What to spend on Scope?

[our_natural_habitat]

Hi all,

This might sound a bit like a 'how long is a piece of string' question, but I'm interested to read some opinions on roughly how much money should be spent on your first scope.

I've heard many times that you should spend more on your scope than you spend on your rifle. This makes sense considering shot placement and accuracy. But rifles range from <£1000 to >£5000!

I'm looking at getting a 6.5 x 55 Tikka T3x Hunter for my first rifle, used or new. Following the rule, I would then need to spend >£1300 on a scope... but I'm seeing positively reviewed scopes under and over £1000.

So where's the sweet spot of spending to get the best value for money and quality scope? Thanks.

(If it helps to know, I'll be stalking roe, sika and on the rare occasion reds in the UK)

 

[Pedro]

It really depends on what you want to use your rifle for. Do you do any low light dawn/dusk shooting? Are you going to have the rifle for multiple uses that need shots at different ranges? Do you want to use it at a range?

You can get a pretty fine scope for a grand. Especially if you decide you want a fixed magnification one. Where the money comes in will be the low light qualities and if you want a lot of magnification. It's also worth thinking about a second-hand scope, so you can either get one for less or go a bit more up market. Always worth a look at what Macleods of Tain have.

 

[Brave Echo Niner]

First question is what're you going to use it for?


If it's just generic stalking 0-200M then a Schmidt 3-12x50 Klassik would be £600-800 second hand, they're very well regarded, durable and just work without the added complication of extra knobs to fiddle with.
If you're also going to shoot long range targets on occasion it may be something different that's more suitable.

If you want to spend a bit more, then the Schmidt Bender 4-16 polar is about the best true all round stalking scope you can lay your hands on, with the dialable turrets to learn how to use as you gain experience, great light gathering ability etc.

Personally, I would avoid the more budget brands, though I'm sure many will advocate there's no difference between them and the known brands My limited experience (Vortex, Athlon etc.) is different and I stick firmly to Schmidt and Bender as a result.
IMHO its worth spending a little more to know what you are using will stand up to being used, the zero won't wander and that you'll get good low light performance, for me that means anything Swarovski, Schmidt Bender, Zeiss Victory ETC. which I know will last and serve you well.

Ben

 

[North Wales Shooter]

Had a vortex strike eagle fitted to my 6.5 creedmore and it’s comparable to the more premium scopes.
I’ve got a hawke frontier 5-30 x56 sf 34mm fitted on my tikka tac and its very good.
I’ve got a cheap Nikki Stirling on my howa 223 which came as a package and I’m looking to change it to a vortex.
You’ve got quite a choice for new scopes in the £700 - 1000 bracket.
Go second hand and you can go premium brand for £1000

 

[Fair Hill]

Hi all,

This might sound a bit like a 'how long is a piece of string' question, but I'm interested to read some opinions on roughly how much money should be spent on your first scope.

I've heard many times that you should spend more on your scope than you spend on your rifle. This makes sense considering shot placement and accuracy. But rifles range from <£1000 to >£5000!

I'm looking at getting a 6.5 x 55 Tikka T3x Hunter for my first rifle, used or new. Following the rule, I would then need to spend >£1300 on a scope... but I'm seeing positively reviewed scopes under and over £1000.

So where's the sweet spot of spending to get the best value for money and quality scope? Thanks.

(If it helps to know, I'll be stalking roe, sika and on the rare occasion reds in the UK)

£200-£500 for a well minded used scope.

 

[User00040]

£200-£500 for a well minded used scope.

+1, a lot of overkill on scopes in the UK stalking market.

£500 will get you a good quality second hand 3-12 or 4-16 variable.

Go for something with a 30mm maintube and 40-50mm objective lens.

Brands to look for are Leupold, Bushnell (Elite line) and others like Sightron and Vortex.

Example of scopes that will suit any type of UK deer stalking and more:

Sightron STAC 3-16X42 Second Hand Telescopic Sights for sale. Buy for £250.

guntrader.uk is the best source of second hand guns, used shotguns and rifles for sale anywhere in the UK. Buy new and used guns or search for gun dealers and shops.

www.guntrader.uk

Vortex Diamondback DBk- 04-BDC 4-12x40 Second Hand Telescopic Sights for sale. Buy for £200.

guntrader.uk is the best source of second hand guns, used shotguns and rifles for sale anywhere in the UK. Buy new and used guns or search for gun dealers and shops.

www.guntrader.uk

Leupold VX-1 - 3-9 x 40 - (FREE POST IN UK) Second Hand Telescopic Sights for sale. Buy for £175.

guntrader.uk is the best source of second hand guns, used shotguns and rifles for sale anywhere in the UK. Buy new and used guns or search for gun dealers and shops.

www.guntrader.uk

 

[VSS]

I went with the "spend about the same on a scope as you did on the rifle" advice. Thankfully both of my rifles cost under £200

 

[palmer_mike]

I used to have too level German glass on my rifles but sold them as I needed the cash. Bought vortex scopes for considerably less money and tbh there’s not a lot of practical difference.

 

[User00040]

First question is what're you going to use it for?

Best place to start!

If it's just generic stalking 0-200M then a Schmidt 3-12x50 Klassik would be £600-800 second hand, they're very great light gathering (transmission) ability etc.

I'd steer clear of any Euro made scope if buying secondhand again. If something is wrong with it and it is sent back to the factory, you could face a big bill, plus tax/VAT!

Personally, I would avoid the more budget brands, though I'm sure many will advocate there's no difference between them and the known brands My limited experience (Vortex, Athlon etc.) is different and I stick firmly to Schmidt and Bender as a result.
IMHO its worth spending a little more to know what you are using will stand up to being used, the zero won't wander and that you'll get good low light performance, for me that means anything Swarovski, Schmidt Bender, Zeiss Victory ETC. which I know will last and serve you well.

Having used all of the above brands, they have failed in one way or another (bits falling off, poor low light performance, losing zero, the Swarovski DS has it all for £3k+!)

Personally, I'd buy a few scopes instead of one really expensive one. When (not if) **** happens, you'll be able to shrug your shoulders and move on after equipement gets damaged.

Notice I didn't say cheap, a lot of the Japanese made scopes by LOW (Light Optical Works) who produce for manufacturers like Bushnell, Nightforce and Ziess have a stellar reputation. Have bought several of the Bushnell Elite line that were produced by them, for around £300-£400.

 

[norcan]

Firstly, I would recommend the Tikka Forest model, if you can find it.
The stock is much better. Higher cheekpiece, better grip.

Then, I would choose the Tikka Ringmount 1" as that is the lowest possible mount for Tikka.
And will only fit max x42mm objective.
And since I only use fixed magnification on my rifles, I would suggest a 6x42.

I currently only have Kahles, S&B and Leupold optics.
And I would have no problem suggesting Leupold FX3 6x42, as its still produced and their warranty is very good.


So my suggestion:
Tikka Forest 6,5x55
Tikka 1" Ringmount
Leupold FX-3 6x42

Highest cheekweld and lowest scope mounts.

 

[Bowland blades]

Hi all,

This might sound a bit like a 'how long is a piece of string' question, but I'm interested to read some opinions on roughly how much money should be spent on your first scope.

I've heard many times that you should spend more on your scope than you spend on your rifle. This makes sense considering shot placement and accuracy. But rifles range from <£1000 to >£5000!

I'm looking at getting a 6.5 x 55 Tikka T3x Hunter for my first rifle, used or new. Following the rule, I would then need to spend >£1300 on a scope... but I'm seeing positively reviewed scopes under and over £1000.

So where's the sweet spot of spending to get the best value for money and quality scope? Thanks.

(If it helps to know, I'll be stalking roe, sika and on the rare occasion reds in the UK)

Its BS because for your use you could buy a 6x42 , 7x50 or 8 x56 from the like of S&Bender in good condition and little use from say £250 - £400 and frankly speaking thats all you need for the above . You wont better the glass or the light gathering or ability to hold zero and there are lots comming into dealers on rifles at this point in time , 1" tubes are fine if your not dialing

 

[FISH BOY]

I went with the "spend about the same on a scope as you did on the rifle" advice. Thankfully both of my rifles cost under £200

Haha. Someone told me once - spend as much as you can afford on the scope and buy the rifle with the change.

 

[palmer_mike]

Haha. Someone told me once - spend as much as you can afford on the scope and buy the rifle with the change.

Yep, lots of people regurgitate that. Seems like it’s one of those things people hear and repeat without really questioning it too much.

 

[Fair Hill]

Haha. Someone told me once - spend as much as you can afford on the scope and buy the rifle with the change.

I was told the exact same thing when I bought my first centre fire rifle, my first .22 was over 30 years old and came with a free scope and once I got a grip on the basic instructions of how to shoot accurately that scope or rifle never let me down.

In my own humble opinion too much emphasis, confidence and marketing is placed on the importance of bells and whistles on modern scopes, they are simply a magnifying tube attached to a rifle that when lined up properly with the barrel makes shooting easier. They are not going to compensate for not learning the basics no matter how much is spent on them.

Fair enough, if you want to shoot the pecker off an ant from 750 yards there might be some justification, I'm happy to be able to hit an apple from 1-200 yards.

 

[David T]

Keep it simple to start with. I would suggest a used S&B 8x56 for £300-400. That will work from dawn to dusk and get you knocking things over. If you decide you want to move to try something else these scopes are always in demand and you shouldn't lose your money.

 

[scotch_egg]

I shot more animals with my 8X56 Schmidt and Bender than any of my fancy scopes.

I have some nice kit now days but every time I see a fixed mag Schmidt in the for sale section I have to stop myself buying it.

Realistically you won’t be shooting over 300m. If you are you are wasting your time. Everyone says they want to bang steel at extended ranges because they have seen it on YouTube. But in reality it’s a waste of time. Practice what you are going to encounter in the field. 99% of the time you won’t engage any animal over this distance. Become proficient with your kit and you will enjoy the shooting far more.

I have been there with the steel gongs at the PRS style competitions and also my own range out to 1000m thinking this would make my hunting a better experience.

Get an 8X56 either Schmidt or Swarovski and get shooting. Use the money for ammunition and enjoy yourself.

 

[Overlay]

Closely look at what you want from it and it suits you, your eyes and your pocket, the worlds your oyster for different companies.

swaro, Schmidt and zeiss are the ones I go for, 2 reasons the variable mag is brilliant 1-6 & 1-8 x 24 through to 2.5 - 10 x 56 and 3-15 x 56 are my choice from 22 rimmy upto 308 they all have exceptional adjustable flash dot illumination which will help now and then
I’ve yet to find a longer range scope I can use with a pard 007 so I stick to hawke scope for the air rifle and 22 rimmy

I just cannot get on with nightforce scopes although others find them a superb scope

don’t be in a hurry try out as many as you can before you part with your hard earned

 

[Klenchblaize]

Give me £500 for this:
https://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/threads/tr23-2-trijicon-accupoint®-5-20x50-scope.135445/
Best

K

 

[ColinBr]

Be quick

For Sale: - Schmidt Bender Zenith

2.5-10x56, A9 reticle, non illuminated, 30mm tube. Excellent condition. £650 posted Can come with Picatinny Tier one rings for £700 all in. Or £70 posted on their own.

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

 

[our_natural_habitat]

Wow, thanks for all the great responses.

Not in a position to purchase a scope right now, but much clearer on what to get now. Thanks!