Best Rifle Scopes Guide

 

In this guide, I will give my opinion on the best rifle scopes to install on the classic firearms from the fifties and sixties. Of course this would include any rifles from that golden period of firearms manufacturing and also include the new rifles of today.


In most cases I will try and keep the style and look of that era. This will give the rifles from that era the authentic and nostalgic look and add a great quality scope to the firearm.

The basic scope of the 1950s would be the straight power scopes in the 2x, 4x, 6x, and 10x. There would be others but these were the basic powers. Very few variable powers were available. Supra, Kahles and the Weaver scope companies did make variable powers in the early fifties. By the 1960s the variable power scopes would be the favorite Scopes to install on hunting rifles of that time.One of the most popular variable powers would be the 3x to 9x. The second most popular would be the 2x to 7x. Of course the 4x would remain very popular also.

My high end recommendations would be the Swarovski and Zeiss line of rifle scopes. Has that distinct European look and of course their high quality lenses. Great looking scopes and known for there quality. More on European scopes below.

ZEISS Conquest V4 3-12×56 Plex IR #60 Riflescope (522925-9960-000)

ZEISS Conquest V4 4-16×50 Illum ZBi Reticle Matte Black Riflescope

STEINER T5Xi 3-15x50mm SCR-MOA Reticle Riflescope (5114)

 

The best Rifle scopes of the United States would start with the Leupold line of classic rifle scopes. They would be the number one seller of high end U S made scopes sold in the shop I would work at in the 70’s and 80’s. They would be followed closely by the Redfield scopes of that time. Best rifle scopes of that time.

 

LEUPOLD VX-Freedom 350 Legend 3-9×40 1in Duplex Matte Riflescope (177910)

 

LEUPOLD VX-Freedom 1.5-4×20 1in MOA-Ring Riflescope (180590)

 

LEUPOLD VX-5HD 3-15x56mm CDS-ZL2 Side Focus Matte FireDot Duplex Riflescope (171390)

 

The Redfield scopes of the 1960’s to 1980’s would be some of my personal favorites from that period. I just liked the style of those classic scopes. I always thought that the 3x to 9x power Redfield scope mounted on the Remington 700 series rifles, were a great combination. Just my personal opinion of the best rifle scopes on the 700. I would mount many Redfield scopes on the 700 model rifles in the 70’s and 80’s.

LEUPOLD Mark 5HD 5-25×56 35mm M1C3 FFP PR2-MOA Riflescope (180291)

BURRIS Scout 2-7x32mm 1in Riflescope with Ballistic Plex Reticle (200261)

BURRIS Veracity 5-25x-50mm SCR MOA FFP Reticle Riflescope (200652)

 

Another great company would be the Burris Scope company in Greeley, Colorado. Still made in USA and a good quality scope. Would mount several of these in the 70’s and 80’s and liked the look. Company started in 1971 by Don Burris, who was an engineer for Redfield before starting the Burris scope company. A great choice.

There are other scope companies that could be considered in your quest for a fine hunting scope for your classic firearms. The Weaver scopes and Bushnell scopes are both primarily made in Japan today. Their higher end model scopes are well made and would fit nicely into the classic firearms of the 50’s and 60’s.

A couple of other scopes that would be of interest to the person interested in a new scope for their favorite rifle. One of those would be the Vortex scopes and the other would be the Nikon scopes that are available today. The Nikon scopes have been around for many years and I have installed many of these scopes. Did not have any issues and they worked fine. I do like the look of the Nikon scopes. They do add a nice graceful look to a classic style rifle.

The Vortex line of scopes would start around 2002. I have not personally used the Vortex line of scopes. But having friends and people that I worked with in the firearms business I was able to get some feedback on the Vortex scopes. I worked in the retail gun business with a couple of these men and I respect their opinions. Both said that they liked the Vortex scopes and had positive feedback from their customers. The Vortex Razor model scopes are USA made. They seem to be more orientated for the tactical scope crowd and are a little price

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