Hey Guys,

I’ve got an older cz550 and I’d like grab an optic for it. New or used doesn’t really matter but what I’m after is something dead reliable that would look at home on an nice old gun. Fixed power would be fine...really just want something to depend on and I’d like to keep it at or under $650 of at all possible. If it can’t be done for that tell me what it can be done for lol


What should I be trying to hunt down? Looks like meopta is not doing anything like that anymore unfortunately

I'd look for a used Leupold VX2 or VX3 in a variable or a Leupold M8 fixed 4x or 6x. You can usually find them in a gloss finish that, to me at least, looks better on an older classic rifle than the new scopes that are all matte finished.

I’ve some pretty bad luck with Leupold in the past couple years. Older m8 pretty robust though?

Not a gun writer, but I suggest you take a look at Meopta scopes (Cameraland). Excellent scopes! You can likely find a new one within your budget.

How about a Meopta MeoPro 6x42 classic fixed 6 power scope. They still show it on their website, is it no longer available?

I think Cameralandny has some

+1 on the Leupolds suggested above.

Ebay usually has some M8s and VIIIs. If buying new, I'd get the Leupold VIII 1.5x5. I used one for 20 yrs, on some very hard kickers ( 416s, 375s, 458s to name a few) I also used a Weaver Classic 1x3 on a CZ 550 416 Rigby. Held up fine.

Quak,

M8s are among the toughest hunting scopes ever made, especially the smaller ones. Among others, I've had a 4x33 on my 9.3x62 for almost 20 years, which never changes zero.

I've bought 3 of the Bausch & Lomb fixed power (B models with internal adjustments as opposed to the old one with adjustable mounts) off ebay the last few years. I'm quite happy, one is on a 8# 9.3x62, kind of a kicker, one on a fwt model 70 .30-06, and one is on an 8mm-06. They compare favorably with the Leupy M8's on the air force optic resolution chart, very plain Jane with no adornment, blue tinted fluoride(?) lens coatings. I don't know about water resistance, never really put them to the test, prolly not as good as Leupold, but they are super easy to sight in, bullet impact stays right with your clicks...no waiting for the adjustment to settle in. Paid between 75 and 120 bucks if I remember correctly. Don't know about service work, I doubt there is any available.

I put a Nikon Monarch 2.5-10x, 42 mm objective I believe, on a classic rifle. It seems a good fit, does not overpower the rifle, and I've been satisfied with it's performance.

I had a Benneli R1 that effed up 4 scopes before I put on a leupold 4x32 fixed scope on it.

It turned out the gun was very accurate but wouldn’t group initially because it would cause scopes to shift poi. I suspect this might be why the Benelli R1’s reputation for accuracy varies.

Anyway, another bot for a leupold fixed power as being about as tough as they come.

There are quite a few used ones out there, Burris FF, Nikon Monarch, Zeiss Conquest, and some Leopold's. New I would look at the Burris FFII, and perhaps SWFA.

I have three scopes for sale and all are priced under your budget. All of them are in excellent condition.


Leupold VX 3 3.5 - 10 x 40 duplex crosshair matte with or without Leupold flip-up front cover.

Zeiss Conquest 3-5 - 10 duplex and matte

Leica ER 5 2 - 10 x 50 ballistic reticle (not illuminated) matte

M8 6x.

Definitely an M8 in 4 or 6x. Reliable, good looking with their gloss finish, nd lightweight, unlike the 1.5-2lb monsters everyone thinks is necessary nowadays.

I wouldn't call any CZ 550 an old rifle - I remember when they were introduced, and it wasn't that long back - but each to their own. There's any number of decent reliable scopes for under $650, including various Meoptas. They used to make a line of good rugged fixed power scopes known as the Artemis, and only recently Cameraland had a batch of the 4x version (there were also 6x42 and 7x50, IIRC). They also currently offer a 6x42 in the Meopro line.

The Leupold M8 was also a good scope, though I rate my Meopta Artemis 4x slightly better optically than my Leupold 4x M8 (though the Meopta's heavier), and you'd have a good amount of change from $650 to buy one.

Watch out! A 5 lb rifle and a 3 pound, 2-40x with 60 mm objective is nirvana around here. You could be excommunicated.

At one time I had 3 M'8 scopes. Two 4x and one 3x. One 4x and the 3x broke and I sent them back to Leupold for repair. They wouldn't fix them and gave me new scopes instead. Still wish I had that old long tube 3x.

the leup 3.5-10 or 2.5x8

The market has seemed to be progressing toward a scopes ability to track precisely, optical clarity with a 5x power range. I have been burnt once and missed a buck of a lifetime ( in Saskatchewan this is a 200 plus inch whitetail ) sporting big variable that got knocked out of alignment.

Now I have range scopes and hunting scopes. The range scopes are big and bulky but simplify shooting groups and developing loads.

The hunting scopes never weigh more than 16oz and can be counted on to hold zero if jostled about on the quad. The most important quality of a scope imo. I effing near converted to open sights after that day!! Lol