'm looking for a 3x9. Anyone have experiance with any of these companies entry level scopes?

Thx

Skyline · #2 01-02-2007, 11:53 AM

I have used all of them......well not every model, but I have used low end and high end models of all three. I have not had any grief with any of them, but prefer the Leupold and Nikon out of the three.

There are so many brands of scopes out there now that it is getting hard to keep track of them.

I recently played with a couple of models from Maine Vue Optics in Maine and they all worked well, have lots of good features and are very affordable. No they are not the same as a high end Zeiss or Leuopold but they worked well, adjustments were repeatable, optics clear and stood up to some serious pounding from my .375 H&H. www.mvoptics.com

rainydays · #3 01-02-2007, 02:02 PM

Trapper00, the above mentioned scopes are all pretty good. Another one I would look at is the Swift Premier 3x9. The Swift line is pretty good for the money. EABCO is a good place to look.--tr

Catfish · #4 01-02-2007, 06:51 PM

I`ve been sold on Leupold ever since 1969 when I got my first Leupold. I have had about all the other brands and have had trouble with all. I`ve owned 3 Burrius scopes. All were veriable handgun scopes, and was not happy with any of them. With 1 the point of impact would move 6 in when going from 3x to 9x. 1 would not adjust through the power range it was suposed to and the third is just not clear. I`ve never ownd a Nikon, but with the price of the lower end Leupolds I see no reason to buy 1. I buy alot of guns just because I think they are to cheap, and I`m sure that some day I`ll get one with a Nikon, but when buying a scope for one of my guns I only buy Leupold, the others are for tradeing matterial.

Montana Cowboy · #5 01-11-2007, 04:13 PM

Howdy Trapper00
The Pine Ridge scope sold by Cabela's is a good scope for under a $100. my brother and I have a 2-7 power Pine Ridge on our Remington 870 slug guns for the past 7 years and have had no problems with it at all. For a long time I would buy nothing but Leupold or recomend only Leupold. The technology has improved a lot in the last 10 years and some of the low end scopes do quite well. MC

BILLY D. · #6 01-11-2007, 06:20 PM

Midway has the nikon Monarchs on sale right now. I've used the Monarch 4x12x40 with a bullet drop compesator for awhile now and it's a great scope. Price $280.

Sides that kids love gadgets. Might be a bigger interest there if he thinks he's a sniper.

Best wishes, Bill

Jack · #7 01-12-2007, 02:01 AM

A friend of mine bought the entry level Burris about a year ago- the Fullfield, in a 3x9.
From what I've seen, it's excellent.
His has the ballistic compensator (or something like that) reticle, which seems to be quite accurate in our tests.

Skyline · #8 01-12-2007, 02:12 AM

So........are you confused yet?

BILLY D. · #9 01-12-2007, 03:08 AM

Yeah, I'll have one of those nikpoldbelawiftseissleica.

Even if you buy a elcheapo special and it goes south you can send it back and get a new one. Even the cheapies have good warranties.

Bill

Jack · #10 01-12-2007, 11:29 AM

It can be confusing.
But, look at it this way: any of the quality manufacturers put out good products. So, stick with one of the quality manufacturers, you get a good scope.
So, now you're going to ask "who are the quality manufacturers?"
My answer is (in no particular order): Nikon, Zeiss Conquest, Leupold, Burris, Pentax, and the upper lines of Weaver, Sightron and Bushnell.
I'm sure there are other brands I don't have enough experience with to rate, and other folks will have other preferences.

jon lynn · #11 01-12-2007, 11:55 AM

My scope decision, along with price, for a youngster with a 30-06 would be eye relief. For price I would consider the Elites, VX-I, Burris Fullfields, Sightron S1, Bushnell Trophy, Nikon. Except for the Sightron, I used them all with great results.

The only complaint I heard about Swift, when I was in Oklahoma a while back, was the eye relief. And eye relief is my only gripe about the 3200 Elites.

From one of the only gun writers I trust (John Barsness) he likes the new Simmons Master PRO-HUNTER in 3-9x