Scope help.

[Grott]

In my area there is very little to look at when it comes to rifle scopes.  Mostly inexpensive BSA and Barska or high end at our one good sporting goods store.  I'd like to spend 150-250 on a good hunting scope, good adjustment for punching paper would be nice.   Too many options and new manufactures on the net. 

It's going on a 22-250, coyote gun for the most part. 
A long shot will be 250 yards.
Looking a 2-7 or 2.5-10 or 3-9???  will hunt with the lower power unless I need too dial it up.
I would like to keep the mount as low as possible.
References and contacts for Sponsor sites is welcome.

Thanks for the feedback,

Garett 

[hitman49]

look at the Vortex Crossfire line.  Camera Land has them and they are excellent glass for the money.

[Armed in Utah]

Vortex.....Weaver......Tasco......Bushnell....all have good scopes in the $200 range

Do your self a favor and not even consider the BSA or Barska......junk........

[dolomite_supafly]

You can find Burris Fullfield II's for around that price. I have one of their 2-7 Tactical's with the BDC reticle and really like it.

I have owned 2 Mueller scopes and for the money they are a great value. Very, very clear and track really well. They have enough models to have almost everyone's preferences covered.

Dolomite

[BrentWin]

I just picked up a Bushnell Legend 2X7 a few months ago. Its very clear and repeatable. I would recommend them to anyone.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=182262

[rjtfroggy]

 Do a web search for Intensity scopes.They are made by ATK and have been discontinued under that brand name and are now the weaver 40/44. If you can find them still listed as Intensity they will be selling for a fraction of the original price.
 Really not a bad scope for the money.

[laportecharlie]

I have both a Vortex Crossfire and an Intensity as well as higher priced (much higher) scopes.  Both are very good scopes for the money (under $100.00) and the Vortex has a bullet proof warranty.  Nothing wrong with the Mueller scopes either.
Charlie

[tammons]

I like the Leupold VX1 scopes a lot. Probably the best of the lot out of moderately priced normal range huntng scopes.

Superb eye relief, excellent full site picture, clear, very light weight, not too expensive.
I have the LR retical scopes.
Between my dad and I, we have 3 rifles with the 2-7x VX-1.
Pops tripped and dropped one of them on the scope. It moved 1" at 100 yards andI am sure
that was the mount.

So far at different times we have had them on 6.8 spc, 338/284. 243, 375 ruger, 308 with no problems.

Nikon Buckmaster would probably be next.

Other than that if you want a mil-dot, a Sightron 3-9x is cheap and decent.
I got a 200# plus hog with one on a 7mm-08 at 300 yards.

Meuller makes decent scopes and they are reasonable.

Probably one of the best hunting scopes on the planet is the Burris 2-12x SixX scope, but they are $650.

[yorketransport]

I really like the Bushnell 3200 series for the under $200 range. The Rainguard feature works great and is pretty much a necessity here in Washington. With a little searching you can find the 3-9x for about $150.

Andrew

[z71rat]

I encourage you to check out www.exploreoptics.com and see what they have to offer. I bought mine a while back and paid full retail for it, and I used it to not only win my competition, but to set a new high score record, and also tie for the smallest 3-shot group. I know of a few guys that are dealers for these scopes, and can get you one of your choice at an awesome price!! If interested, let me know and I can get you their contact information.

I am in the process of putting together a Precision Carbine, and it will be sporting the 4-16x50mm TTMD Explore just as my 10FPLE does right now.

DK

[Grott]

Well I didn't have much luck finding anything available from Intensity.  Z71rat info for exploreoptics dealers you know would be great.   

I like ...

Burris FF II 3-9x40 Bal Pex  (Hunter Knobs? are they lower profile? finger adjustment or coin?)
Vortex Diamondback 3-9x40 V-Plex
Simmons Aetec 2.8-10x44
Weaver V-10 3-9x38  (I like the 38mm objective for a low mount, enough light at dusk?)
and Bushnell 3200 3-9x40

I got to see and look through the Simmons but it was silver.  It seemed really lightweight in construction, but the mechanical "feel" was good, good edge to edge on lower power slight fuzzing around the edges on high settings, very usable. 

How do the other scopes listed compare? 
Thanks again for the help,

Garett

[Elkbane]

Out of that group, I'd go with the Bushnell 3200.  They're really solid.  And they make a 4-12x and a 5-15x you may like for a little more $. You might also want to look at the Nikon Buckmaster's line in your price range - I think they make a 4.5-14x or something like that - pretty decent and compact scope.

After shooting quite a bit with variable power scopes with an upper range of 12-14x, I rarely find myself saying, "Gosh, I wiish I had LESS power in this scope".......you can always dial them down....

Also, look long and hard at the reticle - you'll want one thin enough for target work but not so thin that they don't work well in thin light for hunting. The Nikon reticle is a little thick for targets (great for hunting), but I find the Bushnell reticle to be "about right" for both. A thick reticle on a 9x scope will make for tough group shooting - if you care about that.
Elkbane

check out the Bushnell's at Big River Tactical  www.bigrivertactical.com - I've bought from them before - good service, decent prices...

[EFBell]

3200's are pretty darn good. I looked through a couple but I don't own any. I do have 3 4200's and they are super! Bushnell trophy is ok for a cheapy, have one on my slug gun and is sufficient for close up work. Nikon Buckmaster is one I picked up recently for a good price and put it on my MLII, It's pretty good and found a permanent home there.

[yorketransport]

I don't think that you could go wrong with any of the scopes in that group. Like Elkebane said, find the one with the reticle you like in the power range that you like. I don't like some of the new range compensating reticles, they seem overly complex for hunting. For a work horse hunting scope, I like the Bushnell duplex, but not their Firefly reticle. The Firefly is a very heavy plex. For something that will be shot at longer ranges, I'm growing fond of the Mildot reticles. Not to use for range estimation, but to give easy to use hold overs. Look around and I'll bet that one particular reticle will jump out at you as being perfect.

Cowboyarcher has a Nikon Buckmasters 3-9x40 for sale in the classified section for $150. That might be worth looking at as well.

Andrew

[Grott]

Thanks for the Reply post and e-mails.  I'm leaning toward the Burris FF II as I found a dealer within an hours drive of my house.  I really like the Idea of looking through a scope before buying it. 

If I don't like what I see I'll be back to square one.  I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again,   Garett