Rifle Scopes Best sub $400 hunting scope?

[Colorado S14]

Happy Saturday y’all. I have two buddies in need of a hunting scope that are both in the same boat of limited funds.

My first friend and I were at the range yesterday with his 30-06 sporting a Vanguard scope, we kept dialing elevation but could not get any on target change. Eventually the reticle even canted under recoil. This is a replacement from Vanguard for another broken optic. Needless to say he’s done with Vanguard.

Another buddy is a brand new hunter, I talked him up budget a little to a Tikka T3X and now that rifle needs a scope.

Both have a budget of around $400. Anyone have a suggestion in this range? I am less familiar down in this range. Any great closeout deals?

 

[diverdon]

You may be asking the wrong forum. If your buddy goes to Starbucks he could cut that and increase funds until he could afford a decent scope.

 

[dustingaunder]

Athlon Optics Ares BTR Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 2.5-15x 50mm Side Focus

When you want the best features of top-tier riflescopes, look no further than the Ares BTR first focal plane riflescope family. This feature rich...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[dustingaunder]

There’s a mil version too if that tickles your fancy better.

Athlon Optics Ares BTR Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 2.5-15x 50mm 1/10 Mil

When you want the best features of top-tier riflescopes, look no further than the Ares BTR first focal plane riflescope family. This feature rich...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[gr8fuldoug]

We posted a special the other day on a great SFP hunting scope:

Hawke Frontier 30 2.5-15x50 SF - TMX Illuminated #18222 reduced from $749.99 to only $449.99

21 layer Fully Multi-Coated 6× ratio optical system
Side Focus control for parallax adjustment
30mm mono-tube chassis for superior strength
Long eye relief for high recoil and magnum calibers
Glass etched reticle with red illumination
6 levels of brightness with off positions in-between
1⁄10 MRAD exposed and locking turrets
Fast focus eyebell and high torque zoom ring

This could be a fine hunting scope for him. Wide FOV at 2.5 and out to 15x

If he prefers a FFP scope then the mentioned Athlon Ares BTR 2.5-15x50 - APLR3 FFP IR MIL for $399.99 would be a great choice

 

[gopherslayer]

Need more info. FFP or SFP? Mag range? Fixed X?

 

[Novak77]

If you're looking for a fixed power scope IMHO the SWFA SS 6x is hard to beat at $299. I've used them and recommended them to plenty of buddies and we've all been very happy with them.

Lots of guys are saying good things about Athlon too. I believe Camera Land has some killer deals going on Athlon stuff right now.

 

[Colorado S14]

Thanks for the initial replies. Guess is they want a 3-9, 4-12, 4-16 etc. I’d probably point them to capped turrets personally. They are both a good shot but not experienced shooters. And I would worry about them bumping a turret and not checking it at zero before taking a shot.

First focal plane or second focal plane would be acceptable.

 

[Lambored24thid]

Super sniper scopes are a very good choice. I have used them and never had an issue.
Not sure about this atholon ? might need to get one and try it out.

 

[OG10]

What and where are you huntng ? You have a lot of options, is most of your hunting under 100 ,200, 300 etc or is it more open 400-600 , Elk or p-dogs. Different answers different options.

 

[Colorado S14]

Elk and other western game. Western US. No shots over 500 on game.

 

[pewpewfever]

In that price range, FFP scopes are generally expected to have POI shift from shot to shot. It’s expensive to lock those lenses down in a way that makes FFP reticles not shift around at all, or so I’m told. So I’d consider SFP. And without RZ turrets, I’d consider a reticle with a tree or grid. Hawke makes some decent scopes that fit the bill with the SFP reticle being indexed at 10X for all of them, or so I’m told. Even the 2-7x and 3-9x scopes are indexed at 10x. So I’d suggest maybe the 4-12x. I just bought one recently. I also looked at SWFA, but the lack of a tree and thick reticle lines didn’t fit the bill.

 

[koshkin]

Meopta Meopro 3-9x40 or 3-9x42:

Product Description

Product Description | Camera Land NY

cameralandny.com

Meopta Artemis 6x42

Product Description

Product Description | Camera Land NY

cameralandny.com

SWFA Classic 6x42 if they want to learn to dial and all that with the same gun.

SWFA 6x42 SS 30mm Riflescope

SWFA 6x42 SS 30mm Riflescope Details SKU: SS6X42MQ Finish: Matte Reticle: MIL-Quad Tube Diameter (mm): 30 Elevation Knob: Exposed Target (.1 MIL) Windage Knob: Exposed Target (.1 MIL) Parallax Setting: Rear Focus Focal Plane: Second

www.swfa.com

SWFA Ultralight 2.5-10x32 if this rifle will get carried a lot:

SWFA 2.5-10x32 SS Ultralight Riflescope

SWFA 2.5-10x32 SS Ultralight Riflescope Details SKU: SSUL2510X32PLEX Finish: Matte Reticle: Plex Tube Diameter (in): 1 Elevation Knob: Low Profile Capped (1/4 MOA) Windage Knob: Low Profile Capped (1/4 MOA) Parallax Setting: Fixed Focal Plane: Second

www.swfa.com

ILya

 

[hypno02]

If you choose anything but SWFA for sub $400 with any decent features you risk your optic shitting out on you at any given time.

 

[65x55guy]

I’ve had decent luck with the entry level Leupold in that range. I also think you might keep a keen eye out for Bushnell Elite scopes that are used, which will come close. Quality glass and build.

Really, it’s hard for me to not recommend a used scope in almost any price range. This forum doesn’t have as many under $500, but check out Longrangehunting.com and they have several around.

 

[hypno02]

Really, it’s hard for me to not recommend a used scope in almost any price range.

This as well! Great advice. I highly recommend buying used from a reputable source if the item comes from a company with great after-sale support.

 

[Prebanpaul]

Do your self a huge favor. Go with a straight 10 power SWFA. Upgrade it as soon as you can. You get FFP, good glass and decent turrets. Also their resale says high when you want to upgrade it.

 

[OG10]

Some good recommendations already, I will throw out the Weaver grand slam tactical 3x10x40. This scope is made in Japan , has a mil retical thats usable and mil turrets. Natchez has had them on sale for a while I have one on a light weight rifle that works quite well. Just another option I know they track well and hold up to hunting usage. good luck.

 

[pewpewfever]

I haven’t tried this particular Vortex scope, but I have others and they have always been great. Plus the warranty is the best possible. They will replace anything defective, and it’s transferable, so you can buy used with confidence.

This one doesn’t have a tree, but it has RZ turrets, so I think it might work if your guys are willing to click for elevation. The SFP reticle is indexed at 12x.

Diamondback Tactical 4-12x40

VMR-1 (MOA) Reticle | 1 inch Tube

vortexoptics.com

 

[stilesg57]

I have Leupy VX-2s on a couple hunting rifles. If you aren’t dialing (95%+ of hunting situations I’ve been in) the VX2 and VX3 series scopes are GREAT. I highly recommend them. Great glass for the price and light weight and great warranty service at any price.

If you’re gonna dial or usethe rifle for target shooting off-season, go with SWFA at that price or the Athlon Ares BTR 2.5-15x if you can take the weight (literally double my VX2 4-12x).