View Full Version : Best Scope for $200 to $250 for a .243 ???
JoseCuervo
02-25-2010, 01:05 PM
I used to always buy the old Leupold VariX-II for $199 on all my "miscellaneous" guns. Always seemed like a helluva bargain on a great scope.
Well, I have somehow managed to give away some of the scopes (to friends/kids who had crappy scopes on guns), or, somehow decided the scope was sold/given with a rifle...
I have a Savage .243 that has always seemed to shoot amazingly well with the crappy "Combo Package" scope that came with it. (I think it is a Simmons). The scope is pretty crappy during twilight/first light.
Never thought I would like a Savage, never thought I would like a .243.... But, for some reason, this gun has grown on me and deserves better than that crappy Simmons.
Given that I only paid $250 for the gun/scope originally, I want to set my budget at $200-$250 for a variable 3x9 (or 3.5x10) scope.
What is the "bestest" bargain out there on a "good enough" scope?
nmtaxi
02-25-2010, 01:21 PM
I have a Burris Fullfield II on my .338 win.mag. It's been on several mountain hunts, and to Alaska twice, and hasn't moved at all. Optics are good for the money.
Ridge Runner
02-25-2010, 01:29 PM
http://www.redfield.com/riflescopes/ I have not tried the news ones but hear they are made by Leupold now. Sounds like a pretty good scope and at a good price.
Moosie
02-25-2010, 01:38 PM
I got a 300 win mag (Savage) for my first big game rifle and it came with a Tasco and case and trigger lock for $299. I'd recomend NOT a Tasco ;)
Randy11
02-25-2010, 01:53 PM
The bushnell elite 3200 is a pretty good weatherproof hunting scope. We have a couple of them and I think they're a great deal.
The vortex diamondback probably has better glass, but they're a bit bulkier and have kind of touchy eye relief. Probably not as good of a hunting scope.
tjones
02-25-2010, 01:58 PM
A dude that drives a Benz should not be worried about dropping some coin on glass! :)
shoots-straight
02-25-2010, 02:05 PM
Burris Fullfield, I have several and love em.
MN Public Hunter
02-25-2010, 02:23 PM
I would have to say look at the Bushnells for that price as well...very good price performance IMO.
MattK
02-25-2010, 02:40 PM
I bought a leupold 3x9 for just under $200 at wal-mart. It's worked well for me (other than my own bad shooting). I believe it is a rifleman.
Missoulaz28
02-25-2010, 02:47 PM
I would look at the Bushnell 3200 line before the Burris Fullfield II. I have both and the Bushnell has better glass and low light abilities. Nothing wrong with the Burris, but the Bushnell is better in my opinion.
Bambistew
02-25-2010, 04:16 PM
VX1 or Burris FFII
The VX1 is virtually the same scope as the old Vari X 2, the Burris scope is somewhere between the new VX2 and VX3 optically. The Weaver Grandslams are a decent scope and as good or better than a VX3.
I have probably half a dozen VX1's on various rifles and have served me well over the years. Actually I stopped "wasting" money on rilfe scopes a long time ago... It hasn't cost me an animal yet, and unless I start hunting in the dark I doubt it will.
drthornton
02-25-2010, 04:18 PM
Busnell Banner...I've got 2 with the adjustable objective and they preform well for the price point of around $100-$150.
Greenhorn
02-25-2010, 04:27 PM
My first rifle was a bolt ruger .243. I topped it with what I could afford at the time a fixed Leupold 4X.
I think you can pick up the same score these days for right what you're looking to pay, granted it's not a variable.
Lawnboy
02-25-2010, 04:30 PM
Jose, I have 270wsm Savage that came with the Simmons scope. I couldn't ever get it to sight in. After having someone look at it they laughed and said maybe try a better scope:rolleyes: I found this Pentax Gameseeker with the ballistic drop recticle and love it. It is really clear and so far my gun is now consistent. The price is incredible right now on either the 40mm or the 50mm. I got it out of the Sportsmansguide. I now have a Leupold that is going onto a new gun here in the next couple weeks. Can't wait:D
stillkickin
02-25-2010, 05:01 PM
I looked at a ton of scopes at the SHOT show, most are unbelievably great value for the money compared to scopes made a few years back. Right now I am a 100% Leupold user, I am considering the Redfield for my next rifle as it impressed me as a super scope for the money AND it is a Leupold product and will be backed up with a great warranty.
Check out this link http://www.opticstalk.com/ , you will find quite a bit of discussion on scope/price comparison backed up by rational & somewhat objective findings. It appears for that price the Nikon Primos (Monark) is the favored one.
Moosie
02-25-2010, 05:35 PM
Don't let him fool you. All his rifles have Zeis on them.........
wyomuledeer
02-25-2010, 05:35 PM
I have a vx 1 on my 300wsm and like it. Pack it on a horse every year and seems to hold up good. I bought my little brother a 3x9x50 rifleman for Christmas for around 200 haven't tried it out yet.
cadman59501
02-25-2010, 06:50 PM
Had the same problem on my .300wsm Savage with the crappy simmons scope. I just upgraded to a Nikon Prostaff 3-9X40 with the BDC and so far it has been fantastic. Got it in a package deal from Cabela's with a mediocre at best range finder for $250.
1_pointer
02-25-2010, 07:06 PM
In that price range I'd be for trying a Vortex Viper or Diamondback in the 2-7 range with their BDC reticle. I've heard very good reviews about them.
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/vortex.pl?page=vortexdiamondback2-7x35
If you want to stay with a Leupold, you can find 3-9X40s or fixed powers used for that kind of money if you shop a bit.
sweetnectar
02-27-2010, 09:42 AM
I'd go for the Burris FFII. I'm not sure about Lawnboys pentax. All I know is that I once looked through one of his scopes that was on his 30-06. The scope looked like it was from the eighteen hundreds. I barely made out a tree at 50 yards in full daylight...kind of looked like the tree was surrounded by a blurry cloud. I thought that has got to be the worst glass I've ever looked through. Then a week later he calls me and says he dropped a six-by bull and in his story he say "I could barely make it out." Long story short any scope would be an upgrade and a pentax recommendation might be scewed.
Savage Hunter
02-27-2010, 03:04 PM
I have a savage 7mm-08 that when I got it, it had a tasco scope on it. I put a cabelas brand 4.5x14-50mm. I have had great results with this scope so far. My dad has a couple of the cabelas scopes and they have a great warranty and very reasonably priced. Hope this helps.
noharleyyet
02-28-2010, 07:26 PM
Redfield 3x9x40...bout 50 bucks less and comparable to Lupe's entry level of the same vari-power.
Lawnboy
02-28-2010, 08:13 PM
I'd go for the Burris FFII. I'm not sure about Lawnboys pentax. All I know is that I once looked through one of his scopes that was on his 30-06. The scope looked like it was from the eighteen hundreds. I barely made out a tree at 50 yards in full daylight...kind of looked like the tree was surrounded by a blurry cloud. I thought that has got to be the worst glass I've ever looked through. Then a week later he calls me and says he dropped a six-by bull and in his story he say "I could barely make it out." Long story short any scope would be an upgrade and a pentax recommendation might be scewed.
Come on there Nectar cut me some slack!:o That original scope was used in the civil war and I finally retired it for the the Pentax. I am now 21st century and the Pentax is really nice. Elk don't know if your looking through bad glass anyhow. Dead is dead :D
sweetnectar
03-01-2010, 08:29 PM
Well pilgram you make fine rabbit...er, I mean elk stakes. I also wonder if some of those pentax scope are comparable to a $500 scope. I just never looked through them in the field.
Elkwhisper
03-01-2010, 09:01 PM
For that price range you won't go wrong with a Leupold VX-I but if you want to save yourself a couple bucks try out the new Redfield Revolution. It'll kick the snot out of any of the imports some of these other guys are harping on!!!!! Yeah american stuff is pretty bad ass if you ask me......
And if you have to ask yourself which other ones are imports (Burris, Bushnell, Taso, "the N word" etc)...... THEY ALL ARE!!!
Wyodeerhunter
03-02-2010, 07:48 PM
For that price range you won't go wrong with a Leupold VX-I but if you want to save yourself a couple bucks try out the new Redfield Revolution. It'll kick the snot out of any of the imports some of these other guys are harping on!!!!! Yeah american stuff is pretty bad ass if you ask me......
And if you have to ask yourself which other ones are imports (Burris, Bushnell, Taso, "the N word" etc)...... THEY ALL ARE!!!
You should work for leupold
:D