So, I'm about to come into possession of a rifle worthy of a decent scope. Should have it in a couple of weeks or so, but suffice to say, this will represent the most accurate firearm I possess by a great deal. It comes with an inexpensive BSA 3-10 Cats Eye scope, and I have a slightly nicer Barska 2.5-10X scope that could be used as well. Either one will most likely be sufficient for initial shooting, but I expect that the rifle is capable of better accuracy than either scope will provide.
Before I go any further, I know that asking a question as open-ended as "What's the best scope under $XXX" is pretty damn vague. It's like asking what the best car under $XXXXX would be - there are so many different types out there, for so many different purposes, that narrowing it down to even a good dozen would be a challenge. I'd like something capable of distances near the rifle's limits (it's a .308 Winchester with a 24" heavy barrel), so something with decent magnification is a must.
My criteria, right now, are fairly simple: target shooting from 300 - 500 yards, possibility for hunting, nothing that costs more than a decent used car. I have no idea if I need or want a variable power scope, fixed power, what magnification, etc. My gun club only has a 160 yard range (that's the shooting area to the berm), so anything I get will be confined to that distance for the time being; there's a couple of local ranges that run out to 300 that I can get access to fairly easily. There's a 600 yard range within an hour, if I were to ever gain that kind of proficiency I'd think about a scope that could handle that. But figure a max range of 300 yards.
I've heard that Leupold makes the best scopes - looking at the prices, they'd certainly better. I know my shooting at the moment does not merit a $1,500 scope - but it might someday, and I suspect that the rifle I'm getting is worthy. Basically, for now, I'd like something a step up from the entry level scopes I currently have (or will have, as the BSA is coming with the rifle) but not in the range of the high(er) end Leupolds.
So what's a good intermediate scope for a novice rifleman?
That is all.
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Don't dismiss Leupolds as too expensive before checking out the Leupold prices at calssportingarmory.com. I got my Mark 4 there for less than $900, and you can get a 3-9x40mm Leupold there for less than $400.
Head on up to Kittery - the Trading Post sells used scopes, and you can get a good used Leupold 2.5-8 or 3.5-10 for a decent savings. Leupold will honor the lifetime guarantee, too.
I got a 2.5-8 VXIII w/ B&C reticle for my .308 that way. Might be worth the trip for you. They usually have a good selection.
I just bought a Zeiss Conquest from Cabela's -- it is still $400,00 on sale. 3-9x and 1" diameter. Hard to beat that. I do have Leupolds on other rifles, and am happy with them. And yes, Kittery has some great scopes in the used rack.
+1 on the Vari-X II Leupold 3x9x40mm. I love that scope, and I paid in the $300 range for it (the "tactical" variant, with raised turrets). Well worth the money
Take a look at Redfield scopes; they're made by Leupold and some of them are Leupold optics in Redfield livery.
And Remember your Buddy Weer'ds club goes out to 200 yards if you want to stretch its legs a hair more.
A buddy in Maine does distance competition with a flop-top and his Dad has a sharps, so I suspect We could track wherever they shoot down as well, maybe with some help from libertyman or Wally.
Jay,
Redfield scopes are made by Leupold now, in the same factory. Take a hard look at one if your are looking for a less expensive option than a Vari-X III or IV.
Thanks for the advice everyone. I will most certainly look into both the Redfield line and the used scopes at Kittery when it comes time to upgrade.
I'm going to give the Barska a shot first (mainly because it's already got rings on it) and see what I can do at 100 yards.
If I pick the right day, I might be able to get a range report and two product reviews done at the same time (Barska spotting scope and LaserLyte boresighter)...
Any of the riflescopes in the $400 ~ $900.00 range will give you excellent service. Things to look for are eye relief, more is better and a wide range is very desirable. AO or adjustable Objective is nice, particularly on a higher power scope, especially if you are shooting at different ranges, Parallax is not your friend. 3 ~ 9x is the most popular and widely used. However with newer scopes and 30mm tubes (as opposed to 1" {25mm) tubes you can get a wider zoom ratio, such as 4 ~ 16, Very nice if you are shooting beyond 200 yds.
There are a multitude of reticles available. Most are intended to wow the buyer. a simple dual reticle, coarse outside, fine at center is flexible and will not hide the target yet naturally guides your eye to the center. Dots, circles, posts and the like, obscure the center of the target.
If target shooting is your main objective, look for 1/4 or 1/8 MOA per click adjustments.
Good quality mounts, securely installed and loctited are very important.
Finally, get yourself some dies, varget powder and a pile of Sierra 168gr HPBT Matchking bullets & have at it.
Scope of the scope? drastically different requirements between 160/300y and "capable of distances near the rifle's limits". Honestly at 160-300 you should be good to go with either the barska (my pref) or the BSA. And beyond 300y, handloading may help better than any optic. IMO, run the Barska and get used to the gun at an easy distance like 100-160 before going crazy.
And if Weerd's range is the one I think it is, the 200y is a royal PITA with lighting conditions- and any scope would prove frustrating unless you were there on the 8 minutes each day that the sun illuminated the targets...
My club has a 600y range open year round, and consider this an open invitation.
Maybe it's just me, but spending a ton of money on a scope that's going to see limited use doesn't seem like a great investment. I just bought a very nice Nikon for about $175. Clear optics, 1/4 MOA adjustment, and put the bullet square on the X at 100 yards. It's a x3-9 by 30. JMO, but save the money and buy more ammo. More practice will serve you better than a marginally better scope.
Wally,
600 yard range? Nice! *If* I ever get to that level I will TOTALLY take you up on that...
(and I *still* need to get up there for some IDPA goodness too...)
Bill,
That was my other thought, actually. Developing significant long-range shooting skills takes a level of dedication I'm not sure I can bring - or want to, for that matter.
That's why I was asking about a mid-range scope - a $1,500 Leupold would be utterly wasted on me. If I could find something that offered more than the two options I currently have for $300-$500, that'd be one thing.
If there's really no difference, I probably will just buy more ammo and shoot more...
I have a Burris scope on my Remington 700 7 Mag. Comparable to the Leupold and it is made in Colorado. I love it and have never had a single problem with it.
http://www.burrisoptics.com/
Thanks,
Nate
Jay, we don't have to *start* at 600. We could start at 60, or 6 for that matter!
On your first trip out with the new rifle, take both scopes and set them up side by side. Pick the one that has the brightest view - larger lenses help here.
One word of caution on the variable power scopes - they do not necessarilly hold the same zero over the full zoom range. If you zero at 10x, shoot at 10x.
See, that's *EXACTLY* the kind of thing that I posted this in anticipation of.
What a great idea!
1. Bring the new rifle, both scopes, spotting scope, and boresighter to the range.
2. Put target up on 100 yard stand.
3. Acquire picture of target through spotting scope.
4. Insert boresighter, position rifle such that laser dot is zeroed.
5. Acquire picture of target through each scope.
6. Attached best scope to rifle.
7. Obtain rough zero with boresighter.
8. REMOVE BORESIGHTER.
9. Fine tune with quality ammo as needed.
Sounds like a right fun day there!
I think right now, the best glass for the least amount of money is from Nikon.
The Leupold Rifleman line looks to run about $200 but I've never actually used one.
Jumping up in price from there, I like any of the Leupolds and Shepherd brand scopes.
I've had good luck with both Nikon and Bushnell for the conditions and ranges I shoot at. The price is very nice for what you get.
Take a look at Vortex scopes - I have two of them and they are quite nice, and very very reasonable. I just picked up the Vortex Crossfire 2-7x for my AR (using a Burris P.E.P.R. mount) and its darned perfect for an M4 (18" barrel).
Currently my Remington 700PSS .308 has a SWFA 10x42M Super Sniper Scope on it. That has been fine for range work. But after playing around with a Konus 1.5-6x44mm M30 Riflescope an a "recon" AR-15, I'm thinking seriously about putting this scope on my 700.
Another low-budget item that seems to have good reviews is Millet's <a href='http://swfa.com/Millett-4-16x50-TRS-1-Tactical-30mm-Riflescope-P8812.aspx">TRS-1</a>.
A guy who shoots F-class and does the tactical-tickle at my club say you need 12x to see the holes and make the 2-inch bull at 200-yards. It has to be inside MOA or you drop-out of contention.
He buys used US Optics stuff because he says you can't break it, used is good.
Buy cheap buy it twice or three times.
Count me in as another vote for Nikon glass. I've got their Prostaff 3-9x40 on both my Savage MkII and MrsZ's 10/22 with EXCELLENT results. I'd gladly buy them for any other rifle.
I was surprised by the great reviews of Barska products at Midway. And yes, the world is a smaller place now and stereotypes of one country's quality of products may not be what they once were. Remeber when "Made in Japan" was a bad thing?
And Jay, you are going to "look into" Redfield and give the Barska "a shot" ? You just can't help it, can you!
No matter if you buy a great scope, if the rings and mounts are cheap POS, you'll never keep a decent zero.
Trust me I know.
Gerry
I do appreciate a good set of expensive optics (hell, I'd love to get an ACOG TA55). But for target shooting, on the cheap, I'd go with Barska. I've got a Savage 10 in .308 that I have a Barska Swat Tactical...something. Let me find a link.
http://www.barska.com/Swat_Rifle_Scopes-BARSKA_6-24x44_IR_SWAT_TACTICAL_SCOPE.html
There, that's mine :D But I like the Sub-$200 price (picked mine up for helping a friend move), 30 mm tube, and the fact that it hasn't lost it's zero after all the banging around I've done.
I would recommend getting different rings for it (stock ones kind of sucked) and new Butler Creek scope caps (same reason). But the sunshade not only protects from the sun and looks cool, it also reduces the wavy heat lines from my barrel after shooting.
Great, clear resolution without hitting the pocketbook! And you can spend the rest of the money on quality reloading gear!
My $.02
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