Rifle Scopes Scope A.D.D.: What do you do with your "extra" optics?

[SRPowah]

Simple question: What do you guys do when you find yourself flying through optics? Wheeling and dealing? Do you ever sell one too quickly and end up regretting it? Stash them as motivation for a new rifle?

To start 2017, I had a nice new Kahles K624i with LSW with the SKMR1 reticle. Beautiful piece of glass, and I miss it every time I get my rifle out... I sold it and picked up a NF ATACR with the new Mil-C reticle. While I preferred the Kahles, I couldn't go wrong with either one so I don't really regret it. Now I had to snatch up a S&B 5-20US for my rifle. Financially, whatever one I don't prefer will get put up for sale. I just want to find that perfect optic and be done with it.

My AR15 started with a SWFA 3-15 but that optic was moved to a R700 project. I first bought a 1-4x, then tried a red dot, and ended up with a NF 2.5-10 on it. lol I still have the other two optics... All of this in 2017. Ideally the SWFA would get sold and a NF 4-16 F1 would end up on the R700... I think I need help, as this is pulling money from my project car...

 

[TheOE800]

I think I need help, as this is pulling money from my project car...

Gotta pick one expensive hobby to back. Guns are why I don't dick around with cars anymore.

 

[SRPowah]

Gotta pick one expensive hobby to back. Guns are why I don't dick around with cars anymore.

To be fair, I had the money set aside dedicated to the car...but as soon as the paint guy told me he was backed up and it would be a couple months, I pulled the trigger on the Schmidt. lol I will be back where I started by the time he is free.

 

[lash]

Wow! You got me beat. I overdo it, but not at that rate.

I spend more than my budget for LR shooting on a regular basis, but have a hard time moving on from optics. My problem is that I always find a rifle to put under the scope. Each scope has it's place. Now I just need to find more room for another safe...

 

[MOUNTIC]

I do with scopes and rifles. It's kind of chasing the unicorn and realizing that there is no such thing. Or grass is greener on the other side. I did this for years with gas port sizes on suppressed gas guns and whatnot. It's hard to have all the said items in front of you to compare at once. Just too much money and time. I agree with guns is the only reason I don't have fast cars anymore. I guess if you just bought an AI rifle with a TT or alike scope from the get go you would actually spend much less money chasing.

 

[lash]

I do with scopes and rifles. It's kind of chasing the unicorn and realizing that there is no such thing. Or grass is greener on the other side. I did this for years with gas port sizes on suppressed gas guns and whatnot. It's hard to have all the said items in front of you to compare at once. Just too much money and time. I agree with guns is the only reason I don't have fast cars anymore. I guess if you just bought an AI rifle with a TT or alike scope from the get go you would actually spend much less money chasing.

Do you really think so? I think that we are somewhat conditioned from birth to chase the next best thing out there.

Of course I might be wrong, or at least mistaken...

 

[CBDR]

Funny you should bring this topic up. My quest for the next high end optic doesn't seem to be slowing down. I don't want to regret it later so they go back in their box and remain in house. And I would be willing to bet I'm not the only one who contemplates to following scenario. If I purchase new scope (A) I will put it on rifle # 1. Then move scope (B) over to rifle #2. By the time I get to rifle number 5 I have created the equivalent of five trips to the range. And next thing I know its time to re zero all over again and gather all those numbers. I freaking love it. And have to work mega hours to fuel this costly hobby. The range is 60 miles away and it costs 40 bucks to use the 850 range. Adds up. Its more productive then hanging out in a strip club. GOD BLESS THE USA

 

[Fursniper]

I still think guns are still less expensive than cars. Crap, I just spent 50k on a new truck and it's just a truck. I don't think I have that much in 3 precision rifles, a slew of AR'S & tactical shotguns, custom pistols and all the optics that adorn the stable of guns, not to mention house guns, vehicle guns, carry guns, hunting guns, etc. I know guys with "cars", yikes, what they spends on their hobby makes me glad I'm just into guns. Besides, if I had a fast custom car I'd just be in jail lol. Bail, attorneys fees, insurance rates....oh yeah......Having said that, I'm not one to have anything I'm not using laying around so no unused optics here.

 

[TheOE800]

I still think guns are still less expensive than cars. Crap, I just spent 50k on a new truck and it's just a truck. I don't think I have that much in 3 precision rifles, a slew of AR'S & tactical shotguns, custom pistols and all the optics that adorn the stable of guns, not to mention house guns, vehicle guns, carry guns, hunting guns, etc. I know guys with "cars", yikes, what they spends on their hobby makes me glad I'm just into guns. Besides, if I had a fast custom car I'd just be in jail lol. Bail, attorneys fees, insurance rates....oh yeah......Having said that, I'm not one to have anything I'm not using laying around so no unused optics here.

Depends on your taste. A good set of forged wheels and good tires would run me between $6-12K or I could get a new AI and a scope...I chose the rifle.

 

[BurnOut]

Honestly, I seem to buy/build guns to put them on.

 

[delfuego]

I just want to find that perfect optic and be done with it.

No such thing Toss that idea right out the window.

 

[lash]

^^^ Exactly right! ^^^

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Honestly, I seem to buy/build guns to put them on.

This is the only logical solution.

I seem to always have some extra glass on hand for one reason or another. Lately even more so. It's not a bad thing in the event something goes down or you end up testing a rifle and not having to pull glass off another or having to run out and buy something.

 

[NotMalware]

It's unusual to get a chance to compare these high end scopes side by side, so it seems like the natural situation to wonder what you might be missing with the other options. I get that. I only have one rifle. But I think to myself, "I wonder is the S&B (model whatever) would be better than this Nightforce Beast or this Kahles or this Vortex..." Or "if the nightforce is this good, then maybe the TT would the THIS good!" How would I know? So I have the extra scopes on a shelf at home waiting to be compared to the new arrival. And even with this kind of behavior this hobby is still cheaper than motorcycle road racing. I used to spend $500 to $750 every race weekend in tires in addition to the $15k or so in race bike I was riding, plus the special race fuel, plus the trailer and travel costs, plus entry fees, plus $1200 leather suit and $700 helmet, and so on, and so on... This scope ADD is like a fun, safe little hobby that doesn't require garage space. And I don't worry that I'm going to end up being air lifted to the hospital anymore. It's nice.

 

[SRPowah]

No such thing Toss that idea right out the window.

You are right, I worded that in way too broad of terms.. I want to find the perfect optic for that rifle's role. I am a believer in having a rifle for different needs.

I am glad to read some people end up with glass on the shelf. lol Also happy to see some car guys in here.

 

[Pro517]

I've had the car habit way before the serious gun habit. Have most of the cars I would want now so I am focusing on guns. Regarding scopes, I am in a rural area so it's not like I can check out a bunch of different ones at a range/shop soooo, I end up buying about all the best varieties and try them out myself. One day I will have a scope sale but for now I still seem to accumulate guns as fast or faster then glass. It's a new sickness for me but I am enjoying it!
Just got a new Hensold via brown truck today and oh my my, she's a beaut!!

 

[demolitionman]

Project Car? Egh; get another Kahles you know you want one and forget the car LOL

 

[NotMalware]

I've had the car habit way before the serious gun habit. Have most of the cars I would want now so I am focusing on guns. Regarding scopes, I am in a rural area so it's not like I can check out a bunch of different ones at a range/shop soooo, I end up buying about all the best varieties and try them out myself. One day I will have a scope sale but for now I still seem to accumulate guns as fast or faster then glass. It's a new sickness for me but I am enjoying it!
Just got a new Hensold via brown truck today and oh my my, she's a beaut!!

I really enjoyed watching that Hensoldt on the scope PX. My wife told me to just buy the thing already, but I could't do it. I'm glad someone finally got to pull the trigger on that thing. Good for you!

 

[steve123]

Unfortunately or fortunately, I'm not sure which, about 3 hobbies had to go away after the crash in 08. I went over the handlebars on my GSXR 1000 at 150 mph so that took care of the motorcycle addiction. Just for the heck of it I borrowed a friends Honda VFR800 a few weeks ago to go on a ride with him, Man I couldn't stay off the throttle! Then afterwards I found myself thinking how stupid I was because that could have turned into a felony ticket. I'm not riding anymore, it's not fun to me unless I'm hauling ass!

I miss the deep sea fishing as well. I still have $3000 worth of high end gear hoping to one day go on a trip again.

But to answer the question. It took me 9 years of regular buying and selling of riflescopes, from the inexpensive ones all the way up to S&B, to learn what I liked and didn't like about them. I developed feature preferences along the way which nixed from consideration half the scopes out there. If I didn't own a brand I oft times knew someone that had one of the latest and greatest I could get behind. Nah, they weren't that great, the reticles sucked, didn't like this or that, some of those friends scopes broke, etc. The funny thing is that eventually I went backwards in that more than half my scopes are the less expensive Athlon offerings now which have worked great, saved me a fortune, and freed up money to put to good use elsewhere. It wasn't long ago I'd shoot a tactical match with my S&B, then put that scope on my 22rf for a tactical match, then switch to the PCP air rifle for a FT match - all so I could use the features I liked.

I just got a Athlon Cronus BTR 4.5-29x56 and a Ares 2.5-15x50 so one S&B and one Bushnell LRHS are unmounted that might at some point be sold, maybe not though, I like both. To finish up I have a Athlon Talos waiting for the next rifle and some lousy scopes not safe worthy that I couldn't give away, lol.

 

[Pro517]

I really enjoyed watching that Hensoldt on the scope PX. My wife told me to just buy the thing already, but I could't do it. I'm glad someone finally got to pull the trigger on that thing. Good for you!

Apparently I do not possess your amount of restraint! Lol

 

[trophyhunter]

It's an addiction as much as it's a sad sickness. I had a fetish for high end rifles and scopes. The good thing is that most scopes & rifles have a high resale value so when you get bored you can easily sell and recoup most of your funds after a thorough fondling. I currently still own a US Optics B25, Nightforce Beast, Schmidt 5-25, 3-27, Bushnell ERS with just recently selling my Premier, ATACR & Vortex Gen 2. At one time I had all of them in the safe with only a few mounted on my rifles that included DTA, GAP, FN, Sako, Ruger PR and AXMC. And eventually selling the ones I didn't like.
The great thing about this hobby is that when you're at your peak money spent as I am with my AXMC & 3-27 (my keeper). You have guys that are just getting involved and will be more then willing to get your scopes you no longer want. That's the beauty of the Hide. Everyday we have someone new to this sport and that Simmons & R700 from Academy is their dream combo. I see it everyday in the shop, "I just got this, it's the best money can buy" while he holds his Savage Axis combo scope. I just smile and say, that's awesome.

So for me, I sell my "extra" optics once I figured out I don't like the turrets or reticle. But some I keep cause I think I'll use them.


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