Rifle Scopes Low budget highend hunting scopes

[SamBlankenship]

I am looking for a couple low/er budget $150-$350 price range scopes. No more than 3 power on the low side and 16 on the high side. Looking for the best low light, performance, all around in a hunting scope. Im not sure which way to turn as there isnt that much info out there on the lower budget scopes any ideas?

Thanks
Sam

 

[Bender]

Nikon pro staff has good glass at that price. But if you want a dedicated long range scope SWFA builds a great 3-15 at $700 with a lifetime no bs warranty.

 

[SamBlankenship]

Nikon pro staff has good glass at that price. But if you want a dedicated long range scope SWFA builds a great 3-15 at $700 with a lifetime no bs warranty.

I have been looking into the long range rigs ALOT here lately and will def check out the SWFA thanks.
As far as the pro staff goes. I have a few Nikons couple buckmasters couple buckmaster II's and couple Monarch 3's in 2.5-10 the older buckmasters are the 4.5-14 side focus models but honestly the newer buckmaster II's 4-12's are more clear that the 4.5-14's. But they have the BDC reticles and to me thats just alot of stuff going on in a scope that doesnt need to be inside one lol give me a set of duplex reticles like the old buckmasters behind the new glass and im a buyer but until then nikon is prob not on my list.

 

[RTH1800]

If you could get “low budget high end” scopes why would anyone buy more expensive scopes?

Reality is, good scopes =money.

 

[supercorndogs]

If you could get “low budget high end” scopes why would anyone buy more expensive scopes?

Reality is, good scopes money.

Oxymoron.

 

[mattc51]

Swfa just came out with a 2-10 duplex hunting scope that is pretty lightweight.

 

[XLR308]

If you can find one the Ziess Conquest 3-9 power duplex scopes are an excellent option with good glass for the price.
They are a no frills hunting scope but very good quality, I really like the one I have on my 270win.

 

[mattc51]

Weaver grand slam tactical sold at natchezss.com is another good option. Resetable turrets, mil/mil (not a big deal for hunting) lightweight, japanese glass (nice and clear) $200. Leaves enough room for a nice set of rings.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

We just put the Athlon Argos hunting scopes on sale for half off. Very good quality scopes all under $200.00.
We also have some great deals on some Hawke Vantage & scopes as well. There's also the Leupold Freedom series in that price range

Give a call, 516-217-1000, to discuss what might be best for you

 

[goatboy]

Giving some leeway on price but not going into the $2,000+ range, the Swarovski z3 3-10 x 42 is an excellent scope. Virtues are excellent glass and light weight at 12 oz.. It is an SFP scope. With a MPBR zero, setting the scope to 10x for any long shot and using the simple tree in the BRX reticle give you ability to visualize bullet drop out to 600m or more depending on bullet ballistics.

For example, consider a mountain gun in 6.5-284 where weight and capability are competing factors. You will get better low light performance from an objective larger than 42, but the cost is weight and bulk. But the Swarovski glass is excellent, not the best in the world but a material step up from a $400 scope. Loaded with a 140 Berger, the max point blank range is about 260 meters for max trajectory height of 3" or a 6" vital area for the sake of precision. With the BRX reticle, the scope will place shots out to 700m +/-.

In this set up, the horizontal stadia represent more or less 100m increments. There is a calculated 23" drop between stadia at 400-500m. A half dot cuts that to 12", and holding half way between the dots and the next stadia, cuts that to placing a bullet within 6" or so. I say "or so" because the drop rates aren't linear, with drop rate getting greater the further out as gravity accelerates it downward. 500m is more than sufficient for most hunting in the US.

At 12oz and taking the entire functional package into consideration, the Z3 3-10x42 is the best lightweight hunting scope that I,ve found.

About $800. More than the OP specified in dollars, but the spec also said "high end".

 

[bfglowkey]

Doug has some good options available and worth the call, even if you don't buy they can and have helped many members here.
If simple duplex and good low light performance and below 350 cost... Leupold 3x9 v2 I think? Can't recall but they are everywhere and at your local sporting goods store if they have hunting equipment....I can walk down to academy and pick up a simple and effective Leupold for 250-300 that fits your needs. No frills , solid glass. If you want some versitility talk with Doug....he can open the door to lots of good options

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Doug has some good options available and worth the call, even if you don't buy they can and have helped many members here.
If simple duplex and good low light performance and below 350 cost... Leupold 3x9 v2 I think? Can't recall but they are everywhere and at your local sporting goods store if they have hunting equipment....I can walk down to academy and pick up a simple and effective Leupold for 250-300 that fits your needs. No frills , solid glass. If you want some versitility talk with Doug....he can open the door to lots of good options

It would be my pleasure to discuss different quality options with you.

 

[SamBlankenship]

Thanks for the replies! While i own a few VX-2 3-9's and a couple of the rifleman series 4-12's and even a redfield revelations 4-12 (built by leupold) for the money they are hard to beat i agree. I was sure there was better glass out there for comperable prices than the leupold or nikons. Ive always been a fan of leupold and nikon scopes. and i appreciate the reply of each and everyone

 

[SamBlankenship]

It would be my pleasure to discuss different quality options with you.

I will give you a call when i get the funds together and see what all options you have available at that time. Thank you

 

[beetroot]

I am looking for a couple low/er budget $150-$350 price range scopes. No more than 3 power on the low side and 16 on the high side. Looking for the best low light, performance, all around in a hunting scope. Im not sure which way to turn as there isnt that much info out there on the lower budget scopes any ideas?

Thanks
Sam

You will struggle to find a good quality scope in the 3-16 range in that price bracket. Anything with decent glass thats affordable will likely only have a 3x magnification range.

i really like the Burris Fullfield 2/E1/C4 range for value for money with half decent glass. I have a Burris C4 3-9 which is pretty decent glass and repeatable tracking. A Leupold VX3 second hand can offer good value for money also.
I have a Nikon Monarch 4-16x42 which is not too bad in low light, but hardly any better than my Burris C4, and from the limited use it's had the turrets track true.

As far as an all round hunting scope in this price bracket you are likely going to end up with a 3-9x40 or similar, which unless you are hunting 400yards plus is going to be all you need. I'd argue for a dedicated hunting scope the perfect magnification range would be a 2-12 or similar, but it depends a lot of where you hunt.

Personally I'd go for a Burris C4 3-9x40, having had a lot of scopes in the $150-$400 bracket, I feel it offers the best value for money.
Then save up for a Leupold VX5, either a 2-10x42 or 3-15x44, depending on what distance you are making most of your shots
IMO the best value for money of any hunting scope on the market has to be the Leupold VX5hd range, the VX6hd range is over priced IMO.
VX5hd are around $800-$1000, but are excellent scopes offering exceptional glass at a price point a lot lower than most of the competition.

 

[wigwamitus]

My favorite low budget/high end hunting scope I've ever had was the V/O Razer 2 1-6x MRAD ... for some dumb reason, I sold it to my shooting buddy ... hum ... will he sell it back to me ... or do I have to get a new one !!??
The tiny bright aiming dot (the illumination) is what I used for hunting ... as the dot itself is FFP ... now the rest of the reticle is SFP .. but I don't recall ever using that part for hunting. Just for target practice.

 

[Primus]

The Razor HD LH are great little hunting scopes too, a bit more money and Vortex only offers bullshit MOA reticles in them.

 

[Langford]

The Razor HD LH scopes were surprisingly good, I had and sold a 3-15, but still have a 2-10 on a 50 Beowulf hunting rig.

Besides those, Meopta Meopro scopes are VERY good for the price. Excellent glass, better than many much more expensive scopes that I’ve owned when it comes to low light contrast and brightness.

 

[TexasUplander]

sightron sIII have unbeatable optics for anywhere close to their price line....

 

[101stinfantry]

Well, sometimes Eurooptic has some Minox 2.5-10X50s on sale for a bit over $400. The ZX5i I have is pretty sweet as a pure hunting optic.

 

[want2ride]

I have a Athalon Talos BTR, it is a FFP 4-14 with a aplr 2 reticle that I just love. It is $300 everywhere and I have had it on my 280AI and it fits it nicely. So far I only have about 30-40 rounds through the gun with this scope on there. If it proves to be reliable, I would think it is about perfect for a hunting scope.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

We posted this Meopta Riflescope Sale today that has some amazing options at greatly reduced prices

 

[Langford]

We posted this Meopta Riflescope Sale today that has some amazing options at greatly reduced prices

These are superb for the price. That 7x56 may just find it’s way into my cart tonight...perfect coyote rifle scope.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

We were very pleased to have the opportunity to get these scopes at these prices to offer

 

[fdkay]

Sightron S Tac 3-16

 

[Tx_Aggie]

The Razor HD LH are great little hunting scopes too, a bit more money and Vortex only offers bullshit MOA reticles in them.

The lack of MRAD in these scopes is the only reason I don't own several of them. They are otherwise great hunting scopes.

 

[bman940]

Check out Nikon's PROSTAFF 5 3.5-14x40 BDC reticle scope. SF parallax adjustment, very nice glass coatings and backed by Nikon's No Fault Warranty. I have one sitting on a T/C .308 that has yet to not have a 1 shot stop on deer out to 499 yards. It's current;y under a Nikon Sponsored promo right now so you can save even more $. A brand new offering by Nikon that is $50 over your $300 limit ( usually $399 but on sale for $349) is the M-Tactical 3-12x42 scope. MOA or MRAD reticle, 30mm tube and MONARCH quality glass. Very nice optic that will serve all your hunting needs.