daphysicsprof
New member
I recently found a good deal on a Remington SPS in 30-06 (hey, I wanted to buy an 06 in 06), and I am looking for a scope in either 3 - 9 or 2 - 7. My budget is about $160.00. I know that some of you subscribe to the "spend as much on the scope as the rifle" philosophy, but in my case I need to get the most bang for my buck (two kids in college will do that to you), but I do want a good quality scope. I have done a fair amount of research, including scanning many previous posts from this and other boards, and I have the field narrowed down to:
Sightron S II 2.5 - 7 x 32
Usually costs nearer to $200 but one well respected web retailer has it for $159. Seems like most people rate the Sightron S II line higher in optical quality than the others I have listed here. This looks like a great deal, so the obvious question is, is the quality of this scope as good as other S II scopes, and is this simply a great deal? Regarding 2.5 - 7 vs 3 - 9, my guess is that as I currently live on the east coast, the extra field of view would actually be more useful than the extra range of a 3 - 9 (and I haven't found a 3-9 S II for less than $200). And even if I move west some day 7x should be pretty good about as far out as I would be comfortable shooting at game. If you all tell me this glass is just as good as the other S II scopes, and better than the Burris or Bushnell, this is the scope I will buy!
Burris Fullfield II 3 -9 x 40
Again usually costs nearer to $200 but there are a couple dealers blowing them out (new) on Ebay for about $160 (including shipping). Very high transmission, but if you read their own web site carefully, it is clear that the glass isn't as good as the Signature line. The question is - is it as good as the Sightron S II? Also, I looked at the 2 - 7 x 35 but it only clicks in 1/2 MOA, doesn't mount any lower than the 3 - 9 x 40, and I can't find it any cheaper than the 3 - 9 on Ebay. All the Fullfield II scopes suffer from the minor defects of rotating the eyepiece when rotating the power ring (I know - its supposed to reduce the number of seals), and needing a screwdriver or coin to sight in. The fancy distance holdover reticle is only a minor plus for me. This is currently my number two choice.
Bushnell Elite 3200 3 - 9 x 40
Again this usually costs nearer to $200 but you can find it now and then for nearer $160-170 on ebay (new). The Rainguard coating is clearly a plus, but I keep hearing rumbles about short eye relief (3.3 inches). And the 2 -7 in this line only has an eye relief of 3 inches. Given that I my will certainly shoot Hornady light magnum loads, or equivalent handloads, I don't want to get popped in the eye. This is curently my number three choice.
Yes I know - I Bushnell Elite 4200 or Nikon Monarch would be better scopes, as would a Burris Signature or Sightron S III. These all seem to be up in the $250 - 300 range (best case), and are simply out of the question. After all I need a base and rings as well, and I want some money left for ammunition. (And there are still five more years of college tuitions!)
I have great respect for the opinions on this board, so please help me out!
Sightron S II 2.5 - 7 x 32
Usually costs nearer to $200 but one well respected web retailer has it for $159. Seems like most people rate the Sightron S II line higher in optical quality than the others I have listed here. This looks like a great deal, so the obvious question is, is the quality of this scope as good as other S II scopes, and is this simply a great deal? Regarding 2.5 - 7 vs 3 - 9, my guess is that as I currently live on the east coast, the extra field of view would actually be more useful than the extra range of a 3 - 9 (and I haven't found a 3-9 S II for less than $200). And even if I move west some day 7x should be pretty good about as far out as I would be comfortable shooting at game. If you all tell me this glass is just as good as the other S II scopes, and better than the Burris or Bushnell, this is the scope I will buy!
Burris Fullfield II 3 -9 x 40
Again usually costs nearer to $200 but there are a couple dealers blowing them out (new) on Ebay for about $160 (including shipping). Very high transmission, but if you read their own web site carefully, it is clear that the glass isn't as good as the Signature line. The question is - is it as good as the Sightron S II? Also, I looked at the 2 - 7 x 35 but it only clicks in 1/2 MOA, doesn't mount any lower than the 3 - 9 x 40, and I can't find it any cheaper than the 3 - 9 on Ebay. All the Fullfield II scopes suffer from the minor defects of rotating the eyepiece when rotating the power ring (I know - its supposed to reduce the number of seals), and needing a screwdriver or coin to sight in. The fancy distance holdover reticle is only a minor plus for me. This is currently my number two choice.
Bushnell Elite 3200 3 - 9 x 40
Again this usually costs nearer to $200 but you can find it now and then for nearer $160-170 on ebay (new). The Rainguard coating is clearly a plus, but I keep hearing rumbles about short eye relief (3.3 inches). And the 2 -7 in this line only has an eye relief of 3 inches. Given that I my will certainly shoot Hornady light magnum loads, or equivalent handloads, I don't want to get popped in the eye. This is curently my number three choice.
Yes I know - I Bushnell Elite 4200 or Nikon Monarch would be better scopes, as would a Burris Signature or Sightron S III. These all seem to be up in the $250 - 300 range (best case), and are simply out of the question. After all I need a base and rings as well, and I want some money left for ammunition. (And there are still five more years of college tuitions!)
I have great respect for the opinions on this board, so please help me out!
