Scope for a 243

S

shelton573

Active member
So I hate doing posts like this because it leaves the subject open for a lot of debate and usually turns out poorly, but as I posted on the firearms section, I recently bought a Weatherby vanguard 243 and I am looking at some scopes for it. Recently I have been switching my scopes to sightron and some Nikon to get away from vortex for a few reasons. I went to the local gun shop today and looked at several different kinds of scopes and for some reason, instead of just sticking with sightron, I want to look at other options just simply for a change and experience something new. I want to ideally keep it budget friendly considering what I paid for the rifle so I am curious what you guys are using in the $350 or less range for scopes. I just want to try something different and would like some input. On the low end I want 3x-4x and top end is to be decided. Below are a few I looked at today that I liked in the store but want to know what you guys think or what you recommend.

Nikon prostaff 5 3.5-14x40
Burris FF2 4.5-14x40
Sightron sii 4-16x40
Sig Sauer whiskey 3 4-12x50 with hellfire dot
Hawke 4-16x50 (don’t remember the model but it was surprisingly clear in the store and seemed well built)
Are athalon scopes even worth looking at? Haven’t dealt with them in person but I am open to the idea of them.

These are just a few I looked at and I am definitely open to suggestions in that budget range. I will use the gun for coyotes and maybe deer. Any info is much appreciated!
 
I'm a Burris guy I really like the Fullfield E1 and Predator quest line which are the exact same thing just different decals, but you might find one or the other on a better sale. Have had real good luck with them and really like the "floating" reticle and when I damaged one, completely my fault, Burris replaced it and the whole process was 8 days start to finish. I don't think the glass in that price range gets better than Burris.

I only recently purchased an Athlon, its a Midas BTR 4.5×27, Camera Land had them on such a good sale I couldn't resist trying it out. I haven't used it much yet but I will say the glass was surprisingly clear throughout the magnification range on my only range trip so far. Not as good on 27 as 4 but didn't fall off as much as you might expect an optic in this price range with this much magnification. The scope tracked true however the adjustments were supposed to be .1 mil were closer to .2mil as long as that stays consistent it can be accounted for only time will tell. Overall I like the Athlon better than I thought I might but the jury is still out.

4.5 - 14 seems to be my personal sweet spot for a calling optic and I like Burris so from your list that is what I would choose but I have no other experience with your listed choices. While on the Burris subject a Burris Mtac 4.5 - 14 would be a solid choice they perform FAR better than their price point should allow and could be had used real reasonable.
 
Shelton, the Leupold VX3i 3.5x10 duplex is on sale right now for $320. Great simple scope, $80 cheaper than usual. Midway and Brownells.
 
Originally Posted By: McGrawShelton, the Leupold VX3i 3.5x10 duplex is on sale right now for $320. Great simple scope, $80 cheaper than usual. Midway and Brownells.
Optics Planet has the same scope for $320, minus 5% coupon = $304, no sales tax, and free shipping. That's a great deal.
 
I love my sightron STAC 3-15(or whatever it is) and would always recommend it but to be honest I haven’t tried the others in the line up. I too just finished ridding myself of all my vortex after having 5 from diamondback to viper break and be returned. My leupold 3-9 Vx1 actually did great night hunting and worked quite well on the day stands. My Atibal 1-8 I just got is quite good too but the 8 power does lose a little quality which most scopes do trying to push to their limit like that but I can still pop prairie dogs at 200 yards with it, just not as good as the sightron! A Burris is my next buy but I’m saving pennies to get an xtr ii at 50% off before leaving school. Hope it’s worth 3x the sightron. Sig whiskey is also on my buy list
 
Hawke and Athlon offer some great scopes priced below what you'd expect. If you have a few minutes take a peek at this Athlon Argos BTR review that was posted on another forum.
If there is anything we can answer for you please feel free to give us a call, 516.-217-1000.
Doug
 
Originally Posted By: basdjsI'd try to pick up a used Bushnell 4200 Elite 4-16x40 which should be in that price range.

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Fine scope to be sure. I have several 3200 and 4200 Bushnell scopes and I love them all.
 
If this is going on a rifle for mostly CALLED coyotes and not long range sniping stuff I'd look for something with a lot more FOV than something with 3.5-4x(around 24') on the bottom end. Called coyote you should see a majority of your shots under 100 yards. I like to have at least a 40' FOV on the bottom end and I consider something like a 2-10x40, 2-12x40, 0r 2.5-10x40(40-50') for my open country long range rig. Favoring 1.5-6x40's(60+') for my every day calling and even 1-4x20's(90+') on my combo guns where ranges can be from my shoelaces to 300 yards.

You usually have time to turn a scope up rarely time to turn one down.
 
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Hey guys thanks for all the info and leads on scopes! I have been looking at the Burris FF E1 but not sure how I feel about the floating reticle. I own two of the sightron s-tac scopes and really like them, but wanted to try something different. Got some in for coming in about a bushnell 4200 so I will see what comes of that as well
 
I agree on the 4200. I have two 2.5x10x40 from ebay. Awesome scopes. Like them better than Nikon Monarch, Leupy vx3, and Sightron s2. Only downfall is that they are long and heavy. Since the vanguarg has a 24" BBl and is on the heavy side already, it might be just fine. It is not like it is an ultralight mtn rifle...
 
Shelton, got on this one a little late but here goes. I would suggest a vintage Redfield Widefield in 3x9...have 2 of them on Win. Model 70's in 243 and 308. Perfect in my 243 for calling dogs. Also just purchased one for my CZ 22 Hornet in a 2x7 Widefield that has never been mounted on a gun...perfect shape and like new. These are Denver Colorado made scopes back in 70's and 80's and were the top of line in there day. The first one I ever bought was in 1979 that is on my 308 and it still is just as clear and performs like new...would put it up against anything made today. If you will go on Gunbroker they are listed on there for like $150 and up, depending on condition...I watch them all the time and know of one guy on the site that sells them like almost new and very reasonable,he is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and only deals in firearms-scopes of the finest quality and you can depend on what he sells. The 2x7 I purchesed on the site from a guy in PA. that was $166 delivered to my door and what I like about these scopes is the light weight and can be mounted lower as a result of the rectangular bell. No scopes made today are what I consider light in weight once you get into the 3x9 and above class and Leupold now ownes the Redfield name and are making them here in the states...with lifetime warr. and compare in quality to the VXI, but they are not the quality of the older Redfields.
 
Hey guys,

Thanks for all the feedback. I bid on a few bushnell 4200 scopes on ebay that I missed out on and couldn't get passed the E1 reticle of the burris. I ended up making a deal with a guy on a 3.5-14 prostaff 5 so I went with that. I am going to put it on my 270 and I moved my Nikon Monarch 5 3-15x50 to the 243. Should work for deer and work well for coyotes.
 
I just took advantage of a great Leupold sale at Cabela's so now my Tikka T3 Lite in 243 wears a 3-15x44mm Firedot duplex VX-5HD. Should cover me for everything from varmints to deer to predator hunting at night time. I was busting bottles at 350 yards with it out in WV a few weekends ago with a couple of buddies, using a 95CT bullet handload. Drop chart said 5MOA, so I dialed up 20 clicks and sure enough, dead water bottles. More magnification is always nice, had 20 power on this gun before, but this glass is so darn clear and I don't find that the duplex is too thick either.

Sounds like you already got it covered though - enjoy! I have an older Nikon Monarch 4-16x44mm on my 22 hornet and that's a fantastic scope too.
 


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