Under $300. I’m shopping new and used rifles, and will be buying new glass with a $300 budget. I’m currently leaning towards Nikon prostaff 5or7, or the Leupold freedom, wanted to see if you guys had any other ideas. What would you buy with a $300 budget and why that one over the others. All suggestions welcome.
Looking for 2.5-15 in almost any configuration.

Nikon in that range for m. I own quite a few Nikons and have never had an issue with one. I would check Cameraland and SWFA and see what they might have as well

I agree with Nikon to meet all your criteria.

For my money at $300 max I’d buy a fixed power FX series Leupold. I prefer clarity over magnification when hunting hence my choice. Others are just the opposite.

The Prostaff 7 only benefit over the 5 is it allows more elevation to be dialed. I say if you’re not trying to long range hunt (500+ imo) then don’t spend the extra money on the 7. It’s the same glass.

$300 is a small budget for a 3-15 scope. I think you probably need to up the budget or go with a 3-9.

I have one Minox that so far so goos that is 3-15 that I got from Cameraland for 300 but it does not have AO so above 10 parallax can be an issue

Weaver Grand Slam from natchezss

It doesn’t have to be 3-15, just some where in that range. 2.5-10,3-9,4-12

Leupold vx3 4.5-14 or 3.5-10. Look hard you can find one at your price point

Burris makes fine optics. Worth a look.

For sure

Settled on a Nikon PROSTAFF 5 2.5-10x40, academy has them on clearance for $172

Burris fullfield II, thank me later.

Nikko Stirling Targetmaster