Top Tips for Choosing the Right Scope!

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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.
Produced by: Red 11 Media

[@DennisVeilleux-ll8im]

Haven't had a chance to test if it holds zero, but mounts just fine and has nice clear glass. Centered vertically true to a plumb line with the crosshairs which is always a plus!It's a great kzbin.infoUgkxc4K63Fd5LglDMObu7-Bgapxp_ef0W8hE scope. There's no parallax adjustment or focus ring, so may be limited to 3-7x, have to see how it is on the range. Also be aware that the rings are "look through" so you can still use irons, but they are really tall if you only intend to use the optics. On a 22LR no biggie since I'm not shooting competitions or worried about a hard cheek press. Will boresight and range test, if all goes well, I'll leave it at that!

[@RichardEnglander]

This is why I love Uncle Ron The hunting uncle I never had. He's old school and hasn't sold his soul to consumerism and product placement. Integrity and honesty is his heart. He's here telling you what the big money don't want you to know, that there is so much planned and perceived obsolescence. Gear is good these days, keep is simple and practice more, buy more tickets. Tight lines and happy hunting all

[@robertburke2804]

First off, this is why I regard Ron with such positive regard. He offers clear concise input! My personal take is that I over scope sighting a rifle in as I want my bullet placement perfect on paper so Ive room for error so to speak while hunting. I dial down in the field 4-6 power is where I generally acquire and squeeze at… 100-400.yds as I dont hunt/shoot past that… GREAT JOB brother RON !!!

[@Vikingocazar]

Young Ron rocking the black stache!!!

[@AndreasNkleby]

I hunt fox and deer in Norway. I have a 2,5-15x56 Zeiss V6. It’s around $2000. Without it I would not see what I shoot. Maybe things are different in the US, but in Norway it’s all about the optic, and how much light it lets through. New, modern scopes are rarely bad mechanically anyway.

[@clinkerclint]

Forget scopes, let's talk about that Versatile 150!!!!

[@robertreid4451]

Leupold VXIII 3.5×10×40 mounted on 30-06 browning x-bolt has been a great combo for me. After much shooting and banging around in the bush it's never failed me. Great optics and keeps its zero point.

[@peterparsons7141]

I’ve had a couple of Leupolds and agree that they are excellent. What confuses me when shopping for another, is the many different grades. The two I’ve owned have been very good.

[@TerryLee04950]

Over the past 60+ years I have bought many scope’s, from 25.00 up to 600.00. The best one for me is a sight Mark 1-4 x24mounted on my Marlin 243. Picked it up at a lawn sale for 15.00. New in box.

[@juanvaldez5422]

Sight mark is great , every 15 year old on the internet wants to shxt on them however lol

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

My go to rifle for medium to large game is a Remington model 700 that's early 70's vintage that's glass bedded and has a Timney trigger. It has a 70's vintage Redfield widefield 2-7 variable. This thing has held zero like a champ and, from a rest, I can hit a pie plate at any distance out to 500 yards, almost every time. Old school works.

[@nmelkhunter1]

I love old school. What cartridge?

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

@@nmelkhunter1 The ultimate fudd round- .30-'06.

[@nmelkhunter1]

@@georgesakellaropoulos8162 There’s nothing wrong with a good 30.06. It kills those fudd elk, mulies and pronghorn dead, dead, dead. 🤠

[@jk-kr8jt]

Classic rifle wearing what in the 1960s till the early 1980s was a top of the line scope.

[@malachiwhite356]

It may, and that sounds like a good gun; however, few products in the shooting sports have improved as much in the last 50 years as optics. I think if you'd examine a new high-quality riflescope you'd see the difference in brightness for yourself.

[@darrellmorse1894]

I'm old, however, I still purchase Redfield scopes from the 70's especially the TV low pro models as they have great glass and have never failed me. I also like Leupold scopes usually in super clean used condition. $200-300 still buys a great used scope. Great video!!

[@4570dylan]

For hunting i find a $300-$500 scope goes way further then a "it comes free with the gun" scope . I spent a couple years learning that lesson the hard way with bad scopes.

[@adamelam6385]

That's about my price range as well.

[@idahohermit4634]

If it's free, then even they don't want it

[@GamerNxUSN]

When I got my xbolt, a friend suggested a Japanese made Bushnell, so I picked one up, gorgeous optic, one of the brightest and clearest I have ever looked through, but the eye relief didn't work for my LOP. Leupold was the only manufacturer that gave me a whole sight picture at my eye distance so I returned my Bushnell and picked up a Leupold American. Been a great scope for my needs

[@DinoNucci]

That made no sense

[@GamerNxUSN]

@@DinoNucci sorry, typed vortex meant Leupold

[@DinoNucci]

@@GamerNxUSN there you go!

[@kentuckywindage222]

Ron that tractor has character! I have an Athlon Aries 4.5-27x50 HD APLR4 on a 308 Winchester. I've been using it for a few years and am highly impressed. I have a Vortex of around the same specs and honestly after the sun sets the Athlon Aries 4.5-27x50 just starts to out perform the Vortex by leaps and bounds. The last purchase was the Vortex. If I were to do it over considering the money within $200, (the Vortex 200 more) I would've went with the Athlon. I had bought a new 6.5cm and was itching for a scope right then to put on the rifle so as to check accuracy. They had the Vortex I bought in stock at the gun store. Not pooing on Vortex. I use their Razor 4000 range finder and love it. The clarity from it is wonderful and it's reliability and repeatability is superb for the money spent.

[@RepublicofTX]

I threw the Athlon Argos BTR Gen 2 8-34x56 on my Ruger 6.5 creedmoor. Soon as I sighted it in i doped it out to 800 yards. Literally 4 hours after doping it in I took a massive mule deer at 415 yards. Dropped him like a sack of potatoes. Using Hornady 120 GR. GMX ammo. Smoke city!!!

[@scottscheuerman6170]

I always seem to head towards the Leupold scopes when it comes to heavier recoil rifles because Leupold always has a scope with a lot more eye relief and I like 40 mm objective lenses for mounting it closer to the bore and gives a better cheek to stock fit also

[@heathenous81]

My dad' 30-06 has an old Weaver 4 power. It has always been dead on.

[@user-td1zo3tv9p]

I've managed to come across not one but TWO of these great little fixed power scopes and I really like them but the problem is I haven't any kind of firearm to mount them on these days. To say I have an, ahem, overabundance of guns would be a silly statement on my part but I cannot bring myself to buy two more guns JUST to mount these little gems on at the moment. I suppose I could settle one on my Ruger 10-22 but that's my up close and personal rattlesnake killer for my yard and a scope wouldn't be terribly handy at those nearly point-blank ranges. I don't have any family to gift them to nor do I have any friends who've expressed interest in them. And when I take them to the occasional gun show, all the vendors interested seem to think I should pay THEM for the priviledge of them taking the scopes off my hands. They are real turds IMHO. So I'll hang on to them for a while longer until someone makes me a REASONABLE offer, then I will sell them. And it's not like I'm looking to retire on the proceeds, either. Like most of the guns I've sold over the years, they went for the same price I bought them for plus a bunch of extras, or less if I knew it was going to a good home. Maybe these will find good homes, too, one day. All that aside, I sure like my NightForce scopes on my AR-50 as well as my Remington Sendero in .300 Win Mag. Excellent clarity as well as illumination out to waaaay Yonder but not so heavy as to be abusive. Besides, neither rifle is sveldt or a backpack gun anyway, if you catch my drift. Otherwise I'm absolutely SOLD on the variety of Leopold scopes of various magnifications I have for hunting deer, elk antelope and thus with my trusty Winchester Model 70 in God's Caliber of. 30-06 and another on my super accurate Savage in .223 I use to wipe out Prairie Dog towns to help out ranchers in Northern Arizona. Now if only I can get my health back so I can start to hunt again. This getting old ain't for Sissies!

[@robertbent7999]

Great video as always !. Man I wish I had that ol versatile tractor 😍🤣

[@spikesb1]

This is the best scope guide I have ever seen or read, common sense instead of marketing.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Thanks Spikesb. Just sharing what I've learned over the years.

[@texpatriot8462]

Most hunters would do well with a used Vari-x scope from Leupold. Great warranty makes them a low risk purchase.

[@kurtwilhelm3823]

I have a couple of them and they are fantastic. Actually I really believe after all the reading and scope buying I’ve done leupold make the best scope there is at every price point. I recognize there are make other great choices but leupold products and service are awesome.

[@edwardabrams4972]

Having hundreds of rifles and scopes over 60 years Leupold is the Best Buy for a good quality scope, American made and lifetime warranty! I have owned scopes in the thousands $ and for the best warranty and light gathering at dusk Leupold is the best!

[@yessir3404]

@@edwardabrams4972 I’ve owned a lot of scopes as well, and leupold turrets and tracking is iffy. I’m liking Tract Optics now. Couple dudes from Nikon started it up and they’re making some great stuff.

[@KimballPrecisionRifles]

@@edwardabrams4972 unfortunately, the cheaper

[@gk5891]

Leupold M8 2.5 Compact. I sent it to Leupold to refurb and then hung it on my 1917 Winchester Enfield "Big Bore" Custom. I don't want to pay for the kind of glass that lets me count hairs an hour and quarter before sunrise (Swavorski) or read a newspaper at 1000 meters through the mirage (USO). I just need good rugged construction with serviceable glass for proper targeting at 75 yards a half hour before sunrise.

[@spencertrump5608]

Leupold, Leupold, Leupold. They’re the best combination of glass, internals, and durability. I’ve never been able to break one. I make an exception for my vintage rifles, I use steel tube weavers on those.

[@kurtwilhelm3823]

Agreed

[@nmelkhunter1]

Yes sir.

[@edwardabrams4972]

Leupold has the best warranty period! Bought a used VX3 years ago that has a focus problem and sent it in and they sent me back a new one at no cost!

[@malachiwhite356]

My Leupold broke in the first few weeks that I owned it. No misuse or abuse, and it cost me 50 bucks to ship it for repairs.

[@GamerNxUSN]

For the price, my Leupold American Marksman is an incredible value.

[@brianbumgardner8704]

I have a Leopold on my .44 mag and Burris on my Remington 700 .270. They have both performed well for me in all kinds of weather.

[@SIM3PAUL]

Of the scopes I've owned, my $139 Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 has been my favorite. 6 years of hunting, only had to zero it one time. Every year I take it out to zero it right before hunting season and I've never needed to adjust it. Probably 1/1000000 chance you don't have to do that, but it's true.

[@brianpierson7708]

Nope I got a 30-06 when I was 12 a savage and a 3-9X40 redfild And put on it back in 93-94 hunting season and I set it and when I pulled it on and put a new scope on the rifle in 2009 it had only been moved one time and that’s because I went from a 150gr to a 180GR corelock so I fine tuned it then I put it on my wife’s 30-06 where it sits now and when I put it on her rifle I only went a 6 clicks one way and 4 the others and I won’t to say it was 6 climes up but anyway It is on there right now and has never been messed with and the scope I put on mine has only had the caps off 2 times the first to set it and the second to oil my O-Rings and that’s it all in all most people get to crazy with it and shoot one time in 8 months with wind blowing across an the gun isn’t in a good position and them locked down then as the first shot hits the first thing they do is pull the caps and go to twisting on the elevation and windage so they never truly have a scope that’s set in the beginning and that’s the wrong an worst thing anyone can ever do but yet the biggest an most dun thing at the range I’m just glad I had a dad and uncles that could drive tacks at any distance with any gun anytime and I don’t watch them because people from all over southwest Mississippi would come to the camp or to my uncles house because they where having trouble with there rifles not shooting and most of the time it was something simple they hadn’t dun or something they had dun and within 10 mins the gun was shooting fine and was gone to the woods I have seen some crazy’s shit even one guy come and had the scope on backwards and was bragging about how good of a shot he was an how good the scope was but that he cleaned it and after he cleaned it it was acting up and was like looking down the hall way to see something 😂

[@thebastard1958]

love your video's, like an old gun mag that's come to life. Really enjoy how you added the still photo's of your grandson, lets hear more from him.

[@veteranoutdoorsman9978]

I have a Leupold rifleman 3-9x40 that I sighted in on my 30-06 14 years ago and haven't adjusted it since. Great scope. Had a tasco pronghorn that lasted years on a slug gun.

[@davidbrock1565]

Couple yrs ago I bought a Leupold FXII 6X36 for a 303 British. They are really rugged. Hopefully they still make them today.

[@sylviajones3355]

While whitetail hunting, during the rut especially, often times I don't have time for binoculars. He'll be gone. I want some pretty clear glass in my scope.

[@johnriggs9016]

My 35$ 22 mag scope broke on my 45/70 go figure it wouldn’t hold zero.Thank you great advice.

[@whoshotashleybabbitt4924]

Must have got a lemon. Clearly was manufactured on a Monday or a Friday afternoon.

[@redneckgamer2516]

This guy has a soothing voice.

[@MM-sy6ud]

My best cheap scopes: Leupold freedom 3-9 x 50 for hunting, the vortex venom for shooting, without any doubt.

[@edwardabrams4972]

Leupold the best American scope and the best Warranty!

[@MM-sy6ud]

@@edwardabrams4972 I agree. I live in Italy where hunters really appreciate Swarovski geco and Zeiss optics too. I like the Leupold, although adjustment details are not perfect.

[@deanriley5690]

You know Ron knows quality and what's good is seeing a wera screwdriver on the tear down.

[@JayLewisFarmStyle]

Thank you so much for your gift to the 2A community! Your content is always appreciated. Somewhere in the back of my safe lies an old 30-06 ADL with a Bushnell Banner 3x9 that has more heads on it than the rest of my rifles combined. It kinda makes me feel guilty whenever I purchase the newest whiz bang rage of the age...

[@robertezell1916]

I want the old Versatile! She is a gem!

[@hansblitz7770]

One of the best simple scopes out there is the swfa superlight, made in Japan. 2.5-10 simple reticle, 9.5 oz with a solid zero.

[@albertlemont5471]

I have two 2.5x10 Burris. Love the simplicity and magnification range is perfect.

[@jeffmorrow1957]

You’re a great guy Ron!

[@michaelanderson9352]

I have a K4 weaver scope on a model 70 in 270 win.that I have used for 50 years on elk,deer,and coyotes.It has hundreds of miles in a saddle scabbard at high altitude and has taken numerous game at 400+yards.it was purchased when weaver,Redfield,and leupold were the quality scopes on the market.That was 1971. It was zeroed in when new and maintained it’s zero ever since.That was back when we manufactured quality products at affordable prices!

[@richardlucas2155]

Ron I’ve used Burris and bushnell mid price for years good luck so far for 40 years

[@edwardabrams4972]

Burris has the best lower priced scopes! Lifetime warranty at a affordable price

[@22vampyre]

Leupold VX-3 series is still the best scope made for the money. You can pay more, you can pay less, but the VX-3 is right in the middle and will last you a lifetime.

[@striderwolf687]

Leupold, Vortex and Sig have worked for me as they meet the great guarantee, durability for what I do and most hunting I have done was under 200 yards. I used to have Nikkon, but they stopped making scopes. Mounts and rings are just as important! Found that out the hard way.

[@striderwolf687]

@Paul good to know!

[@jcows12]

I'm also a fan of leupold and vortex. How many bad scopes are actually bad mounts lol. My dad put an expensive scope on with 20 dollar mounts lol probably not going to pan out but well see lol.

[@striderwolf687]

@@jcows12 good point!!!!

[@williamfeldner9356]

I have owned over 30 Leupold Scopes over the course of 45 years. Only one scope failed, a 4x HEAVY reticle broke.. It was replaced free under warranty…… I do prefer the Boone and Crocket Reticle as no adjustments are needed to be made to the dial system to make shots out to 500 yards………. It is my understanding that lens for the scopes are made in Europe or Japan and assembled in Oregon. Lens for the binoculars and spotting scopes are made in China along with component assemblies……..

[@adamelam6385]

The old Japanese made Tascos were excellent scopes for the money.

[@michaelgarrow3239]

Rock on!

[@dimensionsofearth]

This was the most helpfull scope video I've seen yet and I feel armed with the knowledge I need to buy my first scope

[@robertjackson1407]

Thank you 😊

[@GrainedCone063]

Some other points to note, exit pupil and how the objective lens size effects this, eye relief and eye box (how forgiving the optic is when you don't have perfect head alignment) and the rectifier magnification range and the effects of light transmission from the top of your magnification to the bottom. These are generally forgotten about but in my opinion important factors of a quality optic. Side note: not all glass coatings are created equal, just because a 200$ optic and a 2000$ optic say they have fully coated glass doesn't mean theyre the same. Quality of the coatings and how many layers are applied are generally not noted in the specs

[@algoneby]

I have a Old Redfield wide view scope, I would not trade for anything new or fancy. To me it is the Bomb. My use hunting deer. It to me is amazing. Holds zero, hits where I aim, and I couldn't be happier. It's on an amazing .308 rifle too.

[@tomsterism]

Ron, thank you for your always knowledgeable, experienced, and rational take on all things shooting. I have learned so much from your presentations over the years!

[@matthabir4837]

This is one of those videos that needs a triple like button. You hear me, YT?

[@sylviajones3355]

I'm sure there are some good budget scopes from other countries . I just can't let myself put a Chinese scope on my rifles.

[@davidzellers3537]

Ron that versatile tractor is a great tractor!!! They are built with simple basic parts and they are much easier to work on! Very good analogy!

[@derekcombs6497]

Interesting video actually because of this i dug my old war horse TASCO proghorn 4×32 out of the closet and dropped it in the sink after 46 minutes i pulled it out and much to my surprise it had not leaked i swapped it with the chinese 3-9 that was on my traditions g4 muzzleloader. And dropped that scope in the sink. 24 minutes later and that scope was full of water. And had foggy lenses. Thanks for the tips ron i really enjoyed this video

[@jamesg6675]

Thank you, this really helped me know what I need!

[@scbane]

No need to search for me. Vortex Diamondback 3x9x40 for all my hunting needs, Vortex Strike Eagle for a compact, lightweight brush scope, or Vortex Sparc. Vortex Crossfire for my plinkers. My hunting binos are the Vortex Diamondback 10x50 HD's. Decent optics, never had a problem with manufacturing quality. I have used the VIP warranty 3 times, none of the three times took more than two weeks. People may mock me, but I am not the "spend a grand for a scope" guy. Side note: Leupold lost me as a customer for life 15 years ago due to their "warranty" and what a pita it was. Maybe they are great, don't care.

[@wilburnmartin5706]

I've got Leopolds, bushnell, sig Sauer and a Riton. My Leopolds have only given me one issue over nearly 30 years and it was fixed free except shipping. My bushnell "firefly?" Worked great for nearly 20 years, then the lighted crosshair dot broke. It was warranted with the forge or nitro series. So far it has worked well. My sigs are the ballistic reticle models and haven't seen any real use yet, but seem decent. My Riton is the base R1 and for the price point it has been pretty darn good, so far. Alabama deer hunting doesn't really put excessive strain on equipment though, other that a warm truck to a freezing cold morning air. Love the videos Ron.

[@graynotescartridgebox]

No such scope as a Leopold.

[@wilburnmartin5706]

@@graynotescartridgebox my bad spelling. Leupold if someone else couldn't figure out what I was speaking of.

[@bulldrumm]

Good information, thank you. On a tangent, i took most animals with a cheap, second( or maybe third) hand zastava mauser 7x 57. On it was decades old, yugoslavian copy of a ww2 german military, i think, a zf-4 scope. Fixed 4 power, german post reticle, no problem up to 300 meters. I never shot an animal at a greater distance. On average, under 200 meters. It worked well within its limits. You had to put a hammer to it, in order to mess it up. Of course, it was a bare minimum in term of features. No lens coating, no paralax adjustment, no moa clicks... Quite minimalistic, yet sufficient.

[@jefferywilliams7687]

Outstanding video. The war in Iraq and Afghanistan woke the world to long distance sniping. What is good for that situation,is not for hunting. All the external knobs and get caught, knocked off, or dig into your body. They don’t work well in horse scabbards and soft gun cases. I would recommend more hunters focus on shooting skills, size of their target, and quick reference points. Do you know how to use a top scope cap as a quick reference point to find your target? Low magnification helps you find a target quicker and you don’t see yourself move as much.

[@jamesbronner3927]

I have quite a few different scopes, Tract, Leupold, Redfield (60’s and 70’s), Weaver (70’s), Nikon. I have fiddled with the new Trijicon Hurons as well. For modern scopes, I don’t think you can beat the Tract for an all arounder. Lots of options, good construction, glass etched reticles, great glass and adjustments on the Toric and Tekoa models. The Trijicons offer the same features but I haven’t mounted and used one so I can’t speak to their quality. Leupold has always made a great product but I just love my old Weaver V7’s from the 70’s and the Old Redfield Widefield 2-7x scopes. I am only a 38 year old guy….but my go to New England Deer rifles are a Savage 99 with a refurbished Weaver V7 in Weaver imperial mounts and rings and a Remington 760 with a 2-7x Redfield Widefield in Talley Screw Locks. Both have leather slings.

[@farmerwayne1404]

SWFA has some great fixed power scopes. 50 bmg rated. MOA or Mil. Under 300.00. Wait for sale, under 200.00 . I also have used a Primary arms Appolo 3x18. Great reticle...

[@adamloving4896]

I admit to using more scope than I need on my hunting rifles, but I like exposed (locking) turrets and tree reticals on my hunting guns. It matches what my target guns have and the consistency between rifles is very valuable to me.

[@JJN1973]

Good advice and a great little post. Cheers

[@Bob-lq9ys]

Great info , Thank You

[@robertsebacher44]

One of your best vids for hunters. Especially the advice to KISS.

[@craigleibbrand7761]

Ideal rifle scopes are 11/2 to 5, 2 to 7, 21/2 to 8. 2 to 7 being IDEAL. Mounted LOW over the bore.

[@wrenchoperator6435]

I think they've gone out of the scope business, but I think the happiest I've been with a rifle scope is the with the Nikon Monarch 4-16×50 rifle scope. It's proven to be a super bright and rugged scope for the moderate price, and I even preferred it to some of the more expensive scopes I've owned. Mounted on my Rem. 700 BDL in 7mm mag it has proven to be a great hunting optic with 100% reliability.

[@benf8487]

These are fantastic tips for picking a scope. I have had great luck with Trijicon accupoint line of scopes. They hold zero, many reticle options, and great light transmission. The tridium and fiber optic allows for a battery-less illuminated reticle. You can find them used for around $400. I pretty much only buy them or Vortex.

[@dalecflowers]

Great info. Thank you.

[@scott6052]

Thank you very much. Good info.

[@roccofortura2468]

Ron, great information as always, thank you.

[@denizen9998]

This is great info! You answer alot of my questions.

[@kingcobra7565]

Thank you

[@newerest1]

this video is really great

[@ramonjrusa]

Thank you sir for educating me

[@iBleedStarsAndBars]

Great points, very good advice.

[@Chefinator72]

Good stuiff. Thanks Ron!

[@paulcurtis1159]

Very good presentation. Thankyou

[@robertgreer5229]

Good topic to revisit! Very good I like!👍🏻

[@rodneyharouff5739]

good show!

[@1776Angry]

Nice Versatile!!!

[@markjustice9857]

Thank you Ron, for a straight forward presentation. Very informative.

[@TroyTownsend-wj3rv]

Glad I watched this, just bought a budget scope combo and seemed all right, but the power range gets stiff and hard to turn at it's lower magnification but smooth and easy from the middle to end of power range. Going to see if the company can fix. Hope so.

[@billturner1960]

I always benefit in some way from your experience and thoughts. Thanks for this great and informative video on optics. Please keep up the great work! 😎👍

[@fisher1452]

Gear driven turrets, good enough for the snipers in every branch of military there good enough for me! Niteforce to the rescue

[@karloz83]

Well said. I loved my 8x56 kahles scope roo shoot for years in aus on a 220 swift then I sold the scope for more then what I paid for it and bought a swarvozki but run both kahles and swarvozki on everything had a kahles have a issue my fault on a scrub gun and I sent it back they fixed for free I just had to pay postage. Keep up the great videos

[@bradbo3]

I have had so so luck with some cheaper scopes….but did learn a valuable lesson a few times….one is the glass fogs up on cheap ones and can bite you in the butt when in the field. Second was after I lost my house in a fire….my guns all made it through (safe worked) but the heat and moisture killed all my cheaper scopes. My leupolds, vortex, redfields all came through and just needed some cleaning. The lower cost ones were all ruined.

[@josephpeterson7109]

35 years of guiding has shown me most hunters are over scoped. Complicated, to big to fit in a scabbard and mounted so high they don't get a good cheek weld. KISS

[@DinoNucci]

Too

[@graynotescartridgebox]

Maybe after 35 years you should be getting a bigger scabbard?

[@mikehass2229]

Those are the same type of guys who can't shoot for shit either. They are always worried about having the latest and greatest gadgets but don't spend the time practicing trigger discipline or shooting at distances they will possibly encounter on their hunting trip. They are also the same type of guys that think because their gun is boresighted, it's ready to go and buy ballistic tip ammunition for elk hunting.

[@graynotescartridgebox]

@Paul I use a 3-18x44 on my long range hunting rifle. Dude’s job is to serve his clients. Doesn’t sound like he is.

[@pensnut08]

I'm not being a wise ass, but what scopes do you like to see on a client's rifle?

[@mikes1097]

Excellent video! You covered this topic very well - thanks

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Thank you Mike.

[@sgtmajtrapp3391]

Very good presentation, on an issue everyone needs. I knew a professional hunter in Africa who favored the all steel Weaver scopes, as these he indicated were the most durable with heavy recoiling rifles.

[@308dad8]

Not bad information. I agree for MOST of us a rugged scope is far more important than a nice scope. I have some cheap scopes that work well for me. I don’t have access to any decently long ranges even medium ranges honestly, and I do like my fixed 4x scope with the post and cross hair reticle. Lower magnification helps me acquire target easily and all I need to know is there’s no orange beyond or in the direction of my deer I’ll ooh and ahh over his fur and antlers later. Also a scope that fogs, fogs when it goes into the warmer air, stays crystal clear in the colder air.

[@HotepSaoirse]

This has been a very informative video for a newbie shooter like me. For me the higher end and more complicated scope would serve my needs. However I’ve been looking for a scope that is low powered for bear hunting in the Georgia mountains for my scout rifle that I hunt with and never Leupold that had one just for me

[@jeffreykcarlin518]

Excellent content as usual Ron. Some folks have questioned me about having a $1,000 scope on my 20 year old rifle. I tell them that the old Browning still shoots MOA so I buy the best glass I can afford in case my buck of a lifetime comes out in less than ideal conditions. And, you can’t hit what you can’t see. I also liked the comment about the fixed powers. One or two of my favorite writers from days gone by were big advocates of fixed, one in particular loved a good fixed 6x. The advantages of simplicity and durability still apply today plus you don’t lose time worrying if I should zoom in or out.

[@johnf3f810]

For non critical stuff (target) I found the Nikko Sterlings/Burris/Weaver etc reasonably good. For (serious stuff) hunting? Habicht Nova 6 x 42 with the No 4 reticle - no need for anything else. Bomb proof, simple, excellent reticle, no illumination, no zoom, no parallax issues, great light transmission and colour rendition in low light . Once set up the only adjustments are for different loads or barrel wear. If your target looks a little small with 6x then it is TOO FAR AWAY! Get closer and respect your prey. Just my 2p.............. P.S. Great Info, as always, Ron.

[@jeffhamby74]

My favorites for hunting are mo old vx2 Leopold 3x9 and ancient 4x redfield I got 2 of each ,they aint fancy but seem indestructible. I have had cheap scopes fog up on me hunting, these have stood the test of time.I do a little target shooting too I have Athlon Vortex and weaver but I don't exactly sit in the stand in the rain &snow with them but they have been good for me.

[@grahamvaneck8906]

Gotta love them old Versatiles, they sure knew how to make a rock-solid tractor

[@davidorpwood8433]

1974 I GOT A Leopold x6 4x power for my BSA 30.06 never had to adjust it

[@davepayne1915]

Thanks again Ron!!! Nothing but knowledge and common sense. Makes me feel better after my last scope purchase ;-)

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Thanks Dave.

[@c.r.rg9529]

Saw riton in your banner background of new products. I have a 5 primal 3x18 on my savage axis ii precision. Very clear glass. I wish I would've gotten illuminated reticle. Picking off hogs at 300- 350 yards is clear and fun

[@jcows12]

Number one priority for a useable scope is that it will maintain zero. Second for me, is how clear is the glass, then anything after that is icing on the cake.

[@trapperjohn2462]

Great video. Ron. I kind of wish I had this type of information 40 years ago. Without this type of information, over the years, I have accumulated an amazing array of rifle scopes that failed to live up to "the mission". I remember that back in the 80s, I bought a 6X to 18X scope. It was a decent scope. However, based on the type of shooting/hunting I was doing, I quickly realized that 99% of the time, I utilized the scope on the 6X setting. Bottom line, I had spent quite a few extra dollars for a feature I really didn't need or use.

[@veteranoutdoorsman9978]

Fixed power is the way to go on longevity. Puting ncstar fixed powers on my 3030 and sks. Cheap fixed power scopes last a long time.

[@larryschmidt3594]

Fantastic video and information. I have friends with some really high end scopes, I believe just for bragging rights and to fit in with some of their hunting crowd. My favorite scope is a 2x7 mid price scope, my hunting needs are good light transfer and clarity for where I hunt, thick woods no shots over 100 yards. If the shot is right at the end of shooting hours I usually pass as I don't want to track and gut in the dark,just me. If I mountain hunted I would probably need an upgrade, mostly in power. I to have a banner that was great until I transfered it to my 450 Bushmaster. That gun took it down, no longer holds zero. So caliber adds to the equation on how good your scope needs to be also. Thanks again great info.

[@user-et2om3ug2j]

I already know the scope in the box ins good