I am in the market for a hunting optic for a 243 rifle. Its budget model rifle. This rifle will be used for Whitetail, Coyotes and Hogs. Max shot distance will be 350 yards. I have a budge of $500 to $600. I would appreciate any advice on optics you believe would be appropriate for this set up.

There are great SFP hunting scopes from Sightron, Athlon, Hawke, Meopta and GPO well within your price range. Please give us a call, 516-217-1000, to discuss what would be best for you

We have a Nikon 4-12 on my sons and it is great.

Do you know what model?

I always recommend the Trijicon in that price range. I like the Mil-Square. You can use the .5 mill increments as hold overs.

Made in Japan. Good lightweight basic scope with illumination.



https://www.eurooptic.com/Trijicon-...1-in-Matte-Black-Riflescope-2900042.aspx

I absolutely love scope with 2.5-10x magnification range for the purposes u listed.

I would look for something in 2.5-15 or 3-15 range. SWFA, Burris, Athlon, etc all have good options in that price range. I personally like SFP for hunting but have several FFP that work great. I love all my SWFA 3-15X42 SFP. Great reticle that’s not to busy.

3-15 or 3-18 is perfect for almost every hunting rifle. My 243 will be wearing a Burris in 3-15 soon. Max shot being 300 yards.

Have four 243's. A Leopold VX2 3x9x40 is all you need. 100 yrd zero. Learn hold over at 200-300 yards an you're good.

I'm not a long range shooter, just a hunter. Get as close as you can. You'll put more meat in the cooler that way.

Over the years I’ve concluded that I usually have way more magnification than I need. I would much rather hunt with a 2-10 than a 5-25.

Last year I killed a doe at 50 ish with a 5-20. It was definitely less than ideal.

How about the Meopta Optika5 2-10x42?

I've been looking at the Primary Arms slx 4-14 x 44 Orion reticle. Its a hunting reticle that has ranging within the reticle. Has anyone had any experience with this reticle? I know its BDC is calculated for 308,30-06 but I like the ranging feature.

I have experience. In opinion, the reticle is too small at the lower power range. I think it's too small below 7 power. If it had illumination, it would be much better.

I knew I liked you.

Burris

Pst 2 on eurooptic clearance / sales

My vote would be the Vortex Diamondback Tactical.


I just scored a Leupold VX-5HD from Eurooptic on GunBroker for $100 less than MSRP on Cyber Monday. They shipped it within minutes of me placing my order and it is scheduled for delivery today (Thursday). Meanwhile, Optics Planet has the same model on a 4–6-month backorder.

Out of everything mentioned here Doug has suggested the best in the price range.
Meopta 5 or 6 is a excellent scope that is batting way above its price point.