If you only had $200, what scope would you put on a....

Uncle Timbo

Uncle Timbo

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Nov 23, 2005
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.243? I'm not kidding guys, please stay within the budget. Mounts can be extra but the scope itself would be 200 or less? I know you want to say, with a rifle like that, it deserves a scope that...
For now, $200 please.
 
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uofaengr said:
Look into Mueller. I've been nothing but pleased with mine.
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+1 on this. look at the Mueller 8-32x44 with mildots... found regularly on sale for right about 200.00. even so, brand new not on sale 259.00. accurate milling at 10x, I use the target dot model for my rimfire benchrest rifle and found the turrets to be postitive, good clicks, the tracking seems to be pretty darn good. Really not a bad option at all... the 30mm tube is nice as well.
 
Another good option is the BSA contender, 4-16 or 6-24. Usually goes for under $150, I have one and it tracks perfectly well, is really quite clear for what it costs, and doesn't weigh a ton.

But, what is this guns primary purpose going to be? Range toy or hunting? If hunting, will it be just varmints or deer? Maybe for an all around rifle I would suggest one of the Redfield 6-18 scopes I see on sale at Natchez for under $200.

Lots of options.


-Xander
 
For your application I would look at the Nikon's line of BDC (bullet drop compensator) scopes. Smaller, light weight and within your budget.
 
I wish I had a ton of scope time and experience to give, but I don't. So I can only comment on my own experience. For my .30-06 I installed a Burris 3-9 x 40 (forget the model, too long ago, but for some reason, the name Fullfield comes to mind). But it seemed like a dream optic to me, especially when compared to others I had experienced from friends and family. I think I paid right around $200 for it back then, but at that time, $200 was my max budget also.

While their MSRP for the value models are around $200-$400, most of them can be had for well under $200 (street price) from that nameless large online shopping site that starts with an "A". ;) More specifically from my searches, the Burris "Droptine" Line all had street pricing around or under $200. Not knowing exactly what your objectives are, because the caliber you referenced (.243 specifically) is pretty darn versatile in North America for everything from paper to varmint, and all the way up to deer, and maybe even larger to the right trigger guy.

So....Long story longer, you may want to add the Burris Droptine line to the "look at and compare" list.
 
Not sure what range you are typically shooting but here are some good value scope models that come to mind and might be worth checking out. There are some places that sell demo scopes at a discount which can bring a scope that would normally outside your target budget into play. PM me if you need any directions.

Nitrex TR One - discontinued brand but warranted by Weaver. Same as the Weaver Grand Slam which runs more than twice as much.
Vortex Diamondback - I have quite a bit of Vortex and have found them to be a excellent company and good value. Recently put a 4-12x40 on my old childhood deer rifle.
Minox ZV3
Burris Fullfield II - perhaps the model that bflying had good experiences with.
Nikon ProStaff
Vortex Crossfire II - a 6-18x44 Vbrite sits atop my go to varmint rifle and cost me less than $200 thanks to a promotional deal.
 
I'll second the Nikon ProStaff.
No experience with the others mentioned but I really like my Nikon.
 
You can get a new Leupold VX-1 for less than $200 if you look around a certain auction site.
 
Thank you brothers. I think I ought to be able to "scope" things out with your recommendations.

Also, I had a friend turn me on to Game Reaper one piece mounts. CNC'd out of a billet of aluminum. Does anybody have any knowledge of them?
 
I agree with Brisket's suggestions plus add Blackhawk tactical (rebadged weaver grand slam tactical) 3x9x40 at SWFA for 220, or try to score used SWFA fixed 10x42mm if you are lucky for cheap
 
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Brisket said:
Not sure what range you are typically shooting but here are some good value scope models that come to mind and might be worth checking out. There are some places that sell demo scopes at a discount which can bring a scope that would normally outside your target budget into play. PM me if you need any directions.

Nitrex TR One - discontinued brand but warranted by Weaver. Same as the Weaver Grand Slam which runs more than twice as much.
Vortex Diamondback - I have quite a bit of Vortex and have found them to be a excellent company and good value. Recently put a 4-12x40 on my old childhood deer rifle.
Minox ZV3
Burris Fullfield II - perhaps the model that bflying had good experiences with.
Nikon ProStaff
Vortex Crossfire II - a 6-18x44 Vbrite sits atop my go to varmint rifle and cost me less than $200 thanks to a promotional deal.
Click to expand...

Question, Do you have any experience with Mueller? I have a friend of a friend who maintains a outdoor shooting range and he said, for the money, as a beginners scope, Mueller. 4.5-14X40 Tactical Thoughts?
 

The answer is on the bottom rifle-Howa Varmint in .243..Simmons WTC 6.5-20X w/AO.

I use it on colony varmints..I've used Simmons for years..usually <$125..and represents good value at that price point..better scopes, sure but you probably don't need a NightForce at <$2000.

Best.
 
Over the years I have owned probably 30 scopes. Just about all of those were Leupolds ranging from older fixed power scopes up to 3.5x10 Vari-X3's... Quite a few of those were pre-owned.
Leupold makes a great product, but just as important they have incredible customer service. There scopes all have lifetime warranties, so it doesn't matter how many people have owned it, and their turn around time is usually 7 days. I like the fact that they are an Oregon company too. Their factory is only 160 miles from my house...

I have owned two Burris Signature scopes. A fixed 6 power, and a variable that I can't remember which magnification it was. Their optics were great, but their service sucked.... They may have changed it but back when I owned them, their anodizing was very soft, and didn't hold up well.

I owned two Nikon Monarchs. A fixed 4 power and a 3x9. Personally I think the Monarchs clarity is better than the Burris.

The one scope that really surprised and impressed me was a Bausch & Lomb 4000 Elite 1.5x6 that I bought for one of my 338's. This scope was made before Bushnell took over B&L.
I bought it as a test scope because I've owned older B&L products and was very happy with them.

The clarity was outstanding even though it had their Rain Guard treatment on the lenses. The workmanship was very nice, and the tracking and adjustments were the most precise out of any of the scopes I have owned. I don't know if they still do it or not, but back then another feature I really liked, especially on heavy recoiling rifles was that the reticle was screwed in place as well as epoxied.

I'm a little out of the loop now, but I tend to look at the companies customer service track record as well as the product itself.
 
I was headed to a shop to drop $500 on a "premium" scope. When I saw the build quality and clean glass, I left with a Bushnell AR/223 Riflescope, 4.5-18x40, #AR945184. it was also much brighter than the Nikon and Leopold scopes that I intended on buying., I paid $250, but I would be surprised if they can't be found online for $200.

I had heard that their quality had gone up since being bought by Leupold - this scope has proven that true.
 
Redfield Revolution all the way. That glass if perfect and acquisition is instant(For me). I also use it as a small varmint gun. The one I bought is 3-9X40. It is made in America.

My sister stole it for a short while, but whatever. Using a .22, I get a grouping of .25" at 50 yards. One can get it for $190 or so.
 
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