Best hunting scope 500$ or under

I

islandguy762

New member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I've recently got my PAL and am looking to purchase a Tikka t3x chambered in .308. I've heard people say you should spend as much on your scope as you do on your Rifle before. I'm looking for some suggestions for a good budget scope under 500 dollars that I can use for target shooting and hopefully bagging my first deer.

I'm hoping not to break the bank getting my first rifle and scope set up but if possible would like to find something that is reliable and sturdy for me to learn on. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions?
 
Nothing built in the past few years at that price range. Keep an eye out for a used Zeiss Conquest, Nikon Monarch, Bushnell Elite 3200. Or, spend more $$.

Best tip I can give you is not to buy anything manufactured with a name you have to Google, or that starts with a V. Glass these days is a crapshoot with heavy emphasis on the first syllable. Even from some of the familiar names.
 
Last edited:
A lot will depend on the ranges you’re looking to shoot, but if it’s for range use and hunting, a classic 3-9x40 is a good start.

Can find a used Leupold VX2 or VX Freedom for ~$400-$500. Glass is good, lifetime warranty, very light and simple. If you decide to switch out later, you can sell it for the same price you paid.

Some of those Arken, Riton, Athlon scopes weigh a small fortune and the resale value will not be as good should you want to change.
 
Ah, so it "begins"... I "started" with a Tikka T3x SuperLite in 30-06... Now I have a 300wsm & 7mm Rem Mag as well...

ALL have Bushnell Elite 4500 2.5-10x40 (30mm tube) scopes with medium height Leupold Backcountry rings. IIRC I paid ~$350 for the scopes...

So there's my recommendation AND, the T3x thing is an addiction, lol!

Cheers
Jay

TikkaT3xRifles.jpg
 
I know that Vortex has a bad rap in some circles and I personally had a bad piece of glass but to be fair, I'd bought it second hand. They honoured their no questions asked lifetime warranty and replaced it with a better one. I've now had a vortex Diamondback for 10 yrs. problem free. Personally, my old eyes need something like my 12X for sighting in at 100 yds. but I dial it down when I'm hunting in the field to around 5X. At the end of the day it's your call but I have no hesitation in suggesting Vortex.
 
cosmic said:
As per SC, you dont need to spend 500$. New shooters tend to "overmagnify" in an attempt to get a do-all scope, and the lads at Cabelas are happy to oblige. A 2-7 or a 3-9 is more than sufficient for general big game hunting and recreational target shooting.
Click to expand...
This ^^^^^, my favorite variable magnification is 2.5-8, I have a few of those on different rifles and they are a great light compact option( all mine are older leupold varixIII VXIII etc. First rifle first scope keep it simple.
 
SuperCub said:
A used Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40 with ballistic reticle can be found for about $200. They are an excellent scope for a sporting rifle with many good reviews on line. I am very pleased with the one I have and would look no further for a hunting scope.
Click to expand...
I own a few of these, and second this opinion. - dan
 
Jay said:
Ah, so it "begins"... I "started" with a Tikka T3x SuperLite in 30-06... Now I have a 300wsm & 7mm Rem Mag as well...

ALL have Bushnell Elite 4500 2.5-10x40 (30mm tube) scopes with medium height Leupold Backcountry rings. IIRC I paid ~$350 for the scopes...

So there's my recommendation AND, the T3x thing is an addiction, lol!

Cheers
Jay

View attachment 1162782
Click to expand...
Thank you! Yea I've seen so many good reviews on them. I'm trying to figure out which one to get, I've heard the super varmint and CRT are great and have adjustable cheek rest but the super light seems a little more affordable
 
islandguy762 said:
Thank you! Yea I've seen so many good reviews on them. I'm trying to figure out which one to get, I've heard the super varmint and CRT are great and have adjustable cheek rest but the super light seems a little more affordable
Click to expand...
My 30-06 is a Special Edition T3x SuperLite in TrueTimber VSX, stainless & fluted barrel, it's easy to shoot.

The 7mm Rem Mag is a cerakoted T3x Lite Alpine Veil with a muzzle brake, again it's easy to shoot. Just LOUD...

And that brings me to the 300wsm... It's the s3xiest wsm IMHO... Mine's a T3x Lite that's plain black synthetic blued and probably the most recoil I can comfortably shoot off the bench lol! It has a very sharp recoil pulse, but I had to have a 300 wsm!
 
Last edited:
Not sure what Island you are on but someone in BC just posted a 4200 2.5-10 for $250 in the EE.... :)

It's got a basic duplex reticle, good power range for hunting and transferable no BS lifetime warranty.

There are so many options these days with reticle choices, illumination etc, but the Bushnell will get you off to a decent start!
 
Some great advise here. I don't know what your eyesight is like but always recommend the larger tube over the magnification factor. Most game is taken in the witching hour by my experience and a bigger tube is key to performance then. Cheers
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom