Posted: 9/6/2016 9:08:07 PM EDT
Just picked up a new to me Savage 110 7mm mag and I'm looking at glass to top it with for a budget elk rifle. Trying to stay under or around $200 for the scope and lowest magnification I'm interested in is a 3-9. So far I've been looking at Vortex Diamondbacks, Nikon Buckmasters, and Burris Fullfields. Anything else I should consider or just go ahead and get a Vortex?
Thanks ahead of time! |
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My favorite sub-$200 scopes have always been Nikon Buckmasters and Burris Fullfield II's, but I have to admit the new Vortex optics are pretty good for the money. I have a Burris XTR II on my 308. Absolutely incredible. If I could afford it, a Veracity would be topping this one. Plus they're a Colorado company. To be honest, I feel a bit dirty for even asking about cheap scopes
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Check out Mueller. Great glass for the price. No issues on my 30-06 or muzzleloader with quality, holding zero etc.
http://muelleroptics.com/ J- |
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Just picked up a new to me Savage 110 7mm mag and I'm looking at glass to top it with for a budget elk rifle. Trying to stay under or around $200 for the scope and lowest magnification I'm interested in is a 3-9. So far I've been looking at Vortex Diamondbacks, Nikon Buckmasters, and Burris Fullfields. Anything else I should consider or just go ahead and get a Vortex?
Thanks ahead of time! I'm a fan of the Bushnell/Bausch & Lomb Elite 4000/4200 scopes, putting a B&L on my M700 7RM twenty years back. I've got two B&Ls and one Bushnell, and they've all been great. They might be out of your budget, but they can withstand the recoil. Chris |
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To be honest, I feel a bit dirty for even asking about cheap scopes I have owned Nightforce, Leupolds, Zeiss, and $2400 US Optics...and nothing about the FFII or Buckmasters strike me as "cheap". Light transmission is around 90-91% for each, clicks are positive, and both have pretty good customer service. |
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I have owned Nightforce, Leupolds, Zeiss, and $2400 US Optics...and nothing about the FFII or Buckmasters strike me as "cheap". Light transmission is around 90-91% for each, clicks are positive, and both have pretty good customer service. Quoted:
To be honest, I feel a bit dirty for even asking about cheap scopes I have owned Nightforce, Leupolds, Zeiss, and $2400 US Optics...and nothing about the FFII or Buckmasters strike me as "cheap". Light transmission is around 90-91% for each, clicks are positive, and both have pretty good customer service. Good deal. I'll look deeper into both. |
| IMO, I would not go any less than Leupold quality. I'm not rich enough for Ziess or US Optics, but I've hunted enough to know fogged scopes don't kill deer, or elk. I've used Leupold since 1992 and I've never used anything else on my hunting rifles. I don't have any other experience with any of the other manufacturers, I found what works best for me in freezing temps, hot days or monsoons. |
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Any input on the Redfield offerings? I know they're owned by Leupold now I have no formal input on Redfield (never bought one, never will) but based on name brand / being able to resale as some point, I would go with leupold, vortex, nikon or name brand. Then I would look at who has the best warranty / customer service. |
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Sub $200 scopes, I like Nikon Prostaffs. I have a P223 3-9 600BDC on an AR15 and a prostaff 3-9 Nikoplex on a Ruger American .308. Both are clear and hold zero. I am confident to hunt with both.
Early dawn and late dusk the light transmission is not optimal, but I probably shouldn't be shooting then anyways. The optical ring shadow is thicker than better scopes, but a thin ring is usually a characteristic of more expensive scopes. I only notice the thick ring when going from scope to scope. I have a hard time trusting other manufacturers under $200 and I don't trust any scope under $100. |
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I have no formal input on Redfield (never bought one, never will) but based on name brand / being able to resale as some point, I would go with leupold, vortex, nikon or name brand. Then I would look at who has the best warranty / customer service. Quoted:
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Any input on the Redfield offerings? I know they're owned by Leupold now I have no formal input on Redfield (never bought one, never will) but based on name brand / being able to resale as some point, I would go with leupold, vortex, nikon or name brand. Then I would look at who has the best warranty / customer service. Well Vortex and Burris are basically top of the line for warranty |
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IMO, I would not go any less than Leupold quality. Yes and no. The Rifleman series of scopes are extremely overpriced, and are no better than a lot of the sub $100 scopes available (while costing over 2x more). Friction adjustments (no clicks), no multi-coated glass, and multi-piece tubes. I've used all of them, and the lowest I would go on the Leupy totem pole would be a VX-II...but they are out of his price range. Sightron SII's are also very good scopes in the that range, with customer service every bit as good as anyone else. |
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Sub $200 scopes, I like Nikon Prostaffs. I have a P223 3-9 600BDC on an AR15 and a prostaff 3-9 Nikoplex on a Ruger American .308. Both are clear and hold zero. I am confident to hunt with both. Early dawn and late dusk the light transmission is not optimal, but I probably shouldn't be shooting then anyways. The optical ring shadow is thicker than better scopes, but a thin ring is usually a characteristic of more expensive scopes. I only notice the thick ring when going from scope to scope. I have a hard time trusting other manufacturers under $200 and I don't trust any scope under $100. Agreed. Normally I'd save up for something better, but I'm a month away from my elk season. I'll put something better on it after |
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Honestly, I didn't one think of Leupold  Quoted:
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Get a Leupold VX-1 3-9x40 for $190 shipped from Optics Planet Get a $50 rebate back from Cabela's. Best scope you'll get for $140 Honestly, I didn't one think of Leupold Buy at Optics Planet, but get a rebate from Cabelas? Didn't think it worked that way. |
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This is going to sound absolutely stupid, but damn is that an ugly scope Quoted:
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Here. Lifetime warranty. $200. http://swfa.com/Sightron-4-12x40-SI-Hunter-Riflescope-P65967.aspx This is going to sound absolutely stupid, but damn is that an ugly scope You were right. That did sound stupid. Here is a Sightron SII 4-16x42. This scope is 16 years old and still going strong. 
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You were right. That did sound stupid. Here is a Sightron SII 4-16x42. This scope is 16 years old and still going strong. http://i65.tinypic.com/30nc01t.jpg Quoted:
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Here. Lifetime warranty. $200. http://swfa.com/Sightron-4-12x40-SI-Hunter-Riflescope-P65967.aspx This is going to sound absolutely stupid, but damn is that an ugly scope You were right. That did sound stupid. Here is a Sightron SII 4-16x42. This scope is 16 years old and still going strong. http://i65.tinypic.com/30nc01t.jpg Hey, I agree
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IMO, I would not go any less than Leupold quality. I'm not rich enough for Ziess or US Optics, but I've hunted enough to know fogged scopes don't kill deer, or elk. I've used Leupold since 1992 and I've never used anything else on my hunting rifles. I don't have any other experience with any of the other manufacturers, I found what works best for me in freezing temps, hot days or monsoons. I agree and I am a Leupold fanboy. |