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What scope in a $700 budget

Fern

Silver $$ Contributor
Curious what good deals are out there for a 20x and up scope.
Need some recommendations. This would be going on a 20tac rifle to be used on prairie dogs and other varmints
 
A used NF 12-42 BR. They've proven to be very good and pretty much bullet proof. It fits close to the stated budget but you might have to spend just a little more in today's market for them.
 
A used Sightron SIII 10-50x60 is a great scope. If you want new, the Vortex Viper PST 5-25x50 is a great value. I used one for years and loved it and the EBR-2D is one of my favorite reticles. Midway has it on sale for 659, which is a steal for that scope imo

Since you'll be hunting with it you may want the FFP of that Viper for ranging capabilities.

www.midwayusa.com

Vortex Optics Viper PST Gen II Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 5-25x 50mm 1/10

The Vortex Viper PST Gen II hands an unfair advantage to shooters who seek to keep the upper hand in every situation from close quarters to long-range...
www.midwayusa.com www.midwayusa.com
 
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I believe Midway is having a sale on Vortex optics. The Viper PST Gen II in 5-25 is down $659. The reticle is helpful for your application where a quick follow-up shot is useful.
 
lancexxx said:
Sightron S-TAC is alot of scope for the money, and way under you budget. Shoot me a P.M. if interested
Click to expand...
Highly recommend getting a Sightron from Lance. You also get it fast! I run 2 Sightrons and love them both. Excellent scopes and very good support after the sell. If I am correct, the main operations in the US are based in NC. They only sell thru their distributors.
 
I have heard very good things about the Bushnell matchpro ED. I have the non-ED on my CZ457, and so far I am relatively impressed, but not enough experience to give a rave review
 
I've made more mistakes with scopes because I didn't have one to look through before I bought it. I have lucked into some good ones, and NONE of them were made in China. Mistake 1, I get a reticle I don't like, but the glass and scope are great. The reticle may cover too much of what I routinely shoot, maybe it's too busy, or too fine for low light shooting, Glass - it's worth the price to try to get the best you can get. With good glass in a solid scope you make hits at ranges that are tough for poorer quality scopes. And, It's great when you can actually see what you are shooting in detail. For example, a dull/hazy 20X is not as easy for me to work with as a sharp/crisp 10X. Zero stop, for me it's worth some extra expense to have a zero stop.

I have 2 Sightrons with the MOA reticle I like: S-Tac 4x20x50, S-Tac 3-16x42. I also have a Slll 6x24x50 zero stop that is awesome, but it has a MIL dot reticle I don't really like. I also have a Nighforce 3x15x50 MOA that is good, but it's on a rifle I hardly ever shoot.

This site has some good info, but I don't think it's being updated. It has a lot of info and specifically tells you where it's made and gives some reviews on each one.
Sage Rats Optics Database

I guess in a long winded way I am trying to say do your research, talk with your buddies (and take a look through their scopes) and don't get in a rush. Some really good deals pop up if you are patient and look hard enough.
 
Knotwild said:
I've made more mistakes with scopes because I didn't have one to look through before I bought it. I have lucked into some good ones, and NONE of them were made in China. Mistake 1, I get a reticle I don't like, but the glass and scope are great. The reticle may cover too much of what I routinely shoot, maybe it's too busy, or too fine for low light shooting, Glass - it's worth the price to try to get the best you can get. With good glass in a solid scope you make hits at ranges that are tough for poorer quality scopes. And, It's great when you can actually see what you are shooting in detail. For example, a dull/hazy 20X is not as easy for me to work with as a sharp/crisp 10X. Zero stop, for me it's worth some extra expense to have a zero stop.

I have 2 Sightrons with the MOA reticle I like: S-Tac 4x20x50, S-Tac 3-16x42. I also have a Slll 6x24x50 zero stop that is awesome, but it has a MIL dot reticle I don't really like. I also have a Nighforce 3x15x50 MOA that is good, but it's on a rifle I hardly ever shoot.

This site has some good info, but I don't think it's being updated. It has a lot of info and specifically tells you where it's made and gives some reviews on each one.
Sage Rats Optics Database

I guess in a long winded way I am trying to say do your research, talk with your buddies (and take a look through their scopes) and don't get in a rush. Some really good deals pop up if you are patient and look hard enough.
Click to expand...
Those Sightron SIII 6-24x50 really are my favorite too if it’s going on a varmint rifle. This is my opinion from owning the same scopes in 8-32 and the 10-50 ones.
 
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