Need a cheap scope for my kid’s first deer rifle.

[cdb1]

I don’t understand that mentality. I don’t believe you need to go out and buy them a Swarovski but I also don’t believe you should put a $50.00 scope on the rifle either. At least get them something in the range of a Burris Fullfield II or Vortex Diamondback.

 

[Skylerbone]

My son’s first deer rifle got a Nikon, his second got a Leupold. I’m slowly replacing really cheap squirrel rifle scopes ($22 Simmons x 3) but they served a short-term purpose. I grew up in one of those households where things like shoes and clothes were always cheap since we’d be growing out of them anyway. But man did my style points suffer!

 

[HamSlamma]

Go with Nikon.......

 

[Starter52]

Consider a used scope.

Guns can wear out from use, but looking through a scope doesn't cause any wear. I've found some really nice scopes on the used market. I've even gone into a gun shop and bought a used scope right off a gun on the used gun rack.

That big online auction site often has used scopes at decent prices in the Spring when hunting slows down.

 

[cdb1]

My son’s first deer rifle got a Nikon, his second got a Leupold. I’m slowly replacing really cheap squirrel rifle scopes ($22 Simmons x 3) but they served a short-term purpose. I grew up in one of those households where things like shoes and clothes were always cheap since we’d be growing out of them anyway. But man did my style points suffer!

The two rifles we had growing up only had iron sights. Being the fifth youngest out of 32 grandchildren I wore my share of hand me downs. What killed me on style points was in elementary school my friends all wore Levi’s. I wore Circle K jeans from Sears cuz that’s where my father worked.

My kids are grown now and have to buy their own optics. One had a Fullfield and the other had a Bushnell Elite that I bought. I just think it’s a shame to go total cheapo on a kid’s scope, they deserve a decent optic just like adults do.

 

[LoonWulf]

I totally agree. I feel there ARE good buys around 100 bucks, the Bushnell Trophys pop into my head off hand.
I've been very impressed with the Athlon scopes I've used, but I haven't tried any of the +/-100 dollar ones yet.

But given a choice, I much prefer to start in the 150 range, and stick with the standard 3-9s. Tho the 2-7-8s offered by a number of reputable companies are good scopes as well.

Personally if I'm looking for a cheap scope starter scope I usually cruise eBay for used Nikon's because I really like them. I've bought two 4.5-14x40sf buckmasters for about 150 in the last year or so.
Keeping an eye out for the 2015 buckmasters also pays, as they LOOK like the old prostaff, and the nameless BDC Nikon's. Only easily visible difference is the buckmasters logo on the windage cap. I've bought a few of those for 80-100ish because they were listed as just plain Nikon's, or miss advertised as a Nikon's prostaff.

 

[entropy]

And here I was ready to say, "No, you don't." I agree on the Nikons, also. I had one on my Axis, my son wanted it with the gun when we traded., I might have to get a P223 for the AR he traded me.

 

[Skylerbone]

I confess I don’t mind Nikon, I have quite a few because they’re somehow always on sale (and I buy the cheap ones) but they fail to dazzle me. I also confess that last night in a drunken stupor (minus the alcohol) I swapped a TRS for a Nikon Rimfire. Again, on sale, 3-9x for $89.99 and I added a $20 off coupon that made it $70. This will wind up being used by one of the kids and once again I’ll have purchased another 10/22 and not own one.

 

[d2wing]

I have had good luck with Redfield. Also the low end Weavers are very good for the money. Natchez often has sales on them and other brands. They clearance refurbished Nikons often.

 

[Varminterror]

I’m perceiving this as more of a rant than a question - maybe I’m reading into it too much, but coupling this with your “irrational dislike” thread, I’m wondering if you’re having a stressful spring? Maybe?

 

[cdb1]

I’m perceiving this as more of a rant than a question - maybe I’m reading into it too much, but coupling this with your “irrational dislike” thread, I’m wondering if you’re having a stressful spring? Maybe?

Big time.

 

[cdb1]

I confess I don’t mind Nikon, I have quite a few because they’re somehow always on sale (and I buy the cheap ones) but they fail to dazzle me. I also confess that last night in a drunken stupor (minus the alcohol) I swapped a TRS for a Nikon Rimfire. Again, on sale, 3-9x for $89.99 and I added a $20 off coupon that made it $70. This will wind up being used by one of the kids and once again I’ll have purchased another 10/22 and not own one.

Nikon makes a decent scope. I sold many of them in the past, even recommend them to people but I just don’t see well through them. With the exception of the original Buckmasters and their 3-9 Target EFR Rimfire scope. Cabela’s had Nikon make a production run of a bunch of the old Buckmasters for Christmas season 2014. My store got around 300 3-9’s and 150 4-12’s which we sold for $109.99 and $129.99 respectively. They sold like hotcakes. Anyway I checked them out and saw well through them which just isn’t the case with other Nikons. My best friend at work bought a 3-9, I mounted it on a Remington 30-06 pump of his and it’s still humming. Right after that Nikon came out with the Buckmasters II and they had different glass which wasn’t nearly as good to my eyes.

 

[Varminterror]

Big time.

Sorry to hear that - hope it lines out soon.

I do agree also about Nikon. Never met one I really liked, and I’m turned off enough by their political contributions, I’d rather not ever send them my business.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

The Fullfield II is a great scope and you couldn't go wrong with it I don't think.

The entry level Nikons and Leupolds are great as well. I have a Leupold Rifleman on my deer rifle and the wife's .243 wears a VX1. I will say the VX1 is better and worth the extra few dollars.
Optics Planet has them for $175 right now.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/leupol...th-matte-black-finish-and-duplex-reticle.html

 

[cdb1]

Sorry to hear that - hope it lines out soon.

I do agree also about Nikon. Never met one I really liked, and I’m turned off enough by their political contributions, I’d rather not ever send them my business.

Thanks, and it is a rant, not a question.

 

[Skylerbone]

There ain’t a thing wrong with expressing disappointment. That you inform would be fools about one of life’s pitfalls with clear reasoning rather than a sharp rap to the head shows overwhelming restraint. My 70 year old father is still lured on the regular by the charms and promises of Bushnell’s Banner, clear evidence that John Q could use a little sense knocked into him from time to time. We hear ya.

 

[bman940]

I put a PROSTAFF 4-12 BDC on my Father In-Law's .308 and he went from averaging 1 deer per box of shell's to not missing a deer or expending more then one shot the last 5 years, 12:12 in fact including 2 nice KS buck's. Definitely worth it and knowing it's Nikon's glass and reputation standing behind it goes a long way.

 

[SamT1]

I have a pile of those $50 scopes and some cheap $150 scopes (with all the accessories of a $500 one) I wish I had never bought.

I’ve bought a couple Leupolds used on eBay. And some vortex vipers off armslist for around 60% of new price!

I’ve had good experiemces with the $150-200 nikons. They seem to be excellent value if your not expecting what you get from a $600 scope.

I have a soft spot for this one $27 scope I own. I picked it up a CTD back before I blacklisted them from my shopping. It’s a UTG 4 power with a “range finder reticle”. That sucker spent a lot of time rolling around in the backseat on a saiga .308. Killed tons of pigs with it. It holds a zero and the glass is descent. With a little practice you learn how big a pig is in the range finder and you can use some “educated Kentucky windage” on him. Sold the saiga for too much money and now it rides on a cetme. I don’t use it much now because I prefer to dial in and use zoom. But it’s my go to when I’m gonna get in a truck and go spotlighting.

 

[Caldart]

CDNN has Bushnell on Trophy XLT for 79.99 with a $30.00 rebate. Holding up good on my .308. Need to hurry if interested, purchase before 31 March, send rebate before 31 April.