Best hunting scope in the $800-900 range

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Iron Sighted

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What would you guys suggest for a hunting scope in the price range I mentioned above?? I'd like to not spend more than $900 taxes included. I've been looking at Leupold VX-3 scopes, namely the 3-9x40, the 4.5-14x40 with AO, and the 3.5-10x50.

What are your opinions on a scope with AO for hunting, and do you think that a 50mm objective is too bulky or is the extra light transmission worth the extra size/weight?

This is going to be for my first hunting rifle, and I'll likely be using it for everything I choose to hunt(likely alpine mule deer, black tails, maybe bears, and moose, mountain sheep and goats if I'm lucky enough to get a draw down the road).

I'm trying to ensure that whatever I get will be suitable for my purposes as I won't have the money to buy another anytime soon, so I need to get it right the first time.
Thanks for any insight.
 
For hunting you might consider lower powered optics especially if in bush or close quarters. Say starting at 2x or lower, and 6x or 7x is plenty out to 400m. Better quality, lower powered glass is far better than increased magnification but poor quality glass.

You might want to borrow a good scope and look at animal sized objects at known ranges. You might be surprised at how little magnification you really need for hunting reasonable sized game. Different story if you have hunting rodents.....
 
I'm hoping to do a healthy split of alpine and bush hunting, so maybe a 3-9X or 3.5-10 is best?? How about AO? Does parallax cause any issues if you shoot between say 100-400 yards or is the factory set parallax usually good for that span of different ranges?
 
Leupold VX-3 3.5-10x40 or Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40. Can't go wrong with either. Both can be had for between $500-$600 if you shop around a bit, the Zeiss for a bit less than the Leupold as of recently. You won't notice a difference in optics between these and $900 scopes. You'd need to get into the $1500+ range for that to happen. I wouldn't worry about AO or side focus for the uses you describe. My thoughts anyhow.
 
Once you use a 50mm objective you will be spoiled, it does help a bunch in low light conditions.

The Zeiss to my eyes have a bit better glass than the Leupolds , and the Zeiss have constant eye relief, but both will fit your needs.
 
50mm sure works well in low light as designed..Probably not at the range in these light conditions.What other use,other than hunting?
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With high quality optics, 50mm lenses are not at all required for big game hunting. A high quality 42-44mm scope is suitable for any big game hunting, and it can be mounted lower, which allows for a better cheek position on the stock.
 
3-9x40 works fine in MOST cases; hunting in the bush - less magnification is to look for; open feild - more magnification.
What is the distance you are most likely to shoot?
 
I have a leupold VX-L in 4.5x14x50mm with the varmit reticle which I like for all hunting and you can mount it with 1/2" med rings for a good cheek weld. Will give about 10-15 minutes more viewing in the evening over a 40mm or better viewing on those rainy overcast days.
 
I have a leupold VX-L in 4.5x14x50mm with the varmit reticle which I like for all hunting and you can mount it with 1/2" med rings for a good cheek weld. Will give about 10-15 minutes more viewing in the evening over a 40mm or better viewing on those rainy overcast days.
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I will put my 42mm Kahles against it any time.
 
the swaro in the EE stubble pointed you to is the exact one you are looking for, if not buy a leupold vx-3. I personally am not a leupold fan, and its for bias reasons, not based on rational reasons, they are among the best in the price range you are at and the warranty cannot be beat, period.
 
I have yet to be in a hunting situation where I think to myself "man, do I ever need a larger objective lens right now".... My current favourite scope for big game hunting is a Leupold Vari X II 2-7x33mm....I have taken animals in the very first minute of legal shooting light and taken animals in the last few minutes of remaining legal shooting time...while it was overcast and snowing, the scope gathered more than enough light to make the shot without any hesitation what so ever.

For an all around big game hunting rig choose something like I mentioned or a 3-9x40mm (or something close to it) and you will be very happy. Big, clunky scopes ruin a nice hunting rifle.
 
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