Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Scopes and Optics => Topic started by: BIGINNER on March 22, 2013, 11:43:42 AM

Title: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: BIGINNER on March 22, 2013, 11:43:42 AM: I need to buy a scope or my hunting rifle. I can't spend too much money, so I am looking for something around $100-$150
I don't need anything fancy, and its going onto a Mossberg .270 win.

what are some good brands to look at, and what are some main specs to look at. thanks
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 22, 2013, 11:54:35 AM: Redfield would be right up your alley. Good scopes for a fair price and great warranty as well. I have 3 of the new revenges on some rifles and have been pleased with them.
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: BIGINNER on March 27, 2013, 10:13:17 AM: what about Nikon prostaff? or Nikon buckmaster? :dunno: weaver scopes? bushnell scopes?
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: bobcat on March 27, 2013, 10:27:10 AM: The Weaver k4 is a good, reliable scope, if you can get by with a straight 4 power. On sale right now at Midway:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/174349/weaver-classic-k-series-rifle-scope-4x-38mm-dual-x-reticle-matte (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/174349/weaver-classic-k-series-rifle-scope-4x-38mm-dual-x-reticle-matte)
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: jess on March 27, 2013, 10:31:20 AM: a gun is only as good as the glass thats on it.. Save a little more money and get a leupold.
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: bobcat on March 27, 2013, 10:32:40 AM: Another good option for just under $150:

http://swfa.com/Burris-2-7x35-Fullfield-II-Rifle-Scope-P5972.aspx (http://swfa.com/Burris-2-7x35-Fullfield-II-Rifle-Scope-P5972.aspx)
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: duckmen1 on March 27, 2013, 10:35:53 AM: I'm not a big fan of bushnell scopes. Have had many between several of us and had many different problems. One major problem I've seen was inconsistency in adjustments.
I would try redfield. I believe they were bought out by leupold. I always like our leupolds but they are expensive. Redfields should be great for you.
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: BIGINNER on March 27, 2013, 10:47:49 AM: I found a couple leupold rifle man scopes for pretty cheap. are they any good? :dunno: also leupold varix ii ?
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: BIGINNER on March 27, 2013, 10:48:49 AM: also, weaver nitrex scopes,.. they any good?
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: bobcat on March 27, 2013, 10:53:03 AM: Bushnell's are good, if you can find an Elite 3200 or Elite 4200. Both are discontinued, but you might find one on eBay. I wouldn't buy any of the lower priced Bushnell's.

Anything Leupold is going to be decent, but you might get more for your money with Redfield.

The Leupold VX-II is a great scope but is $300.
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: jess on March 27, 2013, 10:53:18 AM: I would go with leupold vx-II 3-9x40 over the cheaper ones..
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: headshot5 on March 27, 2013, 10:57:57 AM: Leupold or newer Redfield (owned by Leupold). Great customer service. The Redfield Revolution line is made in USA. The Redfield Revenge line is not.

Burris also has great customer service. Full Field II scopes have a good reputation.

I'm guessing you'll be hunting with your rifle as opposed to shooting targets. Look for a 2-7X or a 3-9X.

Another thing would be to look for used scopes from Leupold/Burris. The Lifetime warranty tranfers with the scope.
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: BigGoonTuna on March 27, 2013, 11:03:25 AM: this might get me flamed, but when i was looking for a scope for my model 70, and was planning on a leupold VXII, i had a look through a redfield revolution and was surprised that it had clearer glass than the leupold. ended up leaving the store with the redfield on my rifle and about $150 more in my pocket :chuckle:

so far, no regrets about buying that scope, and that was over 3 years ago now. i wouldn't mind having a *really* nice piece of glass on that, like a VX6, but i work for a living and the redfield is a great hunting scope for the money(even if they have gone up in price).
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: couesbitten on March 27, 2013, 08:25:26 PM: Go with the Redfield Revolution line of scopes, they're made by Leupold and have the same lifetime warranty. Bought my son one, it's been great, and you can't beat the price.
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: wildweeds on March 27, 2013, 08:42:35 PM: The advice I was given was that a Redfield Revolution is equal to a Leupold VX II,the imported Revenge is similar in quality to a Nikon.For comparisons

Quote from: jess on March 27, 2013, 10:53:18 AM
I would go with leupold vx-II 3-9x40 over the cheaper ones..
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: hoyt2002 on March 27, 2013, 08:50:29 PM: I'd go with the redfield they are great scopes for the money.
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: jackelope on March 27, 2013, 08:58:52 PM: Quote from: BIGINNER on March 27, 2013, 10:47:49 AM
I found a couple leupold rifle man scopes for pretty cheap. are they any good? :dunno: also leupold varix ii ?
I'd choose a Vari-x over the Rifleman.

I have a Nikon Buckmaster on my 10-22 and like it a lot for the money. You should be able to find them in your price range. A 3-9x40 would be my choice.
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: coachcw on March 27, 2013, 09:16:05 PM: vx2 all the way inless avx3 falls into your lap.
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: duckmen1 on March 28, 2013, 04:10:29 PM: We had serious problems with bushnell elite scopes as far as adjustments and wheather change changing where the gun was sighted in. Went from 50 degree weather to single digets and both of our scopes went off mine was 12 inches off with the bushnell banner and my brothers went 18 inches off at 100 yards and he had bushnell elite. They were clear glass but we have had way to many problems. Since that trip we tried to get the elite sighted back in at 100 and could not get it to drop any closer than 4 inches high. One time you adjust 8 clicks for 2 inches and they will not adjust at all. The next you will adjust 8 clicks and it will adjust 8 inches. Total crap in my opinion. I went ahead and started using a leupold vx 2 and never had a single issue. We have everything from vx 1 to vx3 and adjustments are flawless. Even the custom dials are right on. So redfield for your price range is much better than bushnell in my opinion.
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: bobcat on March 28, 2013, 04:18:44 PM: The Bushnell Elite 3200 and 4200 scopes I have used have worked perfectly. You can't always blame adjustability issues on the scope. Often it has more to do with how the scope is mounted.
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: jackelope on March 28, 2013, 04:22:32 PM: There's a difference between a vx2 and a Vari-x 2. I don't know that it's anything other than the vx2 is a newer version, but they are different scopes. Just FYI. I have a Vari-x 3 and it's awesome glass.
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: bobcat on March 28, 2013, 04:26:04 PM: The newer VX-II is basically the same as the old Vari X-III.
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: coachcw on March 29, 2013, 10:06:52 PM: I have a vx3 4x14 bdc killer scope. also have 3-4 vx2's one on a 30-378 with no issues it's never budged.
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: NoImpactNoIdea on March 29, 2013, 10:18:28 PM: Quote from: bobcat on March 27, 2013, 10:32:40 AM
Another good option for just under $150:

http://swfa.com/Burris-2-7x35-Fullfield-II-Rifle-Scope-P5972.aspx (http://swfa.com/Burris-2-7x35-Fullfield-II-Rifle-Scope-P5972.aspx)

I dont think you can go wrong with Burris. Their warrenty program is great.
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: couesbitten on March 29, 2013, 10:32:46 PM: :yeah: That's true, I've had to send my Burris Fullfield in 2 or 3 times to be repaired, never had to send a Leupold (Redfield) in.
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: NoImpactNoIdea on March 29, 2013, 10:35:37 PM: Quote from: couesbitten on March 29, 2013, 10:32:46 PM
:yeah: That's true, I've had to send my Burris Fullfield in 2 or 3 times to be repaired, never had to send a Leupold (Redfield) in.

Does a good warrenty negate the frustration of a product that breaks? I think for the price the OP is looking to spend (I have two fullfuelds myself) this is the right answer. I would love to have leopold glass on all my rifles but Im not made out of money!
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: couesbitten on March 29, 2013, 10:45:28 PM: http://swfa.com/Search.aspx?k=redfield&t= (http://swfa.com/Search.aspx?k=redfield&t=)

From my experience, and for the difference of as little as $30, I'd buy the Redfield 2-7 x 33.
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: duckmen1 on March 30, 2013, 07:15:10 PM: Quote from: bobcat on March 28, 2013, 04:18:44 PM
The Bushnell Elite 3200 and 4200 scopes I have used have worked perfectly. You can't always blame adjustability issues on the scope. Often it has more to do with how the scope is mounted.
My brothers elite always worked great up until the trip with single diget weather. Since then it has been very unreliable on adjustments. And as far as my bushnell banner the quarter inch adjustments have never been accurate since the first couple trips shooting it. Just saying never had any issues with a leopuld. Adjustments have always been spot on from the vx1 up to vari x 3. Our experience with bushnell has sucked. But like I said the glass is clear on the elite but that's all I liked about it.
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: buckfvr on March 30, 2013, 07:41:31 PM: Ive got a VX 2 6-18X40AO on a yote rifle, and a Bushnell Elite 6500 2 1/2 - 16 X 50 on a 7 mag, and in my opinion, you can have the vx2......like a toy compared to the Elite 6500.
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: Don Fischer on March 31, 2013, 12:51:45 PM: Quote from: couesbitten on March 29, 2013, 10:45:28 PM
http://swfa.com/Search.aspx?k=redfield&t= (http://swfa.com/Search.aspx?k=redfield&t=)

From my experience, and for the difference of as little as $30, I'd buy the Redfield 2-7 x 33.

I think he said he's putting it on a 270, long action? I would not get the Redfield 2-7X. You'll need extension rings and then it just fit's. Go with the 3-9X. If you look at Leupold, Redfield and Nikon, you'll find a scope that will work better than the price suggest's. I'd say Burris but I've never even see one.

BTW, I have the 2-7X Redfield on a long action. Love the scope but it gave me fits finding rings to mount it.
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: X-Force on April 01, 2013, 08:55:45 AM: Leupold vx or Bushnell elite 3200 :tup:

http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/Bushnell-Elite-3200-3-9x40-mm-Rifle-Scope/3358648/product.html (http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/Bushnell-Elite-3200-3-9x40-mm-Rifle-Scope/3358648/product.html)
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: bigsads on April 06, 2013, 06:03:10 PM: take a look at the vortex crossfire, cannot beat the value or replacement policy
Title: Re: help chosing a rifle scope
Post by: MadHatter on April 06, 2013, 06:10:15 PM: Quote from: bigsads on April 06, 2013, 06:03:10 PM
take a look at the vortex crossfire, cannot beat the value or replacement policy

:yeah:

Love Vortex. Good glass, reasonably priced and one hell of a warranty on them. While I do not actually own any vortex scopes right this second, I have 3 rifles getting ready for a new vortex.