Rifle Scopes Sub $1000 FFP scopes

[civprod]

I hope that I don't get flamed for this, but I am in the market for a FFP scope in the sub $1,000 price range. I have done research and believe that I know most of the options out there, but I wanted to make sure I didn't miss any. Here are the ones that I am aware of that are in that price range:

Bushnell Elite Tactical 3-12 and 6-24
Viper PST
Weaver Tactical
SWFA Super Sniper 3-9
Falcon scopes

I know that there are some cheap BSA and Barska's (I believe) but I am not remotely interested in those.

Out of that list, I am leaning towards the Weaver scopes as they are a bit cheaper than the PST's and wouldn't hurt my budget as bad. I know that the SWFA is going to be the cheapest option and is solidly built but I would like more magnification. I know the PST is probably the most recommended of those options. I probably know the least amount the Falcon's and think that I would choose the SWFA over them. I keep looking at the classified trying to get a good used one and save some money, but I just haven't seen too many come along or I was too late. I am also looking at SFP scopes that have some more features, but I would like to get a FFP if possible.

Are there other scopes in my price range with the FFP that I should be looking at which I am not aware of? Thanks for the help and please don't flame me too much. I did see one previous post about this but it didn't reference many of these options and is several years old so things have changed.

 

[Rancid Coolaid]

Re: Sub $1000 FFP scopes

Never sacrifice image quality for magnification.

I'd take the SS over the others in a heartbeat. You can get more magnification elsewhere, but you'll give up glass quality to get it - at least with this list.

 

[nfoley]

Re: Sub $1000 FFP scopes

You can sometimes find the Valdada IOR 3-18 with FFP used for around 1000. Keep checking the optics for sale section here, they pop up every now and then. I highly recommend them.

 

[Adam B]

Re: Sub $1000 FFP scopes

so far I am not having/seeing any issues with the Weaver Tactical EMDR, I have also owned the Bushnell 3-12 tactical but prefer the Weaver since it has a better reticle in it.

 

[jeffersonv]

Re: Sub $1000 FFP scopes

I've had a couple of those scopes and would guess the Weaver would have the best glass TO MY EYE.

I base that on the glass in my Nitrex scope (made by Weaver) which, again, TO MY EYE, is quite a bit better than the PST and the SS.

I have had the SS and the PST and can recommend them in this price range, especially the PST, which TO MY EYE has at least as good of glass as the SS.

Keep in mind, opinions on glass are highly subjective.
It sounds like you are on the right track in your evaluations.

 

[Flyingbullseye]

Re: Sub $1000 FFP scopes

I'd go with the weaver but I'm biased since its the one I use. Can't say I have any complaints against it. Just make sure you don't buy one of the older versions. Honestly as far as the first 4 you listed you really can't go wrong.

Flyingbullseye

 

[LSOSGT1109]

Re: Sub $1000 FFP scopes

I haven't got to look thru the elusive PST yet but I had a 6-24x50 Bushnell tactical FFP and I loved it! I needed some fast cash or I would never had sold it! I don't mind the plain old mil dot reticle so I loved everything about it except for the limited amout of elevation. The new Elite models have more elevation, I think like 21 or 22 mils so that issue has been solved. Until I actually get hands on a PST, I'm calling the Bushnell the best bang for the buck for a sub $1000 FFP mil/mil scope.

 

[GunKnowledge]

Re: Sub $1000 FFP scopes

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rancid Coolaid</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Never sacrifice image quality for magnification.
</div></div>

Dumb comment, and not one most of us adhere to.

Otherwise, someone with good vision like me would never look through a scope, as any piece of glass would have inferior image quality compared to my 1x eyeballs & iron sights.

The purpose of a scope IS magnification.

 

[JuniperEyes]

Re: Sub $1000 FFP scopes

Never sacrifice image quality for magnification.

I agree with that 100%.

 

[*Nine]

Re: Sub $1000 FFP scopes

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KSwift</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rancid Coolaid</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Never sacrifice image quality for magnification.
</div></div>

Dumb comment, and not one most of us adhere to.

Otherwise, someone with good vision like me would never look through a scope, as any piece of glass would have inferior image quality compared to my 1x eyeballs & iron sights.

The purpose of a scope IS magnification.</div></div>

Seriously? Are you trying to lawyer him? I'm sure everyone here understands what he was saying.

 

[TEAMSENDIT]

Re: Sub $1000 FFP scopes

ok i will let you know my opinion since i have owned or used all but the weaver ffp.

ss3-9 not enough mag to need ffp in my opinion, no parralax adjustment.

pst reasonable glass, good reticle and feature list but the scope doesn't feel robust and i didnt care for the knobs much.

falcon- never owned and never will closer to barska than bushnell in quality

weaver-my teammate owns a couple of the 3-10 sfp mil/mil and they are great for the money and same glass quality as bushnell elite i thought.

Bushnell ffp- To me was the clear winner, good glass, parralax adjusts down to 10-25yds depending on model, plenty of elev. travel, reticle is simple and perfect line thickness, and scope tracks repeatable and feel quite robust (especially at its price point)

Needless to say i have 3 bushnell ffp scopes and love everyone of them.

 

[Tunanut]

Re: Sub $1000 FFP scopes

I'm right with Team send it on this one. Bushnell tacticals on two of my rifles and Elite 6500 on my sons 7mm08. We beat them pretty good. They are rugged, repeatable, and reliable. For under a grand the best bang for the buck and their customer service is outstanding.

 

[ggarrett1911]

Re: Sub $1000 FFP scopes

My opinion is biased for the Weaver Tactical 3-15 EMDR, hell of a scope for the $$$... but I honestly don't see how you could go wrong with any of the first 3 scopes you have listed. The SS may be a nice scope, but I agree with Team-Send-It on the magnification range & lack of parallax adjustment. I have a Falcon & never had an issue with it, but it is NOT in the same league as the others mentioned by any means.

Where in VA are you? You are welcome to come check out my 3-15 Weaver & one of my bro's has a 6-24 Bushnell Tactical as well.

 

[CharlieTN]

Re: Sub $1000 FFP scopes

I don't post here often and I am definitely in the "read more, post less" phase as a new shooter in this discipline.

However I do sell some of these scopes in my job as a salesman for a wholesaler. I would throw a nod towards the Bushnell due to the feedback I have gotten from some very good customers and the warranty from Bushnell is hard to beat. If you do not like the scope, for whatever reason, in the first year of owning it, you send it back to Bushnell and they will refund your money. Hard to beat that since you can essentially try it risk free.

I'll go back to reading more and posting less now.

Charlie