Optics

Looks like I'll have a little more time this year to do some hunting, so I'm in the market for a better scope for my rifle. I currently have a Bushnell scope, but I can't see very well through it. It seems a little dim, or hazy compared to outside light. I'd say it's adequate for 100yds. But at about 300 yds. I couldn't tell the difference between a turkey and a stump. I suppose I'm going to have to get a little deeper in the pocket, but what have you guys found to be a good rifle scope for the money? I think the Bushnell 3-9 was on sale at around $100. I looked through some $300.00 Nikon scopes....and they looked like HD tv compared to what I have.....but I didn't want to have more invested in a scope, than I do in a gun.

Send your existing scope back to Bushnell, it may have a problem they will fix for little or no charge. I think they have a 5 year or maybe longer warranty.

Nice looking 760 there. I have a Nikon Monarch on my 7600 and have no complaints except it does not have the eye relief that my Leupold Mark lll has. But it is clear as a bell. Just to add, IMO a gun without a good set of optics is handicapped.

I agree with John, if it is still within warranty. It may have a leak and has gotten moisture in it. I had that happen with a Weaver and it only cost me $50 to have it repaired. My favorite scopes are the Leupolds.

Like everything else in life, you get what you pay for. Years ago, I had a Weaver 3-9x scope on my .243 rifle. A friend and I were shooting ground squirrels on a late afternoon day and the light was fading. He told me there was a target out to about 250 yards and it was in plain sight through his scope. I couldn't see it at all through the Weaver. He handed me his Leupold scoped 6mm Remmington to take a look at the target. It was like "turning on a light switch"!
Good scopes have much better light gathering qualities than lesser quality scopes. I now use the best I can afford for longer range rifles. I tend to shoot my .22-250 out to 500yd and sometimes more, but that is another story.
Then again, your scope may have an issue. All I can say is try looking through a Leupold or equal in the field and you will be amazed. I was. Steve K.

Myself, I have never owned a Bushnell product that I was ever satisfied with. They all have lacked clarity and sharpness. Granted I have never popped for the top of the line Bushnell scope but every Bushnell Binoculars or scopes that I have owned, encouraged me not to spend any more money on Bushnell products. I have a Weaver 4X, 1" tube scope on my Ruger .22 Deluxe and it is a pretty good scope. However, it's a pretty old scope and I can't attest to the newer products made by Weaver. If I am correct, Weave went out of the optics business at one time and are now making scopes again.

As far as Scopes go, Leupold is what I buy. Never had a bad one, never have seen a clearer scope anywhere and never been disappointed with their performance. Nikon makes great lenses for cameras and maybe their scopes are top notch but I have no experience with them. I have a pair of Nikon 10 x42 hunting binoculars and they are pretty good but not at the level of my Leupold scope. Just my 2 cents.

I have an old school Redfield 3x9 Illuminator on my 760. It's been on there for some time and it still gets the job done. If I had to put a scope on a deer rifle today, I would use a Simmons or a Nikon. I like the Simmons because of price, but Nikon makes some really good scopes. I put a Nikon on Kelsie's Ruger 10-22.

Ideally I would spring for a Leupold. When I don't want to spend that much, it's hard to beat a Simmons. Go to a reputable dealer instead of the discount retailers. They'll have a better model

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you can get a new bushnell 3x9x32 sportsman scope for 40-50 bucks. They are not rejects or anything like that... He buys them from bushnell and sells them for about what he pays plus shipping. I own 3 and all are as clear as day..... Ones on my .22 and I can shoot 1.5" group at 75 yards easy. I would say go for one of those if you havent already bought another.......

I picked up a couple of hunting rifles from my FIL, who has decided to divest himself of a few in his collection. Both guns have great optics. I've only shot them a couple of times, but I really like the Optima 30-06 with the Leupold scope. I'm missing the muzzle load barrel, but I've never shot black powder so I don't know what I'm missing, other than a few extra hunting days. The 760 with the Bushnell will take a back seat for a while.

Harold, I decided to take-up hunting with a muzzle loader. I bought the CVA Optima and put the Nikon Omega BDC scope on it. Try the muzzle loader barrel....I'll bet you'll enjoy it. Oh, I also decided to buy a new rifle...I bought a Marlin X7C 270 and went with the Bushnell Trophy XLT scope. Looks like I'll be hunting from Oct 1 to Jan 31 next season.