Inexpensive vs. Expensive Rifle Scope?

Welcome to the Ron Spomer Outdoors Podcast!

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Who is Ron Spomer
For 44 years I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion – the outdoor life. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me – from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with this natural wonder, to become an integral part of our ecosystem and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, and fished across much of this planet. I've seen the beauty that everyone should see, survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish or shot the biggest bucks, but I’ve tried. Perhaps you have, too. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, an active participant in our outdoor world.

Disclaimer
All loading, handloading, gunsmithing, shooting and associated activities and demonstrations depicted in our videos are conducted by trained, certified, professional gun handlers, instructors, and shooters for instructional and entertainment purposes only with emphasis on safety and responsible gun handling. Always check at least 3 industry handloading manuals for handloading data, 2 or 3 online ballistic calculators for ballistic data. Do not modify any cartridge or firearm beyond what the manufacturer recommends. Do not attempt to duplicate, mimic, or replicate anything you see in our videos. Firearms, ammunition, and constituent parts can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.

[jacoklopper]

I used low powered scopes for years and shot a lot to learn my rifles. But my eyes opened when I got a Zeiss conquest v4 6-24x50 with turrets on my 30-06. First hunt with it I took 5 Kudus and al 5 fell where they stood, all around 300m. The better magnification and the fact that I can now dial to the exact distance makes a huge difference. And since then al my rifles were upgraded to Zeiss scopes with turrets. Its just a no brainer now and what I'd recommend. Dont skimp on good glass!

[CLCOPE]

Old Dad had his heart set on Burris Signature Scopes

[michiganwoodsman]

I agree with so much of what you say… but for a regular guy who hunts 5 days a year a luepold vx 1, 3x9x40 1 inch tube is cheap and great!
For the serious guy who hunts a ton and may shoot long range the
Luepold I just got was $800 with a lighted reticle and it’s 30mm with mil dot. I absolutely love it!

[patrickd]

I have owned, Leupold, Nikon, Burris, Zeiss, Redfield, Simmons, Bushnell. I will have to place leupold as my favorite. I could not tell a bit difference between the Leupold and the Zeiss. Other than the massive cost difference.

[leonardogarcia]

I have nothing but great things to say about the Arken epl4. It has exposed elevation turrets with a zero stop and a capped windage turret. It has Japanese glass and two different reticles to choose from, in moa or mil. You can get them under $400 and they take a beating and always track true! They’re on the lighter side for being a 30mm scope. They also have 2 different power sizes like one is a 16x and the other is a 24x. The turret is very noticeable at the turn because of the positive clicks, both felt and heard. For an entry level budget, you can’t beat them for western hunting and range shooting. For $300-$400, they worth a try! I promise it will be the first of many you’ll buy! 😅

[cargotoolshop]

I buy the cheapest Leupold scope I can find, usually a 3x9x40 or a 3x9x50, I'm also a fan of the old school 4x32, as many people love what they are used to, stay strong

[matthewlyness]

Luepold vx-5hd 3x15x44 on my browning x-bolt Medallion and 270

[CLCOPE]

Leupold, . . .
I only trust Leupold Scopes
My brother is a Vortex fan
And he has yet to coerce me to open my very narrow thoughts on this tho

[AlanThomas-hpfn]

Hunted with old school weaver k4 metal tube scopes and a couple of Redfield 3 to 9 variables. Some of my scopes are forty or fifty years old and still going good Weavers was always very accurate an durable. Bought one fancy scope with all the bells and whistles for my favorite long range fire stick. At the end of the day a straight 4 or 6 power and the simplicity is for me. Lot of Luepolds in my family. They have excellent light gathering qualities in low light condition. Better than the weavers in that way

[Graderman]

Well I hunt for a living wild hogs in swamps and some of the hardest land Florida has, I have a 45-70 with a Walmart Simons 3-9*32 $22 that has held up and zeroed for the past 4 years, and then I have a Browning BAR in 7 mm rem mag with a $3500 Zeiss scope that has to be re zeroed every 3 months I also have a marlin 1894 in 44 mag with a Vietnam era tasco 3-9*40 $10 that was sighted in back in 1988 and still prints 1/2" groups at 50 yards expensive isn't always better

[John_Redcorn_]

Ive never thought i needed to spend more than a mid-upper tier Leupold. If i cant see clearly with it than a swaro, s&b, etc. wont allow me to either.

[bcallahan]

I'm older. Was a welder. Never believed after 40 your eyesight starts to fail. Its true.
I'm 100% scope.
I spent more on scope than gun.
Use 2 eye method.
Its quick and accurate.
Has never failed me.
Know you don't or can't name drop.
But I'm going to.
Hopefully they might sponsor you.
Redfield or Nikon.
Best I've ever run.
1.75 -5 wide view was my woods gun.
4-12 my field cut off gun.
Just over 400 being my longest shot.
Again always be comfortable and confident.
Otherwise tomorrow is another day.

[andyeighttre]

Meopta, GPO, Luepold, Trijicon, Burris, Athlon, Sightron, US Optics get my money. EO Tech are tempting. One day I’ll buy a March.

[FredHaferkamp]

I have a bushnell elite 9 power with range finder. A most excellent optic.

[joshballesteros]

I was taught at a young age if you can shoot an open sight gun, and understand how trajectory works. You will be known as a marksman. A good marksman doesn’t need all that cool stuff, it might help you but if you’re not a good marksman it’s not gonna matter.

[tonywoconish]

🗣️I currently own and use 8 Vortex scopes, no problems.
SEMPER FI 🇺🇸🤠

[dshook]

I’ve really found that middle of the road offers me the best for the type of hunting I do, I don’t generally need exposed turrets to dial, I hate these modern day “busy” reticles, I have no need for illumination due to my states legal hunting hours. I have some higher end ones but for hunting I stay simple and lite lol

[coreymerrill]

I remember when a 1 inch tube was standard and 30mm was the big premium option and only extremely expensive scopes had 34mm tubes and proprietary rings. Lol. Speaking of extremely expensive scopes. You do get to a point where a top end scope has been so specialized it's not practical for anything but it's main designated purpose. If you have deep pockets or deep credit and start looking at the most expensive options just to have the best, do realize that your boutique level scopes are going to be mostly niche designs for long range shooting . Probably even from a bench or machine rest where you have a secondary optic mounted to the main optic just to locate your target quickly and then you transition. Very much like a telescope for astronomy. Fantastic, top of the line hunting options will be typically be less than top end target options. No I'm not including night vision, thermal or crossovers. A top end hunting optic will give the best light transmission possible, have edge to edge clarity, be extremely durable, but it will also be light enough to carry all day and too end magnification won't be much over 12 power and will have a low end that gets you on target fast. You do have many brands to choose from as well. It's no joke when Ron says you need to do your homework for finding a suitable optic.

[jameshall]

Vortex pst viper is a great scope i have a few of them

[haileyhose]

Vortex is a great scope for the blue collar shooter/hunter. Great quality.