best scope choice under $500?

i just got a bushnell elite 3200 3-9x40 with the firefly reticle (glows in the dark for about an hour after you shine a flashlight on it for about 30 seconds to a minute + NO BATTERIES) on the advice of a rancher i know---best scope ive ever used i have it on a 22-250 and can do 2in groups at 200 yards all day long the scope is extremely clear has lifetime warranty and the new rainguard hd glass coating that is alot like rain x on your car

my mom has the elite 3200 3-9x50 on her 243 it is also very nice both are at leupold quality IMO AND either can be had for under 300 i got mine on sale for 170

you cant go wrong with the elite 3200

The 3200 and 4200 are good choices. The Super Sniper line also gets good reviews. I've used a Super Sniper and it's very nice for $300.

http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-Scopes-C1719.aspx

I just recently bought a Nikon Prostaff 3-9x50 for my Mini 14. I had no problems sighting it in. I was very impressed with the clarity and eye relief. By the way, I sighted it in right at sunset and it seemed to be brighter in the reticle then in the ambient light.

I'll probably get "flamed" but I have had very good luck with Tasco sights.

I have a 3 X 9 X40 on a 30:06 model 700 that has taken game for nearly 20 years and has been on countless planes, ATVs, horses, etc without loosing it's zero and it's plently bright even today.

My vote is for a Nikon Monarch.

If you're thinking of spending close to $500 on glass, there's no reason to even consider a Tasco. You could get a Leupold VX3, a Zeiss Conquest, or a Nikon Monarch for $500. For considerably less, you could go Nikon Buckmasters, Leupold VX2, Bushnell Elite. The last ones are in the $300-$400 range. I would rather shoot a budget rifle with good optics that a custom rifle with a piece of crap on top of it. No rifle is better than the scope.

I'm very happy with the Bushnell 4200 6-24x40 I just got. It is definitely a step up from my other mid-range scopes. The 3200 3-9x40/50 ($190/$210) firefly mentioned by pikid89 or the 4200 2.5-10x40/50 ($300/$330) were tempting as well. I have a couple Burris FF2 ($180/$330) and a Nikon TeamPrimos ($210) and just wanted something better for the heck of it.

*natchez has most of these on sale for the prices listed

I have both a Zeiss and Bushnell get the bushnell. If you can pony up the cash I would then take the VX 3

I have a couple of Nikon Monarch 6-24x50 that work very well. I paid less than $500.00 for each of those and they perform very well. They seem to track very well and repeat well with the tactical turrets that come with them.

I have one that's been on my Rem 700 5R for over 1700 rounds with no problems.

Nikon Monarchs are good scopes. Take a look at Vortex Viper series. I just picked up a Viper a few weeks ago and it's a solid scope.

Look at the Sightrons excellent scopes

A+ for the Super Sniper.
They now offer first focal plane scopes as well.
I do love my 3200 as well as far as overall value goes.

bushnell elite 3200

Use the Bushnell Elite 3200 with mil-dot and fixed 10x. mil-dot allows you to estimate range without a laser range finder. This will save you time and money. The mil-dot also allows you to estimate bullet drop and wind effects. fixed magnification is more durable because it has less parts to jiggle about. Barrett has a 50 BMG with the Bushnell Elite 3200 as a package. It is only $219 at Wally World.

Depends on the magnification range choice. Which magnif. do you want? You can get more quality scope for your $500 with a low magnif. than with a high one. So the answer matters in choosing.

But generally, I'd look at the Elite 4200, the Sightron S3 or S2, the Nikon Monarch; maybe the Burris Signature Select or Black Diamond.