best budget scope

[ckwatson]

I have a Rem 700 chambered in .270. Right now it has a nikon 3-9x40 scope on it. I plan on shooting it as for a little while but would like some advice on what would be a good beginner (budget) scope for mid to long range shooting. I would like something with target turrets, or if it is possible can I add turrets to my nikon and how good is a 3-9x40.

another question,can any one tell me what kind of range I can expect to get out of 3-9 power.

Thanks

 

[jbpmidas]

You'll have to be more specific on your budget. In college, my budget was about $50. Now, 12 years later, it's about $100! ;D

 

[Larryh128]

Look at the Weaver Super Slam scopes. Good glass, good service by people who speak english in the US & re-settable turrets on some models. Natchez had or has a pretty decent sale on the in the 5-20x range.

 

[TheSnake]

another question,can any one tell me what kind of range I can expect to get out of 3-9 power.

Thanks

Need more info to answer this question. What are you planning on shooting? If you are shooting at a deer, 3x9 will get you a long way. If you are shooting at a quarter or a dime, it will not. I always tell people, you can't shoot what you can't see. If your scope can't magnify your target large enough for you to "place" your bullet exactly where you want it to go, you are only shooting at it and you can only hope you hit your spot. Minimum I will go for a hunting scope I plan on shooting past 500 yards is something in the 14 to 20 range. You can always turn a high power variable scope down, but your 3x9 stops at 9.

 

[ckwatson]

Thanks for the replies

I do plan on using the rifle as a hunting gun but I also what to be able to shoot 500 yards plus at the range. I would be looking for something with a variable power. I would like some thing that will let me hit a pig or deer from any distance


As for budget I would like to stay in the 300-400. With that said if I need to save a little I can shoot the scope I have while I save up a little more money.

 

[articmp]

If you want to go up on magnification, the best bet is to get a scope with a 30mm tube. The 30mm scopes seem to be a bit brighter at higher magnification than the inch scopes. I use a Tasco custom shop that I leave on 10 power for deer hunting, and 20 power for groundhog. I hunt by sitting and waiting, so most of my shots are past the 200 yard mark, so no real field of view issues. Once you get used to snapping the rifle up with high mag, it get's easier. And you will never go to a 3-9 ever again, unless you crawl on your stomach through brush and your shooting under 75 yards. For the under or around $200 band, look through a Leapers, and a Nikko Sterling Nighteater. I have heard the Nikko Sterling Diamond series uses way better glass, but I have never tried one of those. Legacy Sports is currently clearancing the older models of Nikko Sterlings, so grab one while you can. As for Leapers, just check around the net. Pyramyd Air carries them, plus they have super customer service. SWFA carries the Pentax scopes. Recent write up in one of the shooting magazines gave it high praises.They tested it on a Savage 12 of some sort. SWFA has always done right by me.

 

[areaone]

Vortex Scopes, great quality and warranty.

 

[drybean]

+1 on the vortex cameraland has some great prices
6.5 x20 $279 i believe
drybean

 

[jonbearman]

If you buy a leapers you should just go and start a little campfire and burn your money. I would start out with a weaver v-24 for around 275.00 and save the rest for future needs.

 

[Joe C]

If you buy a leapers you should just go and start a little campfire and burn your money.

LOLOLOL! I know that to be the truth! Had one, once...never again.

Kyle, I have been looking at the pentax gameseeker 30 as an inexpensive knock around for a .22 I have. it is a 6-24x50 like my Sightron SIII's but at a LOT less money. I don't think it is as good as a SIII, Leupold or Weaver (which is a good choice also as others have mentioned) but it does have some pretty good reviews online and if you go to Amazon using the link here they run about $170.00 which isn't bad in my opinion. It also has side focus and a "range finding" reticle.

Something to consider also is there are a lot of scopes that come up here for sale at good prices...if a fella keeps his eyes peeled and has the dough ready you could find a nice used one.

 

[H2OBUG]

I just bought the pentax -- don't do it-i is Ok but it is not even as nice as a nikon prostaff--lots of haze on the edge

 

[Joe C]

I just bought the pentax -- don't do it-i is Ok but it is not even as nice as a nikon prostaff--lots of haze on the edge

Hey, thanks for the info! I was just about to buy one on Monday! You just saved me some dough!...you hear that Kyle!

 

[ckwatson]

Thanks for all the help. Now that I have a few options and brands to look at and also stay away from, I will be on the look out for sells and I will defiantly be watching the for sell ads on here.

Thanks H2O, I was going to be buying one of the pentax as well. You saved me some money too

 

[DukeDuke]

You'll have to be more specific on your budget. In college, my budget was about $50. Now, 12 years later, it's about $100! ;D

HAHA you got married, right?

 

[jbpmidas]

You'll have to be more specific on your budget. In college, my budget was about $50. Now, 12 years later, it's about $100! ;D

HAHA you got married, right?

It's the offspring more than the spouse!

 

[ckwatson]

Any thoughts on BSA scopes. I am finding some pretty good prices on amazon (if I buy I will use the ink at the top of the page). The prices are in the "to good to be true" range. I would like a little input so I don't waste my money.

 

[articmp]

Had a hanful of BSA's, wasn't impressed. The leapers 6-24x56 was a way better scope. Had a leapers bug buster 2nd gen, it was decent for an airgun, might have worked on a .22 OK. Not the best scope I've had, and not the worst. Stay away from the centerpoint from Wally world. People say they are a Leapers, but they are not. Clicks aren't on, glass is bad. And the rings are even worse than the scope. The BSA's are like low end Bushy and Tasco.

 

[stretch308]

Not to rain on anybodyz parade but I have 2(dramatic pause) 2 arms with scopes the rest are open/ receiver sights. I have a 3x9 nikon on an '06 and its too much scope for venison hunting. I'll be replacing with a weaver 1x3. Now targets can be looked at both ways, high mag precision -see all your movements or low mag/open sight and become one with all of your body and sight picture........ I just put that out there for fun. I love this accuracy stuff as much as I like swinging my sav scout on a deer. And as many of us do like the inside scoop on money saving equipment that works.

 

[Dan Hall]

Try the Pentax game seeker 30s. I've had really good luck with these scopes. I've got two of them now. The glass is not Nightforce class but it's clear enough to shoot accurately at 500 yards.

 

[LarryDScott]

As the saying goes "only a rich man can afford a cheap scope" Once you discover you have made a bad investment, that money is wasted, then you have to start over, and spend more money.
Stick with very well known name brands that have good warranty. If it says made in CHINA,"run Forest run" Larry in western Ky.