Rifle Scopes Budget scope choice

Porter24

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 11, 2011
248
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33
Ohio
Need some help guys. I just got another 17hmr and I want wanna drop up to $150 or so on a scope and rings. Not sure what one would be best for it. Looking to shoot birds and varmints at 150yds or so what optics and rings would you choose.
 
Re: Budget scope choice

Id give another vote to the prostaff, just dont get the bdc reticle. The stadia are to thick and would be a waste of time for a 17 HMR. They have great glass for the money though.
 
Re: Budget scope choice

prostaff, and no bdc, it's kind of busy at the bottom of the scope, the prostaff has better glass than the burris fullfield II as well and they're about the price.
 
Re: Budget scope choice

I'd stay away from the Crossfire. I've just read too many reports of issues, although Vortex will take care of you.

Personally having had a Prostaff, and even a couple Monarchs, the Burris FFII has better glass, and it's what I'd go with in this price range.
 
Re: Budget scope choice

Might want to consider one of the BSA Majestic MDX scopes introduced early this year. Price for them under $150. Have three of the Majestic 6-24x44mm, all bought from Grafs over last 6 or so months and each mounted on center fire rifles from .223 to 6.5x55 Swede. Decent optics in it and has a side focus marked 15, 30, 50, 75, 100, 200yds, infinity. I just shoot paper and most of time my scope is on 24 power, which seems just as bright and clear as having it on any lower power. Windage&elevation have functioned well in each of my three. Yea, its a BSA, but after a couple hundred rounds shot with the first one and I found nothing disappointing about the Majestic performance, would be the low priced scope I'd buy two more of for other low budget rifle builds.
 
Re: Budget scope choice

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fdkay</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mueller APT.
Surprisingly good glass and a great company to deal with. </div></div>
Same here .
 
Re: Budget scope choice

I have a few Hawke Airmax scopes, and they are holding up on my spring airguns so far. 2-7x32, and 4-12x40AO and illuminated. These come with a BDC like reticle and can download the program to see the drops. I have read mixed reviews on these, some without issues and others that do.

If you can bump your budget to $299 then I would suggest the Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40AO and BDC reticle. It's not illuminated but it does have rugged internals to withstand a recoiless airgun "Sledge" mechanism without failure. (double recoil pulse actions)
 
Re: Budget scope choice

Does Nikon have lifetime warranty on the prostaff? They are abou the same price as the redfield revolutions and I know redfield is great to deal with
 
Re: Budget scope choice

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Porter24</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Does Nikon have lifetime warranty on the prostaff? They are abou the same price as the redfield revolutions and I know redfield is great to deal with </div></div>

it appears that they do. Mine's been on a H&R 12 gauge and a .50 muzzleloader, so if they can take that punishment it should be fine for your uses.
 
Re: Budget scope choice

I recently looked through a redfield, I believe it was a 4-12 0r 4-14. I found the view to be distorted and definately would not want to spend any amount of time looking through it.

The Mueller APT has much better glass, AO (the redfield I looked at does not) and tactical style turrets (a bit mushy).

Every Nikon I have ever looked through has seemed to have good glass, some better than others (price dependent), but always decent.