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

[beetroot]

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?

 

[Cr1775]

Burris Fullfield II 3×9. That's as cheep as I would go , made in the Philippines, and they just work.

 

[Cr1775]

Sorry I guess it's discontinued.

 

[Ty21]

Vortex diamondback or maybe a crossfire idk if I would go any lower then that maybe save up.

 

[beetroot]

Burris Fullfield II 3×9. That's as cheep as I would go , made in the Philippines, and they just work.

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.

 

[Redlion]

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

 

[Cr1775]

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.

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.

 

[beetroot]

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

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.

 

[rhsc]

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.

 

[tacoman69]

Trijicon huron or fixed swfa

 

[Redlion]

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.

I have a Vortex Crossfire 1-4 that has been sturdy and reliable.

 

[Cr1775]

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.

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

 

[beetroot]

Trijicon huron or fixed swfa

Fixed SWFAs are only available in 10x or more.

If they did a 3x or 4x then yeah I'd consider that.

 

[cas6969]

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.

 

[st1650]

Fixed SWFAs are only available in 10x or more.

If they did a 3x or 4x then yeah I'd consider that.

There's still some 6x42 floating around. Too bad they're discontinued

 

[rhsc]

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

Pretty sure they're still made in the Philippines.

 

[Rodney65]

If he wants to save money tell him to check gunpost.ca for used stuff.

 

[Vivacious Stallion]

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.

 

[beetroot]

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.

Needs a Weaver K series scope.
I want a No4T clone like this using a K2.5 or K3 scope.

 

[Vivacious Stallion]

Needs a Weaver K series scope.
I want a No4T clone like this using a K2.5 or K3 scope.

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.