I think I am going to put a new scope on the 270 WSM for this season. ( Don’t like the Nikon Buckmaster scope I have on it now )What does everyone think is the best scope in the $400 – $500 range to buy? If you could give a few reason’s for you choice as well that would be great. Thanks.
Burris – 30mm tube, 40-50mm objective. Variable power pending your needs.
Here is a response I had for Kooty’s similar question:
“
Kooty, the short answer is E1! Everything that Prostaffers have asked for in changes to the Fullfield, was delivered in the E1 line up.
For cosmetic changes, there are two things that I didn’t care for in the Fulfield, and in now on the E1. 1. On the Fullfield, when turning the variable ring, the entire rear portion of the housing turned. So if you had a flip cover; it would rotate The E1 has the variable dial independent of the rear housing/optic and it remains stationary. 2. The Fullfield has a fine diamond cut on the turret and variable ring. For my hands, difficult to grip in wet and cold conditions. Typically I wear cotton or fine knit gloves once its below 20 degrees and they would slip when adjusting the variable. The E1 has a much better design in the ring and so much easier to grab.
Onto the more important things:
*The fullfield II is a 1″ tube – The E1 is available in 30mm and 25.4mm(1″)
* The E1 had the Ballistic Plex etched into the glass the same way as the much higher end scopes. Other manufactures in the $400 and less range will usually use thin wire.
* The internal lenses are on average about 25% larger than most competitors. The double wall system that Burris uses allows them to use a much larger internal optics. (this is what I would like to have a cross section of for illustration) Many manufactures won’t publish what their internal optic sizes are. For Burris, Fullfield II 25.4 mm = 13.8mm lens / In a 30mm tube = 15.4mm lens Just like any man that has bought his wife a quality rock for her ring, the better the stone, the greater the clarity and sparkle!
* The E1 has the windage as part of the Ballist plex, the standard Fullfields did not
* The E1 has illuminated Ballistic Plex option with a variable powered intensity. ( I love this in my XTR that I use at night)
* All Burris optics are (internal and External) are coated with HiLume and you have over 99% light transmition *** This is a huge difference with many other manufactures. They coat exterior sides only to help their light transmission loss.
* All Burris scopes are metal to metal locking and double springs for windage and elevation. This is a huge comparison when looking at magnum rounds and the everyday rigors of hunting. Riding on ATVs, getting banged around…superior resistance to failure.
* Most manufacture use a (1) quality O-ring in the seal of their scope tube – Burris uses a method called Quad Seal the essentially doubles the seal.
* Nearly all manufactures have Nitrogen filled scopes now. The difference is the grade and how its used. Burris only uses the highest laboratory grade and purges the tubes with nitrogen multiple times before sealing. Nitrogen naturally absorbs any moisture. By purging the tubes multiple times before sealing, your taking any residual moisture out first before the seal.
* Burris scopes are WATER PROOF – not just water resistant
* Testing – Burris tests EVERY scope before it is packaged and sent on its way. Most manufactures spot test or random quality tests with the 1 out of XX method. For Burris, this includes submersing in Hot water, vacuum tested, shock and recoil tested.
Sorry to cut this a bit short on the differences, but I’m tight on time with a few appointments. Shoot me a PM with any more details you want.
OH , BTW Burris has a $50.00 rebate going on with the E1 scopes. That brings them down to near the same price point as the Fullfield II.”
You say a 30 MM tube but say the E-1 is available in both 30mm and 25.4. What is the advantage of the 30MM over the 25.4? I assume you will need different rings to mount a 30MM scope – Is that correct?
Yes, you need rings specific to the 30mm tube Vs the 1″.
Your scope is merely a light funnel. The flow is restricted by the tube size. Having the larger tube really makes a significant difference in the low light dusk/dawn periods. It also allows for the larger internal optics in the tube. I do a lot of night hunting for coyotes, so moon light is very critical.
I have always been under the understanding that it was only the objective size that effected the amount of light tranmission. I guess given the cost of a new quality scope the price of a new set of rings is not that big of a deal. What brand of Mounts and rings do you think is best. I believe the current ones are Leupold
I like the Burris XTR mounts, though there are a number of good quality products out there. Kooty just ordered some 30mmm rings that looked like they were pretty beefed up as well. Hopefully he can elaborate on which ones he bought and how he likes them.
The objective and tube really go hand in hand when light transition is considered. Again, compare it to a funnel. If you have a 40mm objective, it can only let so much enter the funnel. Now if you restrict that to a tiny diameter, only so much of what has entered is able to pass through. By having a larger combined capacity, you get a crisper, clearer, and brighter image through the glass.
Here is a link to the tech page on the burris site. A lot of great info there.
Burris Tech page
Just curious, what did you not like with Nikon? I just set up my 270wsm last year with a Nikon Monarch 2.5-10×50 BDC and I love it! I shoot hogs & deer in s. Georgia with it and haven’t had any problems yet. No fog issue, and I can pull up and quickly see full view. My buddy turned me on to it and got me dialed in to 660yds. I had never shot that far in my life, much less in tight group. We use cool app on phone called Nikon spot on, you enter your specs ahead of time, make/model rifle, bullet brand/grain, scope model, and acquire barometer/altitude, hit fire and it calculates everything. Make selection from chart, tells you what reticle and where in reticle. Does everything but pull the trigger for you. Idk, works for me. Randy is by far the expert on this kind of stuff though, i would think his recommendation is probably better. i was just sharing my 2cents.
Quote:
Just curious, what did you not like with Nikon? I just set up my 270wsm last year with a Nikon Monarch 2.5-10×50 BDC and I love it! I shoot hogs & deer in s. Georgia with it and haven’t had any problems yet. No fog issue, and I can pull up and quickly see full view. My buddy turned me on to it and got me dialed in to 660yds. I had never shot that far in my life, much less in tight group. We use cool app on phone called Nikon spot on, you enter your specs ahead of time, make/model rifle, bullet brand/grain, scope model, and acquire barometer/altitude, hit fire and it calculates everything. Make selection from chart, tells you what reticle and where in reticle. Does everything but pull the trigger for you. Idk, works for me. Randy is by far the expert on this kind of stuff though, i would think his recommendation is probably better. i was just sharing my 2cents.
I have had a few Monarch’s in the past and was really happy with them. I got a Rifle and scope as a Gift from my dad 3 or 4 years ago. The scope was a Buckmaster series and it just never seemed as clear. I know the pricepoint of the Buckmaster is below the monarchs so I don’t expectthe same quality but this scope is not clear at all. I contacted Nikon and asked them if they had a upgrade if I sent it in and they said no. If a warranty defect they would send another one out. After looking Thru several other buckmaster scopes – They are alll rather unclear so I don’t think it is a warranty issue – Just not the quality I am use to and looking for. I have a few other friends who have been lifetime Nikon users and have had issues with Nikon products lately – They are all also going away from Nikon. I am sure the Monarch is still a Great scope – I am just looking to see what else is out there in that price range
I also went with the XTR rings. Very beefy rings. Not worried about my scope moving at all.
Leupold.
Even if you can’t get afford good glass at least get some quality mounts and rings like Leupold or warne…makes all the difference in the world.
My equipment get used hard. Clients, ATVs, traveling,….and so on. These are about the only two considerations I would make for my stuff!
Burris XTR Mnts
Leupold Mark 4 Tactical Scope Rings
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