In need of a new scope

[akashasdaddy]

So the BSA deer hunter scope that I thought would get me through the season...Didn't. It fogged up on the first day of hard rain. Thankfully I had a friend that let me borrow his riffle for the remainder of the regular season. Well now he is going out for late buck, so am which leaves me in need of a new scope. I bought the $50 BSA scope because this was my first season and truth be told i didn't know how I would like the sport so my wife had me buy the cheap POS. Well I am addicted and my wife sees this so she is allowing me to replace my BSA with something a little more expensive. I am still on a budget but I get to spend about $300 and that has to include taxes. I went to cabelas today and looked at a few, I bought a Bushnell Trophy Hunter but the tube was too short for my mounts. I wish I had more money to spend but as it is if I spend $300, I will have spent almost as much on the scope as I did the riffle. I am looking for something that will last many years with little up keep, anyone have any recommendations?

[summit creek]

spend the money get a leupold life time warrenty

[724wd]

money spent on glass is never wasted.  buy the best you can afford.

[uplandhunter870]

the nikon prostaff and buckmaster are both good lines, i have a buckmaster and i bought my dad a prostaff, as per his request for a good budget scope, as  a xmas gift both really clear and dont fog.

the new redfields are a good option as luepold has taken over production of them and backs them with a luepy warranty. im not sure how far 300 will get you with luepold.

burris make a good scope but im not familiar with their line

ive also heard good things about vortex and i believe their diamondback line is in your price range.

for big game hunting id look for a 3-9x40 not much need for a wider zoom range, and a 3-9 will help you get more options in your budget

as im sure you just learned when it comes to glass buy the best you can afford or youll be paying much more in the long run

good luck and welcome to the addiction we call hunting

[coop2424]

Go to the bargain cave on cabelas website.  They have a lot of scopes marked down right now in name brands (leupold, nikon and burris).  You can have it shipped to their store for free.  If you want to look through them before go to the store and check them out and then buy online or see if thy wikk match what is online if they have it in stock. 

[akashasdaddy]

Nice to know I was on the right track before posting the question here. All the scopes mentioned I have already looked into. For what ever reason Cabelas is having a good sale on scopes right now and all are with in my price range even one style of leupolds. The bargan cave at the store didnt have anything other than muzzle loader and shot gun scopes I havent checked online yet though. Thanks for all the feed back. And yes I am VERY addicted to hunting now. I have a sob story already this year but I am over it hope I can get one in late buck, I WILL NOT make the mistake of going with sub par optics ever again.

[EDT]

I am not a fan of Leupold, never been good to me.  I do however LOVE my Nikon Buckmaster scope and Vortex Viper (I may even lean towards Vortex now, even though I was a Nikon man).  I got each one for ~ 240 - 300. 

[Heredoggydoggy]

I have Nikon Buckmasters (3), A Nikon Coyote Special, and like them a lot.  For the money, they are a great deal.  Lately I've become a fan of the Burris Fullfield II line.  Natchez Shooters Supply has some great deals now.  I just got a Burris 3-9x40mm for my .22 K-Hornet for $219 with a free 10x32 par of binoculars and sent for the $20 Rebate.  Such a deal!  I'll give the binocs to a young hunter friend when his 10th birthday comes up in January.
The Burris line of rings and mounts are good, too.  Especially the Xtreme Tactical line.

[tomr1962]

Don't screw around. You cannot beat Leupold. 

[hillbilli]

you should be able to get a redfield for 150 or so.. built in oregon by Leupold, same lifetime warranty. a VARix-1 shouldnt be more than about 240.. cabelas has some for right at 200..

[wadu1]

I've had good luck with Burris. I have three, one I fell on it and sent it back after I could not get it to group. Burris repaired it for free even when I did not send in the warranty card.

[Widgeondeke]

If $$ is an issue I'd look really hard at teh Redfield. I got one this year and it worked great.

[Dave B]

Get the REDFIELD. It is amazing and made in Oregon by Leupold.  No fog, great light gathering, and very clear.  And for only $200 it is a great deal.  I have the accuview rectile which gives me marks at 200yds 300yds 400yds and 500yds and have made several shots at well over 300yds.  I love the scope especially on my 270 Tikka T3

[doyourtime89]

Nikon...either the Prostaff or Buckmaster are in that price range you have.  That is all I will put on mine and my family guns.

[kirkl]

I just picked up one of these a few months ago (the long range duplex reticle). Have VX-1's on both my rifles. The long range duplex reticles are great. only $199 right now plus $10 dollar back on rebate.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Leupold174-VX8482-I-Riflescopes/748606.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch%2F%3FN%3D%26No%3D20%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dleupold%26Ntx%3Dmode%252Bmatchallpartial%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26WTz_st%3D%26WTz_stype%3DSP%26form_state%3DsearchForm%26search%3Dleupold%26searchTypeByFilter%3DAllProducts%26x%3D0%26y%3D0&Ntt=leupold&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

[AOD]

the redfield is the best glass for the $. PLEASE PROMISE ME YOU WON'T HUNT WITH ANOTHER SCOPE MADE BY A MANUFACTURER THAT SELLS SCOPES FOR LESS THAN $100!!!!!

[Holg3107]

I've had good luck with Burris. I have three, one I fell on it and sent it back after I could not get it to group. Burris repaired it for free even when I did not send in the warranty card.

Ill second Burris. Get the Fullfield II and you wont be disapointed. Lifetime warranty and in my opinion far superior to the low end Leupolds. If your going to buy a leupold dont waste your money with anything less than a VX-III. There are better products for the price. 

[Curly]

If I remember right, Akashasdaddy ended up with a Nikon Prostaff after returning a Redfield. 

[kirkl]

I guess its like ford vs chevy. ive had my "low end" leupold on my rifle for 10 years now without a problem and the new "low end" leupold on my 300 replaced a Burris fullfield II. I couldnt stand that scope. 

I've had good luck with Burris. I have three, one I fell on it and sent it back after I could not get it to group. Burris repaired it for free even when I did not send in the warranty card.

Ill second Burris. Get the Fullfield II and you wont be disapointed. Lifetime warranty and in my opinion far superior to the low end Leupolds. If your going to buy a leupold dont waste your money with anything less than a VX-III. There are better products for the price. 

[kramer]

leupold has an awsome warranty. good scope for the money

[Special T]

I would consider a leopold, its what i use, or a Nikon with the BDC. My cousin has one for his lever 06 and it rocks!  I think bang for the buck nikon is pretty good. I did have a great experience with a burris 6-18 50mm on a 17hmr while prarie dog shooting. It was better looking through it than my cheap binos. 

[wence5]

leupold has an awsome warranty. good scope for the money

And Leupold is made right here in the NW!

[CAMPMEAT]

Go to pawn shops. You can find deals on Leupold scopes. Ever think of that ?

[Tman]

I put the Nikon Prostaff 3X9 on the kids .243.  Paid 99.99 at online at Cabelas.  Really impressed with the quality for the price.  Super clear in low light, and very good eye relief.

[rosscrazyelk]

The vortex scopes are good and affordable

[huntandjeep]

Just put a Vortex Diamondback on my Ar-15. Love it. Great warrenty

[high country]

4200 3-9's were on sale at cabelas for $150. You can't beat it for twice the money.

[mainer78]

Check out the bargain basement at Cabelas.  I got mine there.  It's the Cabelas Alaskan.  I have had no problems.  But if i were to spend money again, I would have bought a Leupold!  You get what you pay for!!

[BLACKTAIL FREAK]

I have wasted more money over the years on cheap scopes just to figure out that they are cheap for a reason. We spend all year scouting, shooting, mapping, and it all comes down to that one shot you have to make. Don't rely on a cheap scope. Save you money buy the best you can, you will have it for a lifetime. Some good options, leupold mark 4, US Optics, Nightforce, Zeiss, trust me they are worth their weight in gold. It hurts the first time, but you won't regret it.

[HairTrigger]

check out www.wholesalehunter.com pretty good deals  :t :IBCOOL:wocents:

[GUHunter]

I have become a huge fan of both sightron and vortex recently. There are a lot of manufacturers putting out a great product with lifetime warranty
attached. From what I have heard from those who know more than I, the old Leupold Vari-x series were much better than the current VX series.
You can pick up a used vari-x II 3-9x40 on EBAY for around 150 - 200 and you still get the lifetime, no questions warranty. If not that, look at Vortex!