Inexpensive bench rifle/scope combo suggestions

[bearpaw]

Leopold on sale at cabelas: https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/leupold-vx-3i-rifle-scope

There are some VX-5's too but they are twice as much?

[buckfvr]

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/savage-10t-sr-bolt-action-rifle
I have This rifle, paired with a Vortex PST 5-25x50. Chambered in 6.5CM. It will shoot legitimate 1/2 moa groups. With the right fodder. It has a heavier barrel than the RAP, longer barrel than the RAP and just designed all the way round for more of the shooting you are describing that the RAP.

Thats one I am looking at. I dont think I would need to upgrade the trigger either. I will be buying only at Cabelas as I have 1441.00 in gift cards Bonuses from work. Scope I'll buy cash else where. Not a huge Vortex fan but I need to look through a few of them

That rifle will work great and you can easily work on it and make improvements (if necessary), and the Gen2 PST 5-25x50 is all you need.  I have a LR .243 and another in 6.5.  Both are Savage.  The .243 started with a model 12 action and Benchmark barrel.  The 6.5 is the FCP-SR 24" barrel.  Both rifles have the same B&C stocks and the upgraded recoil lug and barrel nut.  The .243 is only as much better as it can be because of the 26" Benchmark barrel.  Both rifles sub 1/2" and produce plenty 1/4 moa, a few more with the .243.

Ive had 2 NF scopes on the .243, put the Gen 2 PST on the 6.5, liked it so much I sold the NF off the .243 and topped it with another Gen 2 so both rifles would give me a seamless grab and go.  Nice thing was, the money I had left over from selling the NF got me another rifle and scope.

Ive had the pleasure of being able to shoot plenty of scopes through Box2Bench Precision.  We did tons of tracking tests to include Leupold, Steiner, S&B, NF, and Vortex, plus others.  This is why I am a Gen2 PST fan.

I dont think theres a bad choice out there, just some better than others.  Good luck. 

[zwickeyman]

Thanks for all of the replies

How much better is the PST over the HST?

[buckfvr]

I have both......Gen 2 PST leaps and bounds better.  HST is good but nothing like the PST.

[zwickeyman]

I have both......Gen 2 PST leaps and bounds better.  HST is good but nothing like the PST.

I like the reticle better on the HST because its closer to what I'm used to on my hunting rigs

Whats better?
Tracking
Glass
Reticle

[buckfvr]

To be clear, Im talking second focal plane on the PST and features like the Zero stop on the PST to go along with a bit better glass and lower turrets.  Just go to their web page and compare features and watch vids.

[BULLBLASTER]

Its pretty hard to beat the ziess v4 for the money. 
Cabelas had the 4-16 on the site for a while. Maybe they will restock them.

[buckfvr]

Ya the Z4 looks like a great choice also.

[zwickeyman]

I ended up ordering a Savage 10T-SR in 6.5 CM and have brass and dies on the way. Still cant decide on a scope. Doing the same thing I always do, make a budget, then dont stick to it I cant find a scope I like for the 700.00 thats left over from the rifle

[Jason]

Some pretty dang good deals on Cameralandny.com

https://cameralandny.com/shop/athlon-optics-ares-btr-gen2-2-5-15x50-aplr3-ffp-ir-moa-scope-212003-athlon-ares-8x42-binoculars-112002-athlon-sunshade-213022s/b864e5c0-2d1a-0139-f682-00163e6c3713?variation=2894128

https://cameralandny.com/shop/athlon-optics-ares-btr-gen2-2-5-15x50-aplr3-ffp-ir-moa/09c2a860-f990-0137-81db-00163ecd2826?variation=2170908

https://cameralandny.com/shop/bushnell-elite-tactical-lrts-4-5-18x44mm-flat-dark-earth-ffp-g3/c32f12e0-363b-0138-8be7-00163ecd2826?variation=2153237

[zwickeyman]

Definitely good deals
Thanks

[Hilltop123]

https://www.midwayusa.com/s?promotionid=1283922&utm_source=hot-buy&utm_medium=email&utm_content=main-image-link&utm_campaign=crimson-trace-tactical
This just showed up in my email.

[Wanttohuntmore]

I ended up ordering a Savage 10T-SR in 6.5 CM and have brass and dies on the way. Still cant decide on a scope. Doing the same thing I always do, make a budget, then dont stick to it I cant find a scope I like for the 700.00 thats left over from the rifle

I have the same rifle,  it's a tack driver.  Look at Athlon optics.

[zwickeyman]

https://www.midwayusa.com/s?promotionid=1283922&utm_source=hot-buy&utm_medium=email&utm_content=main-image-link&utm_campaign=crimson-trace-tactical
This just showed up in my email.

I just looked through a couple of those I don't think it was those models. Didnt care for them but thanks

[huntnphool]