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Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
#5879832
08/15/15 05:17 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 255
Regular Guy
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Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
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I picked up a .243 yesterday, and looking at optics has got me cross-eyed. I just want a solid, no frills scope that is clear and that will last. Not interested in anything with a real busy looking reticle or any of that stuff. If I need to use holdover or compensate for wind with a rifle like this, I'll not be taking that shot. Something with a duplex or cross hair reticle, fixed magnification is fine or maybe a 2-7x or a 3-9x, even just a nice fixed 4x could do the trick. I just want it to function correctly, and last. What are your suggestions?
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: Regular Guy]
#5879857
08/15/15 05:35 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,228
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,228 |
When wanting a simple scope glass clarity will be the number one most important feature. Followed by scope rugedness and a good warranty. Leupold is one of the first that comes to mind for this. I would also look at Vortex. If possible, go somewhere that will allow you to look through them, outdoors.
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: Regular Guy]
#5879883
08/15/15 06:02 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,528
RiverRider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,528 |
The older Vari-X IIs in 3-9x can be had for as little as $180 or so in pretty decent shape, and they're backed by Leupold's lifetime warranty...gloss finishes are mostly what you'll find and I'm not sure there ever was a matte finish offered. The VX-IIs have better glass but you'll pay more. The VX-2 has better glass yet, but it does not have the locking ring on the ocular bell. The two newer models can easily be found in a matte finish. One thing these scopes have all over the rest is a very generous eyebox and relief. Rugged as boulders, too.
"Arguing with you always makes me thirsty." -Augustus McRae
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: Regular Guy]
#5879884
08/15/15 06:03 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,235
dredd
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
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Posts: 1,235 |
I picked up a Weaver K6 (fixed 6 power) awhile back for a 300BLK AR. I have been very pleased with it so far. You might also look at the K4.
These are well under your price point.
They are also made in Japan, not China.
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: Regular Guy]
#5879928
08/15/15 06:44 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 255
Regular Guy
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Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
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A solid fixed power scope is more and more appealing to me. Ideally it'll stand up to some abuse. I should have also stated, I don't like large objectives. I think maybe 40 mm is about as big an objective as i'd like to use, because I prefer to keep the scope as near to the bore as I can. Also, the rifle has a fairly low comb. Currently it has the cheapest scope I could pick up with weaver rings in the store, and it is purely a temporary deal. It has a 40 mm onjective with mid or low rings, and with my fat chin I still get a pretty good stockweld.
Edit- and by the way, thanks for the suggestions so far. I didn't expect to get good responses so quickly. The leupold and the weavers look nice. I really like the weaver fixed mag scopes a lot. Is there another scope that may fare a little better for a little more money, or is that about as good as it gets for a fixed power scope under $300?
Last edited by Regular Guy; 08/15/15 07:11 PM.
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: Regular Guy]
#5879995
08/15/15 07:59 PM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 525
6.5x47Lapua
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 525 |
I'm a big fan of simple fixed powered scopes. Might be able to make that 300 bucks stretch a little further by shopping here. http://www.samplelist.com/
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: Regular Guy]
#5880000
08/15/15 08:03 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,398
Pittstate
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 5,398 |
The Leupold VX3 are on sale at cabelas for $150 off right now. You may be able to get one in your price range. I have the Leupold FX3 6x42 fixed and love it. It is on my Tikka T3 in .243. I own one Weaver scope. For my money, I would buy the Leupold over the Weaver every day.
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: Regular Guy]
#5880053
08/15/15 09:06 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 728
TxHunter80
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Tracker
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Posts: 728 |
Leupold 6x36 would fit your requirements nicely.
Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 for $299 from Eurooptic would be pretty tough to beat in the variable power.
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: TxHunter80]
#5880106
08/15/15 10:17 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,200
dawaba
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
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Posts: 4,200 |
Leupold 6x36 would fit your requirements nicely.
Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 for $299 from Eurooptic would be pretty tough to beat in the variable power. The Conquest at $299 is a Best Buy, without doubt.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple.....and wrong." H. L. Mencken
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: dawaba]
#5880107
08/15/15 10:20 PM
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 41,322
BMD
Silver Spoon
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Silver Spoon
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 41,322 |
Leupold 6x36 would fit your requirements nicely.
Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 for $299 from Eurooptic would be pretty tough to beat in the variable power. The Conquest at $299 is a Best Buy, without doubt.
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: Regular Guy]
#5880169
08/15/15 11:16 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,407
WileyCoyote
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
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The Conquest at $299 is an outstanding buy...but I bought a US Made Minox 2-10x50 30mm tube Camera Land NY open box special, made with the same German Schott Glass s'posedly used by Steiner that is located in the same city as Minox's source, at that same $300'ish price. I saw that CLNY still has this ZA5 HD 2-10x50 30mm on their Demo List but at $319 couple weeks ago as I remember....the HD designation is the newer step up series glass ... and is amazingly clear wall to wall with a 4" eye relief I have to have. The next scope up in that line is a 3x15-50 SF, and is priced in the upper $600's even at CLNY.
I made that decision after looking at the 3x9x40 Conquest my neighbor had offered me, after he bought it from Cabela's the last time they ran them on the X-Mas Season closeout. My only gritch with that Conquest was the super thick DuPlex crosshairs - great for early/late low light but covered up way too much peripheral glass outside of the thin X DuPlex Center for my taste. Ron
It is TIME for Term Limits, cause Politicians are like childrens diapers and for the same reasons...Robin Williams "These are the times that try men's soul's"...Thomas Paine
"Those who fail to learn from History are doomed to repeat it" ....Santayana
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: Regular Guy]
#5880202
08/15/15 11:47 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,424
ZK-315
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,424 |
Don't rule out the Redfield Revolution if you are ok with a variable power scope. I purchased 2 of their scopes a while back on clearance for a couple of guns I have that just needed scopes. I ended up with a 3-9x50mm and a 4-12x40. I personally liked the 50mm lense much better between the two, but for a sub $300 scope, they both were pretty decent scopes.
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: Regular Guy]
#5880720
08/16/15 01:44 PM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,051
Cattleman
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
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Look at Leupold or Redfield. Swfa has a Leupold vx-1 3-9x50 on the sample list for less than $300.00. There ya go .
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: Regular Guy]
#5881622
08/17/15 12:53 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
booradley
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Posts: 2,394 |
Burris Fullfield II 3-9 or 2-7 for under $200.00.
Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: Regular Guy]
#5884419
08/18/15 06:18 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 255
Regular Guy
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Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
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The fixed power really does appeal to me the most, but I never thought about using higher mag for a precision zero then using the lowest setting for field of view. I guess 3-9x40 is probably the best compromise based off what Yall suggest, and what else I've read seems to compliment that. Plus I really enjoy depredation hunting, and it would be nice to do some long range ghogs or something like that. Might be able to get a good deal on a good one if it works out...
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: Regular Guy]
#5884493
08/18/15 07:02 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,228
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,228 |
What's long range to you?
I ask because that adds a needed feature to depending on how far.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: Regular Guy]
#5884744
08/18/15 09:45 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 255
Regular Guy
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Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
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Long range for me is probably anything passed 200 yards. I don't think i'd even be able to hit something like a groundhog much further without a bench or a table set up anyway. But it didn't work out for me with the deal I was talking about, I screwed that one up. I think I am gonna go with the redfield revolution in 3-9x40. It looks like plenty of scope, and no fancy stuff just a fixed parallax variable that is very durable and not very heavy
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: Regular Guy]
#5884810
08/18/15 10:27 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,307
BowsnRods
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,307 |
Vortex has worked very well for me
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: Regular Guy]
#5885926
08/19/15 05:08 PM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,000
Barcelona Rick
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,000 |
Awhile back I picked up a new Weaver fixed 6 power scope for under $200. Has Japanese glass.
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: Regular Guy]
#5921828
09/10/15 02:57 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 255
Regular Guy
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Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
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Do any of you have experience with the Bushnell Elite 3200 scopes? I have been reading a lot about scopes, trying to understand and get a better grasp on the features. After learning the difference between mil and MOA adjustments, the half mil reticle in conjunction with 1/10 mil adjustments has become very attractive to me. The Bushnell Elite 3200 tactical in 10x40 is the only fixed scope that offers this combination that I've seen for less then $500- the next step up is quite a bit more pricey. I have seen other nice 1/10 moa adjustment scopes in the price range, but they come with funky reticles that I don't like. The mil or half mil reticles are simple and more useful in my opinion. I would like to get out snd shoot silhouettes at longer ranges, and it would be nice to have a simple, sturdy scope that isn't too high mag for hunting but still has good magnification and features for long range recreational shooting. I have definitely been bitten by the bug...
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: Regular Guy]
#5922047
09/10/15 04:50 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,228
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
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I have lots of experience with Bushnell Elite, but not the 3200 specifically. The glass is very clear.
I say you are on the right track with a Mil reticle and .1 Mil turrets. I can show you how to use it all in a day and you will hit way farther than you think you can.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: Regular Guy]
#5922335
09/10/15 08:01 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 255
Regular Guy
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Bird Dog
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Posts: 255 |
I wouldn't mind coming out for a day, but I just moved to North Carolina!
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: Regular Guy]
#5922398
09/10/15 08:34 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,228
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
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Posts: 41,228 |
You would have the record for the farthest distance traveled.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: Regular Guy]
#5924688
09/12/15 01:19 AM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 110
Black Ice
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 110 |
$350 and under scope I'm going Nikon Monarch. That Zeiss for $299 would be good also!
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Re: Best no-frills scope, would like to keep it under $300
[Re: Regular Guy]
#5928420
09/14/15 09:19 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 464
RockRiver223
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 464 |
No experience with the fixed 10x specifically, but I have owned a 4200 3-9x40 for a long time. Very very clear glass with very little distortion - could hunt well past legal hunting hours.
Had a hunt with two buddies (one using a Weaver Grand Slam and the other a Swaro) on a rainy cold day (33ish degrees) and the Bushnell Elite was the only one that did not fog. The ocular lenses on the other two fogged beyond usability just by exhaling through the nose. We could not get the bushnell to fog no matter what we tried.
The elite series all have the same proprietary raingaurd coating and some can be had for pretty cheap. Had it on a 7mm for around 50 rounds, switched it to an '06, then to an AR for 500ish rounds without any loss of zero. Toughness was also demonstrated when it sad on a 10/22 for about 4k rounds. To the rifle a river trip during which the rifle and scope were both seriously abused. Think thrown into the canoe abused. Multiple times.
Have never abused an optic as much as I did that one - glass was still clear and the turrets tracked true up until the day I sold it.
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