High end vs. lower end rifle scopes

[dunraven]

I read somewhere that one of the differences between scopes is that the 'better' ones use stainless steel inner workings, where the lower end scopes use brass(can't remember where i saw it). my buddy has testimony from some gunsmiths who seem to disagree. what is the truth on this?

 

[MNFinn]

not sure on what the inner workings are made of, but I know from experience that I've had MUCH better performance with adjustment with my medium priced scopes (Vortex and Sightron) Than with the lower cost scopes I've owned.

 

[dkhunt14]

I believe the higher end scopes have better glass and better fitting parts inside. Probably higher quality but machined to higher standards and better fits. Matt

 

[fdshuster]

No comparison between the high end Nightforce, Leupold, Sightron, etc., and the cheapo's, many of which are "Made in China". Once you have a quality scope, you never want anything else.

Tried to tell that to several new shooters, (one saying a good rifle scope should not cost more than $50), they went out and bought "Made in China", then did nothing but complain about them. Next time I saw them they had Leupolds, Burris, etc.

 

[Joe Salt]

Like "BAT" Machine says BUY THE BEST AND CRY ONCE!

Joe salt

 

[AndyA]

No comparison between the high end Nightforce, Leupold, Sightron, etc., and the cheapo's, many of which are "Made in China". Once you have a quality scope, you never want anything else.Tried to tell that to several new shooters, (one saying a good rifle scope should not cost more than $50), they went out and bought "Made in China", then did nothing but complain about them. Next time I saw them they had Leupolds, Burris, etc.

That is the absolute truth. After getting my first Nightforce everything else seemed a compromise.

 

[jimbires]

the glass coatings , on the better scopes, help with low light hunting conditions .

 

[smoooth]

Like most things in life, you get what you pay for, usually. Many of us learn this the expensive way by buying many lesser quality products which cost much more in the long term. I just read a very good scope test report of 18 scopes ranging from just over $1k - $7k by Precision Rifle blog. Interesting and informative, worth taking a look at anyway if for nothing more than seeing some cool scopes.

 

[abishai]

To me , cheap glass is no more than a 150 $ camp fire ....... Take a 150 bucks , light it on fire , see how ya feel .

 

[Shynloco]

I'd have to say that besides construction and durability, the biggest difference is simply CLARITY with the high ends scopes being able to collect more light. And something that dictates which scope, is the intended purpose of the scope. If you want to SERIOUSLY compete, you must be able to clearly see your target. And even in Rimfire, those targets are tough to see if you have some cheap junk atop a rifle that may well be a shooter. If you get a chance, might I suggest you attend a serious competition and see what those guys use. I can tell from experience, you'll see nothing but higher end glass atop some very nice rifles. I've seen both Nightforce and Leupold money scopes atop some $1500 rifles that have performed very admirabily, though at a disadvantage to the custom rigs.

Alex

 

[flatlander]

It seems that fairly recent development of high quality, durable, and capable rifle scopes for the civilian market is at least partially due to the demands of shooters competing in practical precision rifle matches such as the PRS. Just a few years ago, scopes in the $2500+ price range had a very limited group of buyers, but now it seems the demand for scopes such as these has spawned a rash of new models with a somewhat common set of features - 34mm tubes, ffp, mil/mil turrets & reticles, excellent optical quality, superior tracking & repeatability, and reticles with features which make ranging & hold-offs a simple matter of getting familiar with their features.

I've had the pleasure of spending time behind some of the best of these new scopes, including Kahles, Schmitt&Bender, Premier, Hensoldt, Leupold Mk8, NF Beast, & Vortex Razor HD Gen II. Seems to me as though once you get up into this price range, it gets very difficult to tell the difference between the optical quality of the different brands - they're all excellent, so most of the time, it comes down to personal preference.

The demand for these hi-dollar scopes is very strong, despite the cost. I recently placed an order for a Vortex Gen II Razor 4.5-27x56 EBR-2C - or should I say "attempted" to place an order. I was told that there were around 600 orders for the same scope & reticle ahead of mine - at that rate, it might well take a year or more to get one of these things. I'd been saving up the price of admission, had the cash in hand, and needed the scope for a new rifle I'd just finished. So I changed the order and purchased a Kahles K624i AMR instead - sounds like I've got plenty of time to start saving again for the Vortex...

 

[Corey Schwanz]

Little cheesy, but my dad always told me growing up "Only a rich man can afford a cheap scope". Didn't really know what it meant for awhile but I certainly understand now. Buy once, cry once and get the best thing you can afford

 

[Joe Salt]

dunraven If you live close to someone that deals in scopes, you would be better off looking through a few before buying. i was imprest with the Glass in the new sightron 50x at a 1000 yards it looked good and the price was right.

Joe salt

 

[JRS]

dunraven If you live close to someone that deals in scopes, you would be better off looking through a few before buying. i was imprest with the Glass in the new sightron 50x at a 1000 yards it looked good and the price was right.

Joe salt

For the money, Sightron is a steal

 

[CatShooter]

There is nothing wrong or "Cheap" about brass - brass has unique qualities that make it suitable for optical work.

 

[LHSmith]

There is nothing wrong or "Cheap" about brass - brass has unique qualities that make it suitable for optical work.

Except that brass has twice the thermal expansion value as compared to stainless....could be a factor if you want absolute precision in an optical instrument that is expected to perform in a 100 degree F. temperature differential.

 

[CatShooter]

There is nothing wrong or "Cheap" about brass - brass has unique qualities that make it suitable for optical work.

Except that brass has twice the thermal expansion value as compared to stainless....could be a factor if you want absolute precision in an optical instrument that is expected to perform in a 100 degree temperature swing.

Not all parts in a good scope need thermal protection...

 

[LHSmith]

Not all parts in a good scope need thermal protection...

Well then name three...not to include lens covers, turret caps, or sun shades

 

[CatShooter]

Not all parts in a good scope need thermal protection...

Well then name three...not to include lens covers, turret caps, or sun shades

Reticle frames
Reticle retaining rings
Spindle bushings
Erector body
Erector cell lens retaining rings
Objective mount rings...

boring!!

 

[jimbo88mm]

Can we define "low end"and "high end"?

Does the shooting discipline move the needles around, i.e. competition bench rest vs prone vs non-competition?

There is a wide margin in price between a Sightron III and a Nightforce. Can they be mentioned in the same breath in terms of optical clarity?

Where does the Vortex Viper series or Sightron S2/big sky fit in? I've always considered the viper line to be a solid mid range scope but when comparing to $2k+ scopes would it be considered "low end"?

To me low end would cover most scopes under $250. High end would be greater than $1k. Lots of middle ground!

"Only a rich man can afford a cheap scope"

Would love to know the context for this saying. You can buy a lot of cheap scopes before you hit the break even point on a NightForce, lol.

For the record, I have a couple of Vortex Vipers. The nicest scope I've looked through was a zeiss conquest, so that's my point of reference.