Rifle Scopes Opinions on Leupold and Nikon quality

[garandman]

I've only ever bought Leupold scopes, but nothing in over 5 years. Always been very happy with them.


I hear Nikon is pretty good to.

Budget is $1,000 (hard maximum) and intended use is 300WM bolt target rifle.

Are Leupy and Nikon still maing quality stuff?

Thx.

 

[Texas Destroyer]

Re: Opinions on Leupold and Nikon quality

Tough question, first i use to be only leupold also, but they have cheaper lines now, that are made in phillipines and japan. In the price range of 1,000 it is not made here but materials are quality. Also nikon is same quality and less money so that is my two cents worth a 1,000 nikon is expensive quality nikon!!

 

[Texas Destroyer]

Re: Opinions on Leupold and Nikon quality

I have 3 night force also but way over your budget of 1,000

 

[Texas Destroyer]

Re: Opinions on Leupold and Nikon quality

look at Voretx for a 1,0000 taht will buy you good quality scope with vortex

 

[bodywerks]

Re: Opinions on Leupold and Nikon quality

My opinion, short of ability to hold zero, glass quality should be your number one concern. That said, Nikon has excellent glass quality for the price point you are looking at. Where they and lupy fall short is in other areas. I can't think of a single ranging reticle that Nikon makes that's worth a darn, unless you think the mil-dot is a good reticle (i don't).even then the turrets are going to be calibrated in MOA and won't match the reticle.I've looked through several of the monarch editions, though - very nice glass but if you want the mildot reticle i believe you are going to be over the $1k mark. The other downside to all but the $1k+ Nikons it seems is the tube diameter is only 1 inch, which limits windage and elevation adjustment.
I just got my first Leupold today (mk4 m5 turrets ffp tmr reticle) and i am very impressed with the glass. It's not in your price point but all mk4 scopes use the same glass. I only went with this one because it is the only one that has a mil-based reticle with mil turrets. I LOVE the TMR reticle, though, and if you can deal with having non matching turrets i believe you can get a mk4 in the 3.5-10x zoom with the TMR reticle for right around the $1k mark.
Like i said, glass quality on both are excellent. I have owned a nightforce and don't think the glass was all that great. Not bad, but i think you're spending the $ on it more for the ruggedness.
Many will steer you toward the vortex viper line. I own one. I bought the lupy to replace it so it's for sale. I LOVE the features the pst offers, but ffp, matching turrets, zero stop, illuminated reticle are all features that mean nothing if the glass is only so so. I thought the lack of clarity was just a fluke with mine until i looked through two more at my local shop and saw the same thing - fuzzy picture. Then i looked through a mark 4(and a low end Swarovski-amazing glass!) And saw what i wanted - a crisp, clear picture!

 

[mws2000]

Re: Opinions on Leupold and Nikon quality

A couple of other quality scopes in your price range are the Weaver Tactical line and the Sightron Slll series.

 

[emn83]

Re: Opinions on Leupold and Nikon quality

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: quietbullet</div><div class="ubbcode-body">look at Voretx for a 1,0000 taht will buy you good quality scope with vortex </div></div>

totally agree with this. I love my PST

 

[bodywerks]

Re: Opinions on Leupold and Nikon quality

Ok, then. Jump on the pst bandwagon! And I'll sell you mine, 30 days old, 4-16 ffp, MOA $825 shipped.

 

[SomeOtherGuy]

Re: Opinions on Leupold and Nikon quality

Still making decent scopes, sure. But not usually a good value. Both can have good glass, and Nikon even does at a given price point. But I'm not impressed by Nikons mechanically, and Leupold scopes seem to run a couple $100 more than competitors for any given feature set and quality level.

For quality and value, IMHO, if the SWFA SS series has what you want it is a strong contender. If not, Vortex Viper and above lines, and Weaver Super Slam, Super Slam Euro, and Tactical (30mm), are also excellent values. Zeiss Conquest is worth a look as well.

 

[bodywerks]

Re: Opinions on Leupold and Nikon quality

I looked through several zeiss scopes while i was at my local shop and discovering the lack of glass quality in the vortex line. For the price, the zeiss scopes have excellent, EXCELLENT glass, and they have some awesome bdc reticles - some of which have some MOA hash marks that can be used for ranging. I almost bought a zeiss over the Leupold, but their 1"tube was a turn-off for me. I shouldn't let a slight lack of range of adjustment sway me away but it did. I also don't have any quality 1"rings. But i have 30mm rings coming out of my ears!

 

[bodywerks]

Re: Opinions on Leupold and Nikon quality

If you're ok with a 1" tube take a look at the zeiss conquest 6.5-20x50 line with either the rapid z800, 1000, or varmint reticle. They all have MOA target turrets and the reticles are really nice and useful, and as said before, excellent glass quality.

 

[mj36639]

Re: Opinions on Leupold and Nikon quality

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: quietbullet</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Tough question, first i use to be only leupold also, but they have cheaper lines now, that are made in phillipines and japan. In the price range of 1,000 it is not made here but materials are quality. Also nikon is same quality and less money so that is my two cents worth a 1,000 nikon is expensive quality nikon!! </div></div>

All leupold riflescopes are manufactured in the USA. The only optics I am aware of that are manufactured overseas are the binoculars, spotting scopes, and range finders.