What is the difference between a $100 scope and a $400 scope?

[dwalk]

i have, and have had, some low dollar scopes that perform adequately.

but...my preference?

the $400.00 scopes...especially for higher powered air rifles and PB's.

Leupold, as an example...lifetime, "no questions asked" guarantee and all Leupolds are airgun rated. (but PCP's do not require airgun ratings though as they have little, to no, recoil) one should select a scope with an adjustable AO, and lower power settings, for that close range shooting

if i am opting to use a higher powered rifle, i want a higher powered scope, period.

i currently have, and use, Pentax and Bushnell, too and both are rock solid and airgun rated but...are parallax adjusted to 110 yards...so shooting at small targets at very short ranges is not easy.

IMO, most airgun related shooting, within 50-60 yards, should require no more than a 2x, 3x or 4x scope. again...that's my opinion. (unless, of course, you're shooting at a target the size of an aspirin)

[UCChris]

The nicest glass I've owned is the Hawke Varmint 6-24x44. It was one my Disco until I decided to go with aperture sights and now it is on my precision .308 rifle. The only thing that I would want in a high priced scope is more repeatable tracking. But the clarity, ruggedness, fine reticle, are all perfect.