Rifle Scopes Budget scope: Under $500 limited selection

[djkest]

Hey guys,
Hello Hide: I've been lurking and searching and reading for awhile, this is post #1.

I have a bunch of "reward certificates" for Sportsman's Warehouse. I have a limited budget, I would say $500 or less is ideal. The problem is if I use the rewards, I am limited in my choices.

Usage:
Mostly target shooting, plinking, under 500 yards, mostly under 300 yards, possible deer hunting. Mounted on an Armalite AR-10 A4, 20" barrel, LaRue 1-piece mount.

Concerns: Don't want it to be TOO heavy, since I may be toting it around on occasion. Hopefully scope under 18 oz.

Choices:
Zeiss Conquest 3-9 x40 plex : $399 (they also have an $800 and $880 conquest as well, but those are too much $)
Vortex Viper PA 4-12x40 plex $249 (clearance)
Vortex Viper 30mm maintube 6.5-20 x 50 PA : $499
Nikon Monarch 3-12x 42 plex PA : $430
(and the rest of the monarch line)
Leupold VX-3 (they have the full line)

Discussion:
Honestly I like the glass in the monarch and the Viper OK, although I don't care for the focus on the viper and it seemed to be less clear at higher magnifications.

I really, really like the glass in the Zeiss Conquest. It's so bright and clear, and it doesn't strain my eyes at all. I also like their super dark reticals. Problem is, it's not a "tactical" scope in any sense, and it's not PA. Still, the glass seems excellent for the money. Also, more than 9x might be nice for bipod shooting or varminting.

As far as FFP vs. SFP, I guess I'd rather have SFP if it's a plex retical, and FFP if it's mil dot. The idea of tiny reticals at low power seems like it would be annoying.

Thanks for the input, I'm bewildered with choices.

 

[rezmedic54]

Re: Budget scope: Under $500 limited selection

Have you looked at the WOTAC scope it's 4x14x50. Also comes in a fixed power I have several and for the money they are great glass is clear, Clicks are positive and solid. The scope has 80 MOA's of adjustment which is a bunch. Mine have always passed the box test with flying colors and has always done well in a ladder test. The owner Matt Wonders is a great guy stands behind his product 100% cost for the WOTAC is $329.00.

 

[djkest]

Re: Budget scope: Under $500 limited selection

That sounds pretty good, although I'm pretty sure they don't carry WOTAC.

 

[Swan]

Re: Budget scope: Under $500 limited selection

save your $ for something better.

if not, get the Zeiss.

 

[djkest]

Re: Budget scope: Under $500 limited selection

Yeah, that's kind of what I'm thinking. I really like the glass in the Zeiss, and with the Viper I found I was straining my eyes looking through it. Perhaps I could sell my SW gift certificates at a minor loss and use that money to get a Super Sniper.

 

[juliomorris]

Re: Budget scope: Under $500 limited selection

If you look on ebay you can find the Bushnell 4200 Elite 3-12x44 FFP mil/mil for $500. They are great scopes and as nice as the Mk4 IMHO.

 

[djkest]

Re: Budget scope: Under $500 limited selection

I just found a pretty good deal at a local shop.

Sightron S3 3.5-10 x 44 mil dot.
normally:689 now: $489

It has a lot more travel than the other scopes I've been looking at locally, really nice glass. It's in a higher catagory than anything else that I've looked at. It is SFP, but I would probably be using the mil dots mostly at 10x.

 

[kansas45]

Re: Budget scope: Under $500 limited selection

You can check out the WOTAC scopes here www.sightwonders.com Good scope for your money.

 

[mtm87tx]

Re: Budget scope: Under $500 limited selection

Natchez apparently has the 3-12 on sale at 539.99, that is my choice

 

[AustinN4]

Re: Budget scope: Under $500 limited selection

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: juliomorris</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you look on ebay you can find the Bushnell 4200 Elite 3-12x44 FFP mil/mil for $500. They are great scopes and as nice as the Mk4 IMHO. </div></div>
The lowest I am seeing on Ebay this morning is $715. Can you link to one for $500 on Ebay?

 

[juliomorris]

Re: Budget scope: Under $500 limited selection

I guess the 2 guys i bought mine off of are out. Everyoneelse has jacked up the price the 6-24x50 is cheaper I found several of them for 575. But just so you know I not full of it here is the link to the ones i bought he had 5 when i bought from him.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...%2FXJMI%3D&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWNX:IT

 

[djkest]

Re: Budget scope: Under $500 limited selection

No love for the sightron S3 deal I found, huh? It's a lot more glass than the stuff I've been looking at previously. Specs on the interwebs say 120 mils of internal adjustment vs. 74-80 for Zeiss Conquest / Monarch / Vortex. It helps that it's a beefy 30mm diameter.

I am going to go down and check it out again- I am wondering why it doesn't have target turrets like the current model does, maybe it's a 2009? But it's still $200 cheaper than any other price I've seen on S3s. And reviews for Sightron S2 big sky and S3 are all really good that I have seen, except for one guy who failed the box test.

If you want the Bushnell Tactical Elite 4200, Natchez Shooter Supply is the place. Don't waste your time with E-bay.

 

[AustinN4]

Re: Budget scope: Under $500 limited selection

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: juliomorris</div><div class="ubbcode-body">But just so you know I not full of it here is the link to the ones i bought he had 5 when i bought from him.</div></div>
Never doubted you for a moment - I just wanted the same deal if I could find it. Yep, Natchez is the lowest right now that these are gone.

 

[XTR]

Re: Budget scope: Under $500 limited selection

Natchez has the Bushnell 4200 FFP 3-12 on sale for $539, and since you are not in GA/TN or AL they will sell to you, I live in TN so I was SOL.

That price got me looking and I found one on e-bay for the same price. Generally agreed to be a pretty good scope and a great price.