Current state of cheap scopes $100-$200 (specifically in Canada)

beetroot

beetroot

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Apr 10, 2018
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#1
My brother lives in Canada and is looking at buying his first rifle, will be for medium/big game at close range only (inside of 150yards).

I'd recommend something like the Swampfox 3x prism (with the wide FOV), he liked that but I think it's a little hard to find in Canada and/or expensive.
He is now asking me about cheap scopes like the Bushnell Banner 3-9 and no name Chinese shit, which would bee nice if he didn't waste his money on.

Is there a go to brand or optic type for cheap optics these days?
I haven't looked at cheap beginner scopes for many years now, so have no idea what's any good.
It'll be obvious things like the simpler the better but is there anything that clearly stands out as being best value and not a POS?
 
#5
Cr1775 said:
Burris Fullfield II 3×9. That's as cheep as I would go , made in the Philippines, and they just work.
Click to expand...
Burris FF2 was my only real thought, a 2-7x35 wouldn't be a bad scope.

Not sure what if any cheap Prism scopes exist. Seems like fixed power 2.5x and 4x scopes aren't really a thing anymore.
 
#7
beetroot said:
Burris FF2 was my only real thought, a 2-7x35 wouldn't be a bad scope.

Not sure what if any cheap Prism scopes exist. Seems like fixed power 2.5x and 4x scopes aren't really a thing anymore.
Click to expand...
A cheap prism scope cost around 300 US. Will be made in china, but not alot to go bad in them and are well made and do hold up.
 
#8
Redlion said:
Burris Fullfield II Rifle Scope 3-9x40mm 1" SFP Ballistic Plex Matte - $119.99

Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope SFP Dead-Hold Reticle Matte Black - $119.99
Click to expand...
Do you have any mileage with Vortex Crossfire scopes?
I’ve never heard anything good about cheap Vortex scopes, but I’m guessing they sell 10s of 1000s of the things and you only ever hear the bad stuff. At least the CS would look after you I guess.

Burris FF2/E1 probably the safer bet though.

Actually an old Weaver K2.5 or K3 would be kind neat but not sure if he’ll be able to find one.
 
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#9
In the low-price category, the new Burris Fullfield scopes (replaces the Fullfield II) look very promising. They have 2-8x35 and 2.5-10x42 models that should be very close to your brother's $200.00 budget limit. I had a 2-7 Fullfield years ago, and it was a very decent hunting scope.
 
#11
beetroot said:
Do you have any mileage with Vortex Crossfire scopes?
I’ve never heard anything good about cheap Vortex scopes, but I’m guessing they sell 10s of 1000s of the things and you only ever hear the bad stuff. At least the CS would look after you I guess.

Burris FF2/E1 probably the safer bet though.

Actually an old Weaver K2.5 or K3 would be kind neat but not sure if he’ll be able to find one.
Click to expand...
I have a Vortex Crossfire 1-4 that has been sturdy and reliable.
 
#12
rhsc said:
In the low-price category, the new Burris Fullfield scopes (replaces the Fullfield II) look very promising. They have 2-8x35 and 2.5-10x42 models that should be very close to your brother's $200.00 budget limit. I had a 2-7 Fullfield years ago, and it was a very decent hunting scope.
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You know where they are made? I have 2 Fullfield ii scopes from the 80s made in the US and a couple newer ones made in the Philippines.
Always thought they were underrated
 
#14
I just bought a used Leupold Vari-X III off online auction. "Old tech" by today's standards, but a nice little scope for $200

Going on a "working man's" grade rifle from the mid 60's, didn't want some new blocky "tactical" looking thing on it.
 
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#18
I have a Vortex Diamondback 2.5-12 I think. It is absolutely no frills, reticle is pretty lame. But it is clear enough for hunting shots out to 300yds, made in the Philippines and holds zero.

I'm honestly pretty happy with it on this No.4 that I fell into. Very much not clone correct.
 

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#19
Vivacious Stallion said:
I have a Vortex Diamondback 2.5-12 I think. It is absolutely no frills, reticle is pretty lame. But it is clear enough for hunting shots out to 300yds, made in the Philippines and holds zero.

I'm honestly pretty happy with it on this No.4 that I fell into. Very much not clone correct.
Click to expand...
Needs a Weaver K series scope.
I want a No4T clone like this using a K2.5 or K3 scope.
 
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#20
beetroot said:
Needs a Weaver K series scope.
I want a No4T clone like this using a K2.5 or K3 scope.
Click to expand...
Trust me theres a strong likelihood that I will install a cheekpiece and put a period scope on it. I found the rifle in a shop local to my parents while I was down for Xmas and told myself I wouldn't spend more than necessary on it at the moment (helped that it came with the weaver base and I found some rings in the basement).

It's bedded correctly and shooting so well I might use it to take a deer this fall. I need to work up a load for it since I'm nearly out of the surplus greek ammo it came with.
 
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#22
I know that it is a bad word here, but any of the Leupold Vari-X, VX, in 2x7 through 2.5x10 will serve him well especially the older ones. Redfield and Weaver K series too.
 
#23
Modoc said:
I know that it is a bad word here, but any of the Leupold Vari-X, VX, in 2x7 through 2.5x10 will serve him well especially the older ones. Redfield and Weaver K series too.
Click to expand...
I did see that on gunpost.ca there are a lot of older scopes, for pretty cheap.
Could easily find something for around $50.

Just not sure what reliability is like on these older scopes.
I don't want to recommend him something that'll break a reticle or loose it's gas in a few years if moneys an issue for him, at least a new Burris should be covered under warranty.

Personally I'd take a punt on an old Weaver, but want to make it easy for him (and myself).
 
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#24
beetroot said:
I did see that on gunpost.ca there are a lot of older scopes, for pretty cheap.
Could easily find something for around $50.

Just not sure what reliability is like on these older scopes.
I don't want to recommend him something that'll break a reticle or loose it's gas in a few years if moneys an issue for him, at least a new Burris should be covered under warranty.

Personally I'd take a punt on an old Weaver, but want to make it easy for him (and myself).
Click to expand...
Yeah, that’s always the crap shoot with buying used online. I’ve been looking for these because they are going on rifles that are set and forget. That and most of the rifles are classic style where the older gloss Leupold, Redfield, and Weaver just look right.
 
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