Which Scope
 

I am taking my dad on a mule deer hunt in Idaho this fall and he desperately needs a new scope for his Win 300mag. I have been looking at three 1. Pentax Pioneer 3x9x40 2. Simmons aetec 2.8x10x44 and 3. Bushnell elite 3200 3x9x40mm. I am biased towards the Bushnell since i have the 4x12 on my rifle. any help would be appreciated or suggestions on other scopes in this range $150-200. I also looked at the nikon buckmaster 3x9x40. thanks

RE: Which Scope
 

Of those three definetly the Bushnell.

Another excelent scope for the money is Burris fullfield II and Sightron.

In order of preferance for scopes with a price tag of about $200 are the........
1. Burris FF-II
2. Bushnell 3200
3. Nikon buckmaster
4. Simmons atec
5. Sightron S1

RE: Which Scope
 

When I went to Cabella's to buy a scope for my .300 WM, I went to buy a Leupold. BUT! Cabella's has stocks that allow you to put two scopes on at the same time to shoulder them, and compare or A/B two scopes at once. I was shocked at how much clearer and brighter the Nikon was over the Leupold! I bought it, and have been very pleased for the past 4 years. It has not only withstood the recoil of the .300WM but also the riggors of "rough" hunting the Rocky Mountains. Try and compare two or more scopes this way at your local dealer before buying.
One last thing, I believe strongly in good optics. Doesn't make much sense to buy an &800.00 gun, and try and save money on a scope. I would prefer owning a $100.00 gun, and an $800.00 scope!

RE: Which Scope
 

The best bargain on a quality scope that I've found is the Weaver Grand Slam. They are excellent scopeand can be bought for around $250 at Bruno's shooter Supply.

From your list I would pick the Bushnell Elite 3200. The others are junk, in my humble opinion. I also second the notion of putting good glass on your rifles. I hate to see folks put cheap scopes on hunting rigs. I would advise avoiding the simmons, tascos, low end bushnells and Nikons (the upper end scopes are a different story), BSA.....

I had always been a die hard Leupold man until recently. The VX line is a disappointment. They don't live up to the standards that the Vari-X III had set. I wish Leupold would bring back the Vari-x III line today exactly as it was when they discontinued it.

RE: Which Scope
 

From your list I would say the Bushnell Elite 3200. But I have looked through the Nikon Buckmaster and thought it was a good scope as well.

RE: Which Scope
 

I agree the Bushnell is the best of the group but in no way are the Burris and NikonBuckmaster scopes junk. Bushnell just recently came out with a 3-10-40 3200 which is in your price rangeit has more eye relief than some of the other 3200'sand isunder 200$ at www.natchezss.com but you have to call to get a price smoe of the other places on the net have them also under 2. good luck with the hunt.

RE: Which Scope
 

Nothing larger than a 2.5-10 for sure. We have 5 big game rifles, all with Bushnell. Personally I use a 2.5x for elk, but my 243 has a 4-16x40 for varmints like antelopes and gophers.

RE: Which Scope
 

I liked all my nikon scopes. The buckmasters is a great scope for $200 also i like burris ff for the money to

RE: Which Scope
 

The Bushnell 3200 would be the scope for the money,BUT I have always been a Burris fan and the Fullfeild II is a great scope for the price.Check out the www.theopticzone.com he has some good deals and prices.
BBJ

RE: Which Scope
 

I had a Burris FF II on my rifle last year, and after some jackass broke into my truck and stole my gun I bought a new setup this year with a Leupold VX-II. I like the Leupold a lot better and the extra money was well worth it in my opinion. Having to turn the entire eyepiece to change the power on the Burris was inconvenient, and the rubber ring around the end of the eyepiece fell off after about ten trips into the field, pretty tacky for a $200 scope. If you can spare the money, go for a Leupold!

RE: Which Scope
 

I say if your going to spend $200 on a good scope why not wait a nother month or two and spend $300 on a great scope. I bought a Nikon Monarch UCC 3-9x40 Matte finish scope that I found on clearance for $170 and now that I have used it for two years I would gladly pay $299.99 for it. I think it is the best scope out there for under $450 with out a ?. If your going to hunt elk hard and really planing to go after them get a great scope not just a good one. Go to one of the hunting shops and look through all the different scopes people have been talking about on a bad weather day and notice the differences. I think the Nikons stand out. Jovan

RE: Which Scope
 

3200 of those you listed would be selection as well.

Good Luck

RE: Which Scope
 

For the money and quality. Nikon 3-9X40 Prostaff. I have three. one on a Mossberg Bolt 30-,one on a Marlin .35 Remington ,and one on a Browning .358 win. lever. Off ebay 118.00 to the door for two of them. One was 132.00 to the door. Clarity and quality that will last as long as the rifle. I have had Bushnell and Tasco, and simmons of the same price range, cant get any clearer than a Nikon. Go to Gander Mtn or BassPro and look thru them all.. Nikon

RE: Which Scope
 

Nikon Junk? lighten up on the whiskey....