Rifle Scopes Budget scope that satisfy!

blkntantrp

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Minuteman
Nov 10, 2013
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Hello to all you hide members. I have been a member of the forum for a very short while. I believe this is my first real post. I am sorry if the topic has been covered but I haven't been able to really find a topic that has answered my question.

Do any of you guys have a favorite scope that you have really liked that didn't cost an arm and a leg. If so could you post up the ones that really helped you when you first got into precision shooting that was a favorite? Thanks in advance for your time!
 
Need to know what the going rate is for an arm & a leg in your neck of the woods to comment.

My low cost may be quite different than yours, for instance, I think the Bushnell Elite Tactical 6-24x50s are a lot of scope for the money in the $750 to $900 price range they occupy.

Joe
 
Likely recommendations for several price ranges:

<$500 - SWFA fixed power scopes, Weaver 3-10x, bushnell 10x40 ET

<$1000 - Vortex PST, Sightron, SWFA 3-15x or 10x HD

<$1500 - Bushnell G2DMR, SWFA 5-20x, Leupold mk4
 
I'm highly satisfied with my Minox ZA 3-9x50 for caribou hunting. It was a steal at $219 and I have yet to look through another scope with equivalent glass (other than a Zeiss conquest) under $600. For a budget AR scope, I'm liking my Leupy Mk AR 3-9x40 mil/mil at $350. The Minox trounces it optically, but I like the turrets, mag ring and low profileness/weight of it. I also have a 4-12x50 Swarovski ($1000) that has utterly impressed me and was well worth the investment. Great bargains at all price points out there.
 
I enjoy my SWFA for a "high value" scope, however you get what you pay for. The build and features are excellent, however the glass is not that clear and bright. My Nikon Prostaff cost me under $100 and the glass is clearly better (pun intended), however the features and assembly are not the same.

My idea of a "budget scope" and preference of choice are either Vortex, Bushnell or Weaver. Of course you will find all sorts of threads about the 4 companies mentioned.
 
you can find some NF benchrest scopes for close to what your looking to spend. Not as much Elevation travel on your turrets as the ATACR or BEAST, but a NF BR for around 1200 is hard to beat.

This time I wont make a sarcastic comment about CS scopes!:) I'll be good.

EDIT: Cabelas in Olympia, WA had a Vortex PST, milradian for $986 in stock last week. That might be another option for you to check out. If its on the shelf somewhere, you can see the glass for yourself and decide!
 
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Likely recommendations for several price ranges:

<$500 - SWFA fixed power scopes, Weaver 3-10x, bushnell 10x40 ET

<$1000 - Vortex PST, Sightron, SWFA 3-15x or 10x HD

<$1500 - Bushnell G2DMR, SWFA 5-20x, Leupold mk4

This should probably be stickied...in bright ass colors.

I'd add the Bushnell Elite Tactical 3-12x/6-24x in the sub-$1000 category, though...and maybe the Vortex HS-T too.
 
I have the same question. I am looking for a scope for a Mk11/SASS clone. 308 Win. 18" barrel. It a precision shooting rig, but for less than 1,000 rounds per year (non competion/just ringing steel for fun and practice). I WANT a Nighforce 3-15, bt cannot justify the cost.

The SWFA 3-15 seems to be the choice.

BMT
 
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For a high mag fixed power, the Sighton SII 36X will do the job for less than $450. Hard to say it "satisfies", though, as it comes with a lot of compromises (lousy 7.5 MOA/turn turrets, not too clear relative to a Nightforce, only one reticle choice, not much adjustment range, small exit pupil). But... it works and isn't a piece of junk. It's just limited. Review: Sightron SII 36X42mm Rifle Scope | Bison Ballistics
 
Weaver Tactical 3-15 EMDR Illuminated.

Built by LOW, pretty decent glass, FFP, decent reticle, locking turrets, tool-less zero setting, 100+ MOA of internal travel, side parallax, red and green illumination that isn't too bad, and in a very practical magnification range....holds a zero well enough to drop rounds on top of each other at 100 with a 700 .308 (never had an issue with zero and tracking with the Weaver Tactical line - I have three)

They are typically found for around the $700 dollar mark, one of my favorites and very satisfying.
 
SWFA 5-20 HD is a great value, the MRAD reticle is a little different but after using it for awhile I have come to like it. It glass is very good for the price, the turrets although no zero stop is well made and has audible clicks and most important it tracks very well. By the way their is a member on the hide that has come up with a cure for a Zero Stop. Also check out SWFA for their Aadland scope rings.