buying scope on a budget
 

I need a hunting scope. I only have $200.00 to spend.
I was looking at burris ffII bushnell elite 3200 and nikon buckmaster.
can anyone give me any advice or otheer options. thanks

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

Honestly I would try to save up a little more money and get a better quality scope. The Cabela's Bargain Cave has Nikon Monarch 3x10x44 on sale now for about $360. You may be able to beat that price somewhere. Check E-Bay, there are hundreds of scopes for sale there and sometimes I see some real nice ones at good prices.

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

hunting season is a ways off, if you can hold out and safe up about another 60-80$ you can find a Leupold vx-ii 3-9x40 for around 260-280. Great scopes with great customer service. Forgot to mention to look into the sightron sII line of scopes.

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

Leupold's new rifleman seems very well priced. Has anyone tried this scope?

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

Yeah, I have. Works fine so far, clear, bright, says Leupold on the side.

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

I really want a vx-III long range, but can't find the extra $650.00 right now.

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

I just topped my .243 with a Leupold Rifleman. So far I like it! Leupolds are good but it's hard to beat that Zeiss Conquest.

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

jde30, Have you looked through any of the scopes you mentioned or are you just looking in the catalogue and trying to decide from the price? I have looked through a couple different Nikon modules and would have to say that the Nikons are allot clearer and brighter then other scopes. I ended up buying a Nikon myself. The Bushnell are also pretty good from what I’ve seen at the store but until you actually use them in the field it’s hard to say. I’ve also heard good things on the Bushnell customer service. Good luck....

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

In the price range you mentioned, I'd go with the Leupold Rifleman. Nikon makes a nice scope, but between the two, I'd go Leupold.

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

I think it all depends on the intended use of the scope. I mean.........if you want high light gathering, low mag. for woody shots, high mag. for long shots, or just normal conditions, then the scope you would want to but would be different. If you want to get a 3-9x40 that would use most of your budget I would go with the Nikon Prostaff for about $150. Yet another good brand for cheaper is Swift. You could get a 3-9x40 for about $105. But then if you need long range capability (for under $200) you may look into more Swifts, High end Simmons, or maybe a middle class Bushnell. But the only Nikon you would be able to afford would be a prostaff model, or the cheapestttttttttt Buckmaster model. That would be the best brand and scope for under $200. In my opinion, I have heard that Nikon makes the clearest image for the price. I have just bought a Nikon Buckmaster 4-12x50, and it is great. I was in the same situation as you are except I had a little more of a budget. I had narrowed my chpices to the Burris FFII, and the Nikon Buckmaster. OH, and I forgot.......You may want to check out the new Redfields. They have just been bought out, and are selling their items for cheap. You can get a redfield 3-12x44 or 4-16x44 for about $130-$150.

What is the exact hunting situation you will be in?????

Here is a Swift picture that I found in Cabelas.com You can probably get a better price than they offer if you search around. (They have every model scope that could fit into your specific situation)


GOOD HUNTING

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

Thanks guys. I think you gave me a lot good info.

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

go with the bushnell

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

Most scopes in that price range are pretty dependable to an extent, make sure the optics are waterproof and coated. It also depends on the game your hunting, and the weather you could encounter. Good luck

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

JDE30 I have a new in box 3x9x40 Leupold VX II, I'll sell you for $240.00 shipped. Email if interested.

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

Everyone who said save for the Leupols hit the nail on the head. When buying a scope you get what you pay for. Also Leupolds carry a liftime warrenty, I don't think the others do.

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

Bushnell elite series does...

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

Sorry R-DIZZERT, but you are 100% wrong.

Now-a-days, ALMOST any DECENT scope comes with a lifetime gaurantee. This includes Nikon, Leupold, Pentax, Zeiss, Swarovski, Swift, Bushnell, Burris, Sightron, Weaver, Nightforce, and almost any other brand you can think of. Its just something that has come to be expected by consumers..........and if a company does not have a lifetime gaurantee.........then they are out of business.

I just had to say something because I am tired of "Leupold fan's" raving about their scope, and forgetting all others. LEUPOLD'S NOT EVEN THE BEST SCOPE........OR THE BEST VALUE!!

Yes, they make good scopes, but they are waaaaayyyyyyyy over priced. A nikon is has better optics and is about $150 cheaper than a comparable leupold. A nikon has better glass compared to a leupold, except for maybe the LPS series, but even then the Nikon Gold can compeat with it.

I dont want people to think I hate Leupold's b/c I don't. I just dont see then as being a good value in "today's society"

I would rather buy a 3.5x10x44 Zeiss conquest than get a 3.5x10x40 Vari X III for the exact same price. They are just uncomparable!! The zeiss beats the Leupold in every category!!

I mean just go compare the prices to a company like Nikon or Bushnell:

Nikon Prostaff: $150
Leupold Rifleman:$179 (cheapest model, some go up to $230)
Leupold Vari X I 3-9x40:$279

Nikon Buckmaster 4-12x50: $300
Leupold Vari X I 4-12x40: $270 (Not even comparable, Nikon wins hands down)
Leupold VX II 4-12x50(new model): $450!! (Leupold wins in this compared to the Buckmaster, but it should be compared to the monarch, and as I said earlier +$150)

Nikon Monarch UCC 3.5-10x50: $429
Leupold VXII 4-12X50: $450
OR
Nikon Monarch UCC 4-12X40: $379
Leupold VXII 4-12X40: $399 (still more expensive, I would give a slight edge to the Monarch, but if compared against the old Vari X II, it would be a down right win for the Monarch)

Leupold VXIII 3.5-10X50: $529
Nikon Monarch Gold 30 MM 2.5-10x50: $599 (It is more expensive b/c it is the 30MM tube, any scope with a 30MM tube is wayyyyyy more expensive......but not when compared to a VXIII in nearly the same model.........hmm.........do we see a pattern?? Again, the Nikon Gold out performs the VXIII hands down, no exceptions. PERIOD.

The final comparison:
Leupold LPS 2.5-10x45:$899!!
Nikon Titanium 3.3-10X44: $580!! (This is the best of each line......and the only place the Leupold is better than the Nikon outright........but if my calulations are correct thats a $319 differnce between them!!!!!!!! Sorry but I dont think the LPS is that much better than a Titanium!!)

Maybe this has proven a point. Leupold's are OVERPRICED!! [:@] And this is not just in one scope line........its across the BOARD!! Maybe the evidence will speak for itself. I know their are a TON of Leupold Lovers' out there, and maybe b/c they are "American made (yea right some of there parts come from over seas, they are just assembled here, just like Burris)" But this is what I think.......and you can disagree, but you can compare it to almost any other line of GOOD scope brands, and it will have the same outcome. Some ppl may think they are more "rugged", but ALMOST any scope that you pay $300 for, is going to be rugged.

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

I have 2 Nikon Buckmasters and have been very pleased with them. My personal thought on the matter is to buy a scope that is reliable. Spend all the money you save on the best pair of binos you can possibly afford (Lieca or Swarro's). Out West where I live and hunt, you will spend 100x the amount of time using the binos as you will the scope.

It really pisses me off when some idiot accross the valley is looking at you through his scope. In the city that is called Aggravated Assault and is a felony and can be justifiably shot!!!

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

I have to toss in my vote for the Bushnell Elite 3200...VERY clear and bright optics, more eye relief than my Dad's Monarch, and has features that the $200 scopes from Leupold can't touch- 1/4 MOA fingertip click turrets, great lens coatings, and a great warranty as well..and a one piece tube, which I can't find any Leupold bragging about any more...

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

If you hunt hard you can find the leupold vari-X II 3-9 for $199. I got 4 of em at that price.

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

go to web site s w f a . the sell new,used, and demo models of every brand. you can get some extremely good buys

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

I'm not going to mention any brands but, the most bang for the buck is a fix powered scope. Suggest a 4X.

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

i still think the best scope i ever owned was a leupold 4x fixed power scope.i gave about $150 for it.that is better than the $800 for my swarovski. i would still use that little leupold if my eyesight was not so bad

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

Leupold is always a safe choice and there's nothing wrong with that. For the money I can't say enough good things about the Elite 3200. My brother-in-law was short on money one year and bought one. He raved about it so I tried one. Now I have 3.

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

You can get a nice price point Leopold 3X9X40 for $199-$229. Wal-Mart does carry them. I bought a Tikka 7mm last year went to put my Tasco World Class on it and the guy at the shop asked if I had looked through it lately, low and behold I looked through that thing and I swear I was looking through my beer goggles. Anyway, I put the entry level Leopold on it, $229 and love the scope, good light gathering, crystal clear optics, paired with the Tikka I was shooting the tightest groups I had ever shot. I later saw the same scope at Wally World for $199. I don't think you will be dissappointed.

RE: buying scope on a budget
 

I'd reccomend the Burris Fullfield II- great scope, great price, lifetime warranty.