600.00 scope budget for a .223 bolt action, what would you buy?

IvoB said:
My choice (yes am going to get flamed for this) you can shoot out to 300 with a Simmons 4x32 scope for under $60.00 bucks - glass is clear and excellent eye relief. Have one on my 204 Ruger and will be putting one on my Savage Axis 223 pencil barrel. If you want to see holes on paper bring with you a good pair of binoculars or spotting scope. You will learn how to shoot with it.
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You will learn how to shoot with a poorly set up scope for sure, those simmons are cancer compared to even a budget nikon/vortex
 
Did a bunch of research and leaning to Jerry's Athlon Argos BTR 6-24x50 suggestion.

Question is, if I need to use the warranty is the support from Canada?

Thanks
Cautious Randy
 
randyhub said:
Want a new scope for bench shooting and gophers, shoot out to 300 yards for the most part.

Like Bushnell's warranty, have an Bushnell AR Optics model and love it, like Canadian service, prefer 30mm tube, scope length around 12", mildots, FFP, and exposed turret knobs without caps.

Yeah I know I should spend 1200.00, but really don't want to go over 600.00.

Looked at Bushnell, saw a few models that meet my criteria, and also looked at Vortex.

What have you guys bought for your bolt actions in this price range?

Thanks
Randy
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If you're horny for an effective, affordable, midot reticle scope, try to find a Bushnell Elite 10x. They're great and solid as a rock. Lastone I bought was a few years ago and it was $250. It's a better scope than that price would indicate.

Another choice would be a used 3.5-10x Leupold. Send it in to Korth and get the reticle swapped out for somethign more appropriate. There was a time where you could get a mildot in a regular old Vari-X III, maybe it still is. Granted, you won't have a 30mm tube, but that really doesn't matter. You might luck out to find a used Mark 4 Leupold 3.5-10x with a mildot or TMR reticle. That would give you everything that you're looking for but it will run you a thousand bucks, at least.
 
Guess Athlon was picked by Wolverine now, found an Argos in Calgary as I wanted to actually look at one before deciding. I will have a much better idea today it comes down to price and support. Wolverine is $520.00 shipped, but I have no idea on their reputation.

And thanks for the Leupold suggestion, but 1k is just too much for me to spend.
 
randyhub said:
Guess Athlon was picked by Wolverine now, found an Argos in Calgary as I wanted to actually look at one before deciding. I will have a much better idea today it comes down to price and support. Wolverine is $520.00 shipped, but I have no idea on their reputation.

And thanks for the Leupold suggestion, but 1k is just too much for me to spend.
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Wolverine is solid, deal with confidence.
 
randyhub said:
Want a new scope for bench shooting and gophers, shoot out to 300 yards for the most part.

Like Bushnell's warranty, have an Bushnell AR Optics model and love it, like Canadian service, prefer 30mm tube, scope length around 12", mildots, FFP, and exposed turret knobs without caps.

Yeah I know I should spend 1200.00, but really don't want to go over 600.00.

Looked at Bushnell, saw a few models that meet my criteria, and also looked at Vortex.

What have you guys bought for your bolt actions in this price range?

Thanks
Randy
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Potashminer said:
Might consider the Fixed 10x, 12x, 16x42 SWFA that have been appearing occasionally on the EE. I recently got a 10x42 with the MilQuad - reticle marked in Mils; clicks on turrets are in 1/10th Mils. It has replaced my SWFA 10x42 MOA - a mil marked reticle with 1/4MOA clicks on the turrets. Both had 30mm bodies. The one that I bought, that I sold, and others that I have seen on EE would be within your budget.
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Potashminer's option is probably one of the better, overlooked options for your intended use (pretty static, relatively short distance) if you are simply looking for reliable glass.

I have no experience with the budget options from Vortex (Diamond Back, Crossfire, etc) and Athlon (eg Argos, Helos, etc). They arguably offer a lot of features at a very low price point and I'm sure a number of the models are made by the same OEM. However, there is always a compromise to bring lots of features for a low cost... that is usually at the expense of the lens quality. That's not to say that they are rubbish and frankly many probably notice no difference (esp if their reference point on glass are Walmart/Cabela specials). I don't doubt the quality and reliability of the other features but I wouldn't expect high lens performance.

Personally, for a +/- $600 optic on a 300m rifle, I'd probably prefer better lens quality and fewer features over more features and cheaper lens but only preference on where limited money goes. I'd also throw in Sightron into the mix for consideration.
 
Cabela’s Covenant 7 FFP 3-21x50 ...... people here can bust on me all they want -I don't care one bit.

Back in better times, I had this on Stag 10, then later on my AR.
Don't dismiss Cabela's Covenant line until you look through one.
The have a 5-35 scope, but I found it did not let as much light in even though it has a larger lense.

For $600 the glass is pretty clean, first focal plane, and 3 to 21 is considerable wide magnification range.
The only downside I found was that it has 34mm made shopping for a uni-mount a bit of challenge.
Would be nice if the reticle could be illuminated... but low magnification it was pretty decent.

If you keep an eye on Cabela's website, they often go on sale for 15% or so.
I sold mine for about what I paid for it because it was on sale...... I only sold it because I had windfall gain and decided to upgrade to a NightForce NX8 FFP
 
Save yourself some heartache and pass on anything Vortex. You're going to use the "warranty" eventually.
Leupold, Athlon or Bushnell . Check the EE for a good used one. Don't cheap out with the mounting system either.
 
Went Tuesday and tried out the Athlon Argos BTR Gen 2, 6-24x50, and at $520.00 it was absolutely incredible!

The FFP and reticle was super clear, the one piece 30mm tube, lens covers, turrets, reminded me of a thousand dollar plus scope. I called Wolverine and they really like this line, in fact you can drop over 2 thousand on an Athlon scope if you want.

Wolverine said they handle the warranty and that the warranty is a no question warranty in line with any high end scope maker. The $520.00 level is entry and the $2000.00 Athlon was just insane.


So I am not really looking at a $1000.00 plus Vortex or Leupold anymore, and the Bushnell I loved but the turrets on the Argos with the zero stop outclassed it. Just need to decide if Wolverine is the one to buy from as they apparently are the chosen authorized Athlon Dealer and I am concerned about who to go to for warranty needs.

Anyways guess I have landed on a product, appreciate all the help on my search.

Randy
 
If you have 20/100 vision and macular degeneration, by all means get a Diamond Back Tactical... You might not notice how bad the glass is.

Might want to have a look at Element Optics from Airgun Source. I think I'm going to put a Titan on my pellet gun soon.
 
randyhub said:
Went Tuesday and tried out the Athlon Argos BTR Gen 2, 6-24x50, and at $520.00 it was absolutely incredible!

The FFP and reticle was super clear, the one piece 30mm tube, lens covers, turrets, reminded me of a thousand dollar plus scope. I called Wolverine and they really like this line, in fact you can drop over 2 thousand on an Athlon scope if you want.

Wolverine said they handle the warranty and that the warranty is a no question warranty in line with any high end scope maker. The $520.00 level is entry and the $2000.00 Athlon was just insane.


So I am not really looking at a $1000.00 plus Vortex or Leupold anymore, and the Bushnell I loved but the turrets on the Argos with the zero stop outclassed it. Just need to decide if Wolverine is the one to buy from as they apparently are the chosen authorized Athlon Dealer and I am concerned about who to go to for warranty needs.

Anyways guess I have landed on a product, appreciate all the help on my search.

Randy
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I have dealt with wolverine a few times and just ordered a athlon ares from them,so I trust them.
 
I bought an Argos HMR from Wolverine, seems good so far. Chunky ocular bell, I had to switch out for higher rings for the rear to clear the bases.

Yet to have a decent range session though, will be coming in the next few weeks. Should have a chance to compare against Burris FF4, Vortex Viper, and Bushnell Elite scopes.

Wolverine Supplies in MB has been one of my go-to dealers for at least 10 years now.
 
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