I want a scope for my win. mod.70 featherweight. I have about 300 bucks and will use it for whitetail. Shots should be no longer than 150-200 paces (usually ~100). I'm interested in your opinions about brand/model quality, durability, and use. Thanks!

For $300 you can get a Leupold VX-II in 3-9X40. This is the same scope I have on my Ruger #1, and I have had no problems what so ever. Bushnell Elite 3200 is also a good scope for the money.

The Leupold VX-II is a good quality scope but take a look at the Weaver Grand Slam 3-10X40mm. It might surprise you..F

Leupold M8-4x33mm would be an excellent choice. For the short distances you will be shooting a stright 4 power is all you need. It only weights 9.3 oz., 24' field of view at 100 yds., 4" eye relief, and is only 10.5" long. www.cabelas.com has them for $219.99. Good luck.

The best kept secret with riflescopes has been the Sightron for the last few years. Twice the lense layers Leupold has resulting in better clarity & low-light transmission.... more eye relief... more back & forth adjustment room between the rings.... same identical transferable warranty as Leupold & about $95 less (based on the 3-9)

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Just for clarification, the amount of layes has nothing to do with transmission, Back Reflection, and Scattering. Its the quality of the one layer you put on. Not really quality, but how well you matched the index of refraction of the air/glass. We coat very small, things like fiber optic film filteres with the same equipment. Some times, we mess up, and don't get it right. Those of course are trashed. But once its setup, you can get thousands of them right. I am not flaming you, I know you were just putting down an informative post.

I am also a new fan of the sightron. I bought a s-1 3x9x40 for a .270 and was very happy with everything, Then midway put them on sale for $99 . I bought 2 for extras ..the nikon buckmaster is also veygood for the $$ but I would give the edge to Sightron ..Bill

I do like Sightron products I presently own a pair of their SIII binos, I have looked thru their SII scopes so much that I think I know them pretty well and here are my thoughts ..they do not have more eye relief, longer mounting tube length then a Leupold but they do have a comparable guarantee and in some cases replace a scope which Leupold seems reluctant to do . Have you bought a Sightron and had to send it in for service of any kind ? How many layers are on a Leupold and which model ? I would say that a VX-II the new models (Vari-XIII glass) now is a better scope optically then a Sightron SII..better glass and dimensions and not a lot more money. Don't compare a Sightron SII with a VXIII or VariXIII under any condition.

i bought a zeiss conquest 3,5-10x44 and i can hardly recommend that one... had 2 leupold vx-III before (2-7x33, 3-9x40) they are great scopes but the zeiss is in its own class.

think before you act - I did not and later wished I had. Put just a little more with that $300.00 and watch Ebay for a deal on a Zeiss Conquest scope. Life Time transferable warranty and you will never regret your investment. You can pick up a 3 x 9 for around $ 400 - $ 450 if you watch. I saw where a 3 x 9 went for $ 365 about 6 months ago ( when I was shopping for a 4.5 x 14 x 44 ). Good Luck