If money is a concern you have to try for the best scope for your dollar. Simply put, not everyone can afford Leupold so there's no sense in beating the topic to death. Look around. At different times the optimal scope for your dollar will change. When Weaver returned to the market a few years ago they produced terrific scope at reasonable prices. That has changed somewhat now.
Bushnell may well have the best bang for the buck currently with their Elite 4200. It's the old Bausch & Lomb scope, and generally considered quite good in all respects. Their price on these scopes will go up quite a bit in short order. Then you'll have to start your search all over. I don't doubt Leupold is a consistently great scope, has been for many years, but not everyone can afford one, so finding an alternative is necessary if risky. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

id be afraid to purchase a scope because of one detail that stands out.

you have to have all those things to make good quality scope.

out of my 5 rifles, 4 have leupolds


Evan

First is the magnification to suit the intended purpose. The very best low power varible will not serve you nearly as good as a cheaper highpowered scope on a long range varmit rifle. But only one factor to choose a scope is not realilistic.

Best Wishes

Since I can only choose one, I'll go with price cuz we're pretty strapped right now. I actually go with a little of everything when looking at optics, but price is at the top of the list.

The most important thing, to me, in a scope is reliability. FWIW, Dutch.

Im new here & want to say hello to all, this looks like a great site.

As for the scope, ive been let down many times by scopes that wont track or stay zeroed so thats what i look for most. Eye relief would be first if its going on a kicker though.

Howler.

Howler, welcome to Huntchat !
Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Reliability.