fair priced scope
 

I have a remington model 710 .270 that i have had for 2 years. I want to put a new scope on it. It has the scope that came on it i believe it is a cheap bushnell. I want to upgrade it and i am looking at spending under/around 200 for the scope. I have done some reading and what not and a few i have been looking at are simmons aetec, bushnell elite 3200(fast focus), leupold rifleman, leupold vx I, nikon buckmaster, nikon prostaff to name a few i have read about and what not. I want a 3-9x power (atleast) i think because ilive in south dakota where it is fairly wide open and i dont hunt in dense brush generally. i would really like to stay at or under 200. I plan on investing in a spotting scope (or binoculars) also before deer season. Also do i need to get other stuff to mount it like rings and what not and what would work with my model 710? thanks guys

RE: fair priced scope
 

josh....it really depends on your preferences for a inexpensive scope. some have features others dont or little things that bug you etc. i have a leupold vxII on my 22 mag...a nice scope and about perfect for the range on this 22 mag but the crosshairs are kinda thin and i really dont think id put one a big game rifle, unless my particular one has a different reticle. I have no experience with any bushnell products but i do like the aetec..i put a 2.8x10x44 on my wifes 243 and she and i both love it...its been on for about 2 years so only time will tell but right now it seems great...the new ones do look a little different than hers though.....whether its cosmetic or not i dunno. another one ive been looking at is a burris to replace an old tasco on my 30-06, just got to get around to looking at them and junking the tasco. either way all those you mentioned should be fine..just finger them all and see what you like best.....but for what its worth....im REALLY impressed by that aetec.

RE: fair priced scope
 

Another atec fan here , or Im sure the leupoles are good , these are my 2 favorites .

RE: fair priced scope
 

Bushnell 3200 is another great scope! I have several in 3x9x40 and they are VERY nice! I paid around $150 ea for them. The best part of the 3200/4200 series is the Rain Guard. Very handy in a hunting situation!

RE: fair priced scope
 

where did you find them for 150? that seems like a pretty good deal i thought they were around 200. another thing is anyone recommend somewhere to get them cheaper than say cabelas etc or anywhere they are having a special or sale on scopes?

RE: fair priced scope
 

Josh79,

I'm a Leupold fan but purchasd an Elite 3200 a few months back and am very happy with it. Try calling this place and ask for a price on request for a Bushnell Elite 3200 in whatever finish and other specifics you want. Seems like they had very good prices a few months ago.


http://www.natchezss.com/

RE: fair priced scope
 

Just looked up their Aug/Sept newsflyer and it looks like you could get theElite 3200 3-9x40 in any finish for 179.

RE: fair priced scope
 

they have it listed as 199. maybe the sale isnt in effect yet or something. thanks

RE: fair priced scope
 

I've got two Simmons Aetec scopes in 3.8-12 power and love them. I bought one for my .300 Win and liked it so much that I bought another for my .308. I've been able to pick them up for about 150.00. I had an old Redfield widefield 3x9 on my .300 Win (which is a good scope)but this Aetec beats it hands down. The redfield is going to be put on my .300 Savage.

RE: fair priced scope
 

just seen then link for there flyer and you are right. there is an additional 20 off of some of the scopes.

RE: fair priced scope
 

Try this outfit, S.W.F.A. I've ordered a couple scopes from them in the past, and no problems. Good service and good prices.
Link:
SWFA: http://www.riflescopes.com/store/default.asp

RE: fair priced scope
 

I like the Pro Staffs awful well myself.

RE: fair priced scope
 

I've only ever used Leupold on my rifles. I don't know how other scopes perform compared to them, but if you can afford one you will NEVER be disappointed.

RE: fair priced scope
 

Bass Pro's latest sale paper has the Aetec for 119.00!!!!

RE: fair priced scope
 

Ultimate outdoors is where I got both of mine. They now have them for about $158 or so.

http://www.ultout.com/bushnell-optics.htm

The Aetec is another good scope for the $$$$

RE: fair priced scope
 

I would think the Aetec or the Elite 3200 would be a good choice. It’s a matter of going out and looking at them. Good luck.

RE: fair priced scope
 

Take a look at the Burris Fullfield II scope I have seen this for $200.00 with a spotting scope or a pair of binaoculars at www.riflescopes.com and www.midway.com . This scope has 95% light transmission and is 3 x 9 x 40.

RE: fair priced scope
 

well so far i would say i am leaning towards the aetec because of the 119 price tag on it. you say there isnt much difference between it and the elite 3200 correct? these are the 2 i think i have narrowed it down to. one question what does the fast focus eyepiece on some elite 3200 really do? is it better than a regular elite 3200? thanks

RE: fair priced scope
 

Josh the Aetec is a decent little scope for the money (the $119 price is certainly cheap enough, sounds like a clearance price to make room for the new Simmons this fall). But the Simmons and Elite both suffer from what I call "amberness". When you take them outside under bright conditions they seem to have almost a yellowish or amber haze in their glass. Nothing to worry about but IMHO for the money there are better options out there. Personally I would recommend you take a look at the Nikon Buckmasters series. The VX 1 series from Leupold is likewise a clearer line of optics than either the Simmons or the Bushnell.

Mount wise, stick with the existing Weaver style setup that came with your rifle. Loctite everything down and you should be ok. If I was gonna change anything I might put Weaver Grand Slam rings on your existing bases. The GS series is steel instead of aluminum, but you will still have aluminum bases so it's all superficial anyway. Leupold makes bases for the 710 as well, but I would go with what you had already in all honesty. I simply don't trust the windage screw rear setup of the standard Leupold base/ring anymore!


Good luck and let us know what you decided on!
RA

RE: fair priced scope
 

well i have thrown another one into the mix. burris fullfield 2 with ballistic plex recticle and a free spotting scope. i am wanting a spotting scope and the burris is supposed to be a good scope and with a free spotter seems like a good deal. Plus the ballistic plex recticle would be nice i think. only thing is i think i would like the bushnell's rainguard. so right now i say burris fullfield 2 has a slight edge on the elite 3200 with the aetec in 3rd (cheap price still tempts me!) maybe i should just get 2 more rifles and get all 3 scopes? lol:D

RE: fair priced scope
 

For around $200, you'll not beat the Buckmaster. It's by far the brightest and clearest made for that money. Next, I'd pick the 3200, Aetec, ProStaff and then a VX-1 or Rifleman in that order. Pick them all up if you can, and look through them in natural light. That should make your choice.

RE: fair priced scope
 

well right now i think i have it narrowed down to the buckmaster and elite 3200. the buckmaster seems to be a great scope and so does the elite 3200 plus i think that rainguard would be nice up here in south dakota cuz ya never know what the weather will be like. so right now i think it have the elite 3200 with a slight edge.

RE: fair priced scope
 

Just got my SD permit. (checked online) I will be using either my 25-06 or my 270. Both will be wearing Aetecs. One is the 3x10 the other the 4x12. If I use my 6.5x55 it will still have the sameTasco straight four power World Class scope thats been on it for the last 20 years.The Old tasco World Class were good scopes. The Swift Premier scopes are also very good glass in the same price range.

RE: fair priced scope
 

I also got my sd tag. i didnt start seriously looking for a scope until i knew i had it which was friday. right now i am thinking of getting a sightron s2 but the elite 3200 is still close because of the rainguard feature but i think i will end up with the sightron s2. thanks

RE: fair priced scope
 

Of all the scopes you've mentioned throughout the posts I would narrow it to these in the following order: Bushnell Elite 3200, Nikon Buckmaster, Sightron SII, & Simmons Aetec.

RE: fair priced scope
 

Nikon makes a nice scope.

RE: fair priced scope
 

Josh. What unit are you hunting? I am doing the 02A unit. I think either scope you mentioned would be fine.

RE: fair priced scope
 

I own Zeiss, leupold, burris, sightron burris and nikon scopes. The nikon has the best light gathering for the money......the Burris PB reticle is just darn nice for long range shooting.....the zeiss is the best hands down. For your application, the buckmaster is terrific....go here.....http://www.4scopes.com/buckmasters.htm
Regards, Rick.

RE: fair priced scope
 

going to order a sightron sII soon unless i find a steal on some other scope. i am hunting 60b (southern tripp). Wish they would make tripp one unit instead of splitting it. Or move that line about 15 miles north lol.