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Does how much you spend on a rifle influence how much you spend on the optic, and do you find the ration changes as the cost of the rifle goes up?

$1200 on the rifle, what's the minimum you'll spend on optics?

$3000 for the rifle, will you budget more for a nicer scope?

$6000 for the rifle, have you already peaked on scope performance with your choice for the $3000 rifle or will you seek something even more "premium"?

I'm throwing out these numbers as examples, this could also apply to whatever floats your boat like say a trio comprised of a $300 (Ruger American), $700 (Tikka), $1400 (Custom 700)


Last edited by InternetGuru; 01/17/22.
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It depends on the rifle, and its use. I have ACOG's that are worth as much (if not more) than the AR's they are on, but also have some cheaper red dots on budget builds. On hunting rifles, its generally around 50-75% of the rifle, but once again, it really depends. On target rifles, prices are fairly close.

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If I had a $3000 budget, I’d put a $2000 scope on a $1000 rifle.

Last edited by BillyE; 01/17/22.
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The cost of the rifle doesn’t factor in how much I’ll pay for a scope.

I buy scopes that have the feature set needed for the application.

I have $2500 scopes on $900 rifles, $1000 scopes on $3000 rifles, and a $500 scope on $1800 rifle.

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I mostly have 500.00 junkie Leupolds

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Originally Posted by RHutch
The cost of the rifle doesn’t factor in how much I’ll pay for a scope.

I buy scopes that have the feature set needed for the application.

I have $2500 scopes on $900 rifles, $1000 scopes on $3000 rifles, and a $500 scope on $1800 rifle.


The correct answer!

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I buy scopes that are proven to be good...doesn't have to be expensive. Honestly doubt I could see a difference between a $400 and $2500 scope. And also doubt it's 6 times as good or as reliable.

Burris ff2 or mid range vortex or Leupold for me. Never spent more than about $250.

How good does it have to be to shoot deer at 200 yards?

Last edited by mjbgalt; 01/17/22.
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Quote
How good does it have to be to shoot deer at 200 yards?


I used to think this way, too....at least, until I started using nice glass.

That being said, for probably 90% of hunters out there, a $250 scope is more than they would ever need in the field.

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Originally Posted by RHutch
The cost of the rifle doesn’t factor in how much I’ll pay for a scope.

I buy scopes that have the feature set needed for the application.

I have $2500 scopes on $900 rifles, $1000 scopes on $3000 rifles, and a $500 scope on $1800 rifle.

This, but on average I would say that the ratio ends up being about 1:1.

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Originally Posted by RHutch
The cost of the rifle doesn’t factor in how much I’ll pay for a scope.

I buy scopes that have the feature set needed for the application.

I have $2500 scopes on $900 rifles, $1000 scopes on $3000 rifles, and a $500 scope on $1800 rifle.


Same.


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I try and stick to a certian glass qaulity that seems to be ideal for my eye's. I don't worry to much about what they are sitting on. having said that my budget is usually in the 600-700 dollar range for scopes and maybe one and a half to two times that for the rifle. I prefer Trijicon's, Swaro's (1in). and some Leupy's or Vortex tossed in for good measure.

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I just paid 1900.00 for a new bolt action, I’ll spend 500-700 on the scope .

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Me, I don't usually buy a scope to match a rifle, per se. And I move scopes around a lot. So I may have a $500 scope on a $2500 rifle one day, and a $3k scope on a $1000 rifle the next.

It's just a hobby.

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i shoot a custom Ruger # 1 with a Nightforce scope with custom Picantinny mnts for the last 10 - 15 years , glad i don`t have to pay for it now. probably have about $1500.00 rifle / $1500.00 scope &mnts. and this combo is worth every penny. >> in todays prices probably would have cost me $1000.00 - $2000.00 more for this combo , glad i built 2 of these #1`s and gave my son the same other rifle.

Last edited by pete53; 01/17/22.

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All over the map with pretty good success along the way.


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Originally Posted by EdM
All over the map with pretty good success along the way.


Yep 👍


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I just don't buy cheap scopes anymore, no matter what it's going on. If a scope doesn't have an adjustable objective to get rid of parallax, then I don't buy it. That automatically rules out a lot of scopes for me. It's also the reason I have stopped buying new rifles. Every time I did, I would have to spend another 5-700 dollars on top of it.


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Originally Posted by InternetGuru
Does how much you spend on a rifle influence how much you spend on the optic, and do you find the ration changes as the cost of the rifle goes up?

$1200 on the rifle, what's the minimum you'll spend on optics?

$3000 for the rifle, will you budget more for a nicer scope?

$6000 for the rifle, have you already peaked on scope performance with your choice for the $3000 rifle or will you seek something even more "premium"?

I'm throwing out these numbers as examples, this could also apply to whatever floats your boat like say a trio comprised of a $300 (Ruger American), $700 (Tikka), $1400 (Custom 700)



I’m a firm believer that one should spend at least as much on the scope as the rifle. Among the very high end rifles, this is not possible, of course. In any event, the scope should be fit for purpose.

Examples.
On my Ruger 1v .223 Win I use a S&B 4-16x50 with mil dot reticle.
On my Anschutz .17 HMR I use a S&B 2.5-10x56 number nine reticle.
On my Vudoo .22lr I use a Kahles 5-25x56 MOA scope for targets etc.
on my Blaser R93 257 Wby magnum I I use S&B 3-12x50 with number nine reticle.

I have other rifles, but you get the idea.

Last edited by mrmarklin; 01/17/22.
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My LRHS/LRTS scopes cost $649 and $749 when cameraland and GAP blew them out. They are on rifles that cost from $300 to $3000......

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My ratio is in the 2.0 - 2.5 minimum range. Most I ever spent on a scope is ~ $350

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