Looking for good budget whitetail scope

[Nathan Gravitt]

I agree with your buddy. Leupold VX freedom 3-9x40. You will rarely have to dial it up except maybe at the range!!

 

[AWS]

I have gotten along very well under 200 yards with Leupold 1-4x20's and 1.5-6x40's to longer ranges. If your shooting deer over a feeder or food plot just about any scope mentioned will work. If your still hunting or tracking FOV will trump "X's" for target acquisition and you can always turn it up if you have one standing on the ridge 200 yards away. My forest hunting rifles all wear 1-4's, 1.5-6's or my 7x57 drilling has a straight 1.5x on it and would have no qualms taking a 200 yard shot with it.

100 yards
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The Burris FF-II 2-7x35mm is a nice scope
Burris 4x 1.5x6x40mm, great scope for the money

My nephew has a Leupold VX-3 1.5-5x20mm on his 243 coyote rifle and he killed one at 20 feet and another at 276 yards on our last hunt.

 

[bsekf]

There is a Leica 3-15x in the For Sale section, it's a lot of scope for $600

 

[jmkasza]

I have a Vortex Viper 3.5-10x50 that I really like, but its discontinued. However, since its not available any more I would get the 2.5-10x44 Viper HS. At $250 this is a very good buy:

Vortex Optics Viper HS Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 2.5-10x 44mm V-Plex

An evolutionary upgrade, Vortex Viper HS Rifle Scopes offer hunters and shooters an array of features sure to be well received. A new optical system...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[std7mag]

As was mentioned, Sightron.

As was NOT mentioned.
Contact Lancexxx for the best pricing!
Plus help support a member of this fine forum!

 

[drover]

I agree with your buddy. Leupold VX freedom 3-9x40. You will rarely have to dial it up except maybe at the range!!

I have three of these and they all have good glass, hold zero, have a good eyebox so that they are easy to get behind. I ought all of mine for under $200 - the best value in scopes available. The only complaint I have is that the adjustments feel a bit "mushy", not much in the way of tactile feedback but they are a set and forget scope so that is a minor complaint.

drover

 

[Tommie]

Hitting a deer at 200 yards doesn’t require world class optics (even at dawn/dusk). At $500 you’ll have more scope than is absolutely necessary but as long as the erector system is solid, all else is just a matter of personal preference. There’s a good reason that 3-9 variables with duplex reticles have ruled the deer fields for decades.

 

[DGP4]

SWFA SS HD 3-9x42 Tactical 30mm Riflescope​

$600 but worth it!

 

[2506]

As has been said the reticle is what you should be concerned with as much as big tube and objective for light gathering. You can have a picture window but if you have those busy small line BDC etc. reticles you can't see them. Leupold has a HEAVY duplex reticle that is great for low light. It is a hunting scope not a target scope. Most of the lighted reticle scopes are a waste of time. Even on the lowest brightness setting they are too bright and wash out the intended target. The only compact scope that I have experience with that has a lighted reticle that is useable is the Primary Arms 1-6 or 1-8 with the ACSS reticle. I run the 1-8 on one of my ARs in 6.5 Grendel that I have been deer hunting with the past two years. With it set on 1 power it is like a red dot with plenty of view for close in. With the 8 power it is plenty of scope for 300 or so yards. The glass is crystal clear. The first setting for the lighting of the reticle lights it just enough to see it in low light but does not wash out your intended target. If you really want a light gathering scope and REALLY BRAKE your budget get you a Zeiss or Meopta. I have them in 3-12x56 and if there is a half or better moon shinning you could hunt all night. LOL

 

[Joe Maisto]

First congratulation of obtaining a really fine rifle and caliber which should be a real deer slayer.

The classic 3 x 9 scope with a standard plex reticle would do nicely for your purposes. I'd look at the various Bushnell options. I have their 3 x 9 Elite, paid $240 for it and it's clear and hold zero.

The 50mm objective however gathers more light and can be an advantage in prime time for white tails, i.e. early and late during legal shooting hours. Take a look at the Elite 4500, 2.5 x 10, 50mm. NatchezSS.com latest catalog shows it on sale for $344.86.

The 3 x 9 Redfield Widefield that I had from the 60's era left nothing to be desired.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I have great luck with the Nikon 3-9 ProStaff. The very first one I bought was $120. I have several.. You can find em these days for around $179.

 

[K22]

The 3 x 9 Redfield Widefield that I had from the 60's era left nothing to be desired.

Amen - I had a 3 x 9 Redfield on my first center fire rifle, a 243 Win Model 70. Never found it lacking either. I hunted ground hogs, foxes and deer with that combo and it served me well.

 

[MikeT49]

I have great luck with the Nikon 3-9 ProStaff. The very first one I bought was $120. I have several.. You can find em these days for around $179.

I have a Nikon Team Primos 3-9 on one of my favorite North woods whitetail rigs. BAR in 243W. Hardly ever comes off 3 power. I also have a couple of Prostaff scopes. Great glass for the $. Unfortunately, my MRI says Nikon has suspended production of rifle scopes. Still available untill stocks are depleted. Warranties will be honored. Mike

 

[DumpHollow]

The Leupold 2.5x8x36 has been my first choice for a deer rifle. I also have a couple 3.5x10's and 4.5x14's. Never an objective larger than 40. Simple Duplex reticles and mountedw as low as possible. I am strongly considering the Leupold straight FX3 6x42 at $400. I have a 1.5x5 VX3 with Heavy Duplex and really don't care for the Heavy Duplex.

 

[GSRswapandslow]

I have a Vortex Viper 3.5-10x50 that I really like, but its discontinued. However, since its not available any more I would get the 2.5-10x44 Viper HS. At $250 this is a very good buy:

Vortex Optics Viper HS Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 2.5-10x 44mm V-Plex

An evolutionary upgrade, Vortex Viper HS Rifle Scopes offer hunters and shooters an array of features sure to be well received. A new optical system...

www.midwayusa.com

i have a 4-16 on one of my 6.5's....but now i want this scope, badly.... i didn't even know it existed

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I have a Nikon Team Primos 3-9 on one of my favorite North woods whitetail rigs. BAR in 243W. Hardly ever comes off 3 power. I also have a couple of Prostaff scopes. Great glass for the $. Unfortunately, my MRI says Nikon has suspended production of rifle scopes. Still available untill stocks are depleted. Warranties will be honored. Mike

Yes they have been . IMO one of the best values in scopes. They are still around if you look. Maybe on the internet. Last Nikon I bought was a 4-12 on sale at a local store..

 

[MVP.204]

Take a look at the Hawke scopes, I have been very happy with mine.

 

[338 dude]

I just traded for a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in 7x57 Mauser. The rifle is in great shape, but the scope and mounts on the rifle are garbage and need to be replaced. I'm looking for a good optic suitable for this rifle and I need to keep the cost under $500 (well maybe $550).

I plan to use the rifle to hunt whitetail deer, primarily at ranges of 200 yards or less. The stands I shoot from include some in wooded areas so I'm looking for a scope that does a good job in the first 15 minutes or last 15 minutes of shooting time.

I know good and cheap doesn't usually go together, but if you have a recommendation I'd appreciate hearing it. One of my acquaintances recommended a Leupold 3x9 Freedom scope which fits the budget, but like most everything else isn't easy to find right now.

Leupold VX3I with the index match lens system very good low light capabilities I believe the freedom is the old VX1which is their bottom dollar scope

 

[Tommie]

Get what I have. It’s the best.

 

[Bugs]

What you have is a classic rifle in a classic caliber. Accordingly, anything other than a straight 6x Leupold is kind of sacrilege.