Best rifle scope?

Going on a rifle hunt later this year and am wanting to upgrade scopes. Looking to spend up to 500$, any suggestions?

Leupold vx-3

I 2nd this

Vortex Viper

Vortex Viper HS in 4x16x44, 30mm tube, side focus, and other upgrades that are TMI for here, from CameraLandNY off the demo list for $450'ish ...with a lifetime Warranty.
Ron

Just for hunting? Not using it for long range? Glass a premium? I'd go with a used Zeiss or if you can find a couple hundred more I'd go with a Swarovski...

I am not impressed by the clarity of the vortex viper. After the rave reviews from so many people I ordered one. It was a huge let down when I got it out I the range. It tracked well and held zero, just Wasnt all that clear. Sure they have a great warranty but so do some of the other manufacturers. I agree with deer hunter, if your not going to be dialing and shooting long range there are better options than vortex. I would look at the leupold VXR, VX3 and zeiss.

zeiss hd5 conquest.. not ffp but clearer than dads vortexpst ffp esp in last 20 min of hunting.

...and WHAT PRICE???
Sounds like ya'll are comparing a filet mignion with a hamburger price wise...the OP's post stated he wanted to stay below $500 "if possible".

Lots better scopes out there if you are not concerned about the OP's budget...unfortunately an all too typical response though. Not everybody spends as much as the Long Range crowd on here for equipment nowdays, and I'd be very surprised that they started out with 1K+ capable scopes.

FWIW Your eyes may not see thru a given piece of corrective-magnification lense the same way as anybody else's either. BTDT and am fighting the correction issues on a new to me 3 month old Cornea Replacement, that came from an unknown cadaver donor, right now.
JMHO & YMMV
Ron

All the scopes listed above can be bought at or under the OPs listed budget, except the swaro and hd5.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Never-mounted-Ze...=item3ceb3e32c6

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zeiss-Conquest-H...=item27ef4fd334



even the people on a budget need to look at a filet mignion every now and then...

VX-3 but 3.5-10X40 is likely the most powerful you will find in that price range. That is usually more than enough though.

I'll take a Bushnell Elite over all Leupold's besides a mk4 any day.

For your price range, Leupold VX3 or Nikon.

Zeiss terra... Also a great scope got mine on a open box deal for 300.00

Ron, you can find a used Zeiss for around $500 or less and I'd purchase that above any $500 "new" scope...

Yep! And if he can find a way to spend $200 more for a Swaro he'd be money ahead over the long haul!

Used zeiss for sale under the ads right now..

http://www.texashuntingforum.com/forum/u...x44#Post5392945

Looked at a neighbors 3x9 Conquest last week, and was impressed by two things...it was certainly very clear and the crosshairs were some kinda Way Too THICK for me....and why he was trying to sell it to a ex lease partner.

Ummm As said...I also like the 4x16x44 Viper HS with zero stop and side focus and 30mmtube in the low/mid $400's. Don't like the Vortex BDC, and too old to learn how to used a MRAD...so that leaves me with a VPlex, an that's OK....I've been shooting Duplex scopes since they came out in the '60's. Besides today we got "cheater's to help tired old Mark I eye balls call Range Finders.



Since this thread is suposed to be all about answering the OP's question of Best Scope Under $500 and not all about my or ya'll's tastes at over $500....at a $200 bump to $700 over the OP's max budget of $500 I'd bite the bullet on MRADs & buy the Manual and buy a SWFA 3x15x50? FFP 30MM tube w/side focus which IMO is the next best buy at that price point...and learn to kill critters at past 500-600 yards where I won't take that shot now....but that'd also require a better shooter than I have now in bone stock factory 7-8-9lb sporter weights 260, 270, 308, 300WSM & a 9.3x62 that'd have to be shot like a mortar to get that far....but is GTG at 350-400 yards before the bottom falls out of the scope's adjustments... Been thinkin' about selling the whole batch and start over with 1 mebbe 2 Sporter weight Hunting guns in a mid bore generic 400 yard Deer & Hog shooter, and mebbe a inexpensive - under a $K for sure - factory built Heavy Barrel like a Tikka...to punch paper and steel with & double as a Sendero shooter....really have always liked the Kimber Longmaster fit & feel but it doesn't come in the "right" caliber selections Just sayin'
Ron

^^^^^^^
This....buy it quick cuz it won't last long!

+ 1 on DeerHunters link. Yup, that's a good buy in a quality product.
Ron