Scope for CVA Optima V2

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Donny123

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It's on the way! It's coming with the Dead Zero mount, I'm assuming it's for a 1" tube and from what I read it's a fairly low mount.

I'm not asking about brand or quality, more so what magnification is generally used on a ML. It will be mostly target shooting at 100 yards and maybe a bit further in the future after I figure things out. Also curious if ML's beat up scopes? Get something with a good warranty or go cheaper. If I decide to go hunting with it in the future I can upgrade later. I have a Simmons 3-9x40 that actually has very decent glass if that will do.
 
No recommendation?

Ok, now I'll ask about brands. Any opinion on the following manufacturers scopes in the $100-$200 range offerings?

Athlon - Talos?
Bushnell-Trophy?
Burris-Fullfield II?
Vortex-Crossfire II?
 
You simply cannot skimp on glass. Read that again, please.

$200 gets you practically zipadeedoodah these dayze for a *decent functional* new scope.

IMHO, and after owning a glut of glass from a buncha diff'rent brands and price tags, the best value for ME in a variable power scope is either Arken or Blackhound ...

Arken 34mm FFP 6-24x50 ($450 new) or Blackhound 30mm FFP 4-14x44 ($300 new) - I've had both, still have the Arken, either are excellent VALUE scopes for any kinda long gun. These are bottom line, bottom dollar scopes. If you spend less on a new scope, yer no where in the league of these two that are rivals for quality scopes that will street price at 2 to 3 times as much cost. Go check out the YouTube reviews of either of these brands and models.

A fixed power scope may be the better choice for a hunting ML, such as the venerable SWFA S/S brand which is a well vetted tank that was created for military Navy snipers ($300 new). Don't need much magnification either and sometimes, if not always, less is best.

The fixed power 30mm SPF 10x44 w/side focus Vector Marksman ($145 new) has recently caught my attention and may give the SWFA a run for its money.
 
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Yes, the simplicity of a fixed power scope can't be denied. For Whitefeather (Carlos Hathcock) it was an 8x Unertl that aided getting his 93 'Nam kills. The 2.5x M82 was a standard of sorts for the Korean war, and 4x for WW2. Hard to beat an SWFA S/S 6x42 these dayze.
 
You simply cannot skimp on glass. Read that again, please.

$200 gets you practically zipadeedoodah these dayze for a *decent functional* new scope.

IMHO, and after owning a glut of glass from a buncha diff'rent brands and price tags, the best value for ME in a variable power scope is either Arken or Blackhound ...

Arken 34mm FFP 6-24x50 ($450 new) or Blackhound 30mm FFP 4-14x44 ($300 new) - I've had both, still have the Arken, either are excellent VALUE scopes for any kinda long gun. These are bottom line, bottom dollar scopes. If you spend less on a new scope, yer no where in the league of these two that are rivals for quality scopes that will street price at 2 to 3 times as much cost. Go check out the YouTube reviews of either of these brands and models.

A fixed power scope may be the better choice for a hunting ML, such as the venerable SWFA S/S brand which is a well vetted tank that was created for military Navy snipers ($300 new). Don't need much magnification either and sometimes, if not always, less is best.

The fixed power 30mm SPF 10x44 w/side focus Vector Marksman ($145 new) has recently caught my attention and may give the SWFA a run for its money.
I much appreciate the advise.

I do have an Athlon Talos 4-12x40 Mil Dot Adjustable AO on a powerful .25 PCP air rifle and I have to say the glass is better than many other scopes I have looked through at my lgs that were much more but they don't have any real high end scopes, it has held zero for 2 years without touching it. No recoil involved there though. I think I paid $175 for it.
 
My son has a Burris Fullfield II on his CVA Wolf and hasn't any issues with it holding zero. It has been on his gun for about 3 years.
 
No recommendation?

Ok, now I'll ask about brands. Any opinion on the following manufacturers scopes in the $100-$200 range offerings?

Athlon - Talos?
Bushnell-Trophy?
Burris-Fullfield II?
Vortex-Crossfire II?
I have a Burris fullfield 11 that has been on my muzzle loader for more than 10 years. Always held zero year after year. Good scope for the money.
 
I find it hard to take optical advice from someone who would mount a scope without the ring in full contact with the rail. I cant imagine putting a 32-36oz Arken scope on a Optima. Your mileage may vary.
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My opinion is spend as much as you can afford. For the most part Scopes are one of those things that you do get what you pay for. Arken makes a great scope, Athlon does too but I would go higher than the Talos. You’re not looking to go cheap you’re looking for an investment to match your firearm and give you the edge especially in a low light. That requires better glass.
One of my favorites is the Leopold VXR series.
Vortex Viper is another good choice.
Just my opinions of course

Greg
 
I find it hard to take optical advice from someone who would mount a scope without the ring in full contact with the rail. I cant imagine putting a 32-36oz Arken scope on a Optima. Your mileage may vary.
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Maybe you should enquire WHY before making a snarky assuming comment, but then again you must be an expert in all things firearms.
 
My 2c, get the best you can afford. I have leopold scopes on most my rifles/ muzzleloaders.
1x5 , 1.5x4, 2x7, 4x and a few 3x9's. All their lower priced models. A few are 25+ years old. Never a problem, all hold zero, all crystal clear. Most start around $200. Like I said my 2 cents
 
None of the newer Loopies are near $200 anymore but i am fond of the specs for THIS APPLICATION. Light weight, nice selection of reticles and generous eye relief. On sale you might find a VX-Freedom for around $200 if you are lucky.

The best $200 scope ive bought was the Diamondback HP 3-12x42. Same glass as some of the Vipers. Not heavy and a nice eye relief. I just cant imagine putting a 2lb+ scope on a 6lb rifle that will likely never be shot past 200 yards. The Optima comes with a Durasight 1" one piece mount. Neither DNZ or Durasight offer anything larger than a 30mm for CVA. So the OP would need to shell out even more dough for rings and a rail.

If i was gunna suggest a step up from the budget i would take a look at the Meopta Optika5 2-10x42. They are starting to pop up again and for THIS APPLICATION you would have nice glass and a well made scope. IMO better than anything Loopie offers in the same price range. It will be about $100 over your budget but on sale ive seen them for $250ish.
 
I keep looking for that 200 doller vari x freedom myself, no such luck
 
My mileage for that price range would be a Burris FullField. Far as Magnification goes, I tend to lean towards 2-7, 2-10(12), or 3-9 for most my hunting applications.
 
I tend to stay in the $200 to $500 range on the muzzleloaders that I hunt, I put a little bit better glass and larger objectives on my target rifles, first four or five years of my muzzle loading all Scopes held up well,, as a number of bullets down range tend to increase I really started losing a lot of Scopes the last couple of years,, I won't mention the Scopes that I've lost at least the names, some are expensive, I will say this Leopold and sightron have held up the best for me, sightron has a 2 to 10 s-tac I think it's more of an AR scope I have 3, I probably have more rounds down range on these three Scopes than any of the other Scopes I have they track well ,and hold zero glass is good not the best . I sure agree with the mindset of buying and using the best glass -scope you can ,but also I live with the reality of it cratering. I have a couple of meoptas 2- 10 that I'm shooting, the verdict's not in yet but I'm very pleased so far in the glass is excellent.
 
sightron has a 2 to 10 s-tac I think it's more of an AR scope I have 3
Discontinued. Optics Planet sold out the last ones at around $200-225. I missed out. Wanted one for my 54-120. Sightron makes a tough little scope. STAC glass may not be as good as some but they track and handle recoil well. Plus the few times ive heard CS was needed they came through with flying colors. I wish they would pay more attention to hunters again. The old Japanese made Big Sky line were loved by many. Very few scopes could compete against them for the same money. Now they focus mainly on target shooters and some tactical. The SV and SIII line are awesome but nothing i would want on my deer hunting rifles.
 
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