Just Curious

[jhjimbo]

What is your opinion of the lowest price, standard, center fire rifle scope for big game that might last a new hunter a lifetime. Just your opinion of the one best scope and aproximately price. Manufacturer and Model.

Don't need to know all about your inventory of scopes - just name one you think is the lowest price that will do the job. I am asking for a friend. I know my thought, interested in what others think. (for example, for me to answer this question in the '60's would have been a Redfield Wide View I think at that time they were $125 ).

[Milldawg]

Red field now made by leupold or the vx series of leupold. Any others I would recommend would be above entry level. Vortex gets good reviews. But I haven’t used one so I can’t give an informed opinion.

[fitch270]

Burris FullField II hands down. Bought two 3-9x40’s not long ago. Made in the Philippines not China, about $160.

[jhjimbo]

Burris FullField II hands down. Bought two 3-9x40’s not long ago. Made in the Philippines not China, about $160.

Burris would be my current choice to, Quality, Fulllfield is multi use, C.S. is excellent. 5 star in lower price point scopes,

[jhjimbo]

For general use, I like the 3X9X40's. Here's a low cost scope that may last a lifetime:

The Sig Sauer SOW33202 Whiskey3. About $125 on Amazon. About the same price at Optics Planet. Lifetime unlimited guarantee. Reminds me of the discontinued Nikons which I really like.

SIG SAUER WHISKEY 3 Scope | SIG WHISKEY 3 3-9x40 mm Riflescope

Sig Sauer Whiskey3 3-9x40mm Riflescope | Up to 37% Off 4.7 Star Rating w/ Free S&H (opticsplanet.com)

Here's a review of the 30mm tube.

**** EDIT ****
Well, well, well - a little research shows that some Burris, Sig Sauer, and Vortex scopes are made by the same company in the Philippines - Scopro... that why the Sig looks similar to the Nikon

Scopro (Philippines) rifle scope OEM - Optics Database (sageratsafaris.com)

Looks like a nice scope and the price is doable.

[jhjimbo]

Jim, that's what I'm thinking. This is the first time I've even given the Sig scopes a 2nd look. Essentially, they are the same as the discontinued Nikons I've liked on about 1/2 my rifles. Never had a problem with them.

I read an article where the guys used Sigs in the $ 600 range and never looked further into them.

[fitch270]

For general use, I like the 3X9X40's. Here's a low cost scope that may last a lifetime:

The Sig Sauer SOW33202 Whiskey3. About $125 on Amazon. About the same price at Optics Planet. Lifetime unlimited guarantee. Reminds me of the discontinued Nikons which I really like.

SIG SAUER WHISKEY 3 Scope | SIG WHISKEY 3 3-9x40 mm Riflescope

Sig Sauer Whiskey3 3-9x40mm Riflescope | Up to 37% Off 4.7 Star Rating w/ Free S&H (opticsplanet.com)

Here's a review of the 30mm tube.

**** EDIT ****
Well, well, well - a little research shows that some Burris, Sig Sauer, and Vortex scopes are made by the same company in the Philippines - Scopro... that why the Sig looks similar to the Nikon

Scopro (Philippines) rifle scope OEM - Optics Database (sageratsafaris.com)

“Some scopes” being key. It’s getting tough keeping up with CoO.


The Sig Whiskey 3 line gets good reviews from what I’ve seen. If one is so inclined there’s an illuminated version that’s supposed to be well configured.


I’m set on optics at this point. I don’t even have a use for the second Burris I bought but figured it wouldn’t hurt to have a spare kicking around. Every time I find something I’d buy again it’s discontinued when I’m looking for another.

[FirstBubba]

Tough to beat the Leupold "Freedom" series.
....and yes, a 3-9×40 is a superb starter.

[jhjimbo]

I take it Sig scopes is the firearms and ammo Co.?

I figure there are only a couple scope Mfg. and they put others names on their products. I wonder who they are ?

[FirstBubba]

Maybe so, but those Leupolds will be double the cost of the Sig and others in the $125 price range. On top of that, there's not enough difference in field conditions to make it worth the extra dollars. The money saved can go towards ammo.

Sure, I've got a couple of Leupolds and really like them. But so far I've not really needed that marginally better view to bring home the pork or venison.

The Leupold "Freedom" 3-9×40 w/duplex reticle is still in the $200 range.

Maybe not in your "field conditions", but not everybody hunts Alabama's "Pighunter Swamp"! LOL! 😉

At my age, I'll take whatever advantage I can. If that means a little better glass, sobeit.

[jhjimbo]

Maybe so, but those Leupolds will be double the cost of the Sig and others in the $125 price range. On top of that, there's not enough difference in field conditions to make it worth the extra dollars. The money saved can go towards ammo.

Sure, I've got a couple of Leupolds and really like them. But so far I've not really needed that marginally better view to bring home the pork or venison.

I agree. When the conditions are so bad a top end scope would help, you will find me back at camp with my feet up sipping on some Scotch.

[FirstBubba]

pighunter, I'm aware that as much as I dislike Bushnell and Tasco scopes, some of them perform just fine.
....but I have also, working in a gun shop, seen both brands that wouldn't hold a zero if you looked at them sideways.
A "good" scope can make a "bad" rifle shoot a bit better.
A "bad" scope can't make even the "best" rifle shoot worth beans.
I may be being a bit too critical, but it's just my experiences.
I don't have to own a Rolls Royce, but I'd just as soon walk than drive a Yugo! LOL!

p.s. - Hey! If they work, go for it!

[jhjimbo]

I hunted for 5 years with a $35 Bushnell 4x on my .308 and only had issues when it was in the last few minutes of legal shooting. Granted, back then I wasn't concerned about counting points on the hoof. That 4x was replaced with a $120 Tasco for another 15 years. Now the rifle wears a $450 Leupold just because I have the extra money to waste on glass I don't really need.

I had one from a discount store in the '70's - fogged up. Took it back and got a Redfield Wide View - still using it. Also have had two Tasco World Class scopes. One broke a crosshair early on. Tasco replaced and I have never had another problem with them. Believe it on not, they will do a decent four corner tracking test.

[99explorer]

My old 2 1/2X Weaver scope was a big step up in class after years of shooting with metallic aperturec sights.
But Jack O'Connor preferred 4X as the best all purpose fixed power magnification.

[99explorer]

Having tried a number of variable power magnifications, I now prefer the 2-7 x 33 mm Leupold, as it seems to balance better with small lightweight rifles like the Winchester Model 70 Classic Featherweight.