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What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? #8282729 06/02/21 06:31 AM
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Bought my 10 year old a Ruger American today in 6.5 CM. Would have preferred a 243 but ammo for it is unobtainium around here and I have a stock pile of creedmoor. I want to get him a decent scope that we won’t be disappointed in but don’t want to spend more on the scope than I did on the rifle. Any recommendations? Thinking at least 3x9 maybe 4x12? Shots will be 75-200 yards. Leupold Freedom series?

Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: Sewer rat] #8282736 06/02/21 10:30 AM
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Leupold Freedom or Burris FF are the two I would look at first. In that price range I would NOT look at Vortex.

Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: Sewer rat] #8282798 06/02/21 12:19 PM
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I second the Burris Fulfield II
Very good scopes for the price range.


Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: Sewer rat] #8282811 06/02/21 12:29 PM
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If you wanted to buy new, I would look at a Burris FF or an E1, the Leupold Freedom would also be a solid choice. Another option is to get a used scope, it’s tougher these days but occasionally I still get a good deal on ebay on a Leupold vx2 or 3, Weaver Grand Slam, or a Redfield Revolution.

Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: Sewer rat] #8286514 06/06/21 05:27 PM
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When I need a budget scope for an AR or truck gun, I've had good luck with Sig Sauer Whiskey 3 4-12x with their firedot. Can be had for less than $200

Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: Sewer rat] #8286541 06/06/21 05:46 PM
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Call Doug at CameraLand. They just got these Leupold FX-3 6x42 Matte Wide Duplex in, and the price is good at $399.99.

[Linked Image]

Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: Sewer rat] #8287249 06/07/21 01:05 PM
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Natchez has all the Burris scores on sale. If your main use will be hunting the droptine series is very reasonably priced.


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Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: Blank] #8287529 06/07/21 04:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Blank
Call Doug at CameraLand. They just got these Leupold FX-3 6x42 Matte Wide Duplex in, and the price is good at $399.99.

[Linked Image]

Always our pleasure to discuss options and assist the members here


Doug @ Camera Land

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Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: Sewer rat] #8287536 06/07/21 04:54 PM
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I’d go with a Leupold, my rule of thumb is to spend more on the optics than the gun. If you can’t see it nothing else really matters.

Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: Sewer rat] #8287560 06/07/21 05:07 PM
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This is going to sound crazy to some of y’all. But a leupold FXI 4x28 rimfire scope is as nearly perfect for a kid as any other scope I have used. Plenty of eye relief to protect a youngster’s eye from recoil. The most forgiving eye box of any scope I have used, and even if you don’t get close enough for a perfectly clear image edge to edge you get a thin fuzzy black line as if it was drawn by a sharpie and then what is outside of the image of the scope. Also still a very clear and useable sight picture.

It only weighs about 7 ounces, is very rugged (I have one that has been on three rifles and a powerful spring piston air rifle, no ring marks yet). And they run about $300, but can be had for $200 if you shop and wait.

The only down side is the friction turrets, no clicks.

Yes, the current Leupold FXI rimfire has better glass than the old Leupold M8.

Last edited by Bryan C. Heimann; 06/07/21 05:09 PM.

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Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: Sewer rat] #8288018 06/08/21 12:43 AM
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I have a new in the box Leupold Freedom 3-9x40 for sale. Never been mounted or used. I bought it for a lightweight budget rifle build thats apparently never going to happen. PM me.

Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: GLC] #8288378 06/08/21 02:02 PM
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Originally Posted by GLC
I second the Burris Fulfield II
Very good scopes for the price range.


Burris Fullfield Scopes are the best scope for the money out there, period. In 35 years in business, I've sent 3 Burris products back, all 3 replaced without question, and all three were dropped ... abused. I personally have one on my Rem750 Carbine, that hasn't been adjusted in 10 years, still dead on, and it's bounced around trucks and four wheelers for it's entire life...

Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)] #8293251 06/13/21 02:16 PM
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Originally Posted by sig226fan (Rguns.com)
Originally Posted by GLC
I second the Burris Fulfield II
Very good scopes for the price range.


Burris Fullfield Scopes are the best scope for the money out there, period. In 35 years in business, I've sent 3 Burris products back, all 3 replaced without question, and all three were dropped ... abused. I personally have one on my Rem750 Carbine, that hasn't been adjusted in 10 years, still dead on, and it's bounced around trucks and four wheelers for it's entire life...


I've also had great luck with the Burris FF II and Droptine scopes, but I recently bought one of the new FF IV 2-10x42 and they are now mfg in China like all sub $1k Bushnells are now. It's a real nice looking scope, but I just don't trust a Chinese optic and do my best to not buy anything mfg in China. If you can find a used Jap mfg Bushnell Elite or Leupold VX2 they were also VERY good budget scopes.

This being said most of my rifles have Trijicon Accupoints on them, the 3-9x40 in my opinion is the best all around hunting scope available and only weights 13oz

Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: sig226fan (Rguns.com)] #8293290 06/13/21 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by sig226fan (Rguns.com)
Originally Posted by GLC
I second the Burris Fulfield II
Very good scopes for the price range.


Burris Fullfield Scopes are the best scope for the money out there, period. In 35 years in business, I've sent 3 Burris products back, all 3 replaced without question, and all three were dropped ... abused. I personally have one on my Rem750 Carbine, that hasn't been adjusted in 10 years, still dead on, and it's bounced around trucks and four wheelers for it's entire life...

That's a testament right there.

I have had one on my AR for 10 years, no issues and really bright, clear glass. I recently bought one of their Signature HD's. Not much more than $400.00.


An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: Sewer rat] #8295077 06/15/21 12:37 PM
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Leupold Freedom scopes are great


SPACE FOR RENT


Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: Buzzsaw] #8304094 06/25/21 03:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Buzzsaw
Leupold Freedom scopes are great


I have two and they're a good match for both my wallet and my shooting capabilities.


"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: Sewer rat] #8304110 06/25/21 04:53 AM
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I have a Burris fullfield, and it is definitely a nice scope...but I went through this last year and settled on a Leupold vx3HD that I got on sale for 399. I was going to recommend that in your price range, but I just looked up the current price. That scope isn't in your price range anymore. If you can find one on sale or if you want to bump your budget a bit, it's much clearer than a Burris fullfield.

Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: Texas Dan] #8306054 06/27/21 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Texas Dan
Originally Posted by Buzzsaw
Leupold Freedom scopes are great


I have two and they're a good match for both my wallet and my shooting capabilities.


YEs agreed

Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: Sewer rat] #8311328 07/03/21 05:13 AM
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Are the Leupold Freedom scopes y'all are talking about the ones that start at 299.99?

Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: Sewer rat] #8311437 07/03/21 12:49 PM
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In that price range I would NOT look at Vortex.

could you please explain why Vortex are not good in that price range?

Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: drag13honda] #8311879 07/04/21 02:29 AM
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Originally Posted by drag13honda
Are the Leupold Freedom scopes y'all are talking about the ones that start at 299.99?


I paid $199 for each of the two that I have but the last one was purchased well over a year ago.

With the OP in mind, a $200 scope worked well enough on a $350 rifle to take the hog below.

[Linked Image]

As well as this one...

[Linked Image]





Last edited by Texas Dan; 07/04/21 02:35 AM.

"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: Texas Dan] #8311892 07/04/21 02:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Texas Dan
Originally Posted by drag13honda
Are the Leupold Freedom scopes y'all are talking about the ones that start at 299.99?


I paid $199 for each of the two that I have but the last one was purchased well over a year ago.

With the OP in mind, a $200 scope worked well enough on a $350 rifle to take the hog below.

[Linked Image]





I bet I could kill a hog with using a Barska but it doesn't mean its a good scope. This isn't a criticism of the Freedom. I'm sure it's good enough.



Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: spoink47] #8311904 07/04/21 02:54 AM
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Originally Posted by spoink47
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In that price range I would NOT look at Vortex.

could you please explain why Vortex are not good in that price range?


I've seen the Razor line of Vortex break. Have one I need to send in for the second time.

So, Vortex in the low end price range is guaranteed to break, or show up not working properly. No sense in paying $299 for a problem.

Well, all ^^that is^^ if you actually bore sight, zero it, and shoot with it. If you buy it and give it a home in the safe, it is a place to store money, at a loss...


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Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: Sewer rat] #8311959 07/04/21 05:21 AM
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The OP is more than a month old and suddenly folks notice I made a post and now they’re eager to jump into the conversation. More cases of TDDS.

Sewer Rat - Hopefully by now you have enough to decide what model scope might be best for your son. If not, I’m sure there’s no shortage of customer reviews available from the most common online sources.

Last edited by Texas Dan; 07/04/21 05:49 AM.

"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
Re: What’s a good budget scope scope for a $400 rifle? [Re: Texas Dan] #8311972 07/04/21 06:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Texas Dan
The OP is more than a month old and suddenly folks notice I made a post and now they’re eager to jump into the conversation. More cases of TDDS.

Sewer Rat - Hopefully by now you have enough to decide what model scope might be best for your son. If not, I’m sure there’s no shortage of customer reviews available from the most common online sources.


Apologies. It was a relevant thread to a question I had and figured it was better to post my question here rather than start a whole new thread.

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