Scope to gun price ratio

[Zen900]

Has anyone here ever put a $700 scope on a $300 rifle? Say like a Zeiss on a Stevens model 200? There must be a point at which you ask yourself what is the price cutoff point for matching a scope to a rifle.

This article is why I ask this questionhttp://www.shootingtimes.com/longgun_reviews/cz_0728/ The author put a Zeiss on a CZ. $700 scope on a $575 rifle. I usually spend 30%- 50% of the guns cost on a scope setup. Just curious if any of you fellas had a ratio you use to match a scope to a rifle.

[Splinter]

I never really think about a gun to scope price ratio. I usually just think about how far i am going to shoot, and how well I need to see that far. If the gun is going to be relied on for hunting/a trip I might spend a little more then normal. If you travel at all you will see 200 to 300 dollar guns with 700 dollar scopes are more common then the opposite of that, such as african game hunters/guides. Most people will say they would rather have a great scope and a decent gun, especially for hunting. Almost any gun off the rack is capable out to several hundred yards, but not if it cant see it and hold zero.

[TODD3465]

I never think much about it.

If the rifle performs well then it is worthy of a good scope.


Now that does not always mean a high dollar scope but I try to match scope to rifle.

For example my CZ-452 "Varmint" model has a Swift 4.5-12x scope on it. $370 rifle/$140 scope. My custom .308 heavy barrel has a Leupold 4.5-14LRT scope on it. $600rifle/$800 scope.

[Zydeco76]

My most expensive rifle is an AR15. I Paid about $800 new for it. The scope on it was about $600. I like the scope more than the rifle.

[gunrun45]

If its an accurate rifle I wouldn't think twice about putting really good glass on it. If its a knock around rifle, you bet I'd consider the scope vs rifle price.

[Ratseal]

Dad's sporterized 1903 Springfield in 30.06 (Timney trigger, sporter stock) is worth perhaps $450 (?). We have a Leupold VarX III for $650ish on it.

The rifle has killed 3 elk in four years, mostly at dusk, so the glass was clearly worth it.

[Zen900]

Dad's sporterized 1903 Springfield in 30.06 (Timney trigger, sporter stock) is worth perhaps $450 (?). We have a Leupold VarX III for $650ish on it.

The rifle has killed 3 elk in four years, mostly at dusk, so the glass was clearly worth it.

Since I started this thread I have had to reappraise my thoughts on scope to gun price. For instance: my Stevens 200 in .223 is very accurate so it is worthy of any scope I could possibly afford. It is quite easy to spend more on a scope than the rifle cost if you have deep enough pockets. Oneday I'll replace the Simmons 44Mag on it for a Nikon or Leupold but for now it is adequate.

[Billy_B0b]

i don't hunt, i shoot just to shoot, its alota fun

personally i prefer iron sights anyday of a scope....i just find the challenge of zero'ing a firearm properaly and being able to hit **** accurately more fun than using optics

though i won't lie, i will probably put a red dot on my MKIII

[Zen900]

i don't hunt, i shoot just to shoot, its alota fun

personally i prefer iron sights anyday of a scope....i just find the challenge of zero'ing a firearm properaly and being able to hit **** accurately more fun than using optics

though i won't lie, i will probably put a red dot on my MKIII


I could use iron sights till I was forty. I now can slap on a scope and see like I could 10 years ago. Enjoy you're eyesight while it's 20-20 cause it drops off with age for most people.