Cheap variable scope for 308??

V

VMUTH

New member
I'm looking to buy a scope to put on a stainless .308. Would like to have a variable power and an AO isn't important to me. Also trying to keep the prices down under $200. The scopes I came accross was a Simmons Aetec 2.8-10x44 and Tasco mag IV 4-16x40(plex recticle?) and World Class 3-9x40(plex recticle?)Which would you choose and if you have other recommendations, that would be great.

Thanks,

VMuth
 
I wouldn't go with either.. save a few more $ and get somthing better... with scopes you get what you pay for...

Bad scopes usually mean bad huntng results...

Just my .02
 
For the money you have now to spend go with the Aetec,as it is a good scope. You can get them around $100. to $130, off of either e-bay or at a gun show. I have the 2.8 -10 , and I like it, although it is not as good as the Leupold that works on my 25-06. For what it is worth,
later pup
 
I'm also looking for a scope that I can afford. Around $200.00. This is where I've narrowed down my choices. Leupold VX1 2x7X 33 $180.00, B&L Elite 3200 2x7X 32 matte $179.00, 3x9X 40 $187.00 matte, Weaver Grand Slam 3x10X 46 $244 matte, Weaver Classic 2x10X 38 $179.00, Burries fullfield 3x9X 40 $179.00 matte, Nikon 2x7X 32 $236.00. These prices are bearbase.com prices. I haven't delt with them but understand they are reliable. Right now I'm wavering between the B&L Elite and either of the two Weavers. Good Luck. Hope this helps some. You will be purchasing before I do. Post what you get and let me know why, how much, where, and how good.
 
Take a look at D&R sports, they have the Bushnell 3200 Elite 3x9x40's for $158.00. Bearbasin will match their prices if you don't want to deal with D&R. My opinion is the Bushnell Elite is a better scope for the money than the VX1. I don't have any experience with Nikon or Weaver, but I've heard good things about the Grand Slam and the Monarch series.
 
This is a good point for you fellas that are looking for the most scope for the money that you have to spend. Don't go with Midway or Cabelas. their prices are generally better than you will find at your local sporting goods stores but several internet sites can beat the pants off from them. Natches, bearbasin or S.W.F.A. will almost always be significantly less expensive. Last week I was looking at B&L 4200's. Midway and several others had it for about $450.00, www.swfa.com has it for $379.00. Interesting enough the sites vary. One site will be the cheapest for Pentax, the other will be the cheapest for Leopold, the next will be the cheapest for Burris. You need to look around but the look can save you hundreds of dollars in some cases.

Michael
 
Originally posted by VMUTH:
[QB]I'm looking to buy a scope to put on a stainless .308. Would like to have a variable power and an AO isn't important to me. Also trying to keep the prices down under $200. The scopes I came accross was a Simmons Aetec 2.8-10x44 and Tasco mag IV 4-16x40(plex recticle?) and World Class 3-9x40(plex recticle?)Which would you choose and if you have other recommendations, that would be great.

Thanks,

I am new here,so maybe should not add my 2 cents, but will any way, and hope not to ruffle any feathers. I personally prefer the scopes made by Weaver and Burris, however, I own a number of Tasco and Simmons scopes too, and have had no trouble with them. I look at it like this...You are the one who will be useing it..pick what you like and can afford.
Click to expand...
 
Go back, read what Buster said, call Bear Basin and order one. They are the best glass for the money. Tasco is going out of business, and regardless of anyone's personal experience with Simmons, the B&L is a much better scope for the money.

You aked for opions based on experience.
 
Outdoor life did a review of some scopes in the latest issue. The Weaver Grand Slam did very well in the review. I would hope that the quality of that would carry over to the other Grand Slams if you are looking for a different spec scope than what was in the review.

If you are looking to do any night/low light shooting you want to look at a 40mm objective to pull in as much light as possible. That said though, a 50mm objective on a cheapo scope probably isn't as good as a 33mm on something of quality like a Leupold.

I myself am looking for a new scope as well. My Rem .30-06 ADL has some cheapie Tasco 3-9x 40mm on it that is in dire need of replacing (as does my .22 mag). I was out shooting it with crapshoot yesterday at 100 yards (measured /w rope) and if I adjusted as the scope stated, 1 click = 1/4" @ 100 yards, it would move the impact point twice that, horizontally. First grouping was about 1/2" to 3/4" in size (not bad for cheapo Winchester factory ammo /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif )and hit about 2" low and 1" right. I adjusted to hit 2" high and center and it wound up being 4" high and 1" right.

So, once I get back from honeymoon next month I'm going to be looking at getting a Leupold in either a VX-II 3x9-40mm or a Vari-X III in 3.5x10-40mm.

Keep an eye on ebay for Leupold stuff since the Leupold warranty will transfer to any new owner. You can trip and fall, damage/break the scope, and Leupold will fix/replace it for free. I've been noticing on ebay that the Leupold stuff goes for about $100-$150 less than new, maybe more depending on condition and model.

Glenn
 
You tend to get what you pay for with rifle scopes. I would recomand that you put on nothing less than a Leupold, you will only have to scope that gun once in your life time. Should you ever deside to get a different gun you can keep the scope.
 
BroncoGlenn, no flame intended, but your Ebay experiences appear to be completely opposite of what I've observed. I've personally sold used Leupold scopes on Ebay that have sold for more than you could buy the same scope new if you're willing to do a little research on the net. Every once in a while a deal can be found on Ebay, but for the most part it seems people simply get caught up in the "heat of the moment", either that or they simply don't do any comparison shopping.

Here's what I've done in the past few months in order to finance a few gun purchases. I shop the local pawn shops on a weekly basis where I've found a couple of used Leupold Vari-XIII 2.5x8x36 for under $250.00, a Vari-XII 3x9x40 for $100.00, a fixed power Leupold M8 4x for $75.00, an older fixed power Leupold 7.5 AO for $100, a LNIB Bushnell Elite 4200 2.5x10x40 for $139.00, a vintage Weaver V9 for $40.00, and a NIB Redfield Illuminator 3x9x42 for $150.00. Some of the scopes I've sold, while others I've kept for my own use. Probably the best example of "Ebayism" was a used Vari-XIII 2.5x8x36 matte scope that I bought for $240.00 and sold within a week for $380.00, which is still a fair deal, but more than I'd ever pay for used glass.

Don't get me wrong, I love Leupold scopes, but I still think there are better scopes available for less money. In my original post I suggested the Bushnell/B&L Elite 3200 series and I still stand by that recommendation. In order to come close to the quality and features of this scope you have to jump to the old Vari-XIII line or the new VXII, but then you're looking at twice the money. Leupold does offer an awesome warranty, but Bushnell offers the same no fault warranty to whoever owns the scope. Not sure how the customer service is because I've never had one fail up to this point.

Bushnell also offers a one year, no questions asked, money back guarantee on the 3200/4200 Elite's. Plus right now they are running a promotion, which includes a free rain jacket with purchase of the 3200/4200 Elite's with rainguard. Please realize that scopes preference, along with most everything else, is based a lot on personal opinion; kind of like the old "taste great", "less filling" argument.
 


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