What's your favorite budget centerfire rifle scope?

fast14riot

fast14riot

Joined
Oct 27, 2010
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I'm in the market for a new scope for my 6.8spc build and am curious what everybody likes. Something in the working class budget, that just works. I've pretty much just stuck with Leupold over the years but have noticed many other brands taking up a similar market segment. What are y'all looking through?


-Xander
 
Midwayusa.com right now has BSA and Simmons scopes on sale. Yes, I know, not top of the line, but decent scopes.

I recently picked up a Mueller. Lifetime guaranteed.

Your money.

Larry
Tinkerer
 
If you like Leupold, and would like something alittle less expensive, give Redfield a look.

Redfield is a Leupold brand now, and has some nice stuff at an attractive price point. Look em up.
 
Had Redfield's for 20 years. Never had a problem. Have a few mounted on rifles right now. New 6-18 is on sale at Midway for $199.

Less expensive but good quality is Bushnell. Used them for many years and have some on some rifles now as well.
 
Vortex. Even their lower end scopes are quite good. + Excellent customer service and a no-questions-asked, lifetime warranty. Check out their 'Diamondback' and 'Crossfire' lines. :thumbup:
 
I've been using Leupold scopes for years, and have yet to have one fail, and most of my rifles are big bore calibers...
I did have a Bausch & Lomb 1.5X6 Elite scope that was one of my absolute favorites. It had the most precise adjustments out of all the scopes I have owned.
I liked the fact that the reticle was epoxied and screwed in place. It had the Rain Guard on the lenses, and it actually worked well elk hunting in heavy snow.
This was a scope that was made before Bushnell bought B&L. Not sure if they are still as god of quality now though.

I had a Nikon Monarch that had terrific optics, but it wouldn't adjust correctly, even after going back to them for repair.
 
I tried a bunch of budget scopes at a gun show, Hawke Sport Optics came out way ahead in clarity. I did a review of mine on Optics planet, where I got it for under their $200 asking price (you can call them and ask for deals). I wanted 20+ magnification w/o illumination. Been serving well on my .308 AR10 for about 500 hundred rounds now without a hiccup.
 
I've been a big Bushnell fan for almost 20 years. Thst would be my first stop in a search for an affordable quality scope next I would try a new Redfield. No personal exp. with Redfield but hsve heard good things.
 
I have found Nikon to give the most performance for the $$. Their Buckmaster line is excellent, and can be found for under $200 for the popular variables, when on sale.
 
I've found a decent leupold Mk IV clone for $100 that I'm going to give a shot. It's not a fake leupold, but a clone that is unbranded. I figure if it doesn't work worth a damn at distance I'll just throw it on one of my airrifles. Either way it's not going to affect my budget for a scope, unless it proves to be a decent scope and I just saved some of money but don't tell my wife!

My dad and brother both have recently purchased Vortex scopes and seem to be happy with them, but I have yet to use them. I'd be interested in testing them out and using test charts at the range.




-X
 
I have found Vortex Diamondback and Crossfire II models to be an excellent value in lower priced scopes.
 
Have a Vortex Crossfire II 6-18x44 on a 308 i couldn't be more impressed with. Haven't tried a ton of of other brands though. Simmons i didn't care for. If i had the money though would get a Zeiss.
 
The old Japanese Bushnells were really good budget priced scopes in their day. I still have one that I bought that has been on a 1968 vintage Ruger 10/22 Deluxe Sporter since it was new.

I used steel tubed Weavers on my big game rifles until a 2-7 fogged up on me in the early 70's, nothing but Leupold since then. I saw a new Nikon and Weaver that were quite good not long ago. Their rimfire scopes are nice.
 
Redfield is made by Leupold. I have two of them :thumbup:
I would not hesitate to get a third.
 
I'm a fan of Bushnell. My 2 favs are the 4x12x40 that I have on my 10/22 and a 6x18x50 that I have on my 7mm.
 
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