help with choice of 4-12x scopes

greyling22 · May 2, 2015

So I was out at the range yesterday with my 223 and my 22lr. The 223 wears a sightron s1 hunter 4-12x AO, and the 22 wears a mueller apv. (4-14x AO) and I found that I just see the holes clearer at 100 with the mueller. even on 12x. I'd shoot with the sightron, then grab the mueller to resolve the individual holes. (side note, my eyes were terrible, have had laser surgery, have faded a bit,... they're just funny ok. so if the sightron works for you, great, I'm not saying it's a bad scope, it just doesn't work for me)

So, I'm a little frustrated with the sightron, and it will probably go away. And I'm also kind of sick of the AO function. so grabbing another apv is not really what I want. Seems like the scope is always out of focus when I'm out bumping around the woods.

So I would like a scope with a 12x-16x max power, but no AO.
also, I'm in nursing school with baby #1 due in 2 weeks, so price is an issue. $225 max budget. not a penny more. Less is better. I cannot stress this point enough. It is non-negotiable.

my current top picks are:
1) vortex diamondback 4-12x40 $155
2) nikon buckmasters 4-12x40 $150
3) used redfield revolution 4-12x40 $200? I'd have to find one
4) other suggestions?

recommendations off that list? something else? firsthand experience with multiple options is preferable to "I only have X, and I like it"

I am open to used, but if you suggest something, I'd love a link to it and not just "I found a deal one time, so I bet you can too. somewhere"

wild willy · May 2, 2015

I have the Vortex Diamondback 4-12 and Nikon Buckmaster 6-18.For the money I would say Nikon.I've had the Buckmaster for around 10 years the Vortex for a couple months.The Vortex may be just as good but the Nikon has been trouble free other than a accident caused by me.And Nikon sold me a replacement scope at a very reasonable price.

ImperatorGray · May 2, 2015

I've been using that Vortex for a couple of years now. For the price, it's amazing.

Ar180shooter · May 2, 2015

wild willy said:
I have the Vortex Diamondback 4-12 and Nikon Buckmaster 6-18.For the money I would say Nikon.I've had the Buckmaster for around 10 years the Vortex for a couple months.The Vortex may be just as good but the Nikon has been trouble free other than a accident caused by me.And Nikon sold me a replacement scope at a very reasonable price.

I'm not the biggest fan of the lower end Vortex scopes, but Vortex would have sent a replacement free of charge rather than sell you a replacement.

redneck2 · May 3, 2015

If you get really creative, you might find a higher end scope that's used. I've got an older Burris Black Diamond that I'd put up against a lot of new $500 scopes. I have less than $75 in it. If somebody is selling a used one, ring marks lower value by half and have zero effect on optical quality.

Other thing you might do is check the close outs at various websites. Natchez had some Weavers at 70% off. $500 scopes in the $175 range IIRC. I've had one of the newer models in the past few years. It was excellent.

FWIW, I got some mixed reviews from other owners.

IMO, you're far better off to get a good scope cheap rather than trying to find the "least worst" cheap scope. Problem is that it takes time. It can be done with the internet.

jmr40 · May 3, 2015

Does it absolutely have to be a 4-12X scope? There are none that I can think of that are within your budget. Some close, around $250, but nothing I'd use under that.

If you are willing to use a 3-9X40 there are lots of very good options. Burris FF-II, Redfield Revolution, Leupold VX-1, and several others are priced right around $200 and are excellent scopes. You will get a lot better scope in that size for the money. In my experience a quality scope on 9X is easier to use than a cheap scope on 12X. I'd rather buy more quality than more X's.

PowerG · May 3, 2015

I looked through a Diamondback a friend bought recently, can't attest to how well the mechanicals will work out but the sight picture was very impressive considering the cost of the scope.

greyling22 · May 3, 2015

doesn't have to be a 4-12x, but it needs a max power above 10, and no adjustable objective. I think that pretty much limits me to 4-12x.

I have a 1.5-5x diamondback, and it is a significantly brighter scope with a larger FOV than my 2-7x FF2 when they are set to equal power. So i figure the diamondback is a pretty safe bet. And the new buckmasters 2 is too new for anybody to know anything about I guess. I just mostly wanted to know if I was overlooking anything, or if anybody had compared the revolution to the diamondback (other than the famous inexpensive scope comparison from a few years back)

And yes, there are true deals out there on used scopes. I just can't find any.

gazpacho · May 3, 2015

Is there a particular reason you dislike the AO function? The reason that I ask is that my Go To high power cheap scope is the Simmons Whitetail Classic, Truplex, 6.5-20x AO. Add the optional sunshade, and your total cost is $130. I have one atop my 10/22 ultimate, and can shoot 1" to 2" 100 yard groups with moderate priced target ammo! All day long. I have another on my target AR-15, and get the same results. Soon, I plan on mounting one one a T/C Encore Pro Hunter, but I haven't quite decided on the caliber yet.

I know it's not the magnification range you specified, and I know it has AO, but I thought I should mention it, as it is such a surprisingly good scope. And the price is right, too!

PedalBiker · May 3, 2015

Did you try adjusting the ocular focus on your Sightron? I was having trouble with my 2-7x Leupold and realized that I had set it for my new Rx glasses, but I was wearing older ones. Other times I skip glasses (hunting) and have to refocus my scopes.

greyling22 · May 3, 2015

I'm going to be carrying this around the woods some hunting, and the AO unction is not something I want to jack with.

I have tried the focus. Both the eyepiece focus ring and the AO focus. And they're just not coming in quite crisp enough for me.

Sheepdog1968 · May 4, 2015

Leupold (my go to brand) owns Redfield and makes the Redfields scopes in USA so tne Redfield scope is my choice.

ohioshooter · May 6, 2015

+1 on the Vortex Diamonback. I just bought 2 and will be putting them on my other rifles as well. Clear, easy adjustments and if anything ever happens to them, I'll get free replacements.

OpticsPlanet · May 6, 2015

Hello,

In the price range, I would say go with the Redfield or the Vortex purely for the lifetime warranties. Anything in that price range is going to be relative in optical quality so reticle or brand might be a deciding factor for you.

Michael C.

Catpop · May 9, 2015

Redfield (l'm old school), my go to scopes. Never had a problem with my 1971 4 x 12 traditional ($77 nib otd) on a 300 HH Rem 721.
Then I picked up a used 3x9 widefield last year for my 03A3 custom 270 at a lgs for $40.
Now I have a widefield 6 x 18 (bought this year used $99 otd at lgs) on my Ruger mini. Can't see as good as I could in 1971. Haha
Good luck, catpop

greyling22 · May 10, 2015

what about a minox vz3? it has a side focus, which I am not a fan of, but I found a 4-14x for under 200. Don't really know much about minox.

scythefwd · May 11, 2015

if you can find a used bushnell elite 3200, they made a very nice 4-12x40.

http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/Bushnell-Elite-3200-4-12x40-Rifle-Scope/4308507/product.html 273, I know I have seen them below that on natchez, ebay, gun forums, etc. I paid 200 for mine with an AO.. but not all of them have that feature.

help with choice of 4-12x scopes

greyling22

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wild willy

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ImperatorGray

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Ar180shooter

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redneck2

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jmr40

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PowerG

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greyling22

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gazpacho

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PedalBiker

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greyling22

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Sheepdog1968

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ohioshooter

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OpticsPlanet

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