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Rifle Scopes Toughest Optic for the Money

libertyman777

Are you gonna eat that....
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 26, 2007
849
11
58
Heflin, Alabama
Okay, I'm looking for the opinions of folks that have actually used their particular glass choice and whether or not they've been able to compare to other optics.

Tough being defined as being able to take the most use and abuse and keep on truckin'.

My assumption is that US Optics may make the toughest scope with the ST-10 will be hard to beat at it's price point but that's just a guess based on what I've read but I've never used one extensively.

I'll list the manufacturers but will allow you guys specify a model or magnification range as you want.
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

I've broken a USO myself and have seen others with broken USOs and broken leupolds, I know people who have broken S&Bs. I have yet to see or hear of anyone who has broken a NF NXS sxope.
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

nightforce_NXS_bullethole-1.jpg


kept on ticking to...just sayin
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sickeness</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've broken a USO myself and have seen others with broken USOs and broken leupolds, I know people who have broken S&Bs. I have yet to see or hear of anyone who has broken a NF NXS sxope. </div></div>

Ask any SEAL or SF sniper, you'll suddenly have heard of a lot of people w/ broken NF's. Everything breaks, ask Frank, Lindy and Jacob.

Cheers,

Doc
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

libertyman - Add Premier Reticles to your list. They don't just make reticles, ya know.
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The PR 3-15x50 is the new SSDS. It'll be interesting to see how it holds up.
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: modifier</div><div class="ubbcode-body">libertyman - The PR 3-15x50 is the new SSDS. It'll be interesting to see how it holds up. </div></div>

your correct in that they have the contract. You are completely wrong thinking that the USMC is going to get rid of all the SB SSDS and suddenly slap PHs on there, the stipulation is that if a SB breaks and cant be repaired or is deemed destroyed. That ONE scope will be replaced with the PH
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

True, everything breaks, but Nightforce seems, from my experience, to break far less.


Leupold on that list is kinda funny. Whomever voted Leupold has probably never seen/used an actual Leupold tactical scope.

Hater's gonna hate!
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sickeness</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've broken a USO myself and have seen others with broken USOs and broken leupolds, I know people who have broken S&Bs. I have yet to see or hear of anyone who has broken a NF NXS sxope. </div></div>

Does a DOA count?
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dan46n2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Other, Trijicon ACOG. </div></div>

Ah, I knew I'd forget one.

Interesting results thus far.
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NukeMMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Unertl
DCP00846.jpg

This was was actually recovered from DRMO, repaired and sent back. </div></div>

That is one bulletproof scope right there, as well as the MST-100's. It's crazy how heavy they are...
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

I echo several folks in anything can be broken. The question is to what extent. I've had one come of a roof (single story), one kicked over on concrete (friggin shield man) and done several pig rolls on pavement where the scope kissed the ground hard. Several times ejected out of the rifle rack in the "back of the van".

My opinion is the US Optics takes more punishment without failure and the other supporting issue is, US Optics DOES NOT have Customer Service....they have CUSTOMER SPOILING.

I have broken all things mechanical in my years and I have yet to be treated as well as I have been by US Optics when a repair was needed. Great group of folks.

I also have Nightforce, IOR, Leupolds.

Just my experience,
LP
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LPDep</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I echo several folks in anything can be broken. The question is to what extent. I've had one come of a roof (single story), one kicked over on concrete (friggin shield man) and done several pig rolls on pavement where the scope kissed the ground hard. Several times ejected out of the rifle rack in the "back of the van".

My opinion is the US Optics takes more punishment without failure and the other supporting issue is. US Optics DOES NOT have Customer Service....they have CUSTOMER SPOILING.

I have broken all things mechanical in my years and I have yet to be treated as well as I have been by US Optics when a repair was needed. Great group of folks.

Just my experience,
LP
</div></div>

Outstanding input. Customer service is a variable I didn't include but should have. The best customer service I've ever experienced is with Vortex. If US Optics CS compares then they are GTG.
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

My son hates side focus scopes so his Accumark wears a lowly VX-III 6.5-20x40AO EFR target scope. While carrying his rifle by the sling the top sling swivel released and dropped his rifle to the pavement. He was holding it by the sling only attached to the butstock so it fell straight back and landed full force 11 pound rifle directly on the top covered target turret on that skinny 1" tubed scope. I thought surely it was trashed. It crushed the top of the cap and scratched it up a bit but it held perfect zero and still tracks perfect. He practices on digger squirrels with it and rarely misses. This was 3 years ago. Still going strong and this rifle is used hard year round.
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deadly0311</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: modifier</div><div class="ubbcode-body">libertyman - The PR 3-15x50 is the new SSDS. It'll be interesting to see how it holds up. </div></div>

your correct in that they have the contract. You are completely wrong thinking that the USMC is going to get rid of all the SB SSDS and suddenly slap PHs on there, the stipulation is that if a SB breaks and cant be repaired or is deemed destroyed. That ONE scope will be replaced with the PH </div></div>
I never said the Corps were going to dump all SBs currently in the field for PHs. I said the PH is the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #cc0000">new</span></span> SSDS, which it is. The <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #cc0000">current</span></span> SSDS is still the SB. I chose my words carefully. Don't read too far into them.
wink.gif
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

I have no clue which optic is better. I voted for nightforce just so I could see the results. Now I wonder how many people have done the same thing.

The poll really should be set up where you can see the results without having to submit a vote.

Sorry for submitting a vote without having any first hand knowledge.
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: modifier</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deadly0311</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: modifier</div><div class="ubbcode-body">libertyman - The PR 3-15x50 is the new SSDS. It'll be interesting to see how it holds up. </div></div>

your correct in that they have the contract. You are completely wrong thinking that the USMC is going to get rid of all the SB SSDS and suddenly slap PHs on there, the stipulation is that if a SB breaks and cant be repaired or is deemed destroyed. That ONE scope will be replaced with the PH </div></div>
I never said the Corps were going to dump all SBs currently in the field for PHs. I said the PH is the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #cc0000">new</span></span> SSDS, which it is. The <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #cc0000">current</span></span> SSDS is still the SB. I chose my words carefully. Don't read too far into them.
wink.gif
</div></div>

Your wording made it sound as though you were saying the PH was THE SSDS and that SB's would go to the wayside. Don't take the comment negatively, deadly knows a bit about what he speaks
wink.gif


I personally really like Vortex and NF.
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I hope to be able to put a Nightforce F1 on my AR10 one day and beat on it. </div></div>

As long as it's not *off* it we should be fine
smile.gif
. Hell, maybe they're built to take that kinda abuse too!
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

The original solicitation had noted that the Government “intends to award two separate contracts: one for the M40A3 SSDS, and another for the M82A3 SSDS; however, in the event a single offeror proposes one scope that meets the requirements of both the M40A3 and the M82A3, a single Offeror may be awarded both contracts.”
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hunter223</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: modifier</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deadly0311</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: modifier</div><div class="ubbcode-body">libertyman - The PR 3-15x50 is the new SSDS. It'll be interesting to see how it holds up. </div></div>

your correct in that they have the contract. You are completely wrong thinking that the USMC is going to get rid of all the SB SSDS and suddenly slap PHs on there, the stipulation is that if a SB breaks and cant be repaired or is deemed destroyed. That ONE scope will be replaced with the PH </div></div>
I never said the Corps were going to dump all SBs currently in the field for PHs. I said the PH is the <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #cc0000">new</span></span> SSDS, which it is. The <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #cc0000">current</span></span> SSDS is still the SB. I chose my words carefully. Don't read too far into them.
wink.gif
</div></div>

Your wording made it sound as though you were saying the PH was THE SSDS and that SB's would go to the wayside. Don't take the comment negatively, deadly knows a bit about what he speaks
wink.gif


I personally really like Vortex and NF. </div></div>
Understood. That wasn't my intent and I apologize if my word choice was less than ideal.

No worries either way. I know a bit how Uncle Sugar works, too.
wink.gif
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

It was hard to hurt an Unertl back in the day, damn durable, damn heavy; however, they ain't making scopes no more ("they" aren't) so Nightforce got my vote. I've owned several USO's, been happy with all, they seem very sturdy, but - like leupold - I get nervous when the greatest thing about an optic is how fast you get it back when it breaks.

I've owned Nightforce for MANY years, never sent one back; owned 4 USO's in the past 5-6 years, 3 went back at least once.
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deadly0311</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: modifier</div><div class="ubbcode-body">libertyman - The PR 3-15x50 is the new SSDS. It'll be interesting to see how it holds up. </div></div>

your correct in that they have the contract. You are completely wrong thinking that the USMC is going to get rid of all the SB SSDS and suddenly slap PHs on there, the stipulation is that if a SB breaks and cant be repaired or is deemed destroyed. That ONE scope will be replaced with the PH </div></div>
Much the same as what they did when replacing the Unertl's.
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

It's interesting to me how many multi-thousand dollar optics are voted up. When I would consider ___est ___ for the money, cost is an important consideration.

By the logic in this thread, you could easily say that a Bugatti Veyron is the fastest car for the money. Yes it is ridiculously fast, but it also costs $1M. I mean, seriously, I know that S&B, USO, and NF are considered "the best" but what are the real values in the market?
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

I think most would agree the NFs are the "value" scopes in the market, in that it is a good scope that will do more than you ask, but still offered at a good price.

Below that, you will get some good reviews of Super Sniper, some Bushnell 4200, and even some Leupold, but NF is still what I think to be a good, almost equal compromise (might not be a good word to use because there's nothing really compromising about NF, except maybe some features) between quality and pricing.
 
Re: Toughest Optic for the Money

For the extra $$, you get exceptional image quality, near zero change in anticipated point of impact due to mechanical inconsistency (if you know what you are doing), features that you want, reliability lesser scopes cannot offer (understanding that everything fails), and great dependability.

If, by your analogy, you are saying Bugatti is $1M and Yugo is $500, and Yugo can do "most" of what Bugatti can do, then you miss the point entirely.

For a safe queen or a scope that goes to the 100 yard line with all the other morons turning targets into swiss cheese (and thinking they rule ass), carry on, by no means is more scope needed. If, however, you might need to actually carry the gun and might need to dope a 600 yard shot from a 200 yard zero and put a round on target the first time, your Tasco ain't the right piece of gear, you definitely need a CounterSniper for that shot!


Compare a Hensoldt to a Tasco Silver Antler, if you still have the same question, you're doing it wrong.