Advice on Scopes

[Txmachinist]

I am heading to CO 2nd rifle season. I will be shooting a Weatherby Vanguard VGL in 30-06. Right now I have a Simmons AETEC 2.8-10 x 44 scope on it, but I have a Brand New never mounted Nikon 4-12 x 40 that I am considering putting on the rifle before my hunt. Is it worth it to swap them out or would you leave the Simmons on it?

 

[JimP]

I don't care for the Simmons scopes and don't have much regard for the Nikon either.

If the Simmons is putting the bullets where they need to be on a target and you are comfortable with it then there is no need to change them out. The lower power might also be helpful if you are in timber while you are looking for your elk.

 

[MtnBuck]

The 3 main problems people have with economy scopes are fogging, low light performance, and the ability to hold zero. All of which are important on a Colorado hunt. Cheaper scopes can be really bad with fogging. If that Nikon is a buckmaster or other bottom shelf model I would sell them both and move up in quality before the big hunt. Having said that lots of guys take Elk every year with those scopes. As far as power for the average hunter the wider field of view of the Simmons will prove much more valuable than the extra power of the Nikon. Elk are big animals and don't require a lot of magnification.

 

[Horsenhike]

No way I would trust my hunt to either of those. Plenty do though.

Sell them both and buy a VX2.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

It's hard for me to answer a question like this as a serious big game hunter should already know the answer. There are only a few brands of optics that will really do the job with dependability and accuracy, forget about cost. Someone spends literally thousands of dollars to go on a hunt (especially out of state or country) and brings subpar equipment is courting disaster. I guess I'll leave it at that.

 

[Tim McCoy]

If forced to choose between the two, what Jim P said. I do have an AETEC, came on a rifle I wanted. Only shot it a few times at the range, then put it on a varmint rifle. It has been reliable, but has not had much hard use.

You can find Leupolds under $200, the VX 1 line. Solid scope that has strong odds of outperforming and outlasting the two you have. I think they still come with friction adjustments, a bit of a pia, but do have good lenses and coatings. VX 2, even better for more $.

 

[87TT]

One word Vortex

 

[hunter25]

I buy nothing but Leupold anymore. My max price range and warranty and service is exceptional. Only warranty use was from breaking a pair of binos. My fault but they replaced free anyway.

Even Zeiss has let me down, won't buy another.

Just mounted a VX6 on my main hunting rifle for this year. Hurt to spend that much but know I won't be disappointed.

 

[Mr Drysdale]

I have three of the Aetec scopes that I have used for years without a single problem (and I do not baby my gear). I also have Nikons and Leupolds. The scope on my go-to rifle is a VX 3 Leupold but I would not hesitate to grab a rifle with the Aetec on it. One is on a muzzy, one is on a Handi 444 and one is on an A-Bolt.
BTW the ones I own are the original Aetec scopes. Not the later ones.

 

[Txmachinist]

My Aetec is one of the originals as well. All I've ever hunted is Texas whitetail and it's done wonders here. Guess I just need to decide if I want to spend the money.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[CrossCreeks]

Put the Nikon on ! I had a Colorado hunt ruined when my Simmons 44-Mag scope's cross hairs came loose on a huge Muley. This was way back when I did not know enough to invest in a really good scope. My Leupolds never fail me.

 

[6mm Remington]

If it were me I would get a Leupold VX3 in 2.5-8x36mm or 3.5-10x40mm. I have a 4.5-14x40mm Leupold on my 280 Ackley Improved and I really like that scope also. Any of those three would serve you well I believe.

I'm partial to fixed power scopes though to and either the 6x 36mm Leupold or the 6x-42mm Leupold are both great scopes for a hunting rifle. I have never ever felt handicapped with a fixed power scope and the variable on my Ackley is the first variable I have EVER owned!!

 

[mcseal2]

I also like the Leupold scopes, and Vortex's Diamondback and better lines. I wouldn't trust the Simmons and would rather not trust the Nikon. I have had issues with cheaper Simmons in the past and just choose not to trust them.

 

[JimP]

Take the Simmons since you have been using it on the 06 and should feel comfortable with it. Throw the Nikon into you bag with another box of ammo just in case you need to swap scopes.

Then for future scope purchases heed what has been said in this thread.

 

[stevevan]

Dump both of those scopes. Optics are not the place to try and save $. I am in total agreement with CC's earlier reply.

 

[Gr8bawana]

Dump both of those scopes. Optics are not the place to try and save $. I am in total agreement with CC's earlier reply.

As with a lot of things you get what you pay for. Sell both of those scopes and buy a Leoupold and be done with it. It will be the last scope you need to put on your rifle.

 

[PlainsHunter]

I have the old model Nikon Buckmaster scopes on my 7mm rem mag and my .270 win and I've never had an issue with either. Same with my Leupold VX1 and Rifleman. They have all held zero. My 2 cents. There are other, better scopes but these have worked for me so far.

 

[Daubs]

Old deer hunting friend of mine said he puts only one brand of scope on his rifles...Leupold.

I have a VX-I and VX-II. Both have been outstanding! And both are 10+ years old. Nuff said.

 

[Gr8bawana]

Old deer hunting friend of mine said he puts only one brand of scope on his rifles...Leupold.

I have a VX-I and VX-II. Both have been outstanding! And both are 10+ years old. Nuff said.

The Leoupold VX2 on my 7 mag is 36 years old and I have never had a problem of any kind.
The VX3 on my wife's .270 is 31 years old and also problem free.