Best scope for under $200?

[texagun]

I don't know what the warranty is for a Sightron....but Leupold gives a Lifetime Warranty with their scopes...no questions asked. They have excellent customer service....something to consider when buying something as delicate as a scope.

 

[GunGoBoom]

but the more I look into scopes the more I feel I've opened up a Pandora's box with all the different makes, models, and price ranges

You ain't whistlin' Dixie, junior.

 

[priv8ter]

I agree

Sorry for asking so many questions but the more I look into scopes the more I feel I've opened up a Pandora's box with all the different makes, models, and price ranges

It is kind of overwhelming. For keeping it under $200, I went with the Nikon Prostaff on the NEF .270 I bought for my wife. It a very decent scope, and the 2X7 power makes sure she won't be taking too long of a shot.

Now, on my Remington, I went a little more expensive...I got the Bushnell 3200 Elite with the Firefly recticle. It was deffinetaly worth the extra $$$$.

greg

 

[longhorngunman]

I know it's been awhile since I started this thread but I just wanted to let everyone know I've got my St. Marie's mount coming with a set of Warne rings from Brownells! Bought the Burris Fullfield II 3-9-40 scope from Natchezz. It was between the Burris and the Sightron, and if both were the exact same deal I'd probably gone with the Sightron. On the Burris deal they are throwing in a 20x-50x spotting scope which is something that I've wanted for awhile. Bothe scopes seem to have a good rep with THR's who's insight I respect a lot . Also liked the fact the Burris has the ballistic reticle in it. Now I have to decide which K31 to put it on. I think I'll shoot every rifle three times and pick the one with the tightest group. Of course with a K31 that might be every one of em!

 

[Farnham]

Let us know how it turns out!

I'm putting an S&K scout mount and a Leupold scout scope on my K31, but I've already got a Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40 and if I don't like the scout rifle setup, I might go for the St Marie's mount. Might even get another K31 while they're cheap, just to set up like yours, if yours works out.

S/F

Farnham

 

[LToled]

Warranty

I don't know what the warranty is for a Sightron....but Leupold gives a Lifetime Warranty with their scopes...no questions asked. They have excellent customer service....something to consider when buying something as delicate as a scope.

Sightron has the same warranty as Leupold: Lifetime replacement. I bought a used Sightron. It worked but it became "fuzzy" after a winter's use. I called Sightron, sent it back and received a replacement. Excellent customer service.

 

[Kramer Krazy]

Natchez usually runs some really good deals on close-out scopes, and they are quite cheap. I've got a Simmons 6-24x50mm on my Ruger M-77 .223. I picked it up for $69. My wife got a really nice Simmons 3-9x50 for $59 for her 10/22. It wouldn't hurt to go to their site and see what they have on close-outs/sale. They carry all sorts of brands at fairly good deals.

 

[scubie02]

I've had pretty much all of them. The best deal IMO is the weaver classic v series in 3-9--I believe natchez had them for $139 last time I looked. Trust me on this. I was VERY underwhelmed with the sightrons--sent the one I got back. My brother is on his 3rd trying to get one that doesn't have just atrocious parallax. Costs him more money every time he has to pay to send them back.

The Burris Fullfield's are ok too, but the optics are generally better on the weaver's. The Leupold has the advantage of non critical eye position and generous eye relief.

 

[atblis]

Some decent scopes for around $200

The new Weavers are darn good. The only down side I've found is that the eye relief changes a little much with the power. The glass is very decent, and the adjustments actually work.

You could look for a used Leupold. Leupolds are nice, but they are not the end all be all.

The Nikon pro staffs are pretty decent. The 3-9 x 40 was about 150 around me and had good optics.

The Bushnell Elite series are good scopes for the money.

 

[ArmedBear]

Burris Fullfield II

Cabela's has 3-9x40 Ballistic Plex with a pair of nice field binoculars for $229. The Ballistic Plex is kinda cool.

Said scope is a good choice for just about any standard centerfire rifle, so you'll never mind having it. I like mine a lot. Unlike the Leupold in the price range, the Burris has click adjustments.

I've read really good things about the new Bushnell Elites (3200 series) and Sightrons, but haven't tried 'em.

Leupolds are of course very nice, but I'd spend the extra money on the VX-II and then you're up to about $300.

I also like my one Simmons scope (22 Mag Compact). Nice and bright, sharp, holds zero well. If you want to keep the price down, look through a mid-range Simmons.

Avoid BSA like the plague, though, IMHO.

 

[GTKrockeTT]

another vote for the sightron SII.

 

[Cindog]

May as well jump on the Sightron SII bandwagon and recommend them myself. I have an SII 3-9x42 and two SI 3-9x32RFS and they have proven themselves as remarkable scopes with excellent clarity, repeatability, and durability.

 

[longhorngunman]

Armedbear, Natchezz's deal with the spotting scope is also being offered with the binoculars-$199 for both. Cabela's has great selection but their prices have a lot to be desired. I've gotten to the point that for any item at $200 or more it's more economical to buy it out of state and ship it than deal with buying it locally and paying the 8.25% sales tax to help support more BS welfare programs in this state. We'll see how this Burris works out, I might try the Sightron next time.

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

I say Burris. You can get a Fullfield II for just under your budget of $200. By far the best value. Great glass, super-strong. Everything the Leupold is and more. Even has innovative and useful drop-compensation reticle available that everyone LOVES once they fiddle with it.


For a rifle that kicks like that, Burris is the toughest.


I'd get the Burris 3-9x 40mm with ballistic plex reticle that comes with the spotter. The spotter isn't some great spotter, but it is really clear, and at 20x does a great job at the 100 yard line. The spotter usually runs $80-$100 on it's own, but I've seen super-sales on Natchez having it for $60 with a cheap bipod.


With a plain reticle, that scope is amazing for what it is. The ballistic plex reticle just adds so much more above and beyond that. It really works.

 

[rudolf]

Stupid question, I don't have much knowledge about scopes. I always thought if you can afford a Leupold, that's about the best you can get. So, why isn't the 199 Leupold much better than the rest. I'm not starting a fuss, I really don't know.