Forums46
Topics537,783
Posts9,729,076
Members87,042
|
Most Online25,604 Feb 12th, 2024
|
|
|
Best Scope. Under 400$
#6402201
08/10/16 05:59 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 810
Bittercreek
OP
Tracker
|
OP
Tracker
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 810 |
Would like ideas. On best Scope for under 400$. Will put emphasis in low-light conditions. Thank you for any advice.
Last edited by Bittercreek; 08/10/16 06:00 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: Bittercreek]
#6402231
08/10/16 06:17 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,534
rickym
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,534 |
The nikon pro staff scopes are hard to beat for the money when buying new
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: Bittercreek]
#6402313
08/10/16 07:05 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
booradley
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394 |
There are several scopes better than the Prostaff in low light for under $400.00. Which one the OP purchases should be dependent on his eyes - which he sees better out of.
The best in low light for MY eyes is easily the MeoPro 3.5-10x44. Also good is a Conquest, VX-3, Fullfield II, and Bushnell Elite 3500.
Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: Bittercreek]
#6402972
08/11/16 01:48 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,503
syncerus
Extreme Tracker
|
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,503 |
The base 3-9x40 Conquest from EuroOptic for $329 is very nice. I also agree that the Meopta MeoPro scopes are exceptional. If you were in Dallas, I could point you to a very good local deal in your price range, but I see that's some distance away from you.
NRA Patriot Benefactor & DSC Lifer
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: Bittercreek]
#6402988
08/11/16 01:54 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 810
Bittercreek
OP
Tracker
|
OP
Tracker
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 810 |
Any heard, or looked thru. Zeiss-Tierras/ Heard bad and good.
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: Bittercreek]
#6402998
08/11/16 02:03 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,117
Brother in-law
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,117 |
Well if low light is important the terra is really awful
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: Bittercreek]
#6403104
08/11/16 03:30 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,324
onlysmith&wesson
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,324 |
Vortex Viper HS 4-16 x44 was $399.99 in most recent cabelas ad. When I'm looking for a new optic I hit Optics Planet, Midway USA and Camera Land sites. Sign up for alerts on all and the offers start rolling in within a week or so.
An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: Bittercreek]
#6403152
08/11/16 03:58 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
booradley
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394 |
Vortex scopes are about the worst in low light for my eyes, until you get to the Razor.
Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: Bittercreek]
#6403222
08/11/16 06:18 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,423
NTRP
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,423 |
Fixed power SWFA SS scopes
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: Bittercreek]
#6403510
08/11/16 03:23 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 132
mason15
Woodsman
|
Woodsman
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 132 |
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: Bittercreek]
#6403522
08/11/16 03:30 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
Nogalus Prairie
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091 |
Zeiss Conquest or Leupold VX 2 or maybe even 3i (which I think can be had in 2.5-8x for under $400 now).
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: Nogalus Prairie]
#6404089
08/11/16 10:25 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
booradley
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394 |
Zeiss Conquest or Leupold VX 2 or maybe even 3i (which I think can be had in 2.5-8x for under $400 now). This too though I believe the MeoPro is better in low light. I do own a Conquest, VX-2 and VX-3 and have compared. I also can't tell a difference in VX-3 and 3i glass.
Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: booradley]
#6404201
08/11/16 11:39 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 370
pdugas
Bird Dog
|
Bird Dog
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 370 |
Meopta 3.5 x10x44mm . Doug's Camera Land $349. Super clear and bright .
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: Bittercreek]
#6404215
08/11/16 11:48 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,180
Biggs
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,180 |
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: Bittercreek]
#6404594
08/12/16 05:54 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
booradley
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394 |
To the OP. I've stated this so many times I know I sound like a broken record but the fact remains that: There are only four or five lens makers globally. There is only one company I know of that grinds there own glass, there may be more. Vortex and Leupold(as an example) could be purchasing some of their glass from the same place.
Where I believe most of the differences come in are the quality(cost) of the glass and the coatings each company puts or has put on their lens.
That is why NO one can tell you what the best scope under $400.00 is for YOU. That is why you get so many opinions. I've looked through a lot of scopes in the last couple of years. I've looked through all of the scopes mentioned in this thread except for the SWFA line. Some of them I couldn't really tell a difference, for example a Vortex Diamondback and a Burris Fullfield II. That was in optimal lighting. When taken outside in low light then the Burris jumped out at me as being better. You may see better through Zeiss glass than Meopta, or Leupold than Zeiss. You need to find a store with a good selection of scopes and look through all of them. One or a couple will stand out over the others.
Other than mechanical quality, such as turret adjustment repeatability, I just don't see how one person can tell another which scope is better.
There are compromises too. I don't believe Nightforce has the best glass in its price range but I do believe they are about as tough as you can get. If my life was dependent on my scope, I would get a Nightforce. I believe Leupold focuses more on glass quality in most of their scope lines. All I need is for the adjustments to work well enough for me to sight a rifle in at 100 yards, that's it. So Leupold works well for me. If I did the type of shooting JGFIREMAN does then I probably wouldn't be using Leupold and would sacrifice some glass clarity for features and repeatability.
Last edited by booradley; 08/12/16 06:08 AM.
Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: Bittercreek]
#6404720
08/12/16 12:58 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,517
RiverRider
THF Trophy Hunter
|
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,517 |
Well said.
Scopes have evolved and developed into the age of specialization, and scopes are now a lot more purpose-specific. The right tool for the job is out there and the market has provided many choices and options. Its a good thing!
"Arguing with you always makes me thirsty." -Augustus McRae
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: Bittercreek]
#6404899
08/12/16 02:32 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,789
Matt
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,789 |
For a good, big scope at an economical price, I would check out the Lucid Optics 6-24x50. I own one of these. It's a 30mm tube with good clear glass for the price. I have hunted with mine for 3 years now and used it in the Hunter Rifle match two years ago. It has what they call the L5 reticle. It's pretty good and it's listed on the iStrelok app. I found the holdovers absolutely to be spot on to 300. That's as far as I have pushed this one. I don't like that the turrets are in 1/8th MOA. However, for a $400 retail scope, it's really, really good. That's my . Thanks!! Matt
The psycho nut bags have always been there. They just get better press now. Take away their guns, they'll use knives. Take away their knives and they'll use sticks!!
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: Bittercreek]
#6405062
08/12/16 03:38 PM
|
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 197
ETXRaider
Woodsman
|
Woodsman
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 197 |
I prefer Zeiss and Vortex. Customer service has been great for me with those two companies for what it's worth.
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: Bittercreek]
#6406394
08/13/16 01:29 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 986
westexhunt
Tracker
|
Tracker
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 986 |
Often overlooked but any Bushnell with Elite in the name is a great scope as far as clarity and brightness.
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: booradley]
#6406420
08/13/16 02:04 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091
Nogalus Prairie
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 27,091 |
To the OP. I've stated this so many times I know I sound like a broken record but the fact remains that: There are only four or five lens makers globally. There is only one company I know of that grinds there own glass, there may be more. Vortex and Leupold(as an example) could be purchasing some of their glass from the same place.
Where I believe most of the differences come in are the quality(cost) of the glass and the coatings each company puts or has put on their lens.
That is why NO one can tell you what the best scope under $400.00 is for YOU. That is why you get so many opinions. I've looked through a lot of scopes in the last couple of years. I've looked through all of the scopes mentioned in this thread except for the SWFA line. Some of them I couldn't really tell a difference, for example a Vortex Diamondback and a Burris Fullfield II. That was in optimal lighting. When taken outside in low light then the Burris jumped out at me as being better. You may see better through Zeiss glass than Meopta, or Leupold than Zeiss. You need to find a store with a good selection of scopes and look through all of them. One or a couple will stand out over the others.
Other than mechanical quality, such as turret adjustment repeatability, I just don't see how one person can tell another which scope is better.
There are compromises too. I don't believe Nightforce has the best glass in its price range but I do believe they are about as tough as you can get. If my life was dependent on my scope, I would get a Nightforce. I believe Leupold focuses more on glass quality in most of their scope lines. All I need is for the adjustments to work well enough for me to sight a rifle in at 100 yards, that's it. So Leupold works well for me. If I did the type of shooting JGFIREMAN does then I probably wouldn't be using Leupold and would sacrifice some glass clarity for features and repeatability. That's basically me too. From what I see from JG and others, why Leupold doesn't fine tune and produce a consistently adjustable scope is beyond me. Seems like they are losing a lot of market share because of this deficiency.
Last edited by Nogalus Prairie; 08/13/16 02:06 PM.
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: Bittercreek]
#6406812
08/13/16 09:44 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,148
Humble pie
Pro Tracker
|
Pro Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,148 |
A used scope in that price range. A Sightron SII Big Sky
Never had a dog fail me yet.
End dog fighting.
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: westexhunt]
#6407745
08/14/16 06:43 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
booradley
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394 |
Often overlooked but any Bushnell with Elite in the name is a great scope as far as clarity and brightness. I still have an Elite 4200 that to me is an excellent scope and used to have an Elite that was good also.
Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: Bittercreek]
#6407971
08/14/16 09:49 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,694
603Country
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,694 |
Unless you want to crank turrets, the Burris Fullfield II is a good one ($300). I was impressed with it in low light.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: Bittercreek]
#6408983
08/15/16 04:49 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,534
redchevy
THF Celebrity
|
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,534 |
If low light performance is what you want then I would steer clear of any of the vortex viper and under line.
My 20 year old Leupold 3x9-40 vxII's are better in low light than the 2 year old Vortex viper I have. The vortex has been good, but like others have said I bought it for the turrets not its low light performance.
It's hell eatin em live
|
|
|
Re: Best Scope. Under 400$
[Re: redchevy]
#6409376
08/15/16 09:19 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
booradley
Veteran Tracker
|
Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394 |
If low light performance is what you want then I would steer clear of any of the vortex viper and under line.
My 20 year old Leupold 3x9-40 vxII's are better in low light than the 2 year old Vortex viper I have. The vortex has been good, but like others have said I bought it for the turrets not its low light performance. Agreed.
Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
|
|
|
Moderated by bigbob_ftw, CCBIRDDOGMAN, Chickenman, Derek, DeRico, Duck_Hunter, hetman, jeh7mmmag, JustWingem, kmon11, kry226, kwrhuntinglab, Payne, pertnear, rifleman, sig226fan (Rguns.com), Superduty, txcornhusker
|