[Olympus]

So what will it be? I'm in the market for a new scope to go on my Encore rifle barrel. It's a .300 Win Mag barrel from T/C. I'm probably looking for a 3-9x40 but I could go with some higher magnification if it's available. Obviously, the scope needs to be resistent to significant recoil. It's going on an Encore like I said, so I'll be using it for hunting and it needs to be resistant to the elements as much as possible. And if possible, I'd love to find a scope that has a target dot reticle available since it's my all-time favorite reticle.

I'm open to all suggestions!

[308sc]

Simmons Whitetail Classic at MIDWAY USA. I have one on my .308 and it has held up fine. These are made in the Philippines not China...for those who are wondering. Most likely the finest scope Simmons has produced.

[fluffy]

get one of the cabelas pine ridge scopes.I have 2 ,and both seem to work fine.

[rangerruck]

anything nikon. right now you can get a nikon for 130 at Wallyworld...

[XD-40 Shooter]

Nikon Pro-Staff, I've got one on my Remmy 700 .308 and its a great scope, bright, clear and sharp. They run around $170.

[Olympus]

Thanks for the suggestions. I've got a Whitetail Classic on my .270 and I've got Nikon Buckmasters and Burris Fullfields as well. I'm trying not to get too focused on the kinds I have and not exploring other possibilities. And I'd really love to find a good scope that offers the target dot reticle.

[Ignatius]

Take a look at the Nikon Pro Staff scopes. They dont have a mil dot recticle, but they DO have a Bullet Drop Compensator ( BDC) recticle that is very similar to a mil dot. Nikons also have a lifetime warranty. I put one (3-9 x 40) on my Husqvarna .308 and have been absolutely tickled with it. I paid $200 at my local gun shop for the scope, rings, mounts installation and boresighting. The scope has great FOV and eye relief, is bright too. I like it. Lot of scope for the money.

[Hunter0924]

BSA scopes are not too bad.
I have a couple of some of my less expensive rifles and they work. With that said they ain't even close to Leupold quality but they do have a lifetime warranty.

[sandwg]

Ok, I'm $4.17 over (Midsouthshooters.com).

LEUPOLD OPTICS VX-I® 3-9X40MM WIDE DUPLEX RETICLE MATTE FINISH

$204.17

I'm sure if you searched you'd find it at the magic $199.99 somewhere. If you bought any other brand in this price range you'd be saying "It's just as good as a Leupold". Just buy this (skip one McDonald's meal), and you don't have to compare to anyone.

Sandwg

[Hunter0924]

I agree with sandwg, the Leupold would be the best way to go.

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Nikon Prostaff or maybe Burris Fullfield 2.

No BSAs are not OK, and no you cannot get a Leupold for "under $200" - not new anyhow.

[FlyinBryan]

Simmons Whitetail Classic at MIDWAY USA. I have one on my .308 and it has held up fine. These are made in the Philippines not China...for those who are wondering. Most likely the finest scope Simmons has produced.

i couldnt agree more. we have two, and ordering more before they are gone. clarity and brightness dont fade as you turn up the magnification like others in their price range

compare very favorably to scopes costing 500 bux and more.

[NC-Mike]

PremiumSauces

Nikon Prostaff or maybe Burris Fullfield 2.

No BSAs are not OK, and no you cannot get a Leupold for "under $200" - not new anyhow.



http://www.opticsbestbuy.com/All-Leupold-Rifle-Scopes.html?Attribs=33&catID=332

[woof]

I wouldn't argue with anyone who said leupold scopes are far better than Simmons. But my own experience is - I bought a leupold 2-7, hated it, returned it and bought a Simmons 3-9 and find it superior in every way. Go figure.

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Well I sit corrected, NC Mike. :) :p That Leupold would be a good choice then - on a par with the other two.

[rantingredneck]

Another happy Nikon owner. I have three prostaff scopes (though one is a rimfire) and they all have given great service. Very clear optics. Solid adjustments.

[Shawnee]

+1 for the Nikon ProStaff.

:cool:

[Water-Man]

You could get a Bushnell Elite 3200 for that price at SWFA.

[JonB]

Bushnell Elite 3200, Burris Fullfield, or a Nikon. But after seeing a Leupold for $200, well I'd say pick one. I would imagine that they are all about the same quality. Yeah yeah, the Leupold fanboys will argue otherwise, but in that price range, I don't think many folks could tell the difference without looking at the name on the side.

[rangerruck]

there is a cheapy scope out there that is double tough, it is prrlax free down to 7 ft. and it is air rifle, adult, spring piston rated, so you know it is tough.
it is this;
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a284/pmullineaux/opticsplanet_2009_401068623.gif
http://www.opticsplanet.net/tasco-3-9x44-titan.html

do not look at the other golden antler version, it is not adjustable objective,
like this one is, nor is it adult spring piston, air rifle rated.

[willymike]

I too am in the market for a new 3x9x40. In that price range I already own Nikon Buckmasters and Burris Fullfield II scopes. I favor the Fullfield IIs over the Buckmaster by a very slight margin.

Here are prices I pulled of the internet yesterday.

Bushnell Legend $141.25 from Midsouth Shooters Supply.

Nikon Prostaff ($149.99) and Nikon Buckmaster ($199.99) - Midsouth

Burris Fullfield II ($191.06) - Midsouth

Pentax Gameseeker ($99.99) - Midway USA

Weaver V ($146.99) - Midway USA

The Legend, Burris Fullfield II, Pentax, and Weaver have fully multicoated optics. The two Nikons are multicoated. Also, I know that Burris has a business relationship with Pentax so that scope may have some Burris design built in.

Any would be fine, but I have a personal leaning toward the Burris due to the most features for the money and a long experience as a satsified owner. I'd try to research the Pentax further to see how much Burris influence is in that scope. It would truly be a great bargain at that price if it was made by Burris.

Hope this helps!

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Leupold Rifleman at Walmart----priced right at $200.

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

My opinion - if you're thinking about the Bushnell Legend, you'd be much better off just spending a smidge more to get a lot better scope in the Elite 3200.

[jmr40]

You can get a Leupold for $199, but in that price range the Nikon Prostaff or Buckmaster is a better scope in my opinion. You can also get the Burris for around the same price and while I have never owned one, I have heard good things about them. In that price range, I vote for one of the Nikons

[Olympus]

Yeah what's the story on the newer Weaver scopes? Will they handle the punishment from a .300 Win? I only ask because I'm pretty sure that they offer the dot reticle and I'd really like to find one.

[NC-Mike]

Those 200 hundred dollar Leopold's have a lifetime warranty!

That's good, cause if you shoot the gun a lot, you'll probably need it! :)

[RyanM]

If you want something different, there's http://www.kalinkaoptics.com/detail.aspx?ID=556

I have one of those with an AK mount. Good, clear glass, and they're hell for stout by all accounts. And Kalinka has great customer service.

[NC-Mike]

I second that POSP scope. I bought a 4x for an AK and it was the best 100 dollars I ever spent on a scope. They are mil-spec and tough.

And I got it from Kalinka as well.

[evans1010]

I have a Weaver 2-10 that has been a great scope and well under your limit. Very clear, reliable and repeatable tracking and very tough.

Some people that quality went down with their later scopes, but I sure can't complain.

Nick

[pbrktrt]

olympus, take a look at the Mueller line. reasonably priced & has the illuminated dot i believe you like. they are a decent scope.

[p35bhp55]

I have 5 Burris scopes, my vote is handle the boredom and get another FFII

[Olympus]

It's not only the boredom, but I've just not bee super impressed with my Fullfield. It's decent, but other than that, I don't have a lot of other great things to say about it. I'm pleased with it and that's why I'm keeping it on the rifle it's on. But I'm not so pleased with it that I'd go out and buy another. I have 3 Nikons and I like them a lot more than the Burris. But I'm looking for a little variety.

I've seen the Muellers on a lot of .22 rimfires and people say lots of good things about them. I've just never heard of anyone using them on larger calibers, especially a .300 Win. My only balk on those is whether they can handle the recoil and still hold zero. I've just never heard anything good or bad either way about them on larger bore rifles. People that shoot rimfire sure say they're good though.

[cliffy]

3-9x40mm Leupold Rifleman can still be found for about $210. Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40mm around $190. These are both scopes I've use with satisfactory results and clear optics. Currently I'm spoiled by the purchase of a $512 Burris Signature Select in 6-24x44mm on my .223 Remington for the LONG shots. 3-9x40mm are the most practical scopes for most hunting situations. My other scope is a 4.5-14x40mm Nikon Buckmaster, so you see, I'm beyond practical. Yet, since I practice two to three times a week, I shoot fairly-well off-hand with 6X. cliffy

[Heck]

I love my bushnell 3200 elite in 3x9 x 40mm. found it new on ebay for about $150