Scope help

[H2Ofuzz]

Ok i am looking for somthing 4-12X40 ish and i want a mill dot style reticul. I am now looking between the Nikon Buck master and the Leupold VX-I OR the Redfield..... what would you guys pick or other options in the $300 Price range. Thanks for the help

[Copperwood]

I have heard the new redfields are pretty nice since leupold took them over. If I were you I would save a little more and buy a Leupold VX3, it will be worth it. I would also advise looking on gunbroker.com craigslist, ebay... anywhere. Because you can usually find them for a lot cheaper than on cabelas or a store like that. Good luck. When in doubt stick with leupold.

[Curly]

Vortex has the Viper model with a mil dot reticle........but it is 6.5-20 x 44

http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-viper-6-5-20x44-pa-riflescope-mil-dot-reticle

[NRA4LIFE]

Just my opinion, but I have 3 Redfileds and 3 Leupolds and like all of them.  My Redfields are all 20+ years old but I have been reading some great things about the new ones.

[jackelope]

I had a Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14 scope on my Encore's 22-250 barrel. There was something about the field of view that I didn't like...maybe it was very narrow or something. It was ok but I don't think I'd go and buy another one.
 
I do like Vortex scopes for the money. I have a 4-12x40 Diamondback with the deadhold reticle(dots) that is a great scope for the $200 price tag.

[tpcollins]

You might be able to swindle someone out of a Bushnell Elite 4200 at that price range. Don't let the Bushnell name concern you - these are top rated mid-priced scopes.

Here is a link to scope reviews from SWFA on the Optics Forum. They rate them in groups from the best (and most expensive) to not the best (cheaper).

http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16515

[ing]

Leupold all the way

[thinkingman]

VX-I is the worst scope you can buy in that price range.
If you shop around, you can get a Nikon or Burris with much better glass.
Ditto for Bushnell 4200.

[coop2424]

I got a Nikon Monarch in exactly what you are looking for on ebay for $290 and love it..  I would suggest keeping an eye out there for what you are looking for..

[carpsniperg2]

leupold would be my first choice but i would save a little more and get a vx II

[Elk-aholic]

I bought one of the new Leupold made "Redfields" 4-12x40 for my AR-15 it's a pretty nice scope, I think the glass is on par with my Leupold VX-II, the eye-relief on the Redfield might not be as nice as a Leupold VXII OR VXIII but for the money I paid it's a pretty good quality optic.  

[JackOfAllTrades]

Love my Leupolds, but the Nikon Buckmasters that are on the boys hunting rifles have held up well to what I'll simply call... Mistreatment.

Light gathering and focus of them is on par with the VXII's or there'abouts.

-Steve

[uplandhunter870]

i have a nikon buckmaster 4.5-14x40 love the scope, very clear and reliable. currently its sits on my dads 243 for yotes, i took it out over the winter yote calling slipped on a snow covered rock and it took a decent thump and the lenses were packed with snow on the outside.  it helds its zero and did not have any issues with fogging after the spill. paid 300 for it 3 years ago at a local shop, im sure you can do better online. it was the friday before deer season and i needed a scope for my 270.

the only thing i dont like about it compared to my buddy's vx-II is the nikon scopes have a black ring around the sight picture where the luepolds have a full field of view through the scope.

was given a Monarch 4-16x42 at christmas and am thoroughly impressed with it, still has the black ring around the sight picture but you get used to it, crystal clear glass, very reliable, and i love the finger adjustments for windage and elevation for quick field adjustments when shooting whistling pigs.

got nothing bad to say about luepold shot a couple of them namely the VX-II models but dont like how you need a coin or driver to adjust them

[Ghost1941]

Might consider a Millett...  The TRS model has MilDot.

I have one on my tactical rig and I haven't had any complaints.  I bought it used and it has done its job. 

The only thing is, they're 4-16x50mm

I see them used all the time for $250ish. 

Here's one in Texas for 275 shipped.
http://texasguntrader.com/index.php?a=2&b=60804

Just a suggestion.  Good luck with whatever you choose.

-Ghost

[Pathfinder101]

I have the new Redfield in 3x9.  I like it alot.

[Atroxus]

+1 on the vortex 4-12x40. I got a really good deal on one that I put on a Stevens .30-06, and have been very happy with it. So far I have only used it on paper, but I am hoping to connect with a deer and/or elk this year.

Oh and if you want a really good deal on a Vortex scope contact Elknut1 on this board he is the one who sold me mine, and he gave me a VERY sweet price on it.