Budget Allocation for Scope/Rifle

[Bean Counter]

I have stressed for years to my hunting buddy the importance of quality optics. Even so much as to brag about how I've made kills at 300+ yards with my rusty, beat up gun with good glass whereas other partners haven't been able to seal the deal at half that range on their new setup.

So he finally gets around to buying his own gun (after using family members), and tells me all about his high class new Remington 700 and that he only has $200 left in his budget for a scope.       

[carpsniperg2]

Tell him to keep saving I feel good glass is must, and for another 100-200 he can get into a really quality scope. Like the leupolds vxII, or he can just buy a vxI.

[FC]

$200 is plenty to get set up with a Bushnell Banner scope and Burris rings, more than adequate.

[Bean Counter]

Good thoughts guys. Keep em coming..

[CAMPMEAT]

I have T/C, Bushnell, ATN, Nikon, Tasco, and Pentax scopes. They all work fine. You don't need to pay for the big name scopes, trust me. I can see just as good as any expensive high dollar scope with mine. Don't be fooled by the $500 -$1000 scopes. You're paying for the name, period. All scope makers have to be competitive in quality and service. They want you to buy their scopes. I've shot deer, bear, elk, coyotes, ground rats and bobcats with mine.  

[wadu1]

I would go with a Burris 3X9, they go on sale all the time for $199 and you get a second Rim fire scope or bino's. My nephew has on on his Husky V and I have on on my Rem .308 VTR. they have always been clear and a good warranty.

[Ellensburg]

He should spend as much as he can possibly afford... Isn't that what you are suppose to do with hunting gear?

[throttlejocky20]

I believe if you go cheap anywhere don't do it with optics.

[SquirrelHunter]

I always expect to go double on a scope then what I spend on a rilfe

[FC]

I always expect to go double on a scope then what I spend on a rilfe

I don't shoot any better with a Zeiss than I do with a Bushnell myself.

[runamuk]

well the redfield scope is essentially a leupold and priced the same as a nikon  I have looked through my nikon and a redfield both are good the redfield was definitely better for the same amount

[Huntbear]

well the redfield scope is essentially a leupold and priced the same as a nikon  I have looked through my nikon and a redfield both are good the redfield was definitely better for the same amount

Agree completely.

If you are on a budget, the Redfield is a scope you really have to seriously look at.

[jackelope]

What caliber?
I think your Bushnell Banner would be fine on a .243, but I don't think it would last 1 trip to the range on a 300 RUM.

 

[FC]

What caliber?
I think your Bushnell Banner would be fine on a .243, but I don't think it would last 1 trip to the range on a 300 RUM.

 

I don't know about a 300 RUM but I know you can buy Savage package rifles up to 300WM with the bottom of the barrel Bushnell on it and they seem to do ok  . Remington uses the same scope on their 770 300WM package.

[JimmyHoffa]

For this scenario, I'd need a bit more constraints.  You can get good, reliable low magnification (decent parallax) optics for around the $200 mark.  If I was putting together a .458 SOCOM on an M-4 carbine base, a $200 scope might be all I need and want.