Not just looked at, I'm sure there are guys here who have much more experience and a bigger budget than me but, these are what I have had and how I would rank them.
1. Leupold FX-3 6x42 LRD: Outstanding in every way, just a really great scope. Bright, clear, great contrast, and It just plain looks good on my .270.
2. Weaver Super Slam 2-10x50 EBX: If this had been a 2-10x42 I would have probably never bought the 6x36. Optically not quite the FX-3, but REALLY close. Pull up turrets, resettable zero, etched glass ballistic reticle and a x5 erector. Great glass and a LOT of features for the price.
3. Weaver Grand Slam 3-10x40 Dual X: Great glass, built like a tank, tool less adjustments. Just a really great optic.
4. Weaver Classic K4 and K2.5: Great scopes that to my eyes looks as good as the FX-II for half the price. Just wish the K2.5 wasn't discontinued now.
5. Leupold FX-II 6x36 LRD: Glass is very nice, love the long tube and the big eye box, makes mounting it easy(even on a long action Savage). If they would give the FX-II all the the upgrades that the VX-2 got, this scope would move up on this list.
6. Redfield Revolution 2-7 plex: Still wondering why I sold this scope, glass looked as clear as the FX-II only didn't seem as bight. Liked the tool less turets.
7. Weaver Classic V9: Light, tough, this was the first decent optic that I ever owned, and I still have it. Been on the same 30-06 for almost 20 years with absolutely ZERO issues. The glass on the current one I bought for my nephew for his birthday, was as good or better than the Revolution 3-9x40 I got my dad. Nothing fancy about this one, it just plain works.
8. Pentax Gameseeker II 3-9x40 PP: Just picked it up for a cheap spare. It's currently on my Savage 99, haven't shot it yet so I can't comment on the durability, but the glass looks really decent(especially for under $100), and the adjustments felt pretty solid when I bore sighted it.
9 Weaver K3-1 plex(El Paso): No complaints about this one, it just doesn't hang with the others optically.
10. Simmons Prohunter 3-9x40: They are a pretty decent scope for a beater .22, maybe it was just me but I thrashed 2 of them on my 30-06...Simmons DID stand behind them and replaced them though and the 3rd one sat on my beater .22 for years with no problems.
11. Arsat? 3-9x40: Ukrainian made scope I bought out of curiosity. Had a 26mm tube, never used it. Glass seemed to have a bit of a tint to it. A buddy of mine bought it from me for a .22...don't think he ever mounted it either.
And there you have it, all my vast optical experiance in one post. For what it's worth 1 & 2 are really a close call. Same with 4-7.
1. Nikon 6.5-20x44 UCC A.O. - Great optics, perfect adjustments, never selling this scope and it's better than the current model sold in a side by side comparison. I hope to find a used one come on the market coinciding with my mad-money budget having enough funds.
2. Leupold Vari-xIIc 3-9x40 - Good resolution, adjusts well, holds zero without question.
3. Leupold M8 4x EER - Never should have sold this scope - held up to monster recoil from a .454 Casull, could see 6.5mm bullet holes on target at 100 yds.
4. Leupold M8 2x EER - I'd own another if I had a handgun that needed it. Very reliable scopes.
5. Nikon 2.5-10x42 UCC - current model, optics are okay, not as good as comparably priced Leupolds, but adjustments are click and spot on, plus I can use the Nikon Spot-On technology.
6. Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x32 Handgun - This one has been back to Leupold - twice. I still own it, regret selling the M8 4x and buying this one, but I did it to top my .260 Rem barrel for my Encore. Optics are great, but adjustments are questionable. After the first SNAFU that cost me a nice Minnesota buck, I make sure to run 10-20 rounds of shots on steel to make sure the adjustment has "settled" in. I wish the clicks were more positive. Last time I had it out last week the adjustments worked fine, but I still don't trust them enough to twist turrets with this scope.
7 and beyond....various Weaver K series, a Simmons Aetec (took a crap on me), Bushnell 3000 (took a crap on me), Tasco World Class series when I was under the auspices of my father - never going back to less than a Leupold Vari-xII. Life is too short to hunt with crappy scopes.
1- Leupold FXII 6x36.Love these scopes.
2- Weaver K6. A whole lot of scope for the money.
3- Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x40. I could put this at 2, it is an excellent scope.
4- Leupold Vari-X III 2.5-8x36. Good older scope
5- Redfield Revolution 3-9x40. I've only been using this scope for a few months, but am very impressed.
6- Leupold VX-I 2-7x33. Great little scope, not as bright as some,but a very good scope.
7- Nikon Pro Staff 3-9X40. Limited experience, but these are very bright scopes for the money.
I am a die hard Leuppld 6x36 guy at this point. I can't find a scope that better suits my purposes.
Burris Euro Diamond Posi Lock 2-10x44 on my custom 340
Burris Signature Safari Posi Lock 1.75-5, Post/cross on my 416R
Leupold LRS 6.5-20x40 gloss on my heavy bench gun
Leupold 4.5-14x40 Gloss, have two of them
Burris 4-16x44 Signature Series Gloss Posi Lock, now on my LR deer rifle. Slightly heavy, but damn is it ever CLEAR.
Some may notice in my listing three Posi Locks, all on my most serious big game hunting rifles. I cannot tolerate a scope that cannot be relied upon to stay sighted in if knocked around or treated roughly.
I will sacrifice a little in optical quality to get 100% reliablitiy, but with the older Colorado, USA made Signature and higher grade Burris scopes, I enjoy both. Good optics, lots of eye relief and unrivaled reliability or toughness.
Hmmm...
Schmidt and Bender 1.5-6x42
Swarovski 1.5-6x42
Zeiss 1.5-6x42
Meopta 1.5-6x42
All about equal. This is as good as I have found. About a perfect configuration for Minnesota Deer hunting.
Zeiss 4.5-14x44, Zeiss 4.5-14x50 Zeiss 3-9x40
A small step down from the first tier.
Leupold VX II 1-4-20 Leupold VX 3 1.5-5x20 Nikon Monarch Gold 2.5-10x50 Burris etc.
All have small design faults(weaknesses)that keep them from otherwise being on the same level as the next step up.
The rest are a bunch of Bushnell, Simmons, Tasco, Redfield, Weaver etc. These are fine for specific jobs and when performance isn't critical and scope death is no big deal.
Swarovski Z-5 5.5-25X50
Swarovski Z-5 3.5-18X44
Everything the Nightforce has which I need but half the weight
Nightforce NXS 8-32X56
Nightforce NXS 5.5-22X56
Nightforce NXS 3.5-10X32
GREAT scopes but heavy, great for shooting prone off a bi-pod, F-Class Tactical stuff
Leupold Competition 45X, on a .22lr Benchrest gun
Leupold 4.5-14X40 LR, LOVE this scope
Leupold 6.5-20X40 EFR on a sweet Tony Kidd .22
Leupold 8.5-25X50 LR 30mm
3 other older Leupolds and an old Redfield 3-9
Lyman 10X All American (sweet)
A few cheapo scopes when I was a kid
#1 Schmidt and Bender Klassic-I think this to be the best hunting scope available. A little heavy but there are "NO" OTHER SCOPES THAT COMPARE. Mine has a #4.
#2 Zeiss Conquest 1.8-5.5x38. This is by far the clearest and brightest scope I own outside of the S&B. So versatile that it looks good on a .358W or a mountain rifle...pick your caliber. The 38mm objective gives up nothing to the 40-42mm ones.
#3 I see these two scopes as a virtual tie. The Leupold 6x36 and the VX3 3.5-10X40. I know some of you will think I'm crazy but that's what my eyes tell me. I have both...So take your pick, a fixed or variable power.
#4 Burris 6x40 Safari. This scope is a very durable and bright scope. It is an older version but coated and very clear. I have it on my Brazilian '94 250Ackley and it's a good fit but would look just as good on my 257Ackley or 358w. powdr
#1 NcSTAR 10-40X50AOE RED ILL. SCOPE
#2 Leapers UTG 3-9x32 Compact CQB Bug Buster Rifle Scope
1. Zeiss Victory Varipoint 2.5-10x42 #60 illuminated reticle.
2. Meopta Meostar R1 1.5-5 #4 reticle.
3. Zeiss Conquest 1.8-5.5.
4. Zeiss Conquest 2.5-8x32.
5. Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40.
6. Meopta Meostar R1 4-12x40.
7. Minox ZA5 3-15X42.
8. Leupold VX3 4.5-14
9. Leupold VX2 2-7
10 Leupold Vari-x II 3-9X40
11 Simmons 8 point 3-9x40.
1. Zeiss Diavari 2.5-10x42
followed a slew of Leupy's and a few Nikon's that are so close it ain't worth dividing up.
Best to worse
Kahles Cl 3.5-10x50
Kahles KX 3-9x42
Kahles AH 3.5-10x50
Swaro PH 1.5-6x42
Swaro AV 4-12x50
Zeiss Conquest 4.75-14x44
Meopta Meopro 3-9x42
Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40
Leupold vx-3 2.5-8x36
Leupold vx-3 3.5-10x40
Leupold vxIII 2.5-8x36
Leupold vari-xIII 2.5-8x36
Zeiss 3-9x40 pre Conquest
Nikon Monarchs 3-9x40
Burris signatures 3-9x40
Burris Fullfield 3,5-10x50
I have owned at least one of each scope listed above and multiple Leupold ,Nikon and Burris scope. I know there are other brands but I just cannot remember what they were.
Best to worst:
Leupold VX7 2.5-10x45
Schmidt Bender 6x42
Swarovski 2.5-10x42
Swarovski 3-10x42
Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40
Zeiss Diatal 6x42
Swarovski 3-9x36
Leupold 3.5-10x40
Leupold 6x42
Leupold 2.5-8x36
Leupold 3-9x40
Leupold 2-7x36
Burris 1.5-6
Weaver 2-7
Among variable scopes:
Schmidt&Bender Summit.
Everything else.
Among fixed powers,harder to do but Leupold 4X and 6X; 4X Conquest but not as much time on rifle to judge durability.
#1 Kahles 3-9x42 TDS
#2 Leupold VX-3 2.5-8X 36 B&C
#3&4 Leupold VX-III 3.5-10X40, and 1.5-5X20
#5 Burris FF II 4.5-14X 42
Optically, the Kahles just jumps out, stunning.
The VX3 is clearly better than the VX-IIIs, and the Burris is very close the the older VX-IIIs, but doesn't have the range of focus options.
For the money, the newer Leo. VX-3s are the most bang for your buck, considering the customer service Leupold is famous for.
1. 2 Trijicon 3-9s with amber dot and ballistic reticles - light in weight, dot works great, good glass, very solid construction.
2. Zeiss Conquest 3-9 with Rapid Z-600 reticle - very good glass, best light gathering scope I own - but reticle is difficult to make out in very low light conditions. Really needs an illuminated reticle to make this an awesome scope.
3. 2 Leupold 2.5-8 VX-IIIs, one with the B&C reticle - nice lightweight, good eyebox, not quite as crisp as the Trijicon or Zeiss.
I'd take any of the above and feel very good about my scope on any kind of hunting situation I anticipate ever getting into.
Others that don't see as much use:
1. Trijicon 1-4 30mm Amber dot, used very little,on my AR. Same can be said for this as the Trijicons above.
2. Weaver V3 1-3 - very underrated scope and a great value in my mind. Light, good not great glass, solid construction and has been very reliable on a number of different rifles and slug guns (wife has a family farm in Illinois we hunt some years).
Previously scopes owned that have moved on:
Nikon Monarchs - didn't like the eyebox or the shadow around the outer edge.
Burris FF II - rubber eyepiece ring came loose - glued it on a couple different times, but you have to move it to adjust power. OK glass, eyebox could be better.
Luepold Vari-X II in 2-7 - should have never sold this one - it was on a gun I sold, and I threw it in as part of the deal - bad move on my part this was the old one with the continual adjustments rather than the click adjust. Nice older scope would have worked great on a number of different guns.
Leupold Rifleman - came on a gun I bought - sold it almost as soon as I got it - very poor scope image IMO.
VX6
S&B Summit
VX3/Elite 4200/Conquest----too close to call, but would take the CDS VX3's first.
FX3
Swaro A
Everything else
meostar 3-12x56 RD.
meopro 3.5-10x44
swarovski z3 4-12x50
zeiss conquest 3-9x40
Simmons 2.5-10x50
nikon prostaff 3-9x50. a pos
I'm probably missing a few but...
Swaro Z6i 2-12x50 TDS
Swaro Z6 2-12x50 TDS
Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x56 HS ZS MV.5
Leica ER 3.5-14x42
Zeiss Duralyt 1.2-5x36
Zeiss HD5 3-15x42
Leupold VX6 1-6x24
Trijicon 1.25-4x24
Leupold 3.5-10x40
Leupold 2.5-8x36
Leupold 6x42
Burris Fulfield II 3-9x40 LR
Leupold 4.4-14x40 LR
Eric
I feel CRS setting in
. It would be easier for me to say Leupolds are the only scopes to take a chit on me. Thankfuly it was always at the range and not while I was hunting. Bushnell has piss poor CS, anymore questions?? Flame suit on FIRE THE [bleep] AWAY!!!!!
Not a ton of scopes, but those on this list I'd use in a heart beat.
Zeiss Conquest 1.8-5.5
VX3 3.5-10x40 CDS
VXIII 2.5-8x36
Burris Signature Select 1.5-6
FXII 6x36
Burris FFII 3-9x40
VXII 3-9x40
M8 4x
Bushnell 3200 3-9x40
Redfield Revolution 3-9x40
Nikon Prostaff 2-7
Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5
I'd hunt today with any of these on the list and that el cheapo Bushnell Banner is a dang good levergun scope. Much better glass than the price suggests.
Weaver classic V10 2-10x38
Old Weaver k4 with micro-trac
Bushnell XLT 30mm tube 1.5-6x44
k4 without micro-trac
Centerpoint 4-16x40
Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40
Leupold VX2 3-9x40
Leupold Vari X II 3-9x40
Redfield Widefield 3-9
Weaver steel tube 3-9x40?
Nikon Monarch 3-9x40
Once you reach a certain point the margin of gain is very marginal.
1-Swarovski z5 5-25 plex with bt
swaroski z3 4-12x50 plex bt
meopta 4-12x50 #4 reticle
Kahles 3-9x42 plex
zeiss hd5 5-25x50 plex
zeiss conquest 3-9x40
nikon monarch 4-16x50 bdc
To be fair for the $$$ I think the meopta and the conquest are the best dollar to performance. I have all these scopes mounted and wouldnt turn around for the differnce in scopes. I have serval other guns with "ok" scopes that I dont take because the scopes cant satisfy me anymore
Nightforce NXS 5.5-22 & 8-32.
Heavy.
Glass was not as good as the Zeiss/Hensoldt, S&B, Swarovski or IOR scopes I have owned and used.
Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40 with German #4 reticle
Bushnell Elite 4200 3x9x40
Tie: Vortex Viper and Leupold VX2 3x9x40
Clearidge Ultra RM 3x9x32 AO
Bushnell Elite 2x7x32
Vortex Viper 2x7x32
Burris Fullfield E1 3x9x40
Burris Fullfield E1 2x7x35
Leupold VX6 3-18 in both 44mm and 50mm (runaway by far)
Vortex PST FFP 4-16x50
Leupold VX3 4.5-14x40 LR
Vortex Diamondback 3.5-10x50
Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44
Tie: Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40 and Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14x40
Burris Fullfield II 4.5-14x42
Simmons and Tasco something or other
Can't necessarily remember all the ones I've tried (never had a high end Euro, though).
For me it's just easiest to say~
Leupold 6x36 with a turret. Don't need or want anything else on my hunting rigs...