I know that there are a lot of favorites among prairie dog hunting scopes, but what is a sensible selection for optics. I am not going for top notch stuff, so what about items less that $500? Nikon, Weaver, Bushnell? Looking for a 18 to 20 on the top of a variable. Leupold has been taking a hit lately on quality and service. Comments??
Reasonable Varmint Scope
- Thread starter centershot
- Start date
One of my Prairie Dog rifles had a Nikon Monarch 6.5 x 20. EXTREMELY clear, tracked well and always held zero. It is now on my "Deer Stand" rifle. The glass on them is incredible for almost ANY price. I got the "Niko-Plex" reticule as it is the same thing as the Leupold "Dual-X"... Perfect for varmints..
In all my p-dogging Ive never had a varmint rig with a scope that went past 24X.
In all my p-dog shooting Ive never went past 12x (UNLESS I was wanting to zoom in and look at something then zoom back down) and 99% of the time I am at 10x for all ranges.
My last shooting this week the scope never made it past 10x.
I have changed all my p-dog scopes to the Nikon side focus 4.5-14x40 mil-dot scope and the Nikon side focus 6-18x40 mil-dot scope. They run from $219 (on sale) to $299 for the recent pro staff 5 at midwayusa. Those are now made in the phillipines.
No need for a larger than 50mm objective or overly expensive scope IMO.
I shoot in winds and heavy mirage out here in WY & when you go higher the mirage gets worse.
They work perfectly for my usages. never had a problem with them to date.
In all my p-dog shooting Ive never went past 12x (UNLESS I was wanting to zoom in and look at something then zoom back down) and 99% of the time I am at 10x for all ranges.
My last shooting this week the scope never made it past 10x.
I have changed all my p-dog scopes to the Nikon side focus 4.5-14x40 mil-dot scope and the Nikon side focus 6-18x40 mil-dot scope. They run from $219 (on sale) to $299 for the recent pro staff 5 at midwayusa. Those are now made in the phillipines.
No need for a larger than 50mm objective or overly expensive scope IMO.
I shoot in winds and heavy mirage out here in WY & when you go higher the mirage gets worse.
They work perfectly for my usages. never had a problem with them to date.
Try finding a grandslam weaver in 6.5x20x40mm. Great optic for less than 400.00 used. I have 2 of them and are clearer and better than others in the price range you suggested.
There is nothing wrong with Leopold, think of the thousands of scopes they sell, yup, you'll get one that needs serviced now and then but that's life. You probably didn't quit buying the car of your choice because the neighbor had to take his for service
I like the 8.5x25 the best, its a little outta your price range though. My older 6x18's are pretty nice, to stay close to your budget is look for a used 6.5x20. It will offer a lot nicer glass at an affordable price.
I like the 8.5x25 the best, its a little outta your price range though. My older 6x18's are pretty nice, to stay close to your budget is look for a used 6.5x20. It will offer a lot nicer glass at an affordable price.
I have a Mueller 8.5x25x44 scope that I am going to sell. It's never been used.
http://muelleroptics.com/mt852544
I purchased the scope a few years ago, and had problems with it. I sent it back to Mueller under warranty, they sent back a brand new scope. I had since purchased another scope, so the 'new' Mueller has been sitting on a shelf for a few months. I even have the paperwork from Mueller stating it's a warranty replacement.
I found the Mueller scope to be a decent scope for it's price range. Let me know if you're interested.
http://muelleroptics.com/mt852544
I purchased the scope a few years ago, and had problems with it. I sent it back to Mueller under warranty, they sent back a brand new scope. I had since purchased another scope, so the 'new' Mueller has been sitting on a shelf for a few months. I even have the paperwork from Mueller stating it's a warranty replacement.
I found the Mueller scope to be a decent scope for it's price range. Let me know if you're interested.
alf
Silver $$ Contributor
My favorite PD scope used to be Leupolds in 6.5-20, but found 20X was too much most times with the heat and mirage, so I found myself using them around 12-15 power as the best compromise between field of view vs power vs the conditions.
All my dedicated PD guns have Leupold 4.5-14x40 Long Range models with their Varmint Hunter Reticle, and fitted with M1 knobs for times I want to play beyond the reticle.
While new prices are beyond your budget, used models can be had like this for just a hair more if you don't linger when one comes up for sale.
All my dedicated PD guns have Leupold 4.5-14x40 Long Range models with their Varmint Hunter Reticle, and fitted with M1 knobs for times I want to play beyond the reticle.
While new prices are beyond your budget, used models can be had like this for just a hair more if you don't linger when one comes up for sale.
jghoghunter
Gold $$ Contributor
If you watch ebay you can pick up a bausch & lomb 6-24for $250-375. Their glass is as good or better than most mentioned here for a reasonable price if you watch and are patient. Some say they dont have enough adjustment but i counted my oldest one and it had 56 moa top to bottom. With a 10-20 min. rail thats plenty for normal pd hunting.
just my. 02!
just my. 02!
JohnHenry
Gold $$ Contributor
May want to consider the Weaver Super Slam 4-20X50mm(#WE800350) on sale for $389.99 at Natchez. Very nice Japanese made optic for the money. Lifetime warranty to the original owner.
http://www.natchezss.com/weaver-super-slam-riflescope-4-20x50mm-sf-dual-x-reticle-matte.html
http://www.weaveroptics.com/optics/riflescopes/superslam/
http://www.natchezss.com/weaver-super-slam-riflescope-4-20x50mm-sf-dual-x-reticle-matte.html
http://www.weaveroptics.com/optics/riflescopes/superslam/
redrockranger
Silver $$ Contributor
Leupold VX @. 6 x 18,pick of reticles. Well worth the money.
Dan Hall
Gold $$ Contributor
Find a good used Leupold vari-XIII 6.5-20x40. Glass is good and clear, magnification range is good and the lifetime warranty can't be beat. Another good one is the Nikon Monarch line 5-20 or 6-24 can't remember what the lens size is. I can usually find all these scopes used for $500.
I went with a Nikon Buckmaster 6-18x 40mm mil-dot side-focus for my .225 Win. Liked it so well I got a second for my .223 Rem. They track well, have good glass and I just love side-focus.
At Midway, it's rated 4.9 out of 5 (125 reviews) and can be had for $325. IMO it's one heck of a deal. http://tinyurl.com/ksax8cs
At Midway, it's rated 4.9 out of 5 (125 reviews) and can be had for $325. IMO it's one heck of a deal. http://tinyurl.com/ksax8cs
Ohio Varmint Shooter said:
I went down the same path with a Mueller varmint scope. It would not track when I zoomed in and out. On a bench rest setup, you could see the crosshairs move off the bulls eye at 200 yards as you moved magnification up and down. I sent it in and they sent me a new one. The new one did the same thing, just not quite as bad. I called them about it and they said it was "in spec". I sold it. It would have been OK for big game but not for long range prairie dogging.
24x is plenty of power for prairie dogging. I made my 1 mile kill with a Scmidt & Bender PMII set at the lowest power, 12.5x. I would zoom in on targets to identify them then zoom back out for the shot. This is absolutely necessary for a second focal plane scope. You want to develop your drop chart at a particular magnification and shoot only at that magnification. If you change magnification from the one you zeroed with, your drop chart will change and you will waste a lot of ammo trying to make hits. It's too big of a pain and also an ammo waster to re-zero the scope for every distance you might see a prairie dog at.
The best solution to those problems is to use a first focal plane scope, but I don't know of any in your price range. I have a 24X Vortex Viper that is an excellent first focal plane PD scope, but they are around $1000 (still a lot less than most other FFP scopes).
The best solution to those problems is to use a first focal plane scope, but I don't know of any in your price range. I have a 24X Vortex Viper that is an excellent first focal plane PD scope, but they are around $1000 (still a lot less than most other FFP scopes).
In that price range the Nikon Monarch 5-20x would be a good bet. Excellent glass, side focus and tracks well. I have two...one on a .223 varmint rifle and one on a long range big game rifle.
Sightron II 6-24x is another good bet in that price range. I have one on my other .223 varmint rifle and it has been there for years. Will never change that scope out I'm so happy with how it works.
My favorite varmint scope is a Sightron III 8-32x with a 1/8 inch target dot. I have this on a .20 VarTarg and it is the ultimate setup for sage rats. More scope than needed, but the glass is so clear I can look through it all day and not get eye fatigue. It is outside your price range but it truly is a remarkable scope.
I tend to use the higher power end of my scopes. 20x is the lowest max power I will go on a varmint scope any more. Sage rats are about 1/3 the size of prairie dogs though so that could be why I like higher power.
With your budget, just about any of the known brands of scope will make you happy.
Sightron II 6-24x is another good bet in that price range. I have one on my other .223 varmint rifle and it has been there for years. Will never change that scope out I'm so happy with how it works.
My favorite varmint scope is a Sightron III 8-32x with a 1/8 inch target dot. I have this on a .20 VarTarg and it is the ultimate setup for sage rats. More scope than needed, but the glass is so clear I can look through it all day and not get eye fatigue. It is outside your price range but it truly is a remarkable scope.
I tend to use the higher power end of my scopes. 20x is the lowest max power I will go on a varmint scope any more. Sage rats are about 1/3 the size of prairie dogs though so that could be why I like higher power.
With your budget, just about any of the known brands of scope will make you happy.
Midway has the Viper Vortex 6.5x20 44 m/m, 30 m/m tube scope on sale. Is this a decent scope?
TheOtherZilla
Pull my finger
These are what I use, They work great and won't break the bank.. I have 3-4 of these on various rifles. Great for Pdawgin
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Nikon-Buckmaster-BDC-Riflescope/1926337.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch%2F%3FN%3D5100055%26Ne%3D5100055%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dnikon%26Ntx%3Dmode%252Bmatchallpartial%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26WTz_st%3DSearchRefinements%26form_state%3DsearchForm%26search%3Dnikon%26searchTypeByFilter%3DAllProducts%26x%3D0%26y%3D0&Ntt=nikon
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Nikon-Buckmaster-BDC-Riflescope/1926337.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch%2F%3FN%3D5100055%26Ne%3D5100055%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dnikon%26Ntx%3Dmode%252Bmatchallpartial%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26WTz_st%3DSearchRefinements%26form_state%3DsearchForm%26search%3Dnikon%26searchTypeByFilter%3DAllProducts%26x%3D0%26y%3D0&Ntt=nikon
Similar threads
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.