EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

Bought my boy a 308 and aint got around to buying a scope for it yet.
So my question is..... what is the best AFFORDABLE scope, that will hold up.
I despise to shoot thru a scope so I dont know much about them. I was considering a Nikon.
What say you?

Whoops posted in wrong place. :-\

I shoot a 308 and I have a Bushnell 3x9x50 Banner Elite on it. I have had it on for a while now with no problems. I mainly use it for night hunting and long range shots. They run around 120 at academy.

Bushnell Elite 3200

I think Burris has a ballistic plex that not to bad

nikon 3x9 by 50 is a good deal at walmart... can order it online

Nikon Monarch 3x9x42..excellent scope real brilliant in low light when the big boys come out to play

make sure it is a BDC for ranging out

Leupold would be the best quality at the cheapest amount. You get what you pay for.

I have a little bit of everything when it comes to scopes.

Swarovski
Kahles
Leupold
Simmons
 etc...

My favorite scope is a 6-20x50 Leupold VXIII Long Range Target 30mm with the Varmint Reticle (~$1,000.00), a close second is the $99.00 Simmons Whitetail Classic 6-20x50.   The Swarovski and Kahles are nice, but past the point of diminishing returns in my opinion, great scopes, but I won't buy another.

Nikon Prostaff for the money, you can get them from $100 to $200 depending on which one. I've been pleased with all my Nikons

Iv shot with leupold, simmons, burris, tasco n swaraski. The leupold is hands down the clearest for the price. I got an extra 1 sitn collectn dust. Its a leupold vxii or iii, cant remember. It cost a lil ovr 400 new n has duplex reticles, with 2 mildots at bottom for bdc. I bought a leupold mk4 m1 tactical 4.5-14x50 n changed out that spare scope. If ur planin on doin low light shots, get a 50mm objective with 30mm tube to gather as much light as possible, n ur field of view is wider also. If ur not shootn long range or low light, i wouldnt drop down less than a 40mm lens. We all hav diff purposes for our scopes, just depends on ur use for them n price range. Oh iv heard bsa aint to bad for the price, just wont take a lot pounding n getn thrown around

leupold gold ring varix ?? 3.5x10x50 is really a good scope. I have had it for over 23 years and my favorite...

if you can get a scope with a 30mm tube it will gather more light. I also have a simmons 4x12x44 that seems to be a nice scope that I just bought and if it does well I will get the 6x18x50 in simmons for my next gun...Simmons is American made and reasonably priced.

Speaking of American made, Gerber knives are American made and are of high quality and hold an edge...the prices are fair...

LEUPOLD ALL THE WAY...YOU WONT REGRET IT  ;D

I'm in between Leopold and nikon. Around the $250-300 range. Not had much luck with tasco or Simmons.
Me and my son will both be using it for deer. Would like to be able to reach out 600 yds but don't get that very often up here.
   Thanks for all the advise, ill take all i can. I just want something that I can consistently  hit the bullseye with.

I love my nikon  also have a burris and it is good also.

Tom if you can shop around for a little while....I would try to find a used Leupold, I've used most of the cheaper scopes like you said and you just get what you pay for. I have a Meopta now that is hands down the best scope for the money, in my opinion, but they're a bit more than you want to spend. I bought a used Leupold a few years ago from a gun shop here for $300 I think it was....3-10X50.....tough as whet leather....can't beat one for the money, however Nikon seems to be a good scope also.

Burris Extreme Tactical scopes are the best bang for the buck in my opinion. I love Burris scopes. I've got several Nightforce scopes and they are top of the line but a burris xtr is half the price and just as functional and dependable. I have two 3-12x50s with the lighted reticle. Leupolds are good too. Whatever you get just know that the scope is no better than the rings and bases you use. I like Burris Extreme Tactical rings or talley rings. The Burris xtr rings are a beast with 6 screwws in each ring. The Talleys are very very well made rings that you'll never have to worry about. I'm a firm believer that your scope should cost atleast as much as your rifle.

Nikon Prostaff

Which ever scope you decide check out Natchezss.com Ive gotten a couple scopes from them.  they have all different name brands (leupold, simmons, bushnell etc.) at GREAT prices.

If you are not looking to spend a fortune, check out the Bushnell elites.  I put a 3200 on my sons rifle last year and have been verry pleased with it. It is a good quality scope at a reasonable price. Clearer than my Burris and gathers as much light with a smaller objective.

Also check out samplelist. It is a websight that sells refurbished and demo scopes. I have not purchased anything from them myself but some of my coworkers have and seem to be happy with them.

Leupold VXIII 4-12x50 with 30mm tube

I have been seeing very good reviews on Leupold's VXR. Suppose to be between a VXII and VXIII in glass quality. Going to put on on my AR in the near future.

I shoot long distance fairly regular (paper and metal) and I have shot most of the scopes mentioned and I own at least 8 Leupolds that I love, with this being said my hands down favorite is my Sightron 6-24x42. The Sightron will not break the bank, I bought mine on eBay and got a great deal. The Sightron tracks very well, and the glass is second to none that I've used.

I will recommend getting a scope that has a variable power that will go to at least 20x for 600 yard range shooting. I know there are folks out there that shoot 10x at 600 yards but they do it for a living. I shoot with a fellow that makes a living shooting (leo) and he shoots 20x SWFA at 600 yards, the SWFA scopes are great also. I mentioned variable power since you mentioned that you will be hunting with it as well.

If you want a set power for hunting and long range ,a friend shoots the Bushnell 10x40 Elite that is a great all around scope for ~$200. A straight 10x will serve most hunting needs and will work for limited long range shooting by the average guys like us, that don't make a living shooting. The set power scope have way less moving parts making them tougher by design.

Have fun with the long range shooting, it's addictive. Make sure that your rifle is set up for long range shooting from the beginning and it will help the learning curve greatly. Bedding your action and a great trigger will be a good start to making your rifle be all it can be. Also make sure that your scope is mounted properly or short range shooting could be a problem. Scope mounts and rings are important as well, don't go and buy a great scope and get 2nd rate rings and mounts. Throw in some good ammo and you will be on the road to fun new hobby.

I love those 308's what brand did you get? Good luck deciding on your scope...

I have the 10x SWFA scope on my 308 and love it.  When i bought mine they were called Super Sniper scopes.  Think the thing ran like 300 bucks.

X2 on this scope, have one on my .243 and it gets beat to hell sitting in my truck, works great on a moonlit night ;)

Don't just go cheap it is an investment if you buy junk you will get junk performance and rember you will have some pretty good recoil from a 308 thoses cheeper scopes wont hold a zero for long. JMO

Thanks, all the info has been very helpful.

I have a question n the Simmon scopes...What are the pros and cons when comparing the Mil-Dot and Truplex???

I do know the cross hairs Truplex are kind of wide looking on the net but have not shot with a Mil-Dot but I kind of like the concept...

So your input would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

I must have had the only bad nikon prostaff. Sent one swimming last night after a box of shells. Kept walkin. Mounted up a bushnell (didnt have a choice) and in 4 shots, had it ready to fine tune. Had the nikon 3 years and couldnt keep it right. Put ten where i wanted em after i got the new bushnell lined out. I wont have another nikon. Thats just my opinion though.

I know its kinda behind the curve and way out of time frame for much help but take a look at vortex you get a great scope great customer service with one of he best warranties in the business and can spend as little or as much as you want they have them on swfa.com

Every one will argue but all my dad has ever bought was tasco world class and he has flown too Colorado twice Alaska 3 time hauled them all threw Alaska on those rough roads and said he shot them I'n once and never had to tough them again, i know i have a task on my 25-06 and have dropped it and hauled it and it's been on for 4 years since i changed shells 100$

I know everyone has their opinions but just look through as many as you can. If they have a stock to mount them on even better. Some lower end scopes to me, make it terribly hard finding it's sweet spot.
A tip I got from a guy who who is really knowledgeable on all types of glass is to look in the objective end(the big end) look at your reflection in it. If it is like looking in a mirror stay away. This means it will lose tons of light and clarity due to the objects reflecting off the lens. If you look at german lenses you'll notice it looks like a black hole. Second you may know already is just see how closed your fingers can get on the objective end while keeping enough vision to make a shot.  This will simulate dusk and dawn.
You may want to keep it simple and stay away from the bigger adjustable objectives. Somewhere in the 2.5x10x50 would be about perfect. If you can afford go ahead and get a 30mm tube instead of the 1 inch. BTW I am also a fan of Nikon and Burris if outfitting a young hunter. Good luck on picking one out.

that's some good tips...I was told that 30MM is way better than a 1 inch tube for gathering light...

Thanks, that's some good information. I will do some comparing at the house.

Yes 30mm ers are nice but they aren't king, it's all about the coating. They aren't real polular here in the states but Kahles makes real nice glass. I have a 4.5x14x50 leupold which are not on the cheap end of scopes. I picked up a 2.5x10x42 kahles and you can't beleive how much longer I can see at dusk than the leupold and it's only a 42 vs 50mm objective but it does have a 30mm tube. I just like the bigger field of view the 50 gives though.

That's very correct its all about the coating. One easy way to determine if the glass is any good just look at the color on the lens when you pic it up you don't want any red shades just a nice blue green is what your looking for and the main place 30mm scopes accel is because they usually have more internal adjustment for long range shooters not to important for your basic hunting rig.  Always look at how they word how the lenses are coated you'll hear a lot of manufactures advertising multicoated lenses well that's all fine and good for a .22 or if your looking to stay on a tight budget the what your looking for in a good scope is fully multicoated lenses or optics this means that the glass is coated on both sides not just one. Im not bashing any scope out there I have anything from a centerpoint special from walmart to a leupold mark 4 on my competition rifle. Nikon, makes a good scope but generally speaking if you have a problem with it good luck getting it fixed in a timely manner. Burris makes a good product. Leupold makes good quality scopes. Like I stated in my previous post Vortex makes some good scopes and u can find some for any budget $100 up to $3000 and customer service is top notch fully multicoated lenses good reliable adjustments worth looking into if your in the market don't take my word for it look them up I'm sure most of the guys on here haven't heard of them...yet.