Best hunting scope 500$ or under
- Thread starter islandguy762
- Start date
cptseawolf
CGN Regular
- Location
- Ottawa Area
Burris
- Location
- Saskatoon Saskatchewan
I guess i meant more on the used market. I just got an optika 5 3-15×44 for $350
On my Tikka, I had a Vortex Diamondback HP. They punch above their price point. Now it wears a Vortex Viper. I have a few vipers and some Diamondbacks on my rifles.
Vortex warranty is the best out there. It's fast and easy. I have crushed two tubes and both replaced without issue. I won't spend 1k or more on glass, so for me Vortex is the way to go.
I'm not sure why there is so much hate for Vortex out there.
Vortex warranty is the best out there. It's fast and easy. I have crushed two tubes and both replaced without issue. I won't spend 1k or more on glass, so for me Vortex is the way to go.
I'm not sure why there is so much hate for Vortex out there.
Came here to reccomend meopta - a 2.5-10 or so can be had for a little over budget. Glass seems really good on the optika5
Most known name brands offer a wide range of scopes from great to garbage.
IMO people who trash a brand that have actually owned one and had a negative experience bought a low line scope and expected premium results from that brand.
The inverse is also an opinion I hold; some people recommend a brand due to positive experiences with the high line scopes of a brand to people who are going shopping for entry level optics.
In either case you are receiving less than solid recommendations that are not apples to apples comparisons.
I’m going out on a limb by thinking whatever you buy will likely be installed by the guy at the gun counter you are purchasing the rifle from.
So used is out as are many brands due to cost.
I’d avoid the house brands or the multitude of new names and stick to well established legacy brands.
New scopes, with rings on a 308 for $500…
Burris FF is a solid choice and Bushnell has a few decent scopes in your price point but I’m lukewarm warm on them.
My money went to an Sig Buckmaster 3-12x44 in Burris Signature Zee rings.
$281 taxes in at Cabela’s for the scope and about $100 for the rings but I can’t remember where I bought those and I mounted it myself so well in your budget.
Seems like a solid scope so far, no issues.
I’d buy another if I was shopping in this price point again.
IMO people who trash a brand that have actually owned one and had a negative experience bought a low line scope and expected premium results from that brand.
The inverse is also an opinion I hold; some people recommend a brand due to positive experiences with the high line scopes of a brand to people who are going shopping for entry level optics.
In either case you are receiving less than solid recommendations that are not apples to apples comparisons.
I’m going out on a limb by thinking whatever you buy will likely be installed by the guy at the gun counter you are purchasing the rifle from.
So used is out as are many brands due to cost.
I’d avoid the house brands or the multitude of new names and stick to well established legacy brands.
New scopes, with rings on a 308 for $500…
Burris FF is a solid choice and Bushnell has a few decent scopes in your price point but I’m lukewarm warm on them.
My money went to an Sig Buckmaster 3-12x44 in Burris Signature Zee rings.
$281 taxes in at Cabela’s for the scope and about $100 for the rings but I can’t remember where I bought those and I mounted it myself so well in your budget.
Seems like a solid scope so far, no issues.
I’d buy another if I was shopping in this price point again.
It is difficult to address the original question without knowing what you intend to hunt but I would suggest the following,
1 - Get the best LEUPOLD new or used that you can afford - you might have to go slightly over $500.
2 - Don't get too much magnification - you will need a wide field of view at closer ranges - Animals don't stand around waiting to be shot.
3 - Don't get sucked-in by all the crazy new reticles with all the dots, hash marks and other visual clutter - keep it simple.
4 - Install the scope yourself - if you don't know how, it's time to learn - Don't let a gun store part-timer F--k things up from the start.
5 - Read all the instructions and discover all the things your scope can actually do - even a simple fixed power will amaze you.
6 - Practice - lots of practice.
7 - If you take an interest in this it will build confidence and understanding that will pay off when you have to shoot.
When shopping up to a $500 limit it will seem like there are endless options but a lot of it is just marketing crap because just like good guns, good scopes don't wear out.
I suggest Leupold because of their no BS repair warranty - I have used it - Leupold fixed it with no questions and no BS.
With more than 50 years of experience with scope sighted rifles I stick with quality, simplicity and lots of practice.
D.
1 - Get the best LEUPOLD new or used that you can afford - you might have to go slightly over $500.
2 - Don't get too much magnification - you will need a wide field of view at closer ranges - Animals don't stand around waiting to be shot.
3 - Don't get sucked-in by all the crazy new reticles with all the dots, hash marks and other visual clutter - keep it simple.
4 - Install the scope yourself - if you don't know how, it's time to learn - Don't let a gun store part-timer F--k things up from the start.
5 - Read all the instructions and discover all the things your scope can actually do - even a simple fixed power will amaze you.
6 - Practice - lots of practice.
7 - If you take an interest in this it will build confidence and understanding that will pay off when you have to shoot.
When shopping up to a $500 limit it will seem like there are endless options but a lot of it is just marketing crap because just like good guns, good scopes don't wear out.
I suggest Leupold because of their no BS repair warranty - I have used it - Leupold fixed it with no questions and no BS.
With more than 50 years of experience with scope sighted rifles I stick with quality, simplicity and lots of practice.
D.
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