opsman
Member
Personally I am a fan of Leopold, but Alpen makes a great scope, I bought one for my son's rifle, I would not hesitate to buy one for myself.
Good .30-06 hunting scope for $250 or less?- Suggestions?
- Thread starter GWARGHOUL
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I've had a lot better luck with Simmons than most people online seem to, as have most of my friends. So I'd not be afraid to try it out with that and if it works, use it until I could afford to upgrade. I've got a couple of friends that use them on 30-06's and the ones they are using have held up just fine.
That said for a scope under $250, I've used many of the options in that price range and my favorite by far is the Burris FFII.
That said for a 4-500 yard shot, it has a lot to do with the shooter, and there are two ways to get there. The first is hold over, and you can practice with one of the holdover reticles like the ballistic plex in the FFII, or the Nikon BDC reticle and you can probably get good enough to get hit's on a decent sized target. I'm not a fan of this method, and they don't calculate for wind, or anything else, so you still have to worry about that. So it's not just putting the dot on target and shooting. IMO these reticles instill a false confidence in many people, and give them the confidence to take shots they really shouldn't be taking. I'm not a fan of that, nor am I really a fan of these reticles, and to me they often cover up enough of the target, or in Nikons case the circles are large enough that you can't be but so accurate with them.
The next way is to use the turrets to adjust to get there. This is my preferred way, and a lot more fun imo. The problem is a lot of the cheaper scopes don't track accurately enough, and aren't repeatable. The SWFA SS are one of the budget scopes that are pretty decent, but you are looking at $300 for a fixed power scope, and they go up from there. The 3-9x42 variable power scope is $600, so they are all out of your price range. You can get a fixed Bushnell Elite 3200 10x in your price range, but having had one, I wouldn't want it nor a fixed power SWFA SS on a hunting rifle. IMO the best option here would probably be the Burris FFII and when you can afford it, have Burris add their tactical turrets for $80. I think this is about as good as you can do for the price, and would give you a great hunting scope, and something you can play around with, and should get you out to 500 yards.
That said for a scope under $250, I've used many of the options in that price range and my favorite by far is the Burris FFII.
That said for a 4-500 yard shot, it has a lot to do with the shooter, and there are two ways to get there. The first is hold over, and you can practice with one of the holdover reticles like the ballistic plex in the FFII, or the Nikon BDC reticle and you can probably get good enough to get hit's on a decent sized target. I'm not a fan of this method, and they don't calculate for wind, or anything else, so you still have to worry about that. So it's not just putting the dot on target and shooting. IMO these reticles instill a false confidence in many people, and give them the confidence to take shots they really shouldn't be taking. I'm not a fan of that, nor am I really a fan of these reticles, and to me they often cover up enough of the target, or in Nikons case the circles are large enough that you can't be but so accurate with them.
The next way is to use the turrets to adjust to get there. This is my preferred way, and a lot more fun imo. The problem is a lot of the cheaper scopes don't track accurately enough, and aren't repeatable. The SWFA SS are one of the budget scopes that are pretty decent, but you are looking at $300 for a fixed power scope, and they go up from there. The 3-9x42 variable power scope is $600, so they are all out of your price range. You can get a fixed Bushnell Elite 3200 10x in your price range, but having had one, I wouldn't want it nor a fixed power SWFA SS on a hunting rifle. IMO the best option here would probably be the Burris FFII and when you can afford it, have Burris add their tactical turrets for $80. I think this is about as good as you can do for the price, and would give you a great hunting scope, and something you can play around with, and should get you out to 500 yards.
Gwarg;
Just my opinion, but I won't have an A/O scope on a big game hunting gun. The reason why is that if the target doesn't appear at the range you've got dialed it, it's going to be somewhere between not-sharp to blurry-as-hell. You don't need that possibility when you're hunting game. Which is not to say I don't like A/O scopes, I have several, but not on big-game guns.
Try the Simmons, if it behaves, good for you. If not, then buy better glass. I've had a Simmons on a .22 rimfire & beat the hell outta it for over a decade of knockin' around in a pickup truck etc. it's been an excellent value. OTOH, I don't have one on a centerfire hunting gun for just the reason that been given to you. I don't want to find out it didn't hold zero, or the crosshairs came adrift, when I miss a shot on a game animal. I've always thought that to be fair to the game, and myself, it's a better choice to spend more & get rock-solid reliability.
Your nickle, your choice.
900F
Just my opinion, but I won't have an A/O scope on a big game hunting gun. The reason why is that if the target doesn't appear at the range you've got dialed it, it's going to be somewhere between not-sharp to blurry-as-hell. You don't need that possibility when you're hunting game. Which is not to say I don't like A/O scopes, I have several, but not on big-game guns.
Try the Simmons, if it behaves, good for you. If not, then buy better glass. I've had a Simmons on a .22 rimfire & beat the hell outta it for over a decade of knockin' around in a pickup truck etc. it's been an excellent value. OTOH, I don't have one on a centerfire hunting gun for just the reason that been given to you. I don't want to find out it didn't hold zero, or the crosshairs came adrift, when I miss a shot on a game animal. I've always thought that to be fair to the game, and myself, it's a better choice to spend more & get rock-solid reliability.
Your nickle, your choice.
900F
cthulhufan
Member
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2009
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- 88
I have a Leupold VX-II on my '06 and it is fabulous. However, I think this is the best bit of advice posted yet:
Just because your buddy said it won't doesn't make it so. Take that rig out and put 40-100 rounds through her and see for yourself if it holds zero.dprice3844444 said:
dprice3844444
member
natchezshooting supply has scopes reasonably priced,as well as optics planet,who posts discounts in the lower section of the forum
Caddisflied
Member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2011
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- 217
FWIW,,,
I recently got my 3 x 9 3200 Elite back from Bushnell.
Since I previously mentioned that I'd had a problem with it not holding adjustment,
I thought I would put in a good word for their excellent customer service.
They were helpful and courteous on the phone and repaired my scope, free of charge.
I got it back from them in about 4 weeks.
Based on what I've read here, it's rare to have a problem with an Elite 3200,
but it's good to know they stand by their warranty.
I recently got my 3 x 9 3200 Elite back from Bushnell.
Since I previously mentioned that I'd had a problem with it not holding adjustment,
I thought I would put in a good word for their excellent customer service.
They were helpful and courteous on the phone and repaired my scope, free of charge.
I got it back from them in about 4 weeks.
Based on what I've read here, it's rare to have a problem with an Elite 3200,
but it's good to know they stand by their warranty.
Gunnerboy
Member
Leupold vx series cant go wrong there, youll buy one scope and your great grandchildren will be using it.
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