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Rifle Scopes Economical quality scope for .308 build

MAG00

MAG00

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Apr 9, 2012
209
6
46
NE Texas
#1
I have a custom .308 being built and it will be used for mainly hunting and fun target shooting at ranges from 100 yds up to about 500 yds maybe 600 at most. Due to the up front costs of the rifle, I'm looking for a quality economical scope. Price range would be $300 maybe up to $500 at most.

Looking for recommendations. I thought about the Weaver tactical grand slam Midway special which is on sale now for $299. Thoughts about this?

Due to current sales and such I figure I needto make a decision pretty quick. Thanks
 
#3
Economical quality scope for .308 build

The Weaver 3-10x is a good scope; saving $20 with a discount code makes it better. You'll definitely want a 20MOA base with it, though.

The SWFA SS 12x is a great option too and on great sale, but a variable might be better suited for hunting. SWFA 3-9x is in your range...

If you can stretch...the SWFA 3-15x FFP is priced VERY well through Cyber Monday. The Vortex HST is also in the mid-$500 range and a good choice as well.
 
#5
I agree on the swfa 3-15 FFP deal. I would really like to have it but I have to remember the costs of the base and rings as well. I can get the weaver from midway for $299 and by the time I add rings and base I can still be below the cost of the swfa 3-15 scope.

Again, I would rather have it bug if they continue to periodically put them on the sample list at $599 I can pick it up later when funds allow and that's still not a bad price for what you get I think.

What do y'all think about this plan? Although there is no guarantee that they will put them on the sample list again.
 
#6
...they'll come and go from the Sample List.

I have two of the Weavers...they're 1" tubes and elevation limited compared to others but they track very well and the glass is great for $300. Buy with confidence...
 
#7
Why not just get the SWFA on the cyber weekend deal and save for rings and a base? If $150 extra for a decent rings and base is a deal breaker then you're in the wrong sport.

After all you said its being built, not sitting there waiting for glass.
 
#9
redneckbmxer24 said:
Why not just get the SWFA on the cyber weekend deal and save for rings and a base? If $150 extra for a decent rings and base is a deal breaker then you're in the wrong sport.

After all you said its being built, not sitting there waiting for glass.
Click to expand...

The rifle will be ready next week. I understand what your saying. I was looking at the weaver for $299 then aEGW 20 Mao base for $43 and Burris extreme tactical low rings for $53 for a total of $395 versus the swfa 3-15 for $550 plus the cost of base and rings. So there is about a solid $250 difference.

Another things is I could put the weaver onto my rem 700 5R .223 rifle and switch over my Ziess conquest 3.5-10x44 to my new .308 rifle.

Comments on this please
 
#10
First off buy the weaver rail over the EGW. The weaver has a recoil lug and the EGW does not.

The Weaver is a fine scope but the SWFA is better. You put good money into a build, a little more for a better scope isn't going to hurt. You already said you can spend up to $500, for the SWFA and the same rings and base you are only extending your budget by $150
 
#11
redneckbmxer24 said:
First off buy the weaver rail over the EGW. The weaver has a recoil lug and the EGW does not.

The Weaver is a fine scope but the SWFA is better. You put good money into a build, a little more for a better scope isn't going to hurt. You already said you can spend up to $500, for the SWFA and the same rings and base you are only extending your budget by $150
Click to expand...

What he said~ save for a couple weeks and get the SWFA. I'm on a budget DPMS 308· Build myself and I'm hopefully getting this scope.
 
#13
Most here have already been down your path. Get the SWFA 10x if you only have $300. Otherwise, wait for another paycheck and get a Vortex HST 4-16 or a SWFA 3-15 FFP. Get one used from this forum. You wont lose a dollar on a good deal used scope from SWFA or Vortex. Then you can upgrade as your budget allows.

We don't want you to waste time and ammo with a scope that cheats on you right when you thought she was good for the long haul. Reliability is priceless.
 
#14
Any thoughts about my comment of getting the weaver and switching my Ziess over to the new 308 and putting the weaver on my .223?

If I were to pick up a swfa 3-15 scope, would you recommend a 0 MOA or 20 MOA base.

Also, what base and rings would you suggest that wouldn't be too expensive? Less than $100 for base and less than $100 for rings.
 
#15
MAG00 said:
Any thoughts about my comment of getting the weaver and switching my Ziess over to the new 308 and putting the weaver on my .223?

If I were to pick up a swfa 3-15 scope, would you recommend a 0 MOA or 20 MOA base.

Also, what base and rings would you suggest that wouldn't be too expensive? Less than $100 for base and less than $100 for rings.
Click to expand...

I would really like to read some comments on the buying the weaver and switching over my Zeiss plan. Thanks.
 
#16
MAG00 said:
I would really like to read some comments on the buying the weaver and switching over my Zeiss plan. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Problem with the Zeiss is it will probably have limited MOA in it maybe 50 moa and I am thinking that your custom .308 will be capable out to 900-1000 yards. The zeiss wont have matching turrets nor will it be FFP.

I would get the SWAFA variable 3-15x42 with FFP mil turrets and mil reticle for it...or second hand F1 NXS
 
#18
In that price range, I would say Nikon. Had a Nikon Buckmasters 4.5-14x40mm with Mil-Dots I purchased for around $250. Was a great, clear scope as long as you didn't have to make too many adjustments.
 
#20
Im no expert here and the other guys know more than I do about extreme range stuff. Im trying to build a hunting/long range capable vintage Weatherby Vanguard .243, capable at maybe 800 yards. Ive been looking at the same Weaver scope Midway offers. Seems like a great deal to me. Everyone that has one has said its a good value, there are some very positive reviews of it online, decent glass, mil dot reticle, mil mil turrets, tracking is dead on, and its backed by a lifetime warranty. If your needing a hunting rifle first and as you stated you dont plan to shoot past 500-600 yards, I think the Weaver Tactical will work fine. In my case I think it will be a big step up from the 20 year old Burris 3x9 I currently use.
 
#21
Buy the SS and put a pair of Talley LW ring/base combo. Theyre around 50 bucks and very strong. Unless you are jumping out of airplanes and falling down mountains, they will be all youll ever need. Also, with the amount of elevation in the SS scopes you dont need an elevated base for 1K, let alone 600, as your looking at around 15moa. Also, whatever scope you decide on, buy the best glass you can get, even if you need to delay your purchase.

JimD
 
#22
Some people may like the SWFA SS fixed power scopes, however, I purchased a SWFA SS 12x42 last year, and I can say there is not much I can say in favor of the scope. The clicks are very soft and it is difficult to count clicks due to there mushy feel. I also had the outter turret strip on the inner adjustment turret multiple times, even after tightening and applying lock-tite.



After this experience with the scope, I purchased a Bushnell Elite Tactical 3200 Mil/Mil, and have had great luck with it for the past 8 months. Solid clicks, holds zero very well, and is a great choice in my opinion for a budget rifle. I have had it on my .308, and it has around 1,500 rounds under it without a hiccup. Just my 2 cents.
 
#24
You know what sucks about settling for a lower priced scope? You end up buying the better one eventually because the cheap one just didn't get it done and then you are stuck with a $300 scope you will have a hard time getting rid of.

I have done it so many times and have so much shit glass taking up space in my gun cave because no one else wants to buy my poor decisions and I am too cheap to throw it out.

Hold out for the best scope you can buy for $500, you can usually pick up used rings and a base here on the hide for a good price.
 
#25
The above statement is extremely true, that being said I doubt you would regret purchasing the monarch posted above. It can slide on any gun in the future or be an awesome back up if you move on to better scopes. From my experience it's always good to have one extra scope laying around.
 
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