crossbow scopes
 

Looking at replacing the pkg scope that came with my Parker Tornado. Budgets $250 to max of $300.

My crossbow experience is limited,but having rifle hunted for 25 years or so I know you get what you pay for.

Any recommendations?

Nikon Cabelas has looked promising. Think its the XR model.

I just bought the red hot crossbow scope for my buck buster and it's the one that has the illuminated reticles green or red.... I like it!!!

The Nikon is pretty good if you'd prefer a fixed power scope.

I'd suggest the Leupold Crossbones which is a 2-7X variable that has 5 aim points built into the reticule which is designed for crossbow use. It's at the high end of your price range but is as good a crossbow scope as I think you'll find for that price range.

Really when it comes to made for crossbow scopes there's only one that beats the Leupold IMO & that is the Vortex Viper XBR scope. The Vortex has a much larger objective lens, is illuminated, 2.5-10X 44mm scope. Many advantages of the Vortex crossbow scope, no other made for crossbow scope I know of comes close to it...............BUT.........it's also 2X your prefered budget @ $600.......so that is a deal breaker for many.

The Vortex is good... but BIG and HEAVY. Surprisingly, the 4X Aero that came on my Camx is a pretty decent scope. It's Pacific Rim (Korea) in origin, but it gets the job done with ease. It has short ER which allows a nice, cozy cheek weld and hold.

Bugs makes a valid point, the Vortex is big and heavy when compared to the Leo crossbones scope, almost 9 oz heavier, which is almost double........9.9 oz compared to 18.8 oz.

But if you compare the Vortex XBR to rifle scopes of same performance it's shorter than most and within 2-4 oz in weight, though the Vortex is still a bit heavier.

BUT, so far as made for crossbow scopes go, it's unbeatable by any other scope on the market for features & performance.

Does not make it the right scope for all for sure, mostly due to price, but also due it's size/weight for some.

While a big objective lens on a rifle forces use of high rings, that then make a good cheek weld harder to hold.

But on a crossbow? This isn't a issue, the large objective lens has tons of room as it's extended out forward of the arrow retainer/trigger area housing that it's mounted on.

Which also brings up the point that ANY rifle scope that can be ordered with custom elevation turret will work well on a crossbow if you don't desire the made for crossbow type reticule.

Problem is those scopes that you can get custom turrets for also tend to have a bit higher cost to them as well...though you might be able to get a custom turret for the Crossbones as it's listed as having custom shop available for it.

I hope we'll see some new & better crossbow scopes in future, but the scope companies so far don't seem to be in much of a hurry about it.

I shoot a Tornadoe. I have used a Nikon BDC type cross bow scope for 2 seasons. I like it a lot. Has held zero and the "DC" marks are pretty darn consistent as they are described in the Nikon literature.

I had had a 3- red dot, lighted type scope on it before and for whatever reason I have done a much better job of bolt location with the Nikon BDC. Plus one less thing to be concerned with .... don't need battery life !!

If ya really want to go big ($) there is a crossbow ACOG made by Trijicon. There are three versions depending on bow speed. They run north of a grand! YIKES.

Have you used any of the Trijicon scopes Bugs? Impressions, pro or con you'd care to offer?

I've not used the Trijicon line, for gun or crossbow. I like how compact & light they are, but a 1K scope is something I'd buy only if I were positive it was real ideal for my needs.

I'd forgotten about Trijicon. So another possible option.

Thanks for all the scoop. When the holidays pass and finances look better I'll have to start looking at the Nikons . Had decent luck with Prostaff models on Muzzleloader s and one highpower rifle,so hopefully that carrys over to xbows.