High Power Scopes, Lesson Learned

[Nick Caprinolo]

Made a new friend yesterday and found answers to some burning questions I harbored within my mind. Why are so many hardly used scopes for sale?

I wanted to look through a variety of bench rest scopes before I bought another scope. Nothing like being able to test a scope while it is mounted on a rifle, while sitting on a bench and aiming at a good target.

When I arrived my new friend had everything set up. Bench, target and front and rear rests with a target about 75 yards out.

I was able to test about twelve different mounted scopes as well as a front rest I am interested in.

Golden Eagle, Sightron, Nightforce, Weaver and Leupold. What I learned is the the Leupold and Weaver scopes have the fewest disadvantages of all. On some eye relief was terrible. Biggest problem for me was finding the sweet spot. Very hard to find a position that I could actually find a target, especially at high magnification.

So for me, the Leupold 45 and Weaver T36 are good enough. If I were shooting long range, I might have change my mind.

My new friend will remain unnamed but he is a great guy with the patience of Jobe.

 

[MGYSGT]

To each his/her own. Those fixed high power scopes, suffer in the heat of the summer. Being able to dial down the power helps with the mirage.

 

[ballisticdaddy]

When I arrived my new friend had everything set up. Bench, target and front and rear rests with a target about 75 yards out.
So for me, the Leupold 45 and Weaver T36 are good enough. If I were shooting long range, I might have change my mind.

I do not believe testing any optic at 75 yards in the early spring is really much of a test, try at least 600 yards in the summer and you will more than likely be singing a different tune.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

I am not interested in 600 yard shooting. 300 yards is tops for me. I tested these scopes on low power settings as well as to their max. What's important to me is that when I am ready to take my shot, I don't have to search for eye relief. It should be a natural thing and repeatable with little effort.

 

[ballisticdaddy]

I am not interested in 600 yard shooting. 300 yards is tops for me. I tested these scopes on low power settings as well as to their max. What's important to me is that when I am ready to take my shot, I don't have to search for eye relief. It should be a natural thing and repeatable with little effort.

The reason for my comment was that you mention the Leupold 45 and Weaver 36 are good enough....those are both fixed power scopes

 

[Uthink Uknow]

Be aware that the Weaver 36BR is no longer available as per another post on this site. I do believe a single sit down behind a strange rifle is a good indicator as to eye relief and target acquisition. It takes a little getting used to. However, there is nothing like being able to “test drive” a number of scopes and set ups before taking the plunge.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

The T36 is alive and well. New model is T36 XR. The difference is a side focus for parallax.

 

[JFrank]

I am not interested in 600 yard shooting. 300 yards is tops for me. I tested these scopes on low power settings as well as to their max. What's important to me is that when I am ready to take my shot, I don't have to search for eye relief. It should be a natural thing and repeatable with little effort.

I am much the same as you.
I chose eye relief over extra power

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

Be aware that the Weaver 36BR is no longer available as per another post on this site. I do believe a single sit down behind a strange rifle is a good indicator as to eye relief and target acquisition. It takes a little getting used to. However, there is nothing like being able to “test drive” a number of scopes and set ups before taking the plunge.

If only more of us were willing to give some time each other, those of us who operate on a fixed income, would be able to make purchases with confidence that in three months you won't have to sell it at a loss because it doesn't fit you needs. What I learned in four hours is priceless to me. I also had a chance to see many other pieces of equipment that I will obtain very soon. I'd give my first born for one of those stocks he makes in his basement. Every one is a work of art. His kindness to me was beyond description.

 

[Pete Roberson]

The T36 is alive and well. New model is T36 XR. The difference is a side focus for parallax.

Just curious who makes it as the only thing Weaver makes are parts and pieces?
That is straight from Weaver, and they also say for any service send to Bushnell?!

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

Just curious who makes it as the only thing Weaver makes are parts and pieces?
That is straight from Weaver, and they also say for any service send to Bushnell?!

The attachment is from Weaver's site. Do a little google and you will find a lot of new weaver scopes including a T46 XR. I saw the T 36 XR on sale yesterday for $435.00. When Weaver closed out the T 36, Midway had a sale for $250 but it was only up there a few days and I guess they ran out of them.

As to who makes them, I have long suspected that Bushnell is the parent company. I don't care who makes it, the T36 XR I have is a great scope. As far as quality, I can't tell the difference from the Weaver or the Leupold 45 except for the magnification. Both are crystal clear and have good eye relief.


http://www.weaveroptics.com/optics/riflescopes/tseries_xr/

 

[mikehotel]

The T36 is alive and well. New model is T36 XR. The difference is a side focus for parallax.

I have a T36 XR I'll sell.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

Just ordered one.

 

[theallcineyes]

Op didn't talk much about the NF, i am a big fan of NightForce scope, would love to know the model you tried and the outcome. i own quite a number of NF scopes and i hardly have issues with them.

 

[joshb]

I'd give my first born for one of those stocks he makes in his basement.[/QUOTE]

Can she cook?

 

[carlsbad]

Anytime someone says "the eye relief was terrible" i get skeptical.

 

[rwj]

Anytime someone says "the eye relief was terrible" i get skeptical.

I’m curious why?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Fixed power scopes rule the short range game. I doubt youd find a variable at any 300yd and under br match- mainly due to weight but also more parts equals more cost and more potential problems. Ask bart what he shoots at long range- hard to argue with his success with fixed power scopes.

 

[rwj]

Fixed power scopes rule the short range game. I doubt youd find a variable at any 300yd and under br match- mainly due to weight but also more parts equals more cost and more potential problems. Ask bart what he shoots at long range- hard to argue with his success with fixed power scopes.

Is the field larger/longer with fixed mag scopes? Must admit that I sometimes struggle to find the optically perfect spot and it seems pretty small... I’m using variable power scopes.

 

[joshb]

Op didn't talk much about the NF, i am a big fan of NightForce scope, would love to know the model you tried and the outcome. i own quite a number of NF scopes and i hardly have issues with them.

NF 12-42 Benchrest. He liked it a lot but he already has the 45 Leupold.