[thumbtack]

I have about $200 to buy a better scope for my Remington 700. I am looking for a quality 3x9x40 scope, that will get used a lot at the range and while hunting.

What do you suggest?

[BamBam-31]

Weaver Grand Slam 3-10x40mm. $239 at Bear Basin.

[BTM]

Burrris Fullfield II. I recently bought one with the Ballistic Plex = $187 from Natchez. I am pleased so far. I haven't used the Plex feature at longer ranges yet to see how close they are to point of aim/ impact in my .308. I aslo like that it has a Lifetime Warranty and it is Made in USA.
BTM

[Swamp Yankee]

Along with the previous suggestions, two very good 3-9X40 scopes at that price point are the Nikon Buckmaster and the Bushnell Elite 3200 models.
Take Care

[pdh]

Leupold has come out with the VX-1 in the 3-9x40.It is alittle under $200.

[one-shot-one]

Leupold, best non-firearm purchase i've made.:)

[dakotasin]

leupold.

[Mal H]

This one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2713897016&category=31714

this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2714155173&category=31714

or, this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2713947831&category=31714

And there are lots more where they came from.

[Ullr]

Gotta agree on the recommendation to get a Leupold. Though I'd say you should save your pennies for another month or two -- open up your price range to $250 or so. That gets you into the Vx-II line for Leupold, and it looks like you've got a lot more options with other makers as well.

[DMK]

Natchez has some great prices on scopes. A bunch are on sale right now.

http://www.natchezss.com/optics.html

[762x51]

I would agree with Ullr. That extra 50 bucks really opens up alot more options. The VXII is a very nice scope for the money.

[client32]

I don't have one, but I hear a lot of good things about swift scopes. You might give them a look.

http://www.swift-optics.com/rifle.htm

[cratz2]

Possibly warranty issues aside, the Leupold VariX Is absolutely in no way compare to the Weaver Grand Slams. The VariX IIs are still on the losing side of the battle. The Grand Slams, at least comparing the 3-10x Grand Slams to the 3.5-10x VariXs, are very close for the field hunter. Very very clear and plenty bright. I know all about profit margins etc but ask anyone that carries the VariX IIIs and the Grand Slams - every one that is honest about has nothing but praise for the Grand Slams and many happy customers. The Leupold name is still very strong and their warranty work is excellent and fortunately it is rarely needed for most users. Time will tell how the Grand Slams hold up but out of the box, they are excellent.

[Marshall]

Every suggestion you have received is a good one!

I own all Leupolds and have never had one give me trouble or fog up. I did breakdown and buy a Burris Fullfield II Balistic Plex and I gotta tell you I am very pleasantly surprised! After I bought it I took it out in the backyard and let it sit in the rain and cold weather overnight, not a leak or a fog-up one.

The other scope that has caught my eye is Bushnell 3200 Elite with the new no battery, Self Illuminating FireFly 3-2-1 Reticle. If you can pick up the Jan 2003 Shooting Times, Dick Metcalf took it on a hunt and gave it glowing reviews. You might find the article online too. I believe they use Bausch & Lomb optics with RainGaurd.

I have a pair of Bausch & Lomb Elite 10X42 center focus binoculars I picked up last fall. If they use close to the same optics in the Bushnell Elite scopes I would be very satisfied because these B&L Elites have superb brightness, light transmission and clarity!

I am not sure if the FireFly Reticle made the website yet, but here it is anyway. Bushnell Elite 3200 Rifle Scopes (http://www.bushnell.com/productinfo/riflescopes/specs/323943.html)

Any of the above are good scopes with the Leupold having the edge in quality history!

[cheygriz]

I would suggest that you hold off on buying until you can save another $200 and then get a good scope.

I've owned about a half dozen cheap scopes over the years, and I've regretted buying every one of them.

Based on my experience, I wouldn't buy anything from Bushnell, Tasco, or Simmons. I think that I'd also avoid "bottom of the line" scopes even from the good name makers.

Stick with a Leupold Vari-Xlll, or a Nikon Monarch series. In years to come, you'll be glad you did.

[BamBam-31]

I have a Bushnell 3200 3-9x40mm on my 10/22. So does my buddy. We both agree: it is an excellent scope for the money. Excellent. And, at $139 at Natchez, a REAL BARGAIN. It's not a high-end scope by any stretch, but pretty good nonetheless.

FWIW, I'm getting a Grand Slam for my next .223 bolt.

[thumbtack]

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

Tonight after work I stopped by Wal-Mart, to see what scopes they had. I guess the stars, moon, and all of the planets were in alignment for me tonight, because they had a Leopold VXII 3x9x40 marked down from$249.95 to $200.00. With tax it was $216.50 not a bad price.
:D

[Marshall]

Thumbtack,

You were holding your tongue right, I guess? :D

Very good scope, you will be pleased!