$500 rifle scope. Best bang for your buck?

[hibernation]

If your rifle is "knocked over", falls, etc and you don't re-check zero before firing at a game animal then you're (not you specifically) an inexperience clown, no matter what brand of scope you're using.

Maybe for a huge fall, but what about the little impacts that just happen in bad terrain on a lot of western hunts? You slip on a steep slope, you and your rifle fall with enough force to go "ow" and rub your shoulder. Are you really stopping a hunt, hiking out, and checking zero after that? If that happens while you're closing distance on an animal, are you really just walking away?

If my rifle falls off the back of a truck onto a gravel road, yeah, for sure I'm checking it. But I don't think it's crazy to value zero retention that you can count on for the regular bumps that can happen in mountain hunts.

 

[JGRaider]

Maybe for a huge fall, but what about the little impacts that just happen in bad terrain on a lot of western hunts? You slip on a steep slope, you and your rifle fall with enough force to go "ow" and rub your shoulder. Are you really stopping a hunt, hiking out, and checking zero after that? If that happens while you're closing distance on an animal, are you really just walking away?

If my rifle falls off the back of a truck onto a gravel road, yeah, for sure I'm checking it. But I don't think it's crazy to value zero retention that you can count on for the regular bumps that can happen in mountain hunts.

You can "what if" a situation to death, so that's where discretion comes into play I guess. After 54 years of big game hunting, countless hours in trucks, ATV's, and SxS's, I've never had a scope of any make mysteriously lose zero with the exception of a couple of Swaro A (1" tubes).

 

[minas stiris]

SWFA is the only thing remotely worth owning.

 

[Papster3418]

Euro optic has the Burris RT-25 for $400


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[alexnelon]

That isn't a $500 scope. At $500, people have to make compromises.

Totally true.

But for the guys that have a 243, a 6.5, a 300, and 2 AR15s, each with $500 scopes on them... That's not a compromise, that's a choice.

 

[rdramsey8]

Totally true.

But for the guys that have a 243, a 6.5, a 300, and 2 AR15s, each with $500 scopes on them... That's not a compromise, that's a choice.

I very much agree with this. I’d much rather have one really nice system that works and is reliable than spread my money out just collecting guns.

 

[Fartrell Cluggins]

Couldn’t disagree more. What happens when the rifle setup is accidentally knocked over by someone walking by and falls to the ground? Or aggressively smacked against a barrier during 3 gun match? Or falls from leaning up against a truck?

A scopes first job is to maintain zero, dial correctly and RTZ. I can’t understand why people will defend scopes that work for them most of the time but are questionable when anything like a drop/fall happens. It is people making compromises when that compromise isn’t necessary

The main point is if the scope you want to use hasn’t been proven in a drop/fall environment, that’s on you. But don’t steer newbies wrong and suggest they buy the same scope just because you (not Fartrell I’m talking to others) want to validate your scope choice


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I'll never understand where the "what-if" game ends.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I'll never understand where the "what-if" game ends.

The “what-if” game ends with a durable and reliable scope.

 

[Swamp Fox]

I do

You can get Hurons, 2.5-10 or 3-9’s in that range

I don't think the Hurons dial, though ... Correct? OP's looking for a dialing scope.

And aren't the Credos and Accupoints often mentioned in this thread well north of his budget? --Even used, I'd guess.

 

[Kyguy]

I do

I don't think the Hurons dial, though ... Correct? OP's looking for a dialing scope.

And aren't the Credos and Accupoints often mentioned in this thread well north of his budget? --Even used, I'd guess.

You can dial with any quality scope. Some are more convenient to do it with than others.

 

[Hnthrdr]

I do

I don't think the Hurons dial, though ... Correct? OP's looking for a dialing scope.

And aren't the Credos and Accupoints often mentioned in this thread well north of his budget? --Even used, I'd guess.

This is correct they are capped elevation and windage. So are several of the credos, the 2.5-15 and the 4-16 and one of the 2.5-10’s dial.

 

[KnightExtreme]

If this was in my budget as I am a fan of Burris maybe this 1;

Signature HD 3-15x44mm | Burris Optics

www.burrisoptics.com

KnightExtreme

 

[Swamp Fox]

You can dial with any quality scope. Some are more convenient to do it with than others.

This is correct they are capped elevation and windage. So are several of the credos, the 2.5-15 and the 4-16 and one of the 2.5-10’s dial.

Thanks. I haven't been a serious scope shopper for a good while. May be easing back into it, though ... LOL

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I do

I don't think the Hurons dial, though ... Correct? OP's looking for a dialing scope.

And aren't the Credos and Accupoints often mentioned in this thread well north of his budget? --Even used, I'd guess.

A new 3-9x40 AccuPoint was $650 from EuroOptic back in June. If you are a veteran or first responder, you can probably get one for about $600.

 

[rdramsey8]

I'll never understand where the "what-if" game ends.

It’s not a “what if” game if you hunt in the mountains, it’s when. If you’re actually running around big western mountains chasing animals, you will test your equipment. I’ve used both Leupold and vortex scopes before and they aren’t even guaranteed to hold zero during the drive to the mountains, let alone during real field use.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Nother vote for the swfa. Save for another month and buy the thing

 

[UnckleBob]

Totally true.

But for the guys that have a 243, a 6.5, a 300, and 2 AR15s, each with $500 scopes on them... That's not a compromise, that's a choice.

Your standard for "compromise" is not really useful.

There are many hunters who cannot afford anything more than a Ruger American with a simple 3-9 scope. If they could afford a custom rifle and a NF scope, it would be a choice. Otherwise, it is a compromise.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I swear, some of you folks get on here just looking to argue

 

[Jdunning4152]

Viper HD is really nice for the money. Scheels has them for $449 right now I believe.

 

[amassi]

Just wondering since I am truly unfamiliar with the SWFA (but they are highly regarded for their quality), IF you have a problem with one, does SWFA service and repair them scopes, or do they send them out to an outside repair station? I am interested in trying one and am curious about their warranty/service. They are highly recommended here and elsewhere and it's hard to find any negative reviews on them.

They replace them, after a 4 year wait.
They do service scopes and have sold refurb in the past


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