“variable-power riflescope”

SIG Sauer is known as a quality producer of military and law enforcement firearms that come at a premium price. Previously SIG had an association with the hunting market by way of its sister brands, Blaser, Sauer and Mauser, until they were separated approximately 10 years ago to serve the hunting market as stand-alone entities.

Riflescopes with parallax adjustments, illuminated reticles, 8X zoom ranges and turrets dialing past 1,500 yards are impressive, but do we really need that to still-hunt whitetails in Ohio farmland or chase elk at 8,000 feet in Idaho? An optic like Leupold’s new VX-3i 3.5X-10X-40mm with the Boone & Crockett ballistic reticle is likely better suited for most hunters’ needs. This 12.6-ounce scope, a reengineered upgrade from the previous VX-3, is bright, sharp, slim and extremely reliable.

“Buy the best scope you can afford” is good optics advice because you almost always get what you pay for, but what if you have only a couple hundred dollars to spend?

The Swarovski X5(i) has the best dial-up system of any long-range scope Bryce Towsley has used, and without a doubt it’s the easiest one to learn. Of course, the optics are brilliant; after all it’s a Swarovski.

Among all the world’s riflescope manufacturers, Nikon has arguably done the best job of making it easy to buy the right scope for specific shooting jobs.

How much treestand or elk mountain cred is Trijicon due given how well its rock-hard battle-rifle sights have served U.S. troops at war? That was the obvious question when the company diversified into all-purpose riflescopes a few years back, and it remains a key issue with the recent introduction of the AccuPower, a four-scope collection largely geared toward big-game hunters.

All in all, a pragmatic hunter should find the Elite 3500 more than good enough to “ride the river with.” At typical street prices, and with Bushnell’s limited lifetime warranty and one-year money-back guarantee, the Elite 3500 could be considered a best buy, too.

Meet Leica’s new ER 5 line of German-engineered, American-made riflescopes, which have been designed with American hunters in mind at a price point many will find much more agreeable. By manufacturing the scopes in the United States, Leica is able to save on import duties and high German labor costs, which translates to lower prices for consumers.

The Czech Republic may not have the market cachet that's been established by brands from Germany and Austria, but that doesn't mean the quality isn't there. Keith Wood takes a closer look at the Meopta MeoStar R2 1X-6X-24mm RD.