Rifle scopes, price point of diminishing returns?

[retegret]

Thanks for the help everybody. Never used a FFP and don't know what the advantage would be. Currently have a Nikon Prostaff 5 3.5-14x40 on a hunting AR-10. Have not thoroughly tested it. Seems to work well, but I'm always looking for it to go wonky since it was only $300. Falling into the cheap ain't good trap; fact or myth, I dunno.

Also have a S&B Summit 2.5-10x40, it has excellent clarity. Again not thoroughly tested, but it did the job last year on an elk hunt. I got it at $1800. Was thinking about moving it to one of the new guns, but think I want a little more max zoom.

That price range is where the L VX6-HD is, so that's where I've been looking. Probably the 3-18x 50mm Illuminated TMOA Reticle. Why are the VX5-HDs less than 1/2 the price of the VX6-HDs? 5x zoom range vs 6x seems to be the only difference? Thanks again.

 

[bullfrog]

VX-6HD has illuminated reticles and anti-cant flashing reticle along with the higher zoom ratio.

 

[Hoppsing55]

62 year old eyes here. Use "cheeters" for anything within my arms length. I would suggest you look at the SWFA line. Own 5 of them. All serve me well, on 7mm-08 / 30-06. Harvested an honorable elk this October at 436 yds. Glass is average, turrets are spot on. Put the money you save into next years hunt. IMHO.

 

[Aoudad shooter1975]

Best scopes ever sold for the dollar for hunting were the Bushnell LRHS..I hate to say this as the value goes up by the day...I have bought them as cheap as $500 and as much as $1000 they are worth every penny..they track, glass is good, and love the G2 style reticle...about all I use now...until something better crosses my path.

 

[Diamondback]

Buying a Ferrari or Porsche glass just to drive to Walmart or Circle K is overkill to me.
That is what I consider 500 yards and under work and spending $$$$.

Burris Veracity
2-10x
3-15x

 

[Canhunter35]

I think the point of diminishing returns starts somewhere around $1k. You can get scopes like vx5, s3, veracity, that should do everything you need but offer benefits over lesser scopes. IMO leupold new glass is some of the best in low light

 

[retegret]

Thanks everybody again for your suggestions. Lots of good information to digest and by saying it out loud (typing it) I may have answered my original question. The price point might have less to do with the features and the mechanics of the scope, but more to do with the confidence of the shooter in it. After all, the shooter is the weak link in the system, at least in my world. If I don't feel confident with a couple hundred dollar scope, then I shouldn't be using one. Personally, I feel confident in the $1-2K range. Anything more than that and I wouldn't understand it's fanciness and wouldn't use it. Like my Grandmother once said when shopping for a new washing machine, "Too many gizmos to go on the fritz."

Black Friday sales are popping up in my inbox. Think I'll go with one and call it good. Thanks again

 

[Rich Coyle]

The price point might have less to do with the features and the mechanics of the scope, but more to do with the confidence of the shooter in it. After all, the shooter is the weak link in the system, at least in my world. If I don't feel confident with a couple hundred dollar scope, then I shouldn't be using one. Personally, I feel confident in the $1-2K range.

When I went to Alaska I installed a Tasco World Class 4-16X on both the .375 and .300 Weatherby. Why? Because I never had one fail; unlike the more expensive scopes I had. The Tascos were good enough. The others were not; despite having better glass.

 

[Canhunter35]

When I went to Alaska I installed a Tasco World Class 4-16X on both the .375 and .300 Weatherby. Why? Because I never had one fail; unlike the more expensive scopes I had. The Tascos were good enough. The others were not; despite having better glass.

So what you're really advising is to take a "known" or proven scope. Take any brand, you can find a failure, but take any scope that's tracked repeatedly of any brand and you have a good scope.
I agree with using a known scope on a big hunt, or if you have time, put your scope it's paces.
I have my mark 4 on my 22lr at the moment, I've dialed it 62moa and it's tracked perfectly every time. I'm confident in it despite numerous reports of failed leupold tracking

 

[Deleted member 48126]

So what you're really advising is to take a "known" or proven scope. Take any brand, you can find a failure, but take any scope that's tracked repeatedly of any brand and you have a good scope.
I agree with using a known scope on a big hunt, or if you have time, put your scope it's paces.
I have my mark 4 on my 22lr at the moment, I've dialed it 62moa and it's tracked perfectly every time. I'm confident in it despite numerous reports of failed leupold tracking

With that my Nikon prostaffs have never failed me.

 

[Canhunter35]

With that my Nikon prostaffs have never failed me.

The only scope that has ever failed me is a cabelas pine ridge and I've used some really cheap bushnell banners and other scopes

 

[zr600]

Would seriously consider the leupold vx5hd 3-15 with what ever reticle you like the glass is great and it's light. Has a locking elevation turret and capped windage turret.

 

[CaptnC]

SWFA is pretty tough to beat IMO...I have 3. Two are fixed 16x and the other 4X16 SFP...

I seen on here last year some guys got some fantastic deals from SWFA at the end of the year. Give them a call and ask them...they don't come with a sun shade nor lens caps, but guys got deals last year...can't recall exactly, but I do recall some free items.

 

[Deleted member 48126]

SWFA is pretty tough to beat IMO...I have 3. Two are fixed 16x and the other 4X16 SFP...

I seen on here last year some guys got some fantastic deals from SWFA at the end of the year. Give them a call and ask them...they don't come with a sun shade nor lens caps, but guys got deals last year...can't recall exactly, but I do recall some free items.

The deals are probably going to happen now. They were right at 480 last Year i believe