Best varmint scope for under $350.00

"Before the flames get too high I should say that at higher magnification the difference in optics quality was pretty obvious (before dropping, LOL) between the Simmons and the Nikons I had on other rifles that day, and though the Simmons was acceptable even at high mag, I'll be replacing it, probably with another Nikon as I have had really good luck with them. "

Leon, Most the Nikon Buckmasters I have looked at and through only went to 18 power. It's really not fair to compare a 18 power to a 24 power regardless of price.
I did stop by a local gun shop and have a look. The Nikon Buckmasters were pretty good value and I liked them.......except I did not see a higher power(20-24) varmint scope with mil dot, which I use. I did compare the "Big L's"..........sorry, I am not paying 700 - 800 or more bucks (my rifle was $650.00 !)for a no question's asked lifetime warranty and I don't shoot bench rest so I don't need to copy Joe Blows set up. I am going to leave the Banner on for a while.......or longer. It has about 500 rounds from 2 rifles now and no problems. At some point(price shoping the net) I will go "one up" and do the Tikka justice(doubt my groups will get better though). It more than likely will be a Bushnell Elite series or a Nikon if I can find 20-24 power(magnafication improves accuracy.......period) with mil dot on a Nikon. If there was a Weaver Grand Slam or simular for cheap I would get it. $350.00 will be top's however, I am not getting sucked into this $500.00-$1000.00 scope thing.
 
Bill,

I wasn't comparing scopes at unlike magnification. The Simmons at 20x was in no way comparable to the Nikon Monarch at 20x, though it was still usable (and I realize the Monarch is more money than you want to spend).

I too like like high mag for long shot accuracy but I couldn't use either scope (or any other brand) at more than 16 or 18x for more than an hour or so a day as when the sun gets high and it warms up the mirage makes high mag pretty much useless on pdogs at 500yd+ (can't hit what you can't see).

Leon
 
I'm gonna go a different direction here and recommend the Mueller Eraticator if you don't mind a 50mm objective. Extremely nice scope for the money at $200 shipped with a free sunshade. The supefine X-hairs have a dot that covers ¾" at 200yds. Lots of em out there with very happy owners, I have 4 Muellers and love em all, right along with my Leupolds, Nikons, Burris and Bushnell Elites.

http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=2315

http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63821

http://www.savageshooters.com/Reviews/Mueller_Eraticator.html
http://muelleroptics.com/Eraticator.htm

Tim
 
"(magnafication improves accuracy.......period)"
not true. As nmleon states-MIRAGE! I use my 223 with 55 grain loads out past 600 yards, its a good "wind trainer", and wears a 6.5-20 Luppy. Don't worry, nobody will bash you for purchasing what you can afford, but more expensive glass it truly that, and the eye can tell the differance. Tasco's and cheaper Bushnell's just don't compare. They have that "foggy" look, and in LOWLIGHT conditions you lose clarity. But I don't consider this true of the Elite series. They have an unbeatable reputation. Good luck! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
One other thing to keep in mind is having a scope that keeps the same point of impact as you change power. My Simmons 6x24x50 (soon to be retired)will move the Point Of Impact about 7" when changing from 9x to 24x.....which pretty much stinks. I may try to send it in (don't know if the new owners of Simmons are going to do any warranty work on the old stuff???) and it may just collect closet dust??? Hate to sell it at a yard sale and make someone mad................
 
No variable scopes keep the same zero when changing power. Period, end of discussion. Some are much better than others but none can compare to fixed power scopes.

Jack
 
Quote:
"(magnafication improves accuracy.......period)"
not true.


Well............try shooting bench at 300 yards with iron sights and then put a scope on........any scope /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I think I am going to look into these Mueller's. I am going to do a 16" AR and have been contemplating what to put on it. Where are you guys getting your Meuller's at? None of the gun stores or sporting good stores that I go to have them. Thanks.
 
Hitman, the opticzone is the way to go, cheapest,free shipping on mueller scopes , and may throw in a sun shade. Gander Mountain carries Mueller scopes. The store near me doesnt have them on display , but the can order them. Go with the OpticZone.
Dont get me wrong if I can afford a luppy vIII on all my guns I would . But the bank is only so big. I was scared to order a Mueller scope(its a no namer) The clarity is good for the money. What I mean is you cant look through a $500 Leupold and the hold it next to a $180 mueller. But for me the clarity was good ( a little cloudy near the edges)thats the only thing I have to pick apart about them. Mine performs very well, I love the red dot in low light conditons its easy to find the cross hairs. I would buy another in a heart beat. Hope this helps.
 
Couldn't agree more with 2MG; IMHO reliability is the number one consideration in optics. I've missed several critters due to bad optics, but never because I couldn't see the target. Clarity is irrelevant if your scope won't hold zero or if the POI changes when the power is adjusted. If it is true that all variable scopes change POI when changing power, then it is also true that some scopes change more than others. 7" is unacceptable (my only Simmons did the same thing, and I've owned others as well). I've had one too many days in the field tainted because of bad optics. For my money, I'll buy a scope with a solid reputation and from a manufaturer that will stand behind their product. My 2 cents.
 
Loaded question but here goes.
I love my Loupes' but at a grand a pop now,OUCH.

Look at Weaver
http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=2520

For the Bucks I'm satisfied. Good people to deal with, good scope.

When you stretch the yardage out past 350 or so this is where the better optical calrity seperates the good scopes from the so-so's. A mound standing PD at 400 yds with off colored back ground may not require prescice color rendation. But take a ground hog at 350 yds in the pumpkin patch with good optics its easier to seperate Mr. Hog from a dirt clump.

Good optics won't improve the accuracy of a rifle, thats pretty much built in. But it does improve the sight picture at increased ranges. This allows the shooter more control at let off, and hopefully increased targeted hits. The better the sight picture the more hits.

Once you plunk down your "hard earned" your pretty much on your own.
JS
 
Alittle off the subject of the best scope for under $350. But, I Have never owned a High Dollar scope. I have never paid over $150 for any scope. Not because I don't believe that a high dollar leupold or whatever else wouldn't have better clarity and low light capability, but because I don't see the point of spending BIG money on any scope. I shoot all small bore rifles, so Problems some have with cheap optics and big bores isn't an issue for me. However I do put hundreds of rounds per year through most of my rifles and have yet to have any scope brake or fail. I also don't own any scope over 16x but consistantly shoot 300-600yds. In all honesty, I don't see a dramatic difference between zeiss and leupolds I have looked through and some of my "cheap" bsa's and bushnells. Not saying the upper end scopes aren't clearer but not near enough to make me spend $1000. Will I shoot better will I have less misses if I spend more money? NO!! If you shoot benchrest than I believe that you should have the best optics. The reason for that should be obvious! If all you do is strictly hunt, why spend alot of money? If the scope holds together holds zero and you can see the animal you wish to kill, is $1000 better than $100? I don't intend to p#ss anyone off, but my eyes can't be that much different than everyone elses!
 
I have both of these Bushnell scopes, the Elite in 6x24 and two Banners in 6x18 and a newer one in 6x24. I've been quite happy with all of them. I consider the Banner the sleeper of the Bushnell line, a really good value for the dollar. Honestly, I give the remainder of the Bushnell line wide latitude. They're made in China. Someday great optics may come from China, but that day is not here yet. Just one mans opinion. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal
 
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