New scope for .243

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Husker Hunter

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Looking at upgrading the scope on my Remington 700 ADL .243 Win. Currently has a 3-9x40 Nikon buckmasters, but I want more magnification for shooting longer range since I no longer use the rifle for deer (I have a 30-06 for that now). Looking to stay in the $300-400 range for price. I have been looking at a Nikon Prostaff 5 in 4.5-18x40, but would be open to other suggestions.
 
You can check out used leupolds, ive seen the Mark Ars go for around 350, and Vx-2s usually go for around that. Those are never a bad choice, every once in a while ill see a VX-3 or one of the other higher end models go for around 350-400 in that magnification range.

I recently was given a Bushnell 4.5-14x44 Legend Ultra that im quite happy with (its cheaper too), and Ive handled the PS5 but never shot a gun with one mounted, seemed like good glass for the price.
Burris also makes a nice scope in that magnification range thats around that price.
On the cheaper end there are the Primary arms, which get decent reviews and the one i shot with was quite nice for 200 bucks.
 
I have that same rifle, but in .270. I have a new Burris FullField II 4-14X. Great optics and an excellent deal for the money. I don't like using the phrase "for the money" as it connotes an inferior product. My Burris scope is anything but. It is a fine scope and economical at well under $300.
 
I've heard other good things about the newer Burris scopes, sounds like they are worth a look. My 22 mag has a Leupold vx1 on it and it seems just as clear as the 4-16 monarch on my 30-06. Where's a good place to look for used optics and what should one look for or avoid? All the guns and scopes I've been around were bought new but buying used has always intrigued me. I've heard of people getting some top of the line stuff for pretty low prices.
 
I've heard other good things about the newer Burris scopes, sounds like they are worth a look. My 22 mag has a Leupold vx1 on it and it seems just as clear as the 4-16 monarch on my 30-06. Where's a good place to look for used optics and what should one look for or avoid? All the guns and scopes I've been around were bought new but buying used has always intrigued me. I've heard of people getting some top of the line stuff for pretty low prices.
I've gone to dozens of gun shows and many auctions and have yet to find a good deal on a used scope without a gun attached to it. I don't bother to look at used scopes any more. Here's one important issue. Newer scopes from reputable manufacturers have the latest improvements in technology, which you'll never find in an older scope. With my preference for new over used, I really work hard to find the best deals. There are a number of ways to buy new scopes with significant discounts. Give me a holler if you want to pursue those avenues. BTW, I have a many first rate scopes and have found deals on all of them.
 
OP, what distance do you mean by longer range?. The reason I ask is because my .243 is used pretty much exclusively for coyotes. I've shot them anywhere from 20 to 300 yards. The .243 has a Conquest 3-9x40 on it and I would feel comfortable shooting coyotes out to around 400 with it. Not trying to sound preachy but I've found that better quality glass allows me to shoot further out than lesser glass, with lower power.

I've owned a number of Fullfied II's. They are hard to beat in their price range. In fact in that particular price range I'll always get a Fullfield II unless Camera Land has their special running on the Minox ZV 3. 18x is a lot of magnification on a hunting scope, unless you hunt PD's. My take after doing a bunch of informal testing and selling scopes is this: to get the same quality in a scope with a max of 18x you must pay a lot more money to get the same quality as would get in a good 3-9 scope. YMMV.
 
If you haven`t already, give the Natchez site a look see. They have scopes that meet your needs. plus, information included.
 
I've heard other good things about the newer Burris scopes, sounds like they are worth a look. My 22 mag has a Leupold vx1 on it and it seems just as clear as the 4-16 monarch on my 30-06. Where's a good place to look for used optics and what should one look for or avoid? All the guns and scopes I've been around were bought new but buying used has always intrigued me. I've heard of people getting some top of the line stuff for pretty low prices.
When I hear .243 and distance I'm thinking of coyotes and targets at 300-900 yds and I'm using a 6.5-20x50 half mil 1" target scope that I got for half price, what kind of distance are you talking about?
 
When I hear .243 and distance I'm thinking of coyotes and targets at 300-900 yds and I'm using a 6.5-20x50 half mil 1" target scope that I got for half price, what kind of distance are you talking about?
Coyotes and prairie dogs as far as I can hit them. I live in eastern Nebraska where shots on coyotes can be anywhere from 50-500 yards, but usually head west for prairie dogs at least a couple times a year and would like to push my limits there.
OP, what distance do you mean by longer range?. The reason I ask is because my .243 is used pretty much exclusively for coyotes. I've shot them anywhere from 20 to 300 yards. The .243 has a Conquest 3-9x40 on it and I would feel comfortable shooting coyotes out to around 400 with it. Not trying to sound preachy but I've found that better quality glass allows me to shoot further out than lesser glass, with lower power.
YMMV.
I'm well aware 18x is probably more magnification than I need, I'd take a 14 or 16x top power model if I thought it was a better deal. I just like having the extra magnification.
 
Coyotes and prairie dogs as far as I can hit them. I live in eastern Nebraska where shots on coyotes can be anywhere from 50-500 yards, but usually head west for prairie dogs at least a couple times a year and would like to push my limits there.

I'm well aware 18x is probably more magnification than I need, I'd take a 14 or 16x top power model if I thought it was a better deal. I just like having the extra magnification.
How far west? Scottsbluff? Crawford? Alliance? Chadron? Hemingford? That's where I'm popping em! ETA, how much are you planning on spending exactly?
 
At the distances you are talking about I'd want more than 9x too.
Exactly.....more magnification is essential. I have a 6-24X on a .204 prairie dog rifle, but a prairie dog at 300+ yards is still a very small target. My longest shot was laser measured at 326 yards with a .223 with a 4-16X scope. I've killed several out to 300 yards with a Remington 700 VLS .243 using hand loaded 55 gr bullets and a 4.5-14X scope. Again, prairie dogs at that range are very small targets. Such long range makes for tough shots and you'll need all the advantage of higher magnification. I've been shooting 300 yard gongs, which is fun and not that difficult if you have good equipment and a steady bench. BUT, going after long distance coyotes and prairie dogs is a real challenge.
 
How far west? Scottsbluff? Crawford? Alliance? Chadron? Hemingford? That's where I'm popping em! ETA, how much are you planning on spending exactly?
Have some friends from Alliance, Harrison, and the Scottsbluff area I met in college. Not planning to spend more than about $400-450 depending on how good of a deal I'm getting. I would take a $800 scope on sale for $500 before buying a $400 at full price
 
I bought two Vortex Diamondbacks, 4x12x40,s for my .243 and .270 last year after good reviews. For a under 200.00 dollar scope I Think they are a great scope and a good buy. hdbiker
 
I've owned a number of Fullfied II's. They are hard to beat in their price range.
The Burris Fullfield II 4.5-14x42 is a fabulous scope for under $400, IME, and right you can now buy them for a lot under $400. I've carefully compared mine to my Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44 and Sightron SII 6-24x42 (Japan made) and the Burris is the best of the three at any comparable magnification level. I really like the view through the Burris and I love the Ballistic Plex reticle. After buying the first one and comparing carefully to my other ~$400 (street price, not MSRP) scopes, I bought three more.
 
So it sounds like the Burris is the scope to check out. Still going to be looking at a Nikon as well since I've had good luck with them in the past. Hopefully I'll get some time off to head into Cabela's or Bass Pro to buy one
 
So it sounds like the Burris is the scope to check out. Still going to be looking at a Nikon as well since I've had good luck with them in the past. Hopefully I'll get some time off to head into Cabela's or Bass Pro to buy one
The Nikon is OK, but the bubbles on the bdc are overrated if you're really wanting to stretch that .243 way out there, works OK on big game but not as precise as my old Pentax and my half mil dots leave it in the the dust. I haven't tried the Burris, but I've been hearing so much positive about them that one may find a home here soon.
 
The Burris is my favorite in that price range as well. Although the current model Leupold VX-1 and 2 scopes are pretty good values as well.
 
I do think the VX-2 is a better scope than the Fullfield but you are going to pay a lot more for one. My sons Vanguard 30-06 has a VX-2 3-9x40 with duplex reticle on it. My 6.5x55 used to have a Fullfield II 3-9x40 on it until I upgraded to a Meopta. Haven't shot anything yet with the Meopta mounted that I couldn't have shot with the Burris. When I occasionally shoot my sons 30-06 I'm reminded of how good the VX-2 glass is. If I were to buy a scope today in the Fullfield range it would still be the previously mentioned Minox from Camera Land NY though.
 
OP, what distance do you mean by longer range?. The reason I ask is because my .243 is used pretty much exclusively for coyotes. I've shot them anywhere from 20 to 300 yards. The .243 has a Conquest 3-9x40 on it and I would feel comfortable shooting coyotes out to around 400 with it. Not trying to sound preachy but I've found that better quality glass allows me to shoot further out than lesser glass, with lower power.

I've owned a number of Fullfied II's. They are hard to beat in their price range. In fact in that particular price range I'll always get a Fullfield II unless Camera Land has their special running on the Minox ZV 3. 18x is a lot of magnification on a hunting scope, unless you hunt PD's. My take after doing a bunch of informal testing and selling scopes is this: to get the same quality in a scope with a max of 18x you must pay a lot more money to get the same quality as would get in a good 3-9 scope. YMMV.

I bought a Minox ZV3 4.5-14x44 from Camera Land for $129 during their sale, and I'm extremely impressed with the quality. Glass is as good or better than my Redfield Revolution at half the price.

Just checked and Camera Land has lowered their price to $109.99!!!!
 
I believe them to be the best deal on a scope you can get today. To my eyes the glass is comparable with a VX-2.
 
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