Favorite $300-500 budget scope

[806guns]

Whats your favorite go to scopes around $300-500. Mainly shooting from 100-500 yards max.
Ps i dont like Arken

 

[slm9s]

I've shot a lot of good groups with a Weaver T36.

 

[SteveOak]

A second hand Leupold.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Burris signature HD 5-25x50

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Falcon Optics 3.5 - 18. I have 2, both on Varmint rifles. More like $350. FFP/MoA and reliable.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

A second hand Leupold.

you stole my line.

 

[Curmudgeon]

SWFA

 

[std7mag]

Sightron used to be my go to for that category.

But in the past year or two it's been Crimson Trace.

Got a Series 2 from either Midway or Optics Planet.
Nice scope!
Great glass!
But heavy.

Since then I have gotten 3 of their Hardline Series.
For the price point, REALLY nice scopes!!
Really good glass!
Controls are silky smooth!
Turret adjustments have decent "clicks".
Track well.

 

[JB10]

Ive been using sightron S-tacs. I have 4 of the 4x20 and one of the 3x16. Need another scope for a new rifle i just got. Might add another to the collection

 

[brokeasajoke]

I have tried an Athlon and Im really liking it.

 

[jpx2rk]

I've got several Athlon 6-24's on varmint rifles, no issues at all. Sightron's and Weaver on the BR items.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

an older Tasco japan is very high quality

 

[Knotwild]

In the past year or so, I found some really great deals on scopes by just browsing around. So, I recommend being diligent, patient, and not hesitant about buying. Not hesitant doesn't mean blindly trusting scam websites, it means that a really good deal might not last very long. Three scopes I bought within the last year or so are:
1. 6x24x50 New Sightron Slll for $499 from Cameraland NY
2. 2x10x32 New Sightron S-TAC for $299 from Ebay
3. 3x16x44 New Sightron S-TAC for $274.99 from Graf's
4. 2x10x32 New SWFA Ultra Light 223 Reticle for $273

Those are just examples of deals that pop up. During the end of 2022 and beginning of 2023, there were some fantastic deals on Meopta that I kick myself for not taking advantage of. And, those scopes are NOT made in China

 

[806guns]

Found a deal on a Meopta Opkita 6 5-30x56 for a little more money. We shall see how it does

 

[LVLAaron]

SWFA SS series

 

[DGP4]

Vortex and Athlon have some very good scopes inside that price range, especially if you wait for a sale which are pretty frequent. Europtic still has some Vortex Strike Eagle 4-24X50 scopes in stock for $300 which, in my opinion, are a bargain.

 

[ronemus]

Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24X50 - fairly good glass, useful reticle, 30 mm tube, close focus to 10 yards (great for airguns and rimfire gallery). I have two - one on my 10m airgun and the other on my Anschutz.

 

[coldboreshot]

Vortex Diamondback Tactical 6-24X50 - fairly good glass, useful reticle, 30 mm tube, close focus to 10 yards (great for airguns and rimfire gallery). I have two - one on my 10m airgun and the other on my Anschutz.

+1 here. I havr one on a 5.56 upper that I normally run out to 600y. Works great. Decent for for the price range.

 

[ShtrRdy]

I got a Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44 that has been working really well. It was a scope from a dear friend that passed away two years ago. Thanks Joel!!

 

[Lead Slanger]

Found a deal on a Meopta Opkita 6 5-30x56 for a little more money. We shall see how it does

I'm interested to hear your feedback on it. I've wondered what they're like.