Best 4-12 or 4.5-14 Scopes Under $250?
 

Hey guys,

New to hunting / shooting here and looking to upgrade from the cheap Tasco set of glass I got on my first rifle.

I'm looking for some recommendations on what scopes to look for in the under $250 range in 4-12 or 4.5-14 power. New would be preferred, but if ya'll are aware of some good deals to be found at the gun shows that I should keep my eyes open for, then that's great, too.

What is the rifle that you are going to be mounting this scope on going to be used for and how long are the shots that you will be taking with this rifle?

Yeah, can't believe I forgot that important info!

This is a Remington 700 7mm Rem Mag, intended as an all-around hunting rifle. Primarily for blacktail, elk, and beer, but also for longer shots either east of the Cascades (which is why I'm interested in something like a 4-12 rather than 3-9).

I know you are interested in a 4-12X but to be honest you would be much better served with a 3-9x40 in the price range you are looking at. You will get a better quality scope that will actually be clearer and brighter than what you could get with the same money in the 3-12x.

For example...
For $300 you can get a 3-9X40 Bushnell elite 4200.

To stay in the same money (actually $20 more) you would have to step down to a 3200 in a 3-12X40. It's a fine scope but it won't compare to the 4200. Until you get into Zeiss, Swarovski, etc... quality a 40mm objective lens at 12X magnification isn't going to be worth a flip in low light on a less than $300 scope.

You would be much much better off to put the money into higher quality glass instead of stronger magnification or larger lenses. You can't shoot it if you can't see it.

For $250 or less. My top choices would be:

1. Used Burris FFII 4.5-14x42
2. New Vortex Viper 4-12x40
3. Used Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14x40

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Being a new hunter/shooter, there's a lot of information I'm trying to wade through all at once, you know?

bigbulls, what would be your recommendation for an "entry" level 4-12ish scope that would actually be worth it?

If you reeeaaaaly want a 4-12X then the Redfield revolution would be OK and about my only reccomendation..... but if you listen to experience you will be a happier hunter.

Honestly $250 isn't going to get you much of a quality scope in a 4-12. You aren't going to be any better off because you are barely going to be above Tasco level of quality.

Trust me when I say put the money into better quality glass and not magnification and size.

I'm sorry if I was unclear.

What I meant was that if I was going to pay the money to buy a respectable scope at that power without breaking the bank, what what be the models I should look at and how much will they cost?

Surely it can't be that EVERY moderately priced 4-12/4.5-14 scope is a piece destined for the junk heap?

not sure what they go for used....check out ebay etc...

to me I wouldn't want less than a quality Nikon, or Leupold VX-III/3

Zeiss Conquest is great.

I love a 4-12, or 4.5-14x, I mostly have the latter.

I'd spend all the extra money you could spare on a quality scope you could.

I really don't know what quality you can get for $250, but I think for 300 or 400, esp when talking quality used...you can be talking a nice scope...

Oh. I got you.

For $400 - $500 you can get a scope that will actually be worth having.

Meopta meopro 4-12X50 $500. Amazing scope.
Burris signature select 3-12X44 $480
Nikon monarch 3-12X42 $420
Nikon Buckmaster 4-12X50 $360