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Rifle Scopes How much do YOU spend on your optics?

T

Temp9

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Apr 4, 2012
1,159
4
31
SLC, UT
Everyone always says to spend as much on optics as the rifle, but I've found that for most people, this isn't true.

On average, how much do you guys tend to spend on your scopes? Pick two, one for rimfire rifles, and another for centerfire rifles.

Thanks guys.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

i spend about the same about of money on my rimfire scopes as i do my centerfire scopes. the whole cheap scope on a 22 never made sense to me. my centerfire's i rarly dial 60 moa for drop, but on the rimfire i do.

i voted i spend more on a rimfire scope than a rifle
and about the same for centerfire/scope
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

Well one thing to consider is that when you buy a top-notch full custom, DTA, AI, etc. you're looking at prices higher than top-notch scopes such as S&B, USO, Premier, etc. So there is no way to put more into the scope.

My AWC UltraII (on the way from and a big thanks to 762frmafr!) when it is all said and done will be around 2k, and I'm going to put a Vortex PST 4-16x50 on top as that will suit me perfectly for what I want to do with that rifle. While it would be nice to have S&Bs on every one of my rifles, it isn't practical for my budget or the purpose of the rifles.

I'm also assuming you're not including night vision as that would pretty make EVERY optic higher than the rifle, haha.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

I spend more on my optics than my wife knows about
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ollie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I spend more on my optics than my wife knows about </div></div>


+++1
smile.gif
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

I have an IOR on my CZ453, which was twice as much as the rifle. I have another IOR on my UGSW Kukri, which was 1/2 as much as the rifle. One of these days I'll end with an optic on my LMT 223 which will cost about as much as the rifle.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

Too much. Even sold a bass amp and a samurai sword to buy a S&B scope.

Good trade. Can't play bass for shit and my kid opted out of martial arts when he got his nose broken, so the sword wasn't going to get gifted at his tenth Dan ceremony anyway.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

I had to say I spend about the same after I averaged out between my guns. My 10x Mark 4 was twice the price of my Howa. My 4.5-14x Mark 4 was about 150$ more than my Remington SPS Tactical. But my Nightforce NXS 5.5-22x with Zero-Stop and High Rev turrets was about a third the price of my AIAW. So I guess it all works out in the end right.

As for the rimfire, I have never owned one and can't really ever see myself owning one however if I did, I would probably use a Vortex Viper HS.

I definitely appreciate the high end optics like S&B and love the new Steiner, however being enlisted in the marines and having a wife and two kids and I'm only 24, $3,000+ for an optic is a bit out of the question for me. The only reason I was able to get an AW is because I reenlisted when I did but the wife got to it first. That being said I still think I would have gone with the Nightforce that I currently have, or possibly gone with the F1.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

For the most part I spend more on the glass than the rifle but the main thing is I make sure I get a quality reliable optic that is suited for the application.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dirtdigger</div><div class="ubbcode-body">had a premier 5-25 on a savage 17hmr...
crazy.gif
</div></div>

I came THAT close to bolting a S&B PMII 5-25 on a Cricket .22 just for a photo shoot gag to post here. Like when I clipped a Beta C-mag to a Rem 700 LTR (it's on here somewhere).

Just the thought of it should bring a little "LOL" popup in your frontal lobes.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

I probably spent the same on optics as firearms, with that being said I don't overspend either. My 1100 dollar AR doesn't deserve a 2500$ 1-8 when a vortex 1-4 will do what I want.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

The answer you get will in each case depend on the rifle. And you have not asked for information about the rifle. Therefore the poll will give you no definitive answers.

What do you want the poll to help you find out? Maybe you should just ask that one question.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The answer you get will in each case depend on the rifle. And you have not asked for information about the rifle. Therefore the poll will give you no definitive answers.

What do you want the poll to help you find out? Maybe you should just ask that one question. </div></div>
+1 for this comment
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The answer you get will in each case depend on the rifle. And you have not asked for information about the rifle. Therefore the poll will give you no definitive answers.

What do you want the poll to help you find out? Maybe you should just ask that one question.</div></div>

Not much, I was just curious. I noticed that both my .22's were wearing scopes 2-3 times more expensive than the rifle, while my centerfire rifles were wearing scopes that cost about 75% of the rifle. I realize there are way too many variables to consider to make this a truly valid study.

The rifles I had in mind were precision rifles. Probably should've mentioned that.

Plus this covers one of my assignments in my SOC 1010 course....
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

On a center fire it depends on the rifle. On my 308 TRG 22 I have a NF NXS 8-32X56 about 1/2 the cost of the rifle. On my LMT CQB I have a NF 3-15X50 HST and ZS. About the same price as the rifle.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

Depends on what I can get away with.

When a package arrives at the door the first statement from my wife is "so just how much did THAT cost?"

With that in mind I only buy expensive scopes for rifles that will benefit.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

The problem is you want to know what is appropriate to "spend". I'd ask for features, durability, reliability and ask how much a person shoots. Can't spend your way into a skill set
wink.gif
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The problem is you want to know what is appropriate to "spend". I'd ask for features, durability, reliability and ask how much a person shoots. Can't spend your way into a skill set
wink.gif
</div></div>

I beg to differ! I don't care how much you practice, you'll never hit a 1000 yard gong with a .22lr without a Counter Sniper overrun scope!

Kidding... sort of...
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

Buy once cry once!I keep upgrading my rifles to fit my scopes [:}
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

I spend less on optics than rifles for centerfire, at least for the nicer guns.

I have a 308 OBR with a Nightforce and an SAC being built that will wear a 5-20 SWFA SS.

Even thought the rifles were more I feel like I have good enough optics that I didn't skimp.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Deadshot2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Depends on what I can get away with.

When a package arrives at the door the first statement from my wife is "so just how much did THAT cost?"

With that in mind I only buy expensive scopes for rifles that will benefit. </div></div>

That's hilarious! My wife does the same thing, and I have learned how to dodge the questions with great tact.
I spend WAY more on an optic than the gun. If you have a shitty optic it just makes shooting the rifle so much less enjoyable.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

All depends on what I want to do with it. If I can see fairly well with a small scope, I'll put it on my rimfires considering I normally don't shoot anything over 100 yards. 300 to 500 I'll use a mid range scope. Anything over that you better believ the glass will be of equal value to more than the rifle. No point in shooting at something if you can't see it.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

I spend far more on optics than basic cost of a stock rifle. Custom's are about equal when comparing price though. Rimfire don't get much attention so no need for high quality glass there.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

Welllll I have just over $4k into my rifle as it sits, I am going back and forth between two scopes. One is $800 and the other $1400. These are pretty much the only two in their class. So on the high end I will be spending about $1000 less than what I paid for the base gun. On the low end its much cheaper.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

Spend what you can reasonably afford and still allow you to get lots of shooting practice in. A Shit and Bender won't make you an ace shooter, practice, learning how to call wind and estimating distances will go a lot farther than a 3k scope will.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

2 cents:

i don't believe in the optics having to be proportionate to the cost of the rifle.

for instance i just got a 450.00 scope for a 400.00 rifle. the scope was not clearer and sharper than the 70.00 wlamart centerpoint, or the amazon barska 68.00 target dot.

i did get a scope for 325.00 that is a heck of alot clearer and sharper that a 550.00 nikon monarch.

usually with optics, the more the price the better the optic in glass, mechanical adjustments, etc. but it isn't the rule, there are exceptions.

unfortunately i'm hard pressed in my area to find a store where you can line up a nightforce, us optics, leopold, nikon, high to lower end bushnell, barska or ncstar next to each other to actually tell the difference optically if they are worth the additional dollars for the intended use. so months go by of purchases, returns, etc. until you find the "one".

now i'm not stating that a NC star is the same caliber as a nightforce, but by going by the topic's way of rationale, a countersniper should be a good scope as it's listed in a pricier catagory.

there are good values out there (decent clear repeatable optics) at what most would consider reasonable / affordable 300.00 - 600.00, the tough part being is finding it.

there's no doubt in my mind that the tried and true leopold, nighforce, IOR, US optics, S&B, hensoldt, Zeiss brands do offer alot of bulletproofing, better quality, and better warranty / customer service....and that is reflected in the price, if my life or livelyhood depended on an optic, it would be one of those.

but just because you spent 600.00 on a rifle, doesn't mean you have to immediately look for a 1200.00 range scope.

a culmination of what the item offers in features, clarity, brightness, repeatablility, warranty and likewise the reviews from real shooters whom have used it should be considered to determine the value of the scope whether the price is 100.00 or 1,000.00
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

This is the most fun you can have with your clothes on: Get a good rifle -1000 bucks and put some good mid range glass on it -800. Spend the rest on developing a good load and shooting the shit out of it and beating those 5000+ dollar rigs every time you go to the range. The look on their faces is priceless, money can't buy skill, get what you can afford and shoot the hell out of it.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jsthntn247</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The look on their faces is priceless, money can't buy skill, get what you can afford and shoot the hell out of it. </div></div>

True that man!

And it really depends on the rifle you are putting it on. If your doing a factory R700, I would definitely be putting on glass that is more than the rifle. However if you go custom you can easily spend more on the rifle or equal to the cost of the rifle since most high-end glass caps at around 3-4k.

All depends on the 'Centerfire' you are putting it on.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

lets see...

1"x8" iron pipe... about $1
pappy's old eyeglasses... free
duct tape... $.50
58mm magnifying glass lens... $1.50

Total = $3.00 - that about as much as the blow gun cost to build, so I would say it's about even :)
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

Spend what you like and can afford and match the scope to what will fit / work for your particular use. Don't get hung-up on spending "x" because the rifle cost "y". But don't be cheap on the scope... go ahead and get what you need upfront (buy once, cry once). I don't think you can "overspend" but "underspending" for a cheap scope will cost more money over time.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Gappa</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
If you have a shitty optic it just makes shooting the rifle so much less enjoyable. </div></div>

You actually shoot your rifles? I thought you've got 20 rounds total down your rifle with your PH and zero with that shitty S&B.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Gappa</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
If you have a shitty optic it just makes shooting the rifle so much less enjoyable. </div></div>

You actually shoot your rifles? I thought you've got 20 rounds total down your rifle with your PH and zero with that shitty S&B. </div></div>

I remember reading something about his two shot groups. So I guess he does shoot his rifles!
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TOP PREDATOR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">unfortunately i'm hard pressed in my area to find a store where you can line up a nightforce, us optics, leopold, nikon, high to lower end bushnell, barska or ncstar next to each other to actually tell the difference optically if they are worth the additional dollars for the intended use. so months go by of purchases, returns, etc. until you find the "one".</div></div>

Fortunately, there's a Sportsman's Warehouse here locally that allows you to do just that. They've got maybe 100 scopes in the case and a temp stock to mount them in so you can look for yourself. They don't have some of the higher end stuff, but they do have NF, Zeiss, Vortex, Nikon, Leup, etc.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: spamassassain</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Fortunately, there's a Sportsman's Warehouse here locally that allows you to do just that. They've got maybe 100 scopes in the case and a temp stock to mount them in so you can look for yourself. They don't have some of the higher end stuff, but they do have NF, Zeiss, Vortex, Nikon, Leup, etc. </div></div>

+1 for Sportsmen's Warehouse! Sportsmen's is my go to place for initial optics searching. The amount of optics and range in quality they have is fantastic.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

I have a bunch of Tac Ops rifles and they cost more than S&B PMIIs that sit on top off them. So, I spend less on optics then my rifles
wink.gif

 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

you know, its kind of a good point to get behind the optics to be able to compare them. I know that some of the manufacturers give demo days at ranges, any such things with various optics anyone know about? I would really love to compare some of the high end optics in the field so I can really see some difference where I have range, rather than in the store.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HeroFish</div><div class="ubbcode-body">you know, its kind of a good point to get behind the optics to be able to compare them. I know that some of the manufacturers give demo days at ranges, any such things with various optics anyone know about? I would really love to compare some of the high end optics in the field so I can really see some difference where I have range, rather than in the store.
</div></div>

I've heard a theory that some scope companies actually optimize their lenses to look best with indoor lighting. This way, when you look at them in a store, the glass looks better than glass optimized for outdoors. Not sure how true that is, but something to think about.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

It didn't give me enough options. on a couple of my centerfires i have optics that are dirt cheap, but they are very repeatable, and incredibly clear for their price point. so i needed a button for as much or less
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

that's the problem I ran into. There is no place I could go to "sample" the higher end scopes so I ended up having to buy and return quite a few for various reasons. It does help being able to read reviews like the ones Koshkin writes. But still there is no substitute for first hand examination.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ollie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I spend more on my optics than my wife knows about</div></div>

LOL Amen brother...if she only knew.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

I'm pretty happy with the vortex viper pst range scopes for now. I'm afraid if I get a S&B or Kahles I'll have to buy 2 so I can keep one. The wife would probably snatch it up for her rifle before I could get it mounted on one of mine. At least the little girl isn't shooting scoped rifles yet or I'd be buying for 3 shooters.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

For LR and ELR shooting need to spend $2000-3000 or more for my 64 year old eyes. Looking hard at March scopes for 1000 yards out. Also agree that practice, practice and more practice is necessary to perfect your skills no matter what you shoot.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

I spend more on everything than my wife knows about. Its the way it has to be for domestic tranquility. My wife is however very understanding and can herself appreciate fine glass, and I don't mean the kind in the china cabinet. She wants one of my MK4's on her deer rifle...not gonna happen. I can't however tell her WHY I am not gonna put a $1500 scope on her Ruger. She still thinks they cost "around a grand", not knowing my definition of around a grand may mean up to and including $1599
smile.gif


I have $1175 64MPR that wears a 16X MK4. I have a custom built tactical rifle in 30-06 that wears a 16x MK4. Also have a Stevens now being converted to being a Savington in 223 with CDI bottom metal, it's 4.5-14x40 MK4 is sitting on the loading bench waiting to be remounted. Custom XP in the $2000 range that wears an old VXIII 3.5-10 tactical. Wifes Ruger MKII 243 wears my 30yr old VXIII 3.5-10. They all work supremely well. So the answer is: some more, some less, some about equal. It is a very subjective question so the answers have to vary widely with little meaning.
I would very much like to put a Premier or USO on my big rifle, replacing the 16x, but its not going to happen this year, and right now I find my choices hard to beat.
 
Re: How much do YOU spend on your optics?

I have close to $3k built into my rifle, with a $1,500 scope on it. That's all I've got.
 
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