[cutler686]

Monarch vs. 6500

I have been driving myself crazy comparing specs on $5-700 scopes for about a month now and need some advise. What I have narrowed it down to;

Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16x50 $700
Nikon Monarch 4-16x50 $500
Nikon Monarch 2.5-10x50 $500

It will be mounted on a xbolt 30/06 used for whitetail and elk at ranges from 100-300 yards.

I don't really need the 16 power but think it would be wonderful for range work, and looking across the 500 yard field I hunt near (knowing my personal limitations of 300-350 w/ the 06). I really wish nikon offered a 3x12 in the bigger 50, but they don't.

Any experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[1smoothredneck]

The elite is basically Bausch and Lomb from the old days. Top notch glass, but I would go Monarch, just based on my Nikon experiences. Monarch glass just seems a bit more crisp than the elites I've seen, although I have no experience with that exact scope. You really can't make the "wrong" choice here. They are great glass. I would stay away from the 4-16 power range,though. I like a bit less magnification and a bit more window at the lower setting, which is where I generally keep mine anyway. Good luck