WVMountainBoy
Member
I have had no luck with Tasco or BSA, I would avoid them. Have a Swift I'm pretty fond of and two simmons that aren't bad. You pretty much have the idea.
Low Cost Optics ($200-$300) What NOT to buy....
- Thread starter mcdonl
- Start date
- Status
soonerfan85
Member
Cheap scopes are cheap for a reason. And it ain't just cause they're made in China. I have cheap China made Tascos and BSAa and both are OK on my .22s, but on a large caliber rifle you want something more substantial. The Burris I have on my 30-06 has been a really good scope, and it's made in the USA. Leupold makes very good optics. Top end Tascos and Bushnells are very good as well, but not in your price range. No way around it, you pay for quality. Even if you mostly bench shoot, you'll notice the difference in inexpensive vs quality glass. Cheap optics will never improve, and quality optics rarely get worse over time. Buy quality first and it only hurts your check book once.
Last edited:
You might want to look here at: http://www.samplelist.com/
It's the 'slightly used/demo/returned' list from SWFA. I've bought two scopes from them. One in particular was a high-priced one that I just 'had to have' for many years and saved some money when buying it from them.
My take is that there is a notable difference between $300 and $500 scopes. Perhaps you could look at this sight and find a $500 scope for $300. FWIW I don't feel like this site is like buying from EBay which is riskier. And I don't like to take chances with optics.
I should add, after re-reading this thread that there is a lot of good, useful and helpful info here. It's a good read. I would just add (or subtract) that at this price the most important thing, almost the only thing you should prioritize for is glass quality. If the controls are a little rough but the glass is better, that would be my choice. I'd also note that in the list of vendors to more strongly consider, just think about which ones are renown for making great glass - in scopes, binoculars, cameras, and the like. Stick with those folks.
Oh, and I feel obliged to state that I have no affiliation with these SWFA folks, other than being a repeat and satisfied customer.
V
It's the 'slightly used/demo/returned' list from SWFA. I've bought two scopes from them. One in particular was a high-priced one that I just 'had to have' for many years and saved some money when buying it from them.
My take is that there is a notable difference between $300 and $500 scopes. Perhaps you could look at this sight and find a $500 scope for $300. FWIW I don't feel like this site is like buying from EBay which is riskier. And I don't like to take chances with optics.
I should add, after re-reading this thread that there is a lot of good, useful and helpful info here. It's a good read. I would just add (or subtract) that at this price the most important thing, almost the only thing you should prioritize for is glass quality. If the controls are a little rough but the glass is better, that would be my choice. I'd also note that in the list of vendors to more strongly consider, just think about which ones are renown for making great glass - in scopes, binoculars, cameras, and the like. Stick with those folks.
Oh, and I feel obliged to state that I have no affiliation with these SWFA folks, other than being a repeat and satisfied customer.
V
Last edited:
ElToro
Member
you can buy a leopuld VXII 3-9 gently used for that budget
i have leupold glass on all my rifles, have bought them all used on ebay. their warranty is forever and customer service is legendary
i have leupold glass on all my rifles, have bought them all used on ebay. their warranty is forever and customer service is legendary
mcdonl
Member
Eltoro... thats great information, thank you. I see Loepuld scopes used but have always been hesitant. Knowing they have a lifetime warranty is good info.
mdauben
Member
I think you already recognize that this is false. Its true that some of the $1000+ scopes are amazing, but IMO you are really getting into the range of diminishing returns. There are plenty of good scopes available for much less that meet most people's needs.
Unfortunatly, even junk scopes work for some people. This is why you can't rely on just one opinion. If one guy says "scope X is great" I take that with a grain of salt. If a dozen people all like "scope X" I'm more likely to start thinking that "scope X" might be worth looking into.
FWIW, in your price range I would look at these brands, in this order:
- Leupold
- Nikon
- Weaver
mcdonl
Member
Thanks, that is why I figured I would go the what do you NOT recommend route... It seems like your list (At least your top two) are common on everyones lsit.
Thanks everyone!! I will let you know what I end up with, but it will likey be the end of January before I get the scratch saved up. Darned kids and christmas!!
For the money,a Leupold VX2 will be hard to beat.I'm not so sure about the VX1,Rifleman or Redfield series.
The VX2 is the newest version with better glass,There is also a VXII and Vari XII.The Vari being the oldest.All are decent scopes and will be fully covered under as good a warranty as you can get.No fear in buying used.
The VX2 is the newest version with better glass,There is also a VXII and Vari XII.The Vari being the oldest.All are decent scopes and will be fully covered under as good a warranty as you can get.No fear in buying used.
I'm a big fan of the Burris Fullfield II in that price range.
IMO for the type of shooting you say are going to be doing, or 90% of all hunting situations you can get a scope for $2-300 that will be all one will ever need. Once you zero them, you will hardly ever mess with them. You can get one that is reliable, has good glass that will work well past legal shooting hours, etc.
When you start needing to spend more is when you want to do long range shooting. When you need a scope that tracks accurately and is repeatable, that's where you start paying for it.
IMO for the type of shooting you say are going to be doing, or 90% of all hunting situations you can get a scope for $2-300 that will be all one will ever need. Once you zero them, you will hardly ever mess with them. You can get one that is reliable, has good glass that will work well past legal shooting hours, etc.
When you start needing to spend more is when you want to do long range shooting. When you need a scope that tracks accurately and is repeatable, that's where you start paying for it.
mcdonl
Member
Thanks for your advice everyone. Hard to beat the deal Cabelas has going on so I purched a Nikon Buckmaster 3x9x40 BDC in Matte finish today for $168!!
My first real scope!
My first real scope!
Lloyd Smale
Member
about all the 200 dollar scopes are decent scopes. Some have a bit better glass, some have more reliable tracking and some are a bit more durable then others. Most scopes in this price range do have a compromise somewhere. Step up to the same manufactures 300-400 dollar scopes and most of these compromises go away. Something like a vx2 or 3 leupold, a nikon monrach, a bushnell 4200, vortex vipor ect. can be bought in this price range and are more scope then a 1000 dollar scope was 10 years ago and that same 1000 bucks is probably worth 2000 with todays inflation. The best bargins ever in optics are whats available to us today. Im not a scope snob but I do think the piece of mind that comes with buying a scope in that price range is well worth it to me to insure a good hunt.
WYOMan
Member
Burris has really well made scopes in your price range. My NOT buys, would be anything from Simmons, Tasco, BSA, NCStar, and a few others who I won't name.
soonerfan85
Member
You forgot Barska.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Even with tri-focals, this old cigarette-smoking, coffee-drinking Olde Phart can get MOA or better from a benchrest with an old Weaver K4 or an old Leupold Vari-X II in either 2x7 or 3x9.
The 2x7 was new in 1981. The 3x9, 1973. TLOK how old the Weaver is. The 2x7 is on a .243. The 3x9 got moved from an '06 to a .223.
Lotsa good brand-new scopes out there, of course, but some old scopes just don't ever seem to wear out.
The 2x7 was new in 1981. The 3x9, 1973. TLOK how old the Weaver is. The 2x7 is on a .243. The 3x9 got moved from an '06 to a .223.
Lotsa good brand-new scopes out there, of course, but some old scopes just don't ever seem to wear out.
mcdonl
Member
Art. Many of us would be in trouble if we were replaced just because we are old
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
gotboostvr
Member
I picked up a primary arms 4x12 mil/mil first focal plane target turrets adjustable objective for $ 250. I'll wring it out here within the next few weeks and report back. It seems very nice and has all the features I Wanted for well under what I wanted to pay.
jerkface11
Member
In that price range your best bets are Leupold and Sightron.
Jasper1573
Member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2010
- Messages
- 320
+1 on everything above...recommend you avoid Mueller. My Dad had two of them (both under $200) and neither functioned well. Talked him into a Vortex for around $400 and it works very well.
ZigZagZeke
Member
Vortex customer service and lifetime, no questions asked, any owner warranty can't be beat. I bought an AR with a Vortex Crossfire mounted on it, figuring I'd have to throw it away and buy something else. Sure enough, the scope was broken. It had a loose inner tube. I called Vortex after reading about their warranty and they said they'd replace it free of charge. When I got the new Vortex Crossfire it worked just fine, but I didn't like it due to the parallax adjustment being difficult to use. I called again and inquired about an upgrade. They said sure, and for another $150 they sent me a Vortex Viper. I've been using the Viper on the AR and loving it.
HighExpert
Member
I would not recommend this scope for your gun as not enough magnification, but I have been pleasantly surprised by an Aim-sport tactical that I bought.. it is 1-4 and has a lighted reticle and uses a post with half circle above it. It was cheap at $140 but has very bright glass and so far not issues.
TimboKhan
Member
I have the Vortex Viper found HERE on my Gunsite Scout that I have so far been happy with. Better than average is a good way to describe it. Glass is good, adjustments are crisp and accurate, and it has held zero for almost a year now. I have looked through other scopes that I thought were anywhere from a little to a lot better for whatever reason, but for the price and the performance I have gotten out of it, I really have no complaints or plans to change it. Also, as mentioned previously, Vortex apparently has very good customer service, so thats nice.
Wylie1
Member
ProStaffs haven't been very good to me, still haven't shipped back my 4-12x40, just can't see mounting another after my experiences.
2ndtimer
Member
I can somewhat echo other posters:
Avoid: low end Bushnells, low end Simmons, Barska, BSA, etc.
Based on personal experience, I just purchased a new Leupold VX-2 3-9X scope and after I ordered it, heard about the $279 Zeiss Conquest 3-9X Cabelas deal. So I ordered one of those, too. I compared them side by side and my conclusion was that the Zeiss might be slightly (just barely) better optically than the Leupold, but that the Leupold is lighter and trimmer in appearance. Both of them are excellent and were (are) my choice, in the $300 price range. The Zeiss is rarely found at that price point, which is why I jumped on it. ( I have a difficult time resisting a really good deal on quality merchandise that I can afford, and had never seen a new Zeiss scope for less than $399) The Leupold VX-2 3-9 is probably as good a scope as any big game hunter really needs and Leupold warranty and service are top notch.
In the $200 (or slightly under, even) to $250 range, I have the Nikon Buckmasters 4.5-14X, Redfield Revolution 4-12X and the Burris Fullfield II 3-9X. All of them have worked well for me and I can recommend them without reservation in the under $250 or so price range. IF you can step up to the VX-2 class, I think it worth the extra $50 or so to do so. I also have a couple of Leupold VX-3 class scopes and they are also very nice, but priced above your budget. I don't believe they are really worth the additional money over the basic VX-2 for big game hunting. YMMV, but this has been my experience.
Avoid: low end Bushnells, low end Simmons, Barska, BSA, etc.
Based on personal experience, I just purchased a new Leupold VX-2 3-9X scope and after I ordered it, heard about the $279 Zeiss Conquest 3-9X Cabelas deal. So I ordered one of those, too. I compared them side by side and my conclusion was that the Zeiss might be slightly (just barely) better optically than the Leupold, but that the Leupold is lighter and trimmer in appearance. Both of them are excellent and were (are) my choice, in the $300 price range. The Zeiss is rarely found at that price point, which is why I jumped on it. ( I have a difficult time resisting a really good deal on quality merchandise that I can afford, and had never seen a new Zeiss scope for less than $399) The Leupold VX-2 3-9 is probably as good a scope as any big game hunter really needs and Leupold warranty and service are top notch.
In the $200 (or slightly under, even) to $250 range, I have the Nikon Buckmasters 4.5-14X, Redfield Revolution 4-12X and the Burris Fullfield II 3-9X. All of them have worked well for me and I can recommend them without reservation in the under $250 or so price range. IF you can step up to the VX-2 class, I think it worth the extra $50 or so to do so. I also have a couple of Leupold VX-3 class scopes and they are also very nice, but priced above your budget. I don't believe they are really worth the additional money over the basic VX-2 for big game hunting. YMMV, but this has been my experience.
- Status
