Maverick223
Member
Whole bunch of em'...what is your budget?
What do you get for the money? Cheap rifle?
- Thread starter John Matrix
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John Matrix
Member
I would like to spend under $250 for the scope, rings and anything else I would need. If I need to spend more than that to get equipment worth having, then I can just put off the purchase for a while.Whole bunch of em'...what is your budget?
svaz
Member
For under $250, you might consider Burris, Nikon, or Pentax. Leupold has the Rifleman, VX-I, & FX-I, in that range, but I've not heard many flattering things about them (kind of like the Porche 924, yes, it's a Porche, but not really.)
You say your Sav 111 came with a Bushnell. I'll say this for the Bushnell: my Sportsview (4-12x40), mounted on a Remington 700, fell out of the hardcase, from the back of my moving pickup (taking a turn), skidded across an intersection and it held it's zero and the glass was unscathed.
You say your Sav 111 came with a Bushnell. I'll say this for the Bushnell: my Sportsview (4-12x40), mounted on a Remington 700, fell out of the hardcase, from the back of my moving pickup (taking a turn), skidded across an intersection and it held it's zero and the glass was unscathed.
John Matrix
Member
Interesting. The best answer of course would be to keep what came with the rifle since I already own it - from other threads on this forum though, it sounded like these sorts of scopes that come prepackaged with lower cost rifles aren't worth using - won't hold their zero and are substandard in other areas as well (not sure what as I had NO scope experience in the Army).
Regardless, I will probably try out the Bushnell anyway since selecting and buying a scope will probably take a little while and I am itching to try out this rifle anyway.
Regardless, I will probably try out the Bushnell anyway since selecting and buying a scope will probably take a little while and I am itching to try out this rifle anyway.
dougw47
Member
New rifle...
If I run across one of the recommended rifles, savage, marlin, stevens or howa in 308, I will probably pick it up. Can't go wrong in my opinion...
If I run across one of the recommended rifles, savage, marlin, stevens or howa in 308, I will probably pick it up. Can't go wrong in my opinion...
Maverick223
Member
Like svas I have good luck with even the cheap Bushnells. There are certainly better glass to be had, but they tend to hold together and retain zero, and that is what is most important. I would look into buying a Vortex Diamondback, Nikon Buckmaster, or Bushnell Elite 3200, but if it were me I would wait a little while (using the provided scope) and get something that has better glass. On the lower end I would look at Sightron S-II, Nikon Monarch, and Bushnell Elite 4200, which all sell for around $300.00 so you wouldn't have to wait too long. On the moderate end (high end of good value IMO) is the Kahles Helia CL and the Zeiss Conquest, these optics have exceptional glass and are very durable, but somewhat costly (start in the $500ish range). Another higher end scope that deserves a good look in Minox, I have no experience with them, but the features (including Schott glass) look to be an exceptional value. These are available in the $300-600.00 range.
For a scope you will do yourself a favor to buy something not made in China. I am not a fan of the scopes that come boxed on the Savage. I just haven't had good experiences with them. I also haven't had good experiences with the other low priced China made scopes from Bushnell and others. I would though first try out what you have. Only one way to tell if it is a keeper or a junker and that is to use it. Not sure I would toss it straight into a deer hunt but if a bit of range time seems promising it certainly could last for a while.
For recommendations it would be to avoid China. Nikon, Bushnell Elite, Sightron, Weaver, Leupold, most Burris, and Clearridge come to mind as all having a budget priced yet quality scope in their lineup. You certainly don't have to break the bank to get a good scope but I feel you get a lot more for your money bumping up to even the bottom of the line from these manufacturers than you do from the average China made scope. I know somebody is going to say their $40 China made scope holds zero perfect and tracks fine, but in my experience with quite a few China made scopes that either doesn't happen, or doesn't happen for long, especially the turret part.
For recommendations it would be to avoid China. Nikon, Bushnell Elite, Sightron, Weaver, Leupold, most Burris, and Clearridge come to mind as all having a budget priced yet quality scope in their lineup. You certainly don't have to break the bank to get a good scope but I feel you get a lot more for your money bumping up to even the bottom of the line from these manufacturers than you do from the average China made scope. I know somebody is going to say their $40 China made scope holds zero perfect and tracks fine, but in my experience with quite a few China made scopes that either doesn't happen, or doesn't happen for long, especially the turret part.
dougw47
Member
scopes
Bushnells, Simmons and Tasco's are timebombs...waiting to destroy your hunt.
You can't run fast enough to give me a Simmons or Tasco. I bought a rifle with a Bushnell on it, I will check it out at the range, but I already have a Nikon to put on it.
Bushnells, Simmons and Tasco's are timebombs...waiting to destroy your hunt.
You can't run fast enough to give me a Simmons or Tasco. I bought a rifle with a Bushnell on it, I will check it out at the range, but I already have a Nikon to put on it.
Snakum
Member
If you need to avoid the Philippines you can rule out a few of those mentioned, as well.
(My Philippino Nikon and Burris have served well, however.
)I have no problems with many of the Philippine scopes. The Nikons I have used seem up to spec with equivalent priced/optioned Japan made scopes. The Burris line is in the same boat. Its the BSA, Barska, Simmons, Tasco, China made Bushnell that I am stating to avoid. The Philippines manufacturer has been making decent scopes for a while. I have one of the older Simmons 44mag scopes that was made in the Philippines (rumored to be the same plant current Nikon scopes are made) and it works very well. The glass is good, the adjustments are accurate and the turrets click solidly into place.
The only China made scopes I have any faith in at all would be from Mueller and Pentax. Pentax seems to have very good glass in their scopes, though how their construction holds up long term is still yet to be determined in my mind. Mueller makes a decent scope for the money, but the best part is their service is great. If you get one that isn't up to par they seem to make sure it ends up right. I don't think their China made scopes are up to par with similar featured Japan/Philippine made scopes, but their price is a bit cheaper than most as well. In my experience they are pretty much in the middle between the average China scope and the average bottom model Japan made scope.
The only China made scopes I have any faith in at all would be from Mueller and Pentax. Pentax seems to have very good glass in their scopes, though how their construction holds up long term is still yet to be determined in my mind. Mueller makes a decent scope for the money, but the best part is their service is great. If you get one that isn't up to par they seem to make sure it ends up right. I don't think their China made scopes are up to par with similar featured Japan/Philippine made scopes, but their price is a bit cheaper than most as well. In my experience they are pretty much in the middle between the average China scope and the average bottom model Japan made scope.
hometheaterman
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My suggestions for a scope in your price range would be a Burris Fullfield II or a Vortex Diamondback. Look on Opticstalk.com they have some great write ups. I've personally used the Burris and it's my favorite scope I've used. I can say I really like it. I've never tried the Vortex but after reading about it in the comparison at optics talk I would strongly consider it.
Snakum
Member
Yeah, iirc the Pentax GameSeeker line is Japanese glass but everything else made and assembled in China. I have beaten a 50mm GameSeeker to death on a 7mm rem mag over the past year and a half and it's still kicking butt. Must say I'm pretty impressed, and pleasantly surprised. The Mueller has a good reputation, too. I am looking hard at one for my next mildot scope. I have heard that Millett uses Japanese glass and is made in the Philippines, and I have also heard they are made in China with Jap glass. SO I'm not sure which is correct, but they're good scopes. A buddy of mine has one and has run it hard for a couple of years.
Lots of choices in reasonably priced scopes today. Good times.
Lots of choices in reasonably priced scopes today. Good times.
I bought a Marlin XL7 April of 2010, shot it and kept cleaning it, in the beginning was
shooting 1.5 inch groups at 100 yards, but as time went on got better and better,
by Janurary of 2011 shot 3 shots into bulleye at 250 yards, group was 1 inch, later
in summer shot 3 shots inside of 5/8 inch at 250 yards. I own a Heym 30-06 that
will shoot the same, 2 Tikkas a 30-06 and 270 Win have not matched the groups
I have with Marlin XL7 270, but close. I use Hornady 150 grain for best results.
shooting 1.5 inch groups at 100 yards, but as time went on got better and better,
by Janurary of 2011 shot 3 shots into bulleye at 250 yards, group was 1 inch, later
in summer shot 3 shots inside of 5/8 inch at 250 yards. I own a Heym 30-06 that
will shoot the same, 2 Tikkas a 30-06 and 270 Win have not matched the groups
I have with Marlin XL7 270, but close. I use Hornady 150 grain for best results.
Mike1234567
member
I bought a "cheap" Saiga .308 because it's a fun platform and it's more accurate than I'll ever be. Granted, in my case that ain't sayin' much. Also, it's designed to function in the worst possible conditions.
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brnmuenchow
Member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2011
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- 612
What better way to fight communists (if you had to) than to fight them with their own weapons. Get a Mosin Nagant ($100) 7.62X54R is just as powerful as a .308 Win. and the ammo is dirt cheap! Uses: a) Deer Hunting.b) Communists.
c) Varmint/ predator infestation.
d) Feral Hog Infestations.
e) unwanted intruder infestations:
(kind of goes along with communists invading.)
*(Feel free to jump in!)
That's quite a bit for just $100!
Mike1234567
member
^^^ Haven't you heard? There ain't no more commies in the Eastern Block.
BTW, I decided to sell all of my mid-priced to higher-priced rifles in favor of good quality budget models. I really don't know why I though I needed anything better. I can't shoot worth a darn anyway.
BTW, I decided to sell all of my mid-priced to higher-priced rifles in favor of good quality budget models. I really don't know why I though I needed anything better. I can't shoot worth a darn anyway.
I'm also looking for low priced optics and rings.
Here are some that I am considering.
Weaver Classic V 1-3x20mm
Redfield Revolution 2-7x33mm ( Their version of a ballistic reticle)
Burris Fullfield II 3x9-40mm with ballistic reticle.
I dont have my notes handy at the moment, but they are all less than 200 bucks in price, and the plan is to keep it under 200, so......
What does everyone think? Any folks use any of these optics?
Here are some that I am considering.
Weaver Classic V 1-3x20mm
Redfield Revolution 2-7x33mm ( Their version of a ballistic reticle)
Burris Fullfield II 3x9-40mm with ballistic reticle.
I dont have my notes handy at the moment, but they are all less than 200 bucks in price, and the plan is to keep it under 200, so......
What does everyone think? Any folks use any of these optics?
My Marlin XS 7 in 7mm 08 shoots 1 MOA at 100 yds with WInchester supreme and Hornady SSTs. It all came to $ 350 to my door after shipping and FFL transfer fee. I have an old Bushnell Banner scope so i was able to used it. Maybe next time ill get a Nikon Prostaff .
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