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

Get a scope with a lifetime warranty - that in and of it self, means it must be quality, as the manufacture is willing to stand behind it.


Buy it once !!!

unless your shooting beyond 400yrds a 3x9 will work in eastern oregon.everyone assumes its all long shots here and thats just not true.i used a bushnell 3x9 chiefscope for years until the wife bought me a vortex diamondback.the vortex is a good 4x12 and i like the reticle.bushnell dont have a good warrenty so you might look around,i got my 4x12 for 220.00 and am happy with it.they also have a very good lifetime warrenty.

I don't want to burst anyone's bubble, but your goals and expectations are unrealistic.

A Bushnell Elite 3200 5 x 15 x 40 is about $329 + tax - new.
A Bushnell Elite 4200 5x15x40 is about $500+

Buying a used scope is just like buying a used car or a divorced woman, you don't really know what you are going to get until you bring her home and take a real long test ride.

The 7MM demands that you put good glass on her and not some piece of junk. I had a TASCO Ruby Red scope on one of my 7MM's and it shot like a million dollars and it was only a 3 x 9 x 40 scope.
I guess I was pretty lucky that it came with the rifle or else it never would have been on there. The problem is - as you increase magnification, you also have to have some adjustments for Parallax and the cheaper scopes do not have that adjustment built in and you will find that when you shoot more then a couple hundred yards, the cheap scope just won't be as accurate as a more expensive scope.

My old suggestion was to work some overtime at work, get a second job or steal from your kids. You need to come up with another $100 smackers. Optic's should be a one time investment, just like a good hunting rifle.

Here is a link for a flier ad for Grice Gun Shop.

Use it to compare the prices of your scopes locally with what is available online. You might be surprised to find that Grice is often times cheaper then most discounters and they are not going to go out of business tomorrow.

http://www.gricegunshop.com/specials...r-day-2010.pdf

You might could look at used leupolds....iffin anything turned out bad, you could just ship it to the factory for a repair.

Upgrades are more expensive than just saving up the first time (ask me how I know :D)

I've gunned 9x scopes farther than you'll probably ever shoot game at, and would concentrate less on magnification and more on a scope that lasts.

I've found that in a low magnification scope there are quite a few that gather efficient light and it's a matter of your favorite manufacturer. When shopping for a high power variable, the table changes because of the smaller front objective capable of enhancing light. Quality coating are a must when you shop the higher magnification variables you are in the market for. My suggestion, hold off for awhile until you can fit a Leupold VX III into your budget. I guarantee you will not be sorry for your decision.

Cameraland has the Vortex Viper on close out, and I believe you can get the 4-12 in, or close to you price range. Check write ups, and/or call Doug at Cameraland. These are good scopes for the price.

Say what? What exactly do you have against beer? :biggrin:

I know that there are better scopes available but some of us just can't afford them. I have a 35 year old tasco 3-9x32mm scope that I can see clearly with at the end of legal shooting hours, at ranges that I'm able to accurately hit my target. Although it would be nice to have an expensive scope, there are good quality scopes in your price range. The Bushnell Elite 3200 is a great scope, I have one in 2-7x32mm on my 30-30. Another scope that you might want to look at is Mueller. The optical quality of it are even better than on the Bushnell. I have their 4.5-14X40AO scope on a Marlin 917v in .17HMR. The adjustable objective lens is marked in yardage and it's very accurate at estimating distance to the target. People on a budget seriously need to look at Mueller. I paid $115 for mine and it's as clear as scopes over double the price.

http://www.muelleroptics.com/products/MAPV451440

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mueller-Rifle-Sc...item255df93235

i just got this Mueller scope for $209 on ebay. on the Mueller website it ws $239. clear as a bell on lower power but a little hard to see good with it cranked up.

you will be better off spending more $$ and getting a better one the first time ! trust me !

I just picked up two Vortex Viper 4x12x40 from Camer Land of NY for $250 a piece. Very good glass for the money and with the Viper line you can have custom drop turrets made for under $100.