Suggest an affordable scope for a .22-250 coyote gun???

[atomicjoe23]

Could someone suggest an affordable scope to me for a .22-250 coyote gun. . .

. . .this is my first new rifle (Weatherby Vanguard Varmint Special w/a 22" #3 heavy contour barrel) and I can't afford a $500+ scope (right now). . .I would like to get a decent scope for about $250 that I can start out with so that I can get out there and use the gun

. . .I would like a variable power minimum of 4-12x and an AO would be nice. . .multi-coated optics would also be very high on the list. . .

. . .along with the scope what about a base & rings to go with it that won't happer loading the rifle. . .it's a top load, non-detachable magazine

Thanks!!!

[wastickslinger]

The Leupold VX 1 4-12-40 is probably your best bet in that price range. I think that green VX II I showed you is going to be close to $500.

As far as rings, I stick to Leupold rings.

[addicted]

Nikons have a really nice lineup out right now.

I went out on a limb and tried out a BSA Contender 6-24x40 for my new .223 and i really like the quality of worksmanship and clarity of the glass. I was low on cash and was looking for a high powered scope to wack foxes out here and this thing really fit the bill. I payed $105.  I had a whole review written up for it but it was deleted by someone else in the house
 1/8th inch click adjustments with a 1 inch tube.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=334250

http://www.bsaoptics.com/

For a dirt cheap scope that gets the job done this one has been working great. we were shooting bottle caps at 100 meters the other day. If your going to paint it camo then the silver doesnt matter. there are matte options as well.

[rainshadow1]

Afforable + Quality = Nikon

There are others, I'm sure, but I sure like Nikon for a cheap quality scope. I have at least 5 now, maybe 6! Leupold is my favorite, but I don't like spending that kind of money on each gun. Nikon has yet to fail me in any way.

[thinkingman]

Sent you a PM.
Consider the Burris that's in the classifieds right now?

[atomicjoe23]

OK. . .I think I may have found an "affordable" scope to tide me over until I can save enough for a REALLY nice scope. . .

. . .I just got the latest Cabela's catalog. . .the "Shooting" one and I've been scouring the scope section intently. . .

. . .I think what I'm gonna get is the Cabela's Tactical Centerfire scope in 3-12x w/a 40mm objective lens and side focus parallax adjustment. . .each of these scopes comes with calibrated turrets for a specific caliber/bullet weight combination. . .it comes with two turrets for the .22-250. . .one for 50 grainers & one for 55 grainers. . .you just adjust the turret to the range (assuming that you have that much time freedom. . .not likely in the field, but a nice feature none the less) and you hold dead on. . .more realistically for me is that I will sight the scope in to where I can hit within a 4-5" circle out to the maximum distance without any hold. . .that way I don't have to try and figure out any ranges etc. . .just put the crosshairs on the heart and pull the trigger. . .

. . .I think that method is MPBR (maximum point blank range) sighting, but I don't know for sure. . .

. . .anyway the scope has multi-coated optics and is only $150. . .which is in my price range. . .I might drive down to pick one up tomorrow morning so that I can sight it in this weekend. . .

. . .the only thing that I would change is that I don't particularly care for the duplex reticles. . .I prefer a ballistic reticle like the one on Cabela's 5X Alpha scopes (they have a 3-15x), but they cost a $100 more and the duplex reticle will get the job done. . .

. . .I know that you get what you pay for, but at the moment I'm on a TIGHT budget and this is what I can afford. . .I would rather get an affordable scope and shoot than wait indefinitely with a new, but un-shootable rifle just sitting at home in a case!!!

Thanks for all your suggestions guys and I will let you know how this works out. . .

[atomicjoe23]

Nikons have a really nice lineup out right now.

I went out on a limb and tried out a BSA Contender 6-24x40 for my new .223 and i really like the quality of worksmanship and clarity of the glass. I was low on cash and was looking for a high powered scope to wack foxes out here and this thing really fit the bill. I payed $105.  I had a whole review written up for it but it was deleted by someone else in the house
 1/8th inch click adjustments with a 1 inch tube.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=334250

http://www.bsaoptics.com/

For a dirt cheap scope that gets the job done this one has been working great. we were shooting bottle caps at 100 meters the other day. If your going to paint it camo then the silver doesnt matter. there are matte options as well.




Cavela's doesn't carry the Contender but they do have the Mil-Dot in 4-16x w/40mm objective lens and a mil-dot reticle for $120. . .which is about $30 cheaper than the Cabela's Tactical. . .that would basically get me the rings and a scope for the price of just the scope for the Tactical. . .BSA also has a Sweet .223 that is the same type deal as the Tactical, but for .223 only. . .that one is $100 for a 3-12x. . .

things to keep in mind when I run down there tomorrow. . .

[atomicjoe23]

Next step will be a range finder so that I can range ahead of time. . .right now I suck at judging distances. . .one more reason for me to go with the MPBR method of finding my zero. . .so I can hit something until I get better at judging distances!!!

[TeacherMan]

No question on that, get one of the Leapold 4-12x40'ish Sportsman series. You can get them at Walmart for around $260. I put one on my 338 ultra mag and it has been a great scope. Plus its a Leapold so it is backed up by their warrenty, LIFE!!!

[JoshT]

Joe… dude… lets slow down a second here buddy. I can tell you’re stoked about your new Weatherby (good choice by the way)… I’m getting fired-up just by reading your posts… but KEEP IT SIMPLE brother. I know you’re itching to shoot a coyote with that rifle (.22/250, another good choice)… so lets just look at a solid 3-9... No turrets… no crazy reticles… duplex… simple. The 22/250 is plenty flat to shoot it like 1” high at 100... And pretty much pole-axe any dog within 300 yards. That’s 95% of your coyote shooting right there… especially just starting out.

Don’t get me wrong man… I shoot a ballistic plex or turrets on my rifles… but me, and the guys I hunt with… are 20 years in the game. I love long range shooting and hunting, and have a rifle built for that purpose… but, I shot a .25-06 wearing a 3-9 Leupold for the first 10 or so years I hunted coyotes hard. I still think a guy could rule the world with a flat shooting rifle (of pretty much any caliber) wearing a 3-9.

A fixed 4x Weaver wouldn’t be too bad either… and they’re only $129. I know magnification is nice… but if you’re limiting your shots to 200-300 yards… you won’t be giving up much. I’d much rather spend the dough on substance than trinkets… basic 3-9 or 4x… Weaver, Nikon, Burris… whatever… I just wouldn’t go to something with trick turrets and reticles. That day will come… but let’s go shoot some dogs first.

[jackelope]

thanks for saying that.

listen to the guy now.
buy a leupold vx1 for $200 or so...or you can find a used vxII for the same money give or take a couple bucks and learn to hunt/shoot coyotes.
quit worrying about trying to look cool.

oh and learn to shoot without relying on the rangefinder IMO.

[wastickslinger]

The guys have a great point about the whole turret thing. I put a Monarch 5-20X44 on my 22-250 and I never touch the dials. Biggest waste ever. I never dial in past 9-12 power either. Keep it simple. Leupold VXI 3-9X50 LRD or 4-12X40 LRD. You wont be sorry.


Have you looked throught the Cabelas scope? I almost bought one the other day, until I looked through it. It wasnt just me, 509er agreed that it was night and day between the cabelas scope and Leupold VXI. 

Dont rush it and save money now only to spend more in the long run.

[PolarBear]

I have a 6 power Cabela's outfitter scope on my .250 Savage and am very impressed with it.  I have Leupold VXIII in all of my other rifles but would buy another Cabela's scope.

[EastWaViking]

NIKON!  You can get a lot of scope in your price range.

[gasman]

I have Nikon Prostaff 3x9 BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator). It has small circles in the lens for 200, 300, 400 & 500 yard range. Very clear and affordable at $160.00. A ffriend of mine shot my gun with it and bought his own, and i am going o get one for my other gun.


Check it out, you will not be disappointed.

Sportsmens Warehouse and oter sporing goods stores carrys them also, so you dont need to all the way to Cabelas.

[atomicjoe23]

Cool thanks for the suggestion!!!

I've seen the BDC reticle before and I like it. . .

[GEARHEAD]

gotta agree on the Slowwwwwwww down idea. i also got to agree on the leupold rifleman.
show me the yote thats gonna let ya range it and turn your dials, for wind and elevation, and i'll take a day off work. if you see one driving its funny how they don't seem to give a damn about you, but the moment they see that brake light, they are gone in a moment. using that computer in your head will be your fastest means of determining range and wind deflection, a simple cross hair is all you need. 
if you are calling yotes, well.... they will be well under your MPBR anyways, and you may find that even 3 power is too much when that yote hits a dip 75 yards infront of you, and now he's going to pop up beside you at 25 yards.
if 250 is your price, gotta go with the Rifleman, spend the change on shooting stix. if your not using a bipod and or stix, your shooting air. Best of luck to ya!

[atomicjoe23]

I agree with all of you on every point. . .

. . .I have not looked through a Cabela's scope, but I also just found a really good deal on a quality used scope that I can afford so that's gonna take care of the scope. . .

. . .I know I won't have time to touch dials but I do need to get better at judging ranges. . .so I would use a range finder to range landmarks ahead of time so that I can start to get a more accurate feel for what ranges really are. . .that's all I meant about the range finder. . .

. . .and yeah I'm a little excited. . .like I said where I grew up I didn't have this many opportunities or the freedom to use a high power centerfire rifle so I'm a little excited!!!

but thank you for keeping me in line and not letting me get too far ahead of myself. . .as far as the dogs up close. . .well that's what my trusty Remington 870 Super Mag with a 3.5" load of #4 buckshot is for!!! I can drop them out to 75 yards with the right choke with that bad mama jamma!!!

[Intruder]

Lots of good info already provided.  JoshT's advice is very sound.  Will add another point to the mix and a view suggestions.  If you're looking at just yotes then the a 3x9 scope is fine.  However if you ever intend to shoot any of the ground squirels then you may want to consider a higher power a bigger A/O.  There are decent scopes out there still in your price range that offer that.  Even if you don't need that you may want to check out some of the the mid to lower priced Bushnells, Sightron makes a nice scope, and I've heard decent (jury is still out a bit though) things about Millet. 

[Huntboy]

Just put a VX-1 4-12x40 I had in the safe on mine it will work just fine for now

[lamar_hunter]

burris 3x9x40 or 4.5x14.42 are good scopes.

[Craig]

I just put a Vortex scope on me .243. They make some good optics for the price.