Gents,
What are the better brands of lower-priced scopes ($400ish & less)?

I've got a thread running regarding a deer, elk (carried a lot), and gong scope (gongs out to 550 yds) for a Tikka T3X Lite 6.5 CM and I've received great feedback.

One thing I've noted is my info on scope manufacturers is dated. I've been a Leupold scope man to date, but my Compact 2-7 and VXII 2-7 are 35 and 25 years old respectively.

There seems to be no consensus on the popular brands. Each seem to have many detractors. This is what I'm hearing:

Leupold: I like the size, weight, and warranty of the VX-2/3i scopes in the 3-9/4-12 power range, but hear quality/durability has fallen off and wandering POI is a problem.

Burris: I hear quality is not there now that they are made in the Philippines.

Vortex: I'm intrigued by their Diamondback 4-12x40 scope, but hear they are now made in China and quality has gone to crap.

Nikon: I hear issues with clarity and eye relief.

Sightron: I generally here good things these, but also hear I should choose other scopes for better durability. I like the S-TAC 2-10x32 and Big Sky 3-12x42 SII.

SWFA: I've not heard anything bad about the quality of these scopes, but the only scope they sell that falls within my price range is the fixed 6x42. It is bigger and heavier than I want for a fairly light weight hunting rig and I'd like more power when I'm shooting gongs.

So what say you? Is this all crap? What brands do you guys go with in that price range ($400ish)?

Thanks,
Expat

I know some guys are down on Leupold here on the fire but no one and I mean no one in a hunting scope, can beat the overall product that Leupold puts out. I have other scopes for other reasons but when a guy can buy a scope like the VX2 for around $200 or a VX3 for around $300 w/a lifetime warranty and the excellent optics it offers for the price point, it just baffles me that someone would choose anything else. So Bushnell has it's "rainguard", Burris it's durability and the rest are just wannabe's. Do what you want but you won't regret buying Leupold...but if you do, you won't have any trouble getting your money out of it. You can Burris FFII scopes in the classifieds for $100-$125. Ever see a Leupold...even a VX-1 offered for that price. Think about it. powdr

I've been satisfied with Meopta meopro series. Great bang for the euro, works in low light, holds zero and is made in Czech. I dont have any experience with other brands listed above. But with so little experience, these are my two cents (did I get the expression right?).

Roinaa, I agree but it was not one of the scopes he listed. powdr

I have a bunch of VX III’s. I like them, very clear, never had one fail.

Meopta meopro scopes are very good, 3-9x40 can be had for 350 dollars.
Best glass in the price range.

At the $259 black Friday price, you should have bought a 6x SWFA to try and if you didn't like it, you could get all of your money back in 6 months. I use them a lot on a variety of lightweight rigs with great success. Have gone to 600 yards on big game with them so far. Pretty easy to buy and try for little risk.

There are good quality hunting scopes from Leupold, Hawke, Athlon as well as Meopta. Please feel free to give a call to discuss what might be best for you

He wrote that his information is dated so I thought that maybe he doesnt even know that meopta exists. Second thing that caught my eye was concern of manufacturing country. So after my post I actually looked meopta US site and they state that their products are manufactured in states.

I agree with the MeOptas. The main advantage with MeOpta scopes over Bushnell, Burris etc is that they are great, all of them. Just a great quality glass, period.

Bushnell and the others on your list (also Vortex) each make a few good scopes and a lot of junk scopes, therefore, it is harder to figure for out what is good and what is junk and you never know what you are getting.

So MeOpta's and the scopes made for Cabela's by MeOpta are always a good option if you don't have the budget to buy comparable German scope.

Roinaa, wasn't trying to be a smart azz or contestable. I agree the Meoptas and the older Zeiss Conquests were both bright and great scopes. I have a Conquest 1.8-5.5X38 that I consider the best of medium variable scopes. It will never be for sale. The Meoptas reticle is disliked by some and loved by its owners. So in my humble opinion the Leupold VX2,3, Meoptas and older Conquest are the best out there for a pure hunting scope for #350 or less. This opinion is backed up by the many "Fire" members that hunt w/one of these three scopes. powdr

Powdr no worries, did not take your comment as such. Just wanted to explain why I shared my experience with Meopta.

Thanks, Gents.

Right now the list includes:
Leupold VX-2 4-12x40 LR Duplex
Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10 B&C
Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40 DHDBC
Meopta Meopro 3-9x40
Sightron S-TAC 2-10x32 HHR2
Sightron Big Sky 3-12x42 SII

The Leupold VX-3i might be a little more than I can afford. We will see. I will call Doug and get his take.

Expat

They used to be made in the US, are now manufactured in Czechslovakia.

For the hunting i do. Less than 200 yds. No cranking. I love meoptas.

3-9x40/3-9x42. And the 3-10x44. Several scopes on rifles.
2nd choice. Older conquests.

oldelkhunter,

Meoptas never were "made" in the U.S. Some were assembled here, from parts made in the Czech Republic, to avoid the import duty on optics made outside the U.S.

Czechoslovakia ceased to exist inthe eARLY 1990'S, becoming the separate nations of the Czech and Slovak Republics in 1993.

Still a Leupold guy till one chits the bed.

I think under $400 Nikon Monarch is the best bang for the buck. I'd compare it to VX3
I never had clarity issues with nikons.
IF it was me, here is what I'd get for shooting gongs at your price point
https://www.natchezss.com/nikon-monarch-5-rifle-scope-3-15x42mm-ed-sf-nikoplex-w-xr-turret.html
I had the Diamond back and wasn't really impressed with it. Think Pro staffs are little better, but Vortex warranty is faster.
Thats the only down side with nikon if you ask me.
Bass pro is having vx2 3-9 on sale for 199.99

Leupold! I've yet to have one fail, and the best optic for the money, in your price range, IMO. No foes at all on the VX-2 if you can't afford the VX-3. I've got both and can't tell any difference in the glass with my 57 year old eyes.
Not to mention the fact that NOBODY beats Leupolds warranty / service.

Out of your list above, I only have experience with the Leupolds. But I have to chime in because of that experience. The 3.5-10 is a fantastic scope. I’ve had more than a few of them and they were worth every penny. (Before the ‘i’ designation)

The 4-12s that I bought (2 ea) were very uncomfortable to use with regards to eye relief. Very unforgiving. That’s actually the only negative experience I’ve ever had with dozens of their scopes. My father also owns two more copies, and it’s the same on his rifles. Awkward. May have something to do with my short arms or lack of neck. IDK. FWIW

I'm of the opinion that a Leupold VX-1, 2, or 3 is never a bad idea. There may be better scopes, In fact I know there are, but there are some others that aren't very good. If in doubt, go Leupold. I really think the old Zeiss Conquest in a 3-9X40 is a better scope than the VX-3. That would include the same scope with other badges on such as the discontinued Cabelas Euro Instinct scopes. I know those were made by Meopta, and I have no personal experience with other Meopta optics. But based on that model I'd be willing to try others.

A lot of guys don't like the Zeiss Terra that replaced the Conquest. To be honest I don't think it is as good as the Conquest, but since that scope is no longer available I'd be willing to try one if I needed another scope. They look pretty good in the store and the price is attractive. At $300 I think it is a better scope than a VX-2 at the same price.

I'm also very pleased with the Burris FF-II. I'd rate it every bit as good as a VX-2 and better than a VX-1. For someone looking to spend less than $300 it is my top pick.

NIkon, Bushnell Sightron, Weaver, Pentax, Vortex, and some others make good enough glass and I'd use their binoculars, I don't like any of those scopes. I don't see any real difference between any of the brands glass quality in the same price range. But glass isn't the only thing to consider. Things like eye relief, adjustment knobs, reticle style, focusing ring, length, weight, and reputation for durability are just as important as glass quality.

Understood , just like they assembled Zeiss conquests

I agree...No better deal right Now than the Monarch 5 with ed glass for around 300 bucks.....I picked up a couple this fall to put on my Deer Rifles...They performed Flawlessly....And allowed me to see Deer until after well after legal shooting light.....I just ordered 3 more for future needs...

Yup, me too, although, just bought a NightForce for a 7 Mashburn build, gonna spin it a little.

I find it amazing that there are opinions about scopes at the 'fire. (Of course, we have yet to have the final word handed down from on high.)

I try and don,t label all models of a certain maker as great scopes. Certain models stand out as better than there peers.

I own and use scopes made by Burris, Bushnell, Leupold, Nikon, Redfield, Sightron, and SWFA. Honestly, they all work pretty well for how I use the rifle on which they are mounted. With the exception of my benchrest rifle that is topped with an Sightron SIII, most of my scopes are fairly inexpensive because they are used for hunting (mostly mountain hunting which can be rough on scopes and old guys like myself).

My favorite brands/models are Leupold VX II and SWFA SS 6X and 10X and Nikon Monarch. They have proven to be durable and work well for their intended purpose regardless of price.

Weaver was my go to, I try to stay with US made these days last couple purchased were Redfield Revolution scopes, fantastic scopes for the money.