Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Bean Counter on January 16, 2011, 05:00:05 PM

Title: Budget Allocation for Scope/Rifle
Post by: Bean Counter on January 16, 2011, 05:00:05 PM: 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. :bash: :bash: :bash:
Title: Re: Budget Allocation for Scope/Rifle
Post by: carpsniperg2 on January 16, 2011, 05:07:04 PM: Tell him to keep saving :chuckle: 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.
Title: Re: Budget Allocation for Scope/Rifle
Post by: FC on January 16, 2011, 05:13:39 PM: $200 is plenty to get set up with a Bushnell Banner scope and Burris rings, more than adequate.
Title: Re: Budget Allocation for Scope/Rifle
Post by: Bean Counter on January 16, 2011, 05:22:34 PM: Good thoughts guys. Keep em coming..
Title: Re: Budget Allocation for Scope/Rifle
Post by: CAMPMEAT on January 16, 2011, 05:29:26 PM: 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. :twocents:
Title: Re: Budget Allocation for Scope/Rifle
Post by: wadu1 on January 16, 2011, 05:30:18 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Budget Allocation for Scope/Rifle
Post by: Ellensburg on January 16, 2011, 05:31:38 PM: He should spend as much as he can possibly afford... Isn't that what you are suppose to do with hunting gear?
Title: Re: Budget Allocation for Scope/Rifle
Post by: throttlejocky20 on January 16, 2011, 06:02:54 PM: I believe if you go cheap anywhere don't do it with optics.
Title: Re: Budget Allocation for Scope/Rifle
Post by: SquirrelHunter on January 16, 2011, 06:05:04 PM: I always expect to go double on a scope then what I spend on a rilfe
Title: Re: Budget Allocation for Scope/Rifle
Post by: FC on January 16, 2011, 06:27:45 PM: Quote from: SquirrelHunter on January 16, 2011, 06:05:04 PM
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.
Title: Re: Budget Allocation for Scope/Rifle
Post by: runamuk on January 16, 2011, 06:39:17 PM: well the redfield scope is essentially a leupold and priced the same as a nikon :dunno: I have looked through my nikon and a redfield both are good the redfield was definitely better for the same amount
Title: Re: Budget Allocation for Scope/Rifle
Post by: Huntbear on January 16, 2011, 06:41:39 PM: Quote from: runamuk on January 16, 2011, 06:39:17 PM
well the redfield scope is essentially a leupold and priced the same as a nikon :dunno: 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.
Title: Re: Budget Allocation for Scope/Rifle
Post by: jackelope on January 16, 2011, 08:40:38 PM: 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.

:dunno:
Title: Re: Budget Allocation for Scope/Rifle
Post by: FC on January 16, 2011, 10:42:20 PM: Quote from: jackelope on January 16, 2011, 08:40:38 PM
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.

:dunno:

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 :dunno: . Remington uses the same scope on their 770 300WM package.
Title: Re: Budget Allocation for Scope/Rifle
Post by: JimmyHoffa on January 16, 2011, 11:03:30 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Budget Allocation for Scope/Rifle
Post by: thinkingman on January 25, 2011, 01:28:12 PM: Your friend is in luck.
There are closeouts on Bushnell Elite 4200 for under $200.
You will not find better glass or construction under $400.
Act fast, and DO NOT compare to Leupold....you'll kick yourself :'(
Title: Re: Budget Allocation for Scope/Rifle
Post by: MtnMuley on January 25, 2011, 04:16:11 PM: You're only as good as you're optics when building a rifle. :twocents: Nearly all of my rifles have more money in the scope that the stock rifle. $500 scope $500 rifle.