Scopes - your all time favourite

[Axe]

If you had to choose just one scope for life, what would it be and why.?

 

And that question goes to number 2 :thumbs:

[Frank]

Smidt & Bender. :thumbs: Have i spelt that Right? :*)

Its clarity and dusk and Dawn capabilitys, are outstanding.

[Dunkield]

Schmidt and Bender fixed 6x42 in 25mm tube :thumbs:

 

I can't afford one like Frank's, that looks just dreamy

 

With No 4 reticle

 

Because they are the best value for money without any question what so ever if you buy the Hungarian version.

 

Because I can see stuff through it even when I can't see with my own eyes it so dark

 

Because they never de-value

 

Do you get the impression I like them???

Edited November 11, 2005 by stuartp

[Dunkield]

Have I told you about the light gathering??

 

Oh yes I have sorry about that :thumbs:

[younggun86]

swarvoski 8/56

unbelievable quality

and looks awfully sexy

my choice hands down

[Baldrick]

Schmidt & Bender 6x42, every time. Absolutely flawless pice of kit.

[dunganick]

swarvoski 8/56

unbelievable quality

and looks awfully sexy

my choice hands down

dito

 

swarovski 8x56 with 4A reticle, ultimate fixed power centerfire scope.

 

correct eye relief is so easy to find, they are just a joy to use.

[Axe]

So im thinking to myself, ill get some schmidt & bender optics.....google....schmidt & bender.com....dealers....uk......click...search....used .......£950 :thumbs:

 

You'll have to bare with me, whilst I pick myself up of the floor and restart my heart. £950 second hand....are these scopes made of a titanium/platinum alloy, with diamond inlay and supplied in a gold lined box!

 

Guess i'll have to re-think that one.

[kip270]

no1 Schmidt & Bender 3-12x50 30mm tube on my tikka.222

I've got a Zeiss 6x42 on my .270, leupold 3-9x40(spare), but the schmidt & bender is the dogs naggers :thumbs:

Oh yeh got a Tasco 1.5-6x42 titanium as well, plus two tasco 4x40's...

(where did all these scopes come from!!!!!)

Edited November 11, 2005 by kip270

[Hodmedod.one]

Schmidt & Bender 8x56. Stick it on the top of a Steyr SSG and you can't go wrong :thumbs:

[reddeer 40]

use a Swarovski 3-12x50 on my .243, planning to buy a .243WSSM with a Swarovski 2,5-10x56 or a Zeis 6-24x72, last one is my favorite.

[Dunkield]

So im thinking to myself, ill get some schmidt & bender optics.....google....schmidt & bender.com....dealers....uk......click...search....used .......£950 :thumbs:     

 

You'll have to bare with me, whilst I pick myself up of the floor and restart my heart. £950 second hand....are these scopes made of a titanium/platinum alloy, with diamond inlay and supplied in a gold lined box!

 

Guess i'll have to re-think that one.

Axe,

 

You only found the budget stuff then

Their latest variable scope is £1600, if Kelly Brook was a scope that would be her

 

When you get into this stuff mate you are swimming with the sharks, for top quality you simply have to pay big bucks.

 

Cheap guns can be OK but optics never are.

 

Let's talk about binoculars next week, when you have recovered a bit

Edited November 11, 2005 by stuartp

[dunganick]

use a Swarovski 3-12x50 on my .243, planning to buy a .243WSSM with a Swarovski 2,5-10x56 or a Zeis 6-24x72, last one is my favorite.

found the variable power zeies to have very fussy eye relief, optics are amazing though, right on par with swaro and schmidt

[Elma Fud]

Nightforce 5.5-22x56

 

Will hold its zero even when placed on a .50 BMG

 

So my .243 will be a piece of cake.

[deadeye ive]

When the kids leave home(12yrs),the wife runs off with a TOY BOY i'm going to treat myself to a Smidt & Bender to help me get over it.

 

Until then i've got to syick with my Simmons

 

 

Ive :thumbs:

[Frank]

Forgot to mention, mine is 3 to 12 x 50 and its German made. Have had it now for 8 years, when i first got it, it cost me £730 new, when we still had the £ and not the Euro. They are around 1500 Euro now for the same model :thumbs: .

[kip270]

Frank,

I've got the same model and managed to get for £530 brand new in 2003!!! I had a bargain, that's made my day :thumbs:

[Frank]

That is a great bargain mate, well done.

Things over here in Ireland are more expensive and they allways have been unfortunately. :thumbs:

[henry d]

Hawke titanium `cos it was put on and zeroed and it`s still printing the same hits,£250 and as they`ve stopped making them anyone got one to spare for my next rifle?:thumbs:

[deadeyedick]

Schmidt und Bender all the way.

All you need for the UK is 6 x 42. I do not believe that variable powers are all that more useful. When you come to Africa variable powers play a much more important role.

 

I even use the Hungarian S&B. Just as good as the german.

[Dunkield]

There you go Axe, you don't have to be a millionaire to have a scope from one of the best. In centrefire terms the big 3 are S&B, Zeiss and Swarovski, closely followed by Nighthawk and the high end Leupolds.

 

Hugarian fixed power Schmidts start at about 350 quid these days, and they are no different to the German's - and they will last you a lifetime (as will any of the others mentioned here)

 

If you don't think you can afford one, or simply don't want to spend that much money, take my advice and never ever look through one!

 

As your original question was about favourite scopes, and not just top end stuff I have to I am blown away by the quality and clarity of my Meopta Rimfire scope. I went for the 7x50 as a comprimise between 6 and 8 (see what I did there? ) and got the reticule with the graduations on the 6 o'clock post. Incredible value at £225, that was a couple of months ago, they all seem to be circa £280 now.

 

I would also say don't rule out secondhand good quality optics in favour of new average optics either, any of those listed in this thread will have either very long warranty or lifetime warranty. I bought a pair of secondhand Zeiss Binos about 3 years ago, they are now over 20 years old. I sent them back to the factory recently for a clean up and tune, as there was the tiniest of black dots inside one of the lenses. All the work including shipping back to me was FOC covered under the original warranty. So a big initial outlay can also prove be an investment in the long run.

 

Its been said a gazillion times before, but for the gazillion and 1st time here it is again "Spend all you savings on the scope, and the change on your rifle" or even "always buy the best scope you can't afford"

 

After all if you can't spoil yourself, who can you spoil? :thumbs:

[Subsonic Flyer]

Schmidt & Bender every time, I have two. 3-12x50 standard hunting scope and a 3-12x50 PM11 milldot. Crystal clear, repeatable windage and elevation adjustments, lifetime warranty - downside - almost a second mortgage!!!

[Gemini]

Unfortunately I can’t afford some of these wonderful scopes that are being mentioned, although if I could I would certainly buy a Swarovski.

As it is I have a lovely 3-9X50 Weaver on my .243. Absolutely clear optics and amazing light gathering qualities. Very pleased with this scope and it only cost me @ £250. :thumbs:

G.M.

[dunganick]

As your original question was about favourite scopes, and not just top end stuff I have to I am blown away by the quality and clarity of my Meopta Rimfire scope. I went for the 7x50 as a comprimise between 6 and 8 (see what I did there? :thumbs: ) and got the reticule with the graduations on the 6 o'clock post. Incredible value at £225, that was a couple of months ago, they all seem to be circa £280 now.

my old man has the same scope on his .22 hornet, and i have to say for quality of optics and overall build quality for the money it is probably better than s+b, swaro and zeis, however its just lacking those last few mins of low light performance. but for half the price i think its a stunning scope.

 

dont think much of the cross hair, and it twangs very easily. but for half the price of a swaro its a bargin.

[rogo]

 

As your original question was about favourite scopes, and not just top end stuff I have to I am blown away by the quality and clarity of my Meopta Rimfire scope.  I went for the 7x50 as a comprimise between 6 and 8 (see what I did there?  :thumbs: ) and got the reticule with the graduations on the 6 o'clock post.  Incredible value at £225, that was a couple of months ago, they all seem to be circa £280 now. 

my old man has the same scope on his .22 hornet, and i have to say for quality of optics and overall build quality for the money it is probably better than s+b, swaro and zeis, however its just lacking those last few mins of low light performance. but for half the price i think its a stunning scope.

 

dont think much of the cross hair, and it twangs very easily. but for half the price of a swaro its a bargin.

Nick,

 

I bought a Meopta 7x50 for £150 to go on my Hornet. When you say "Twangs" what do you mean?

 

Mike.