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Best deer rifle scope for under $500? #6512514 10/26/16 03:38 PM
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SouthTXhunter07 Offline OP
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I'm looking to upgrade my scope this year on my .280 rem deer rifle. What is the best scope for under $500? I don't shoot much past 250 yrds. My buddies suggest Vortex.


Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: SouthTXhunter07] #6512531 10/26/16 03:49 PM
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cheetah577 Online Content
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Vortex Viper is a good scope in your price range.


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Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: SouthTXhunter07] #6512542 10/26/16 03:53 PM
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Leupold vx-3i 3.5-10x40



Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: SouthTXhunter07] #6512551 10/26/16 03:57 PM
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which power and reticle would you recommend?


Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: SouthTXhunter07] #6512560 10/26/16 04:02 PM
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I see cabelas has the vortex viper 2.5-10x44 on sale for $250. Would that be an big improvement from my old leupold scope that is about 12 yrs old?


Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: SouthTXhunter07] #6512661 10/26/16 04:52 PM
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What scope do you have on there now that you are looking to upgrade from?


Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: SouthTXhunter07] #6512665 10/26/16 04:53 PM
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3-9x40mm would be my minimum. I like the BDC reticles. 2.5-10x44 will do!


God bless John Wayne!
Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: SouthTXhunter07] #6512793 10/26/16 05:47 PM
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not sure, but I'll let you know when I get home. It's a very old leupold, passed down.


Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: SouthTXhunter07] #6512856 10/26/16 06:11 PM
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I would highly recommend a Meopta 3-10x44 over any vortex hunting scope, or a VX3 3.5-10x40, both with duplex reticles.

Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: SouthTXhunter07] #6512939 10/26/16 06:43 PM
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Meopta

Sightron S-Tac

Nikon Pro Staff 7

Leupold VX3i


you will appreciate the higher magnification when the time comes, stick with simple du-plex or #4 reticle, perfect for hun ting at your range inside 300yrds.

best deals out there, read the reviews


SPACE FOR RENT


Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: SouthTXhunter07] #6513334 10/26/16 09:43 PM
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On the high end, A leupold 4-12X VXR with illuminated dot...
https://www.natchezss.com/leupold-vx-r-riflescope-126306.html

A less expensive option is the Bushnell 3-12X with illuminated dot...
https://www.natchezss.com/bushnell-trophy-xlt-riflescope-151144.html

Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: SouthTXhunter07] #6513595 10/27/16 12:14 AM
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There are so many good scopes under $500, you will have a problem picking one. Note that Vortex and Leupold have great warranties. You want that.


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Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: SouthTXhunter07] #6513680 10/27/16 01:11 AM
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Originally Posted By: SouthTXhunter07
I see cabelas has the vortex viper 2.5-10x44 on sale for $250. Would that be an big improvement from my old leupold scope that is about 12 yrs old?


Can you post a link? Seems like a deal


yep, sure, why not
Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: Jgraider] #6513974 10/27/16 10:14 AM
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Originally Posted By: Jgraider
I would highly recommend a Meopta 3-10x44 over any vortex hunting scope, or a VX3 3.5-10x40, both with duplex reticles.


This, where they blow Vortex out of the water IMO is in low light. I have a Meopro and a VX-3 and for my eyes both are better than a Viper. Your eyes may tell you something different.


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Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: Buzzsaw] #6514602 10/27/16 06:16 PM
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I'm hearing a lot about Meopta and Leupold...years past all you ever heard of was Leupold....is one better than the other and why?


Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: SouthTXhunter07] #6514617 10/27/16 06:31 PM
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I bought a vortex for a lower end scope to have good tracking turrets for long range shooting. I pulls double duty as a hunting scope. My 25 year old Leupold VXII is brighter than the Vortex is. I wouldn't buy one for a hunting scope for 250 and in.

Have been happy with multiple leupolds well within that price range.


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Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: SouthTXhunter07] #6514630 10/27/16 06:40 PM
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I have not been impressed with the vortex viper line other than the binos. They are stellar.....the scopes, not so much.

Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: SouthTXhunter07] #6514670 10/27/16 07:08 PM
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Not to be too hard on them. It holds zero and appears to track well for the limited amount I have used the turrets, but its just not the best clarity or low light. Its pretty picky on eye relief as well.

Last edited by redchevy; 10/27/16 07:09 PM.

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Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: SouthTXhunter07] #6515586 10/28/16 01:03 PM
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Here's exactly what you need at a clearance price: http://www.eurooptic.com/meopro-4-12x50-bdc-reticle-537910.aspx

Meoptas are great scopes. No tax and since you are just 2 cents off, you can probably talk them into free shipping.


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Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: SouthTXhunter07] #6516491 10/28/16 10:48 PM
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Meopta is a Czech company that's been around since the 30's. They stayed under the radar in the states until the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact. My understanding is they are one of the few scope companies that grind their own glass.

Meopta products have been in the U.S. for a while but as rebranded products since they make scopes for other companies.

Everyone's eyes are different but from selling Meopta products my opinion is they are great scopes. IMO nothing in their price range touches them for low light clarity.


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Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: SouthTXhunter07] #6516503 10/28/16 10:53 PM
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I like the Meopro line better than the VX-3. I own both and if all I had was VX-3 I'd be happy, but I like Meopro's better.


Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: SouthTXhunter07] #6519381 10/31/16 01:18 PM
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thanks guys, I ended up with the leupold VX2 4-12X40 (new for $249.99), I'm sure it will be much better than my 12 year old leupold 9x30.

Last edited by SouthTXhunter07; 10/31/16 01:19 PM.

Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: SouthTXhunter07] #6519950 10/31/16 05:57 PM
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Congratulations, I bet you will be very happy with the new scope.


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Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: SouthTXhunter07] #6520132 10/31/16 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted By: SouthTXhunter07
thanks guys, I ended up with the leupold VX2 4-12X40 (new for $249.99), I'm sure it will be much better than my 12 year old leupold 9x30.


I have a couple of VX-1s that are both solid-you picked a good one.


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Re: Best deer rifle scope for under $500? [Re: SouthTXhunter07] #6520154 10/31/16 08:05 PM
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thanks again guys, I'm getting the hunting itch..i just started a new thread on bino's.


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