I always look for Redfield steel-tubed 2 3/4X scopes. They seem to work for me in a wide variety of applications and are compact and sturdy. Perfect for the Ruger #1 in a variety of calibers without wierd extension rings, for example, and don't have the "cachet" (read "price jacked up by trendy reputation") of the 3X Leupold. And you can sometimes find them with "old fashioned" but very useful setups like fine crosshairs for little creatures or stout posts for big 'uns.
I also like 1X or 1.5X Weaver scopes on combination guns--especially the old scopes with dots. With a little practice you can look thru the scope even on wingshots with the shot barrel (I have to admit that this doesn't work for me on birds that fly away at sharp angles fast, like quail and grouse--better on phez and jump-shooting ducks....I tend to lose the little fast movers out of the field of view).
The current trend toward "HUGE super-powered incredibly expensive variable power illuminated reticle laser range finder made in some place where they speak German" scopes just leaves me cold. But then, I'm a cheapskate and a retro-nut. If my eyes were what they were in 1985, I wouldn't look at--let alone thru--ANY scope.
Do any of the American makers still make a plain staight-tubed 2.5x fixed power scope any more? The "Leupold/Lyman Alaskan" adventure was noble, but seemed to fail in spite of all of us old gasbags.....
