Best scope for around $200?

[dwenslen]

I'm a first time non-.223 rifle owner, have a rem 700 sendero in 270 that i intend to use for deer this coming fall...want to get a quality scope for it. don't know didley about scopes-know that leupold is a good brand, had looked at their "rifleman" series.
am open to suggestions on brand, type, size, etc...

cheers,
Derek

 

[Coltdriver]

I would not hesitate to buy a used Leupold in somthing like a 3-9 X 40.

You can pick them up for around 200 if you are patient and have cash at hand. Go take a look at e bay, they are available there all the time.

To get a real good quality scope new for your purposes you would need to start at about 250. You can find some of the new Leupolds that are being discontinued going out around that number. The last time I checked on a VXII in 3-9X33 Sportsmans had them at 269 and were doing a 20 percent discount to move them off prior to the arrival of the "new" Leupolds next month.

Others may argue but the difference in a really good scope and a lesser cost one is all in light transmission and clarity. If you bite the bullet once and get a good scope you will never regret having it. If you ever experience a good scope versus a mediocre one you won't feel so bad about what you invested.

 

[Mulliga]

I got a Leupold VX-I in 3-9x40mm and it works well.

I've heard the Bushnell Elite line is good, as are some of the high-end Weavers.

Basically, you get what you pay for. Don't get BSA!

 

[Art Eatman]

For all practical deer hunting purposes, a good used Weaver K4 would work. However, I've thoroughly enjoyed the results of using a variable. From my own experience and from reading comments back at The Firing Line and now here at THR, it seems to me that the best scope for your purpose and for the money would be a Leupold VX1 3x9x40 from Wally World or equivalent pricing. IIRC, the lens coatings might be a bit better (?) than for the Rifleman; however, check that out at the Leupold website.

In the FWIW department, I've been using mostly Weaver or Weaver-type bases and rings since 1950, without the first sign of any problem.

Art

 

[cratz2]

I think the Weaver Grand Slam 3-10x40 is a top notch scope for under $250 delivered. At least as good of optics as the current Leupold VariX IIs.

I've had three and have been supremely happy with all and I currently have one on my 270.

 

[WalkerTexasRanger]

Rifleman would be a great scope for $200...

 

[theCZ]

I bought my Leupold Vari-X II 3-9x off ebay for $215 new. It did take me a while to find a deal that good. I also bought a new Nikon monarch 3-9x for $175 off ebay. Everyone talks about how great Leupold is, but the optics on my nikon is a lot better. They're both top notch scopes, but I'm prettymuch sold on Nikon. Both companies do have a lifetime warranty on their products.

 

[redneck2]

Nikon, B&L (or now Bushnell), Burris (exceptional value for the money), Leupold. Haven't tried the new Weavers, but the old ones in the 60's-70's were the brand by which others were judged.

If one of each were laying on the counter, I'd pick which one was the better deal.

As always, make SURE it's fogproof/waterproof if you're using it for hunting

and ALWAYS get Butler Creek flip caps front and rear. Throw away the crap ones that come from the factory

My local gun shop will pull scopes from trade-in rifles and sell them. They make more than selling it as a package. The good scopes (listed above) have lifetime warranties whether you're the original owner or not.

And get decent mounts (not see-thru's). Buy good, cry once

edit to add: if you're really pinched for money, I'd get a plain old 4x as Art said above. I used a Bushnell Sport Chief for 4 years on my slug gun. Hunted in below zero weather, driving rain and it never fogged and never lost zero. That's on an 870 shooting 3" mag copper solids. Recoil is, shall we say, substantial. If you get a cheap variable, the zero will wander and it WILL fog up.

 

[dwenslen]

thanks for the advice guys...
my father in law works at a sporting goods store chain and he can get a 15% discount, plus mount and boresight it right there. had seem some nikons at midwayusa....

is there that much quality difference between the entry level leupolds (ie, riflemans) and the ones that are about $100 more (vx-III or whatever)

i've been told to get the best you can at the time....my rifle is one that can be used for longer ranges (300+) not that i am shoot at that distance yet, but would like a scope that could do that as well if need be.

cheers,
Derek

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Burris Fullfield. Very impressive optics for the price (around $200 if you shop around, maybe less).

 

[redneck2]

I went to

the "For Sale" here on THR

there was a listing by BT 100 for a variety of scopes. There was a listing for a B&L 3200 for $120 IIRC, which would have been perfect. All are sold, but it gives you an idea of what you can get if you're a little patient. Don't settle for a cheap scope...buy a good scope cheap

 

[ReadyontheRight]

1. Laupold VX 2 in 3-9x x 40. Usually on sale. Lifetime warranty.

2. Weaver Grand Slam seems like a good scope and has very clear optics in the store, but I've never used on in the field.

3. A used Weaver K4 can be had for less than $50 on e-Bay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3657549296&category=383

 

[kimbernut]

Best $200 scope

Close to $200
1)Redfield Golden 5 Star 3-9x50(Sometimes hard to find)

2)Leupold Vari-XII 3-9x40

3)Nikon Monarch 3-9x40

4 Burris FullfieldII 3-9x40 w/20x50 Spotter

If you can pay the extra these are better:

1)Weaver Grand Slam 3.5-10x 50

2) Leupold Vari-XII 3-9x50 Check Natchez Sale!

If you can afford the Vari-XIII ***yes*** they are worth the difference

 

[Sharpshooter223]

All of these people are giving good info. I've never had any trouble out of the redfields they are just as clear as leupolds for quite a bit less. The rifleman would be a good choice though. The bushnell elite (not a normal bushnell) is a good scope too very bright and reliable clear ect. I've got them all I've just been buying the redfields lately though cause I can get a nice 3x9 off ebay for about $100.

 

[WhiteKnight]

I believe all BT100's scopes are sold.

 

[Fatelvis]

Leupold.

 

[Legionnaire]

My first choice is Leupold. But SWFA has the Burris 4X Compact for approx $180. Fixed 4X are good choices for most deer hunting applications, as Art pointed out earlier. My son as a Burris 4X on his Model 7 and has taken his share of whitetail. Good value for the money.

 

[MeekandMild]

I like Leupold for target shooting, but I have hade very good luck with Bushnell as well. In fact I have my first scope, a 30 +/- year old Bushnell 4x32 Sportview on the desk here waiting to be put on a different rifle.

Here is something unique I ran across on the internet from EAB, a Swift Recticle-Lok scope for less than $200. https://www.eabco.com/Swift04.htm

One of the things I dislike about Leupolds is that twice over the last few years I have dropped or shaken a rifle and have then had to re-sight it due to the recticle jiggling loose. I would think a recticle lock would be a realy wonderful idea.

I went through a phase of putting off brand scopes on my hunting rifles but stopped when I realized they made a real difference in the ten minutes at dawn and dusk.

 

[vega]

is there that much quality difference between the entry level leupolds (ie, riflemans) and the ones that are about $100 more (vx-III or whatever)

Rifleman - single coat and the adjustment screws are friction type.

VXII - More than 1 coat but I don't how many and the adjustments screws are click types.

I got a VXII 3-9x40 for $247.00+tax.

vega.

 

[zahc]

Leupold!


yeah i know it's kind of lame but hey.

 

[Coot]

Burris Fullfield II- cannot beat the price- especially as it comes with a nice spotting scope; the scope compares very favorably with the higher price Leupold VX-2.


Burris Fullfield II Scope w/Free Landmark Compact

Burris Fullfield II
w/FREE 20x50mm
Spotting Scope
Save $131
Reg. $232.56
Sale $199.95
Buy Now


[URL=http://www.natchezss.com/]http://www.natchezss.com/

 

[mtnbkr]

Leupold and Leupold mounts.

I have a VX1 2-7x33 on my rifle. Even after knocking the rifle off the bench at the range one time, sending it flying, it still held zero perfectly (or as perfectly as I could tell). I'll buy another Leupold for my next centerfire rifle.

Chris