advise and opinions on a used scope?

We are looking at a used scope a friend has for sale. It was on a rigged out .22-250 that he sold to someone.

it is a Leupold vx3, 8.5 - 25 x 50, long range target, I believe it has a 30mm tube, which I need to double check.

has target dial system, varmit hunters reticle, matte finish, parallax on the side.

what say you all about this scope and what is a fair price to pay for it, anything should we look for or at when we look it over and make sure everything moves and works. My son wants to replace his vx1 3-9x40 with this used one, it will go on his new weatherby vanguard in a .308. He wants to start trying to shoot out to some longer distances (not no mile or anything like that). Appreciate any and all comments, no offense taken on any, I know this is a open ended and we are asking for it.

Other then this used one we may eye ball some new Vortex scopes in a lower power then this 8.5 -25x50 leupold vx3. I think he could get a new one he would like and still do the job cheaper then what the guy wants for it (he is asking $650) I think is a bit high for a used scope but I may be wrong.

thanks again
jim

How old is your son? What is he doing with the gun (only shooting long range or hunting also)?

For $650, I'd much rather spend just a bit more and get a Burris XTR II 3-15 or 4-20 or Viper PST Gen 2 3-15 or 5-25. 8.5x on the low end is really limiting on FOV for any type of close or medium range hunting purposes. And generally speaking, scopes with high power magnification are harder to look through, especially if all he's ever had is a standard 3-9x40 hunting scope.

That model of scope was designed before some manufacturers (definitely Leupold) had a good idea of what features made a scope most useful for long range shooting. I think there are much better options for that kind of money. JMHO

That scope, and that goal do not go together.

patriot07 said it right.

Nailed it.

8.5 magnification is way to much for the low end on a hunting scope. Find something in the 3-15 power range. The Leupold was designed for benchrest type shooting.