Help me choose a scope
 

I just boughtmy rifle back from the gentleman that I sold it to a year ago. When I purchased it back he added a Bushnell Banner 6-18-50 scope to it which is a good scope but I would like to upgrade come spring time to a higher end scope. The three that I am debating in my price range are Nikon Buckmaster 6-18-40 with the BDC reticle, Burris Fullfield II 6.5-20-50 with Ballistic Mil-Dot reticle, and the Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24-40 Mil-Dot with a free 5" Sun shade. Just so you all know I have a Browning A-Bolt 7 WSM. Can someone please help me with my future purchase?

RE: Help me choose a scope
 

If you like 50mm, go with the Leupold VX-L 3.5-10 X 50mm Low Profile. I prefer Zeiss Conquest 3-9X40mm.

RE: Help me choose a scope
 

The Bushnell 4200 elite is a very good, yet somewhat affordable scope. It would be my choice, as I already have one, but the Leupolds and Nikons from what I hear are good quality as well. By the way do you really need such high magnification 6x18 or 6x24?

RE: Help me choose a scope
 

Red Lion

I don't know if it is so much what I need or if I just like the big powered scopes. I had a 3-9-40 Nikon Buckmaster on it before I sold it and I was not at all happy with the magnification. The scope was excellent in quality but I just wanted more power. I may eventually use this rifle for two purposes deer and coyote expensive ammo but at least I do not have to buy another rifle.

RE: Help me choose a scope
 

I was just curious. I have a 4200 4x12 power, and wished that I had gotten it in 3x9 instead of 4x12, as I really do not need as much magnification as I currently have. You sound as if you could use good magnification if coyote hunting though.

RE: Help me choose a scope
 

bushnell also makes a 5-15x50 elite. i have a 3-9x50 zeiss conquest, gave $500 for it and it draws light amazingly. leupolds are great too. high end nikons are nice but buckmaster lacks quality IMO.

RE: Help me choose a scope
 

I have this same scope and I used it for several years up until last season. I upgraded to the Nikon Buckmasters 4x12x50mm due to the same reason you said. I didn't like the magnification of the 3x9 and I wanted the 50mm. I was debating between the Leopold VX-III 4.5x14x50 ($679.99) and the Nikon 4.5x14x40 ($298.99) and 4x12x50 ($338.99). (The 3x9x40 is $218.99) All had Adjustable Objective and that was a big plus for me. I went with the latter due to a couple reasons.

I could have bought two Nikon 4x12x50's for the price of 1 VX-III. 338.99 compared to 679.99

I wanted the best scope for low light situations and the 50mm is better than the 40mm for that.

I sacrificed 2x for better low light situations and could not be happier. The Nikon is the best non-european made scope there is in my opinion and they run a really close 4th for all scopes. Hope this helps

Swarovski
Ziess
Leupold
Nikon

RE: Help me choose a scope
 

I would buy the Bushnell.I have one and I love it on my .270.

RE: Help me choose a scope
 

If you are hunting big game 9x or 10x is plenty of magnification out to 500 yards,and I wouldn't have more than 3x for a minimum magnification.The high powered scopes are a handicap when a close range shot presents itself.A good 40mm scope is just as bright as a lower grade 50mm scope.On a limited budget the 3x9x40 elite 3200 is a good choice.If your budget is larger,it is hard to beat the zeiss 3x9x40 conquest.

RE: Help me choose a scope
 

Holy crap did hell just freeze over?

I actually agree with you.

You don't need more than 10x unless you plan on target shooting at over 400 yards.

You're going to want the versatility of a 3-9x or a 2-10x for hunting puposes.

In optics you get what you pay for.

Ziess or Leupold are pretty much the same quality and only vary by features.

For your price range I would go with a Nikon Buckmaster or Pro-Staff or a Leupold.

RE: Help me choose a scope
 

Of those you listed the 4200 is the best optically, it also carries the highest price tag.

I agree that for bigame hunting high mag scopes have more pitfalls than +'s. Though it depends I guess on your deer hunting situation, if open terrain/long distance shooting it probably won't matter if all you can go down is 6x but if you ever hunt in tight areas and/or larger game in the future you may be wishing you could drop her below 6x as well. For varmits and target the larger power range is handy for sure. If dual purpose is your goal for deer/varmit and more functionality in the future with one rifle/scope comboyou may also consider somethinglike a4-12/14 instead.

RE: Help me choose a scope
 

Burris Fullfield II.... just a better scope - minus the Rainguard. Lets not forget the Burris 'Forever' warranty.

RE: Help me choose a scope
 

To have a scope start it’s lowest power at 6 could create problems for hunting in heavy bush areas as skeeter explained. It would be more of an advantage to start at 4x . I have a 4-12 scope and find it works very well for open areas and heavy cover but my favorite scope is 3-10 power for hunting deer...