So I am ready to buy a scope for my winchester and need some input on my decision. Could I get away with a fixed 4x or 6x or would that be limiting the capabilities of the gun. If a variable, is the 3x9 the way to go. I want to stay in the $150 range and want function over fashion. What would you recommend brand and model and where to buy. Thanks for any help.

I would go to ebay and look for a variable from Leupold Burris or Nikon in your price range. Don't be ascared to buy used the sellers are honest and will tell you if it has flaws. Good luck I would go with at least a 3x9x40 variable scope.

3-9x40, you will never go wrong, for your price range look into this scope:

http://swfa.com/Bushnell-3-9x40-Trop...pe-P45014.aspx

I would look on E-Bay and see if I could find a Bushnell 3200. They usually have a few on there close to your price range. The SWFA used/refurbished/demo site has a lot of scopes that might interest you.

Bushnell banner 3x9x40 $89.00 new or else Nikon prostaff or buckmaster 3x9x40 for around 150. People downtalk bushnell but I've never experienced any trouble with them. I use a variety of scopes bushnell,redfield,nikon,burris,and simmons. The simmons is comeing off my 260 and a nikon is going on it when finances get better. Don't go simmons but bushnells are awsome and nikons are really good too

I'd stay away from the Bushnell Banner. Not very good glass at all. BTW I just have to point out since this guy is saying stay away from Simmons, you are aware that both Simmons and Tasco are both owned by Bushnell right?

If you go with a Bushnell, get at least a Elite 3200.

I normally would recommend the Vortex Diamondback or the Burris Fullfield II in the under $200 range. However, Vortex is revamping their line of Viper scopes and some of them are on clearance.

So, If you can up your budget about $20 you could get this. http://swfa.com/Vortex-2-7x32-Viper-...pe-P10818.aspx

The Vortex Viper line is Vortex's line that competes with the Leupold VX-3 scopes. It's an amazing price on an amazing scope. IMO it's the best deal going right now. Vortex also has a great no questions asked warranty that's supposed to be just as good if not better than Leupolds. Honestly, it's the way to go right now if you can afford an extra $20.

The Burris and Vortex Diamond back are the two other choices I'd normally recommend. However, they also will run slightly more than your budget. If you have to stay at $150 and can not spend a penny more, I guess the Nikon Prostaff would probably be one of the better choices. It's just that for $20-30 more, you can get glass that's way way better. It's not that the Prostaff is bad, just that you can get soo much better, for not much more which is why you don't see me recommending it often. You would definitely be better off with a Prostaff that you would with a Bushnell Banner or other similar cheap scope though.

As for eBay, you can certainly get some deals off of there. One thing I will point out is one person above said the sellers on there are honest so would tell you of any flaws. I disagree with this. Some of the sellers are honest, but some are not. Just stick with one with good feedback and you have a better chance of getting one that's honest with you. I would certainly check out eBay and see if you could find some deals.

What are you planning on doing with this .270 Winchester ?


I'd recommend saving a little more before you make your selection.

The banner is one of the better cheap scopes. I've never had any trouble out of mine and it's on my 50 cal muzzel loader. I like it alot better than any simmons. But I'll grant you the Nikon is better. But if he's on a budget the bushnell will work fine on a 270.

While the 3-9 X 40 scopes are fine I can tell you that a straight 4X or 6X will work just fine too.

Interestingly, it seems the 3-9 X 40s actually cost less.....

Re: Bushnell....I've owned several and still have a few and have never had a nickels worth of trouble from them....ever!

In the last two years I started to upgrade my scopes and have bought from internet forums classifieds 23 Leupolds 2-7 X 32 and 3-9 X 33 compacts and a few straight 3-9 X 40s.....all for $150 to $200 each.....and I'm quite happy with all of them!!!!

If you want to look at a very cheap and unusually excellent scope PM me and I'll send you a link.....(It's straight 4X and I just installed one on a .25-06)

Also, a customer just sent me a Redfield 3-9 X 33 ultralite that is crystal clear.....It's not been field tested yet but at this juncture, I'd buy one for myself.....It's about $145 or so.

Just bought a Nikon Buckmaster 3x9 N.I.B. off of EBAY for under $170.