??What is the best scope for around $200??

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Fastcars12

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I'm new to predator hunting but am really pumped about it. I was going get a Stevens Edge in .22-250 and was looking for a good scope for about $200. Anyone have any suggestions as to make, model, and magnification. I've never done much with rifles, just always shot shotguns. Thanks in advance for all advice.

Evan
 
Originally Posted By: Evil_LurkerI went with the Nikon Buckmaster 3-9X in that price range, and I've been real happy with them.

YEP! +1
 
Nikon buckmasters 3x9 is a good scope. Chuckle, check Natchez Shooters Supply for the Factory Refurbished Buckmasters....nice selection of various power ones....3-9X40 only $140 plus shipping. New one should cost little $200-215 or so.

Here are a few more scope brands to consider.

Nitrex TR1 or TR2 scopes from Natchez Shooters Supply...these are Weaver Grand Slam or Super Slam scopes. Excellent optics...I have a TR2 3-15X42SF that a gent who owned a 4.5-14x44 Zeiss Conquest scope (cost of his Zeiss around $850) evaluated for me. Zeiss guy had only positive comments on the Nitrex....glass on it comparable to his Zeiss. Final cost on my Nitrex $218...lower powered ones available as low as $150 plus shipping. TR1 models are priced from $120 to $180 (after $50 Rebate) Prices are reduced because they are discontinued models....did sell for a lot more.

Pentax Pioneer 4.5-14x42 at BestBuy.com for $136 + shipping. This Pioneer is discontinued version, replaced by Pioneer II. Same scope as original Burris Fullfield scope. Pioneer IIs in this magnification sell for around $180 and Burris fullfield IIs around $350. Some say the original Pioneers and fullfields were better scopes and made in Philippines.

Swift 6-18X44 AO 669M Premier scope, at thesportsmonkey.com for $109+shipping. Most other sellers have it priced for over $200. Glass not as good as the Nitrex, but still a good scope. Have 3 of these 669m.

 
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Originally Posted By: howlingI haven't looked at the Vortex scopes yet. Where is the Mueller and Vortex scopes made?

Mueller are all assembled in china, and apparently some of the higher end glass may be Japanese but assembled in China? Most manufacturers are pretty quiet about specifics.

Vortex's are made in several places, simply put
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Vortex Crossfires/Strikefire/Sparc=Made in China
Vortex Diamondback/ Vortex Viper=Made in Philippines with Japanese glass
Vortex Razors=Made in Japan with Japanese glass

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I have heard good things about the Vortex on here but I don't remember much about the Mueller or what was said...Thank you JoeBob.
 
Originally Posted By: howlingI have heard good things about the Vortex on here but I don't remember much about the Mueller or what was said...Thank you JoeBob.

Muellers are pretty big in several circles depending on which scope you're talking about. We sell a bunch of 8-32x44TD side focus for bench/varmint shooters, lots of APV's to rimfire guys, APT's to rimfire/AR guys, etc. They're pretty well liked on RimfireCentral Forums. This is where I first heard about them, and why I bought one originally ~3years ago.
 
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I had the mueller APV its just ok. On the high powers the eye relief is too critical and the picture was too dark. Then again its about 1/3 the price of the scopes I would compare it with. It did survive a 4 foot fall landing right on the scope and held zero.

A weaver v-16 or any other weaver is probably a better budget scope but will run you a little more.
 
No body asked what you were going to do with it. If your calling in close cover a 1x4x20 Leu. VX-I wouldn't be out of the question. If your country is a little more mixed a 2x7 would work well, Burris FF-II, Vortex Viper, Redfield and Weaver V-7 all come in your price range, A nice 3x9/2x10 would be a great all around scope, Weaver V-9/V-10, Burris FF-II, Sightron-II or Nikon Buckmaster all fit in your price range. Going any higher in magnification starts putting you into lower grade scope where corners have to be cut to make that price point. Sometimes you get a realy good one and sometimes you don't.Mueller,Redfields, or Nikon Prostaff come in in your price range.

AWS
 
Thanks for all the responses. I'm pretty sure I'm going put it on a Remington 700 BDL in .222. I really like the Redfields, now I just have to decide which magnification, 3-9 or 4-12. Most shots are probably going be 100-250 yrds.
 
Fastcars12,

+2 ON the Burris Fullfeild II. You can go on ebay and find them for well under $200 for a 3-9x40,and Burris has a forever warranty that is really hard to beat!
 
I think a 1-4 or 2-7 is the best choice on a .222 calling gun. 3x9 would be the max I would go on any calling gun. FOV is much more important. 4-12 really just better for like ground squirrel type hunting IMHO. don't forget 3-12 or 2.5-10 scopes. I think sightron makes a 3-12in your price range
 
I appreciate all the responses. I'm pretty set on the Redfield. I looked through it today and liked what I saw. I'll probably go with the 3-9 because they have them in stock and that mag range seems to be what most of you are recommending. I wasn't able to tell any difference between the Redfield and some of the Leupold's they had.
 
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