help with rifle scopes

[breakerb]

I would like to hear some opinions on what is the best rifle scope? which gathers light better? which is the best deal for the money? ETC.

[justpracticin]

I've got a Khales and a Leupold Vari-X III. I've got a couple of others that are lying around, but I don't count those.

The Khales is a very good scope and is head and shoulders above the Leupold. Cost 2x's as much too. Depending on what you are willing to spend, either would be a good choice. Khales actually took a nasty fall the second month I had it, I slippe dion some pinestraw goint upa hill and the gun ( no round chambered) fell off of my should and the scope hit a rock. It dented the dust cap over the windage adjusment screw, but it di not knock it "out of zero".

I've also got some Nikon binocs ( 8x50 marine )that I have done side by side comparisons with Swavroskis. They seemed to do better in low light but are heavier. My opinion.

Good luck.

JP

[Sasha and Abby]

Originally posted by justpracticin:
I've also got some Nikon binocs ( 8x50 marine )that I have done side by side comparisons with Swavroskis.

I bet some 8x56 Swarovskis will make you change your mind about the Nikons.

[breakerb]

Thanks for your help. I am thinking about a Kahles. Is there any difference between Kahles and Swarvoski? I have heard they use the same optiks, but have not heard if there is a difference in a real life situation (other than price). What do you think?

[Sasha and Abby]

No diff that I can see... I have several 3-12x56 in both manufacturers and do not see the difference.

[Swamp Rat]

Volumes have been written on this...

Personally, I have always had good success with Leupold scopes - good for the money. Granted, some of the high-end European glass will likely give better low-light performance, but, when I look at the difference in cost, I can't help but wonder if the "juice is worth the squeeze" on that.

Interestingly, some in my local circle of friends have had mechanical failures with Kahles, Leupold, and Schmidt & Bender scopes in the past year... just goes to show ya that you can have a problem with ANYTHING.

Another good (or great) deal on a rugged and bright scope is to look at the Weaver Grand Slam series.

Yet more scopes that I have heard good things about include: </font>

• Burris (USA made)</font>
• Docter (German)</font>
• IOR Valdada (Romanian)</font>

Each has it's own group of faithful followers - some of my old comrades at SLED were big into the Valdada scopes, with the general impression being that they were strong "like Russian farm machinery", a bit heavy, but very rugged and surprisingly bright. Some on my hunt club are big into the Docter scope line. It's all a matter of fine degrees.

There are so many factors that go into determining scope performance - construction materials, lens coatings, glass quality, etc. - But you never know until that particular scope is on your particular gun as to what you are getting into.

I have a 3½-10x50mm Leupold that is giving me problems - it is about to go back to Leupold to be re-built, then I will send it to Premier Reticles to get a mil-dot reticle put in it.

The Bausch & Lomb series of scope get okay reviews.

The list of brands I avoid like the Bubonic plague is a bit lengthy... and includes Tasco, Simmons, Bushnell, BSA, and any mass distributor "name brand" scope (Cabelas,etc.).

[willtim]

Kahles is owned by Swarovski.

As Kenny Jarrett says,Swarovski is the best but for the money,Leupold has no equal.