economical scope for .308

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Jedi_7.62

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I'm looking for an economical scope for .308 CETME. Under $200 preferably 100 - 150. Mostly used for plinking some hunting SHTF rifle. Anything on ebay seems to go for new or nearly new prices. seperate rant available. Would like adjustable power up to 14x prefer objective 50 mm tho would consider 40mm. Considering a simmons aetec but the price is a little more than my budget. are any of the ncstar or BSA models any good?

Thanks for any advice,
 
Considering a simmons aetec but the price is a little more than my budget. are any of the ncstar or BSA models any good?
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None of the scopes you mention are worth the aluminum their made from.

There are some excellent scopes in your price range But not with a 14x magnification. The 12x Bushnell banners are OK but if it were me I would drop down to a 3x9x40 then you have a plethora of excellent choices from Nikon, Sightron, Burris and many more
 
i have a varmite/target scope made from tasco, and its really clear, and nice quality scope. it cost me 115.00$, and i got it at dicks sporting goods. brian.
 
I have heard a lot of good things about Nikon. I also suggest going with a common magnification. A better scope will hold zero better normally.
 
I have a Simmons 3x9x50.

It's been laying on the floor in my closet.

I took it off of my mother's hunting rifle. The thing has horrible light transmission, and I am overly not impressed with it.

The reason? Well, I put a $159.00 (from Sportsman's Guide) Nikon Prostaff 3x9x40 on her rifle and it is FAR brighter and higher quality.

Isn't the whole purpose of a 50mm objective to transmit MORE light? Well, you'd think that, but not if you have inferior glass.

I'll take a high quality 40mm objective over a crappy 50mm one anyday. As I see it, cheap 50mm Objective optics are a way to "look" cool, take up more space on a rifle, and STILL not do as well as a higher quality optic with smaller objective.

My advice?

ALWAYS buy the HIGHEST quality glass that you can. Then worry about other features. All the bells and whistles in the world will not make up for poor glass.


Get a $150 Nikon 3x9x40 if you are on a tight budget.



-- John
 
"American Rifleman" had a good article two or three issues back on just this topic...the best scopes <$100, $100-$200, etc. They had a strong recommendation for one model around $150 but it slips my aging mind. :eek: It may be available on line. I will see if I still have it around.
 
Leapers Accushot

Looks at the specs at www.leapers.com and then search the web for best price on model you want. My local store www.the-armory.com has them for a good price, but you'll have to call them as they do not list them on their website. You should be able to pick one up for $129-$159 +/- depending on model. Good scope, 30mm tube, side adjust parallax, mil dot, affordable.
 
If you look hard you can find a Burris Fullfield II for around $150. Leupold Rifleman or Nikon Buckmaster's can be had for around $200. I don't have experience with the Nikon Prostaff line but they are fairly inexpensive.
 
Look at samplelist.com for the Nikon Buckmaster 4-12x50 for $230, 3-9x40 for $140. If you have the choice between magnification and quality, you'll probably be able to see more with higher quality optics at a lower power.
 
Another vote for the Nikon Prostaff in that price range. I have a 2-7 that has been excellent. I am a big fan of Leupolds but the Nikons are making an impression on me.

Shawnee, I did not read your post until after I posted. I have a couple of Rifleman scopes and I like them. They have held up well for me. To be honest the Nikon seems clearer to me for less money. The Rifleman however is smaller, lighter and has more eye relief. These factors are important to me but may not be to others.
 
Hi JMR...

I looked at the Nikon ProStaff 2x7 and didn't understand why they refer to it as a "shotgun scope" (and neither did the clerk) :confused:
That's why I began looking at the Leupold Rifleman 2x7 models.

I've seen several of the Nilon 3x9x40s and they are impressive for the price.
But I'm just accustomed to 2x7s and their slightly lesser bulk is nice.

:cool:
 
I looked at the Nikon ProStaff 2x7 and didn't understand why they refer to it as a "shotgun scope" (and neither did the clerk)
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The difference is the distance at which the scope is made to be parallax free. Since shotguns are typically used at closer distances than rifles, shotgun scopes are set to be parallax free at closer distances.

Don
 
Any experience with that Leupold "Rifleman" line ?
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I've owned a couple while a good scope in my opinion for the Prostaff is a better scope for less money. It's pretty easy to buy a better scope from the competition for less with Leupold's vx-I and rifleman offerings. Step up to a VXII and VXIII and leupold gets real hard to beat though.
 
Looks at the specs at www.leapers.com and then search the web for best price on model you want.
Click to expand...


There's no way I'd take a Leper's in that price range-- especially over a Nikon for the same price.

I've used a Leapers and its' light transmission is no better than other cheap scopes I've used. I consider them on the same lines as BSA, Tasco, BEC, NStar, and Simmons.

It all goes back to getting better glass.

-- John
 
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There are two scopes costing less than $200 that I can recommend. One is the Bushnell Elite 3200 10x40MD scope (about $175). This is a quality, made-in-Japan scope, but it is a fixed 10 power scope. If you want a variable power scope, I can recommend the Sightron SI 3-9x40MD (about $120), and it also is made in Japan. I would stay away from scopes made in China or third world countries.

Don
 
Shawnee, as USSR stated the parallax is set at 75 yards if I remember correctly. Most big game scopes are set at 100 yards. I bought this scope to use on a CZ 452 .22 and it is perfect on it.
 
I have a $65 BSA Cateye 1.5-4.5x32 that has survived about 100 rounds on top of a Marlin 1895M in .450 Marlin. This is my only BSA scope. It worked well and was "repeatable". In other words, once zeroed, adjust 20 clicks right and shoot, adj 20 clicks up, shoot, 20 clicks left and shoot, and then 20 clicks down and shoot again. Came right back to original point of aim. I did eventually replace it with a low-end Leupold vx1 2x7x32 2x7x32. The Leupold is a little brighter at dawn, but the BSA Cateye is pretty good. It'll eventually end up on another rifle.
I've heard a lot of people get down on BSA scopes, but 100 rounds on top of a pretty hard-recoiling rifle with no wandering zero tells me that this particular scope, at least, was certainly worth the $65 or so that I paid for it.
 
I have a 5.56 rifle that would shoot 3/8" groups at 100 yards with the right ammunition. I figured that I would put a scope on it to get the most out of its capabilities.

I made the mistake of buying a Simmons. After getting it boresighted & zeroed, I fired 5 rounds at 50 yards from the bench, & it seemed to group OK. Then I fired 5 rounds from the prone position. The second group was almost 6 inches higher than the first.

I couldn't believe it, so I repeated the drill and got the same results. The only explanation was that I had a different cheek-weld in the two positions, and the scope just let the error carry through. (Note: I shot match with M-14's in the Army, and although I did have to make elevation adjustments from one position to another, it was never more than 2 MOA in clicks.)

I bought a Nikon Pro-Staff variable for about $165.00. All troubles ended. The scope is lighter, brighter, and the rifle holds a tighter group.

As for the Simmons? Maybe I'll put it on a .22 for plinking.
 
Nikon Prostaff is highly underrated. It's as good or better than the Burris FFII.


For under $150, I would take a look at:

Weaver K series (fixed power)

Nikon Prostaff

Barely used Burris FFII 3-9 with ballistic plex (aroudn $140)


Forget high magnification. Certain kinds of target shooting and varminting is what requires more than 9x. Everything else can be done perfectly well at 6x or lower. You can resolve more with a 4x that has good glass, than a piece of junk that zooms to 16x. Not to mention, they are much brighter too.
 
Sorry for the double post, but you should look hard at SWFA's "Team Primos" scope. It is a Nikon Monarch 3-9x 40mm objective and even has their bullet drop compensation reticle (great for SHTF).


This scope has a big objective and will be very bright. Monarch glass is excellent. You really have to spend hundreds more to see a difference. It is really up there. Clear, bright ..very nice.


They have it for $199. That's $50 over your budget, which is 30% more than what you want to spend, but this scope is easily 2x more scope than the others. That is a great price for a high end scope.

Pay once, cry once. If you buy that scope and start using it and getting used to it ...I assure you will never ever again consider buying an NC Star or BSA. The next time you hit a gunstore or gun show and look through those other brands, you'll understand.
 
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