Need recommendation for a solid hunting scope.

[long40shot]

I'm in the market for a good quality hunting scope. I don't really want turrets, exposed or capped. Variable power topping out around 20x-25x. 30mm Main tube. I would like a mildot or hashed reticle. Price around $500- $600. What would you guys recommend?

Thanks
Matt

 

[zanemoseley]

I'd probably look at Vortex offerings in your price range. Good scopes for the cash and good lifetime warranty even if you drop it off a tree stand.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Vortex has some nice scopes. I have a pair of their bino's no complaints.. My recomendations is a Leupold VX 3i 3-9 or my fav 4.5-14.. Otherwise I have several Nikon Prostaff scopes in 3-9 with BDC reticle.. The Nikons have held up just fine for years..

 

[jfseaman]

Leopold.
Vortex
Schmidt & Bender
Nightforce

 

[onelastshot]

Yo 're not going to get a Leupold, Nightforce or Schmidt and Bender for the amount of money you want to spend but you will get a Vortex and for the money they are excellent scopes.

 

[bruce moulds]

if you want an actual hunting scope, nothing surpasses the leupold 2.5 - 8 with the std duplex reticle.
if it is more than your budget, it is worth saving for.
these compact scopes help keep a well balanced hunting rifle just that, balanced.
they have the compactness to keep a rifle handy.
the power range is more than enough for hunting.
they gather plenty of light for any hunting situation.
and the std reticle is quite fast to use, but fine enough for careful shots with no rubbish extras to complicate things.

 

[hogpatrol]

I'm in the market for a good quality hunting scope. I don't really want turrets, exposed or capped. Variable power topping out around 20x-25x. 30mm Main tube. I would like a mildot or hashed reticle. Price around $500- $600. What would you guys recommend?

Thanks
Matt

As others have posted, it's going to be tough to meet your needs in that price range and still get something of good quality that can survive a hunting environment. My personal preferences are Trijicon, Nightforce and Leupold. I do have a few Sightrons on varmint rifles. They're a decent scope for the money.

 

[Rustystud]

Good scope and less than $500.00 don't go in the same sentence, unless it might be a used scope. I find cutting corners on optics, rings and bases is not the best option. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[hunter243sgk]

Nikon or Sightron.

 

[Barlow]

if you want an actual hunting scope, nothing surpasses the leupold 2.5 - 8 with the std duplex reticle.
if it is more than your budget, it is worth saving for.
these compact scopes help keep a well balanced hunting rifle just that, balanced.
they have the compactness to keep a rifle handy.
the power range is more than enough for hunting.
they gather plenty of light for any hunting situation.
and the std reticle is quite fast to use, but fine enough for careful shots with no rubbish extras to complicate things.

 

[Barlow]

I agree. I have 4 of these on various rifles and have used them for 30 years or so. I just killed a Wyoming 4x3 Mule Deer at 330 yards with my old 96 Swede 6.5x55, 120 gr Nosler BT at 2891 mv. It has a low round count Brux 26" barrel and although it's not light, it's very accurate. Back to scopes, I have never needed more on a regular hunting rig. Barlow

 

[swd]

The only decent scope anywhere close to that price range is going to be a Sightron.

 

[dkhunt14]

You could maybe get a Leupold 8.5x25 LRT for the upper end of that money. I have bought them used for that and have seen them go for that. With Leupold you have a lifetime guarantee. Can't go wrong. Matt

 

[JRS]

I'm in the market for a good quality hunting scope. I don't really want turrets, exposed or capped. Variable power topping out around 20x-25x. 30mm Main tube. I would like a mildot or hashed reticle. Price around $500- $600. What would you guys recommend?

Thanks
Matt

At what distances do you plan to shoot while hunting, and for what type of animals?

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Yo 're not going to get a Leupold, Nightforce or Schmidt and Bender for the amount of money you want to spend but you will get a Vortex and for the money they are excellent scopes.

Al the following fall in his price range, cept the last one.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Leup...Q9RV-HDp2MPllFYWFPL2UaAuUe8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

More here
http://shop.opticsplanet.com/leupol...sYLvWAhRFF83HdeX2z__wcSie7_Q67H6hkaAnbg8P8HAQ

 

[ttfreestyle]

Vortex viper 6.5x20x44. 30 mm tube is a decent clear scope well in that price range. I had trouble with Nikon fogging on inside at high altitude on a elk hunt , just my experience. Used Leupold can be found in that price as well. Good luck

 

[Wingnut00]

Just my opinion and I know a lot of people will disagree with me but I will never ever use a vortex scope with a value under the pst which is close to the $1000 mark. And I know you said you didn't want turrets. May I ask why? Simply curious because anymore my go to hunting scope out of all of my scopes is my 10 yr old leupold mrk 4 4.5-14. Its rock solid dependable no matter what. I understand not wanting turrets if it's gonna be in a scabbard but I still would opt for my mrk 4 for the most brutal of mountain hunting conditions and I have seen a few used scopes just like mine for the top end of your price range. Just my opinion but can't hardly go wrong with a lot of the better manufacturers. Sightron, Nikon, some of the Burris, leupold. Good luck with your decision.

 

[ireload2]

I began hunting with scopes 50 years ago long before the current Rolexes of optics world came along.
For big game I am happy to have a scope that is mechanically sound and is compact. I get along fine with used $100 Leupolds.
They have the same warranty and they work. After all they are only a scope and big game are relatively large targets.
I sure don't want a $1000 scope except for my spotting scope. The price of 40 $1000 rifle scopes would pay for a couple of used $20,000 Corvettes which are a lot more fun.

 

[savagedasher]

At what distances do you plan to shoot while hunting, and for what type of animals?

It depends on where your hunting is my thought also. I would take less power for good glass any day. The 10 minutes I gain both am and pm is worth the added expense. Vx 6 or 7 is on my hunting guns . Larry

 

[Gary in MD]

Check out the Weaver Super Slam and Grand Slams that Natchez Shooter Supplies has on sale.
I have a couple and the glass is plenty good with good positive adjustments.
Gary