Author Topic: Black or Silver Scope on Stainless Rifle?  (Read 1986 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Sigma

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 119
Black or Silver Scope on Stainless Rifle?
« on: June 07, 2006, 11:03:20 AM »
Hi Guys,

What do you prefer? I just acquired my first stainless rifle, a T3 Lite. The salesman mentioned that most guys go for matt black on stainless since the silver scopes usually don't match the stainless color.

Any comments welcome.

Peter

Offline Demonical

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 128
  • Gender: Male
Black or Silver Scope on Stainless Rifle?
« Reply #1 on: June 07, 2006, 11:47:21 AM »
I would be a lot more concerned with the scope specs then the color. Worry about that first, then if by chance the specs match the caliber and type of hunting and you can get it in silver to match, then why not?

On my Marlin 1895GS I put a black 30mm 1.5-6X Tasco Titan scope. But I'm not the type to care about matching the barrel/action with the scope color.

Offline Redhawk1

  • Life time NRA Supporter.
  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (78)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10748
  • Gender: Male
Black or Silver Scope on Stainless Rifle?
« Reply #2 on: June 07, 2006, 12:28:55 PM »
I have them both ways, I have stainless guns with silver scopes and stainless rifles with matt black scopes. Either way they look good, I am more concerned with scope performance than color. Leupold comes to mind.  :-D  :D
If  you're going to make a hole, make it a big one.
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you,
Jesus Christ and the American G. I.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom

Endowment Life Member of the NRA
Life Member NA

Offline Andy2590

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 27
Black or Silver Scope on Stainless Rifle?
« Reply #3 on: June 07, 2006, 01:55:54 PM »
I have a stainless gun with stainless rings and a matte scope and it looks very sharp.  Like already mentioned, make sure you worry more about the actual scope than the finish, after you find a scope that you like see what finish options it has.
If guns kill people, then I can blame misspelled words on my pencil.

Offline Dave in WV

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2162
Black or Silver Scope on Stainless Rifle?
« Reply #4 on: June 07, 2006, 02:04:57 PM »
I like matte black scopes on a stainless rifle. You have more selections with the black ones too.
Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means
--Albert Einstein

Offline Cement Man

  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1265
  • Gender: Male
Black or Silver Scope on Stainless Rifle?
« Reply #5 on: June 07, 2006, 04:01:00 PM »
I agree with everybody - performance first, color second.  I think that matte scopes look every bit as good, if not better, on a stainless rifle as a silver scope.  That's a good point about a wider selection of scopes in matte too.

Matter of fact, I use silver rings on almost all my hunting guns, even blue ones, because I don't like getting blue rings and the ring screws wet in the rain and snow, and I do not oil scope rings or screws or anywhere around them.  Maybe Martha Stewart wouldn't approve of my colors but I guess I am function over form. :-D
CIVES ARMA FERANT - Let the citizens bear arms.
POLITICIANS SHOULD BE LIMITED TO TWO TERMS - ONE IN OFFICE AND ONE IN PRISON.... Illinois already does this.

Offline Sigma

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 119
Black or Silver Scope on Stainless Rifle?
« Reply #6 on: June 07, 2006, 05:54:53 PM »
Geez, when I remarked "Any comments welcome" I didn't think I'd get heckled for asking about scope color!

I'm no newbie to scopes or rifles - I have blued Sako's with Leupold VXIII's in 3.5x10x40. I'm aware of what's out there.

Right now, here's the pecking order I'm looking at:

1. Leupold VXIII
2. Zeiss Conquest
3. Bushnell Elite 4200

Rather than color coordination ala "Martha Stewart", I was thinking more along the lines of concerns about reflection from silver vs. black.

Now - any comments on that issue?

Peter

Offline Cement Man

  • Trade Count: (4)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1265
  • Gender: Male
Black or Silver Scope on Stainless Rifle?
« Reply #7 on: June 07, 2006, 06:42:21 PM »
Sigma,
I surely didn't in any way try to heckle you or take your question lightly.  My reference to Martha Stewart was an attempt at self-deprecating humor. Like poking fun at myself, not you. I don't see many people putting silver rings on blue and wood rifles like I often do, but I have a reason and I explained why. I was trying to share my thoughts in a polite way, and contribute to answering your question.

You didn't mention glare or reflection at all in your question - you only referenced that "the salesman mentioned that most guys go for matt black on stainless since the silver scopes usually don't match the stainless color".

Every other respondent answered your post with a reference to appearance and color as well.

Anyway, all the scopes you mention are truly excellent scopes, but I don't think they are all available in silver.  There should be no reflection from a matte scope.
CIVES ARMA FERANT - Let the citizens bear arms.
POLITICIANS SHOULD BE LIMITED TO TWO TERMS - ONE IN OFFICE AND ONE IN PRISON.... Illinois already does this.

Offline Redhawk1

  • Life time NRA Supporter.
  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (78)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10748
  • Gender: Male
Black or Silver Scope on Stainless Rifle?
« Reply #8 on: June 08, 2006, 01:08:48 AM »
Quote from: Sigma
Geez, when I remarked "Any comments welcome" I didn't think I'd get heckled for asking about scope color!

I'm no newbie to scopes or rifles - I have blued Sako's with Leupold VXIII's in 3.5x10x40. I'm aware of what's out there.

Right now, here's the pecking order I'm looking at:

1. Leupold VXIII
2. Zeiss Conquest
3. Bushnell Elite 4200

Rather than color coordination ala "Martha Stewart", I was thinking more along the lines of concerns about reflection from silver vs. black.

Now - any comments on that issue?

Peter


I don't think any of the scopes give off a reflection.  I would go with the Leupold VXIII.
If  you're going to make a hole, make it a big one.
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you,
Jesus Christ and the American G. I.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom

Endowment Life Member of the NRA
Life Member NA

Offline victorcharlie

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3589
Black or Silver Scope on Stainless Rifle?
« Reply #9 on: June 08, 2006, 01:35:50 AM »
As your rifle is a T3 lite, then I assume weight is important.  The Bushnell 4200 is a great scope, but it's big and heavy, not what I'd want on a lite, ultra lite, feather weight etc.

You've got a european made rife, so made in america probably isn't a factor.

Still, I'd pick the Leupold because of the great service and support after the sale.  If you have a problem with the scope, Leupold is the one I'd want to be dealing with.
"Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. Tolerance in the face of tyranny is no virtue."
Barry Goldwater

Offline Buckfever

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 665
scope color, better yet type!
« Reply #10 on: June 08, 2006, 03:48:50 AM »
Zeiss Conquest....  I have matte black on matte black rings over stainless looks pretty good and sets off the barrel.   Buckfever

Offline Sigma

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 119
Black or Silver Scope on Stainless Rifle?
« Reply #11 on: June 08, 2006, 06:04:32 AM »
Thanks Guys,

You're right - I didn't make reference to reflection, only the statement from the salesman that the stainless colors don't match anyway. That probably made it look like matching colors was my primary concern. Your responses weren't out of line.

On the "Made in America" thing: Leupold is a very good example of an American company producing top-notch products and delivering top-notch service. I like the Zeiss Conquest too, but I am concerned about customer service, should I ever have an issue with the scope. I will probably continue with Leupold for that reason. The VXIII's are a bit more, but in my opinion, they're worth it.

Peter

Offline GRIMJIM

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3002
  • Gender: Male
Black or Silver Scope on Stainless Rifle?
« Reply #12 on: June 13, 2006, 06:49:22 PM »
Quote from: Dave in WV
I like matte black scopes on a stainless rifle. You have more selections with the black ones too.


I NOTICED THAT TOO. A LOT EASIER TO FIND A SCOPE WITH THE FEATURES YOU WANT IN MATTE THAN IT IS IN SILVER. BTW
REMINGTON M700 7MM RUM STAINLESS W/ GREY LAMINATED STOCK & NIKON 4.5-14X60 IN SILVER.
I PERSONALLY LIKE THE SILVER W/ STAINLESS ALTHOUGH YOU ARE RIGHT THE FINISH DOES NOT MATCH EXACTLY.
GBO SENIOR MEMBER "IF THAT BALL COMES IN MY YARD I'M KEEPING IT!"

NRA LIFE MEMBER

UNION STEWARD CARPENTERS LOCAL 1027

IF GOD DIDN'T WANT US TO EAT ANIMALS, WHY DID HE MAKE THEM OUT OF MEAT?

Offline tck

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 36
  • Gender: Male
scope color
« Reply #13 on: June 16, 2006, 02:09:53 AM »
Last fall I installed a black leupold scope on a synthetic/stainless ruger.  I kinda thought some people might think it a little odd, but I didn't care.  Later when watching Jim Zumbo's TV show, I saw he was carring a Stainless remington with a black scope mounted on top.  If its OK for Jim, Its good enough for a nobody like me.....

Offline jro45

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1923
Black or Silver Scope on Stainless Rifle?
« Reply #14 on: June 17, 2006, 02:53:36 AM »
I have a black Leupole on my stainless handgun and think it looks real sharp with black on stainless. I don't want any stainless rifles barrels.
Person reasons. :D

Offline MGMorden

  • Trade Count: (3)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2093
  • Gender: Male
Re: Black or Silver Scope on Stainless Rifle?
« Reply #15 on: June 21, 2006, 07:39:34 PM »
Quote from: Sigma
Hi Guys,

What do you prefer? I just acquired my first stainless rifle, a T3 Lite. The salesman mentioned that most guys go for matt black on stainless since the silver scopes usually don't match the stainless color.

Any comments welcome.

Peter


I've never understood the "it won't match so get a black scope" argument.  No, the silver scope won't match a stainless rifle exactly, but it's a hell of a lot closer in color than a black one :).  Just my 0.02.  I only own 1 stainless rifle (it was a gift - I generally prefer blued) but it does indeed sport a silver scope.