I'm buying a 243 (well trying to lol) off the EE and it doesn't have any scope with it. I have a couple old Bushnell Sportviews but I would really prefer to not use them. Any suggestions as to what would be best? I've used Simmons, Bushnell, Weaver, Tasco, Burris and Leupold in the past but only with single models from each. Any advice would be appreciated. Oh, and it has to be great is several cold temps (-40 to -60). Thanks!
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best optics for .243 hunting rifle?
- Thread starter HK Hopeful
- Start date
I would say look at a Leupold VXII or a Bushnell 3200. Depends on how much money you want to spend and what you plan on using the rifle for. I would choose a 3X9X40 if I planned on using the rifle mostly for big game, or maybe a 4X12X40 if I were going to use it for both deer and varmints.
It's a big deal to some folks, and is the primary reason why Leupold's are so popular (as there are many other scopes with the quality and performance of Leupold that sell for a lot less, but lack the customer service aspect).
Actually, it's getting hard to find a truly BAD scope these days. Even the super-cheapies are leaps and bounds better than they were even ten years ago. not that I'd advocate buying one of those, though, but I have owned a few recent Tasco's and various chinese knock-off clones. All tolerated the recoil I subjected them to, all held a zero, and all had remarkably clear glass. Most didn't have the most repeatable turret adjustments, and most had between 1/2 to 2 MOA error throughout the zoom range. Perfectly adequate for hunting and plinking usage, particularly if you like to zero a scope and leave it there (i.e. don't dial in elevation and windage for each shot), and do most of your shooting at a particular power level.
Anyway, I'd suggest avoiding the extremes at either end of the scale. Plan to spend $300-500, and stick with a well-known manufacturer. It's hard to go wrong, really.
Actually, it's getting hard to find a truly BAD scope these days. Even the super-cheapies are leaps and bounds better than they were even ten years ago. not that I'd advocate buying one of those, though, but I have owned a few recent Tasco's and various chinese knock-off clones. All tolerated the recoil I subjected them to, all held a zero, and all had remarkably clear glass. Most didn't have the most repeatable turret adjustments, and most had between 1/2 to 2 MOA error throughout the zoom range. Perfectly adequate for hunting and plinking usage, particularly if you like to zero a scope and leave it there (i.e. don't dial in elevation and windage for each shot), and do most of your shooting at a particular power level.
Anyway, I'd suggest avoiding the extremes at either end of the scale. Plan to spend $300-500, and stick with a well-known manufacturer. It's hard to go wrong, really.
You make a good point there prosper about the improved quality of cheaper scopes these days. However as you also said, with the cheaper ones there is an moa error with the zoom. I know that 2 moa is still pretty tolerable for hunting purposes but I'd rather spend that little bit extra and get something that kept it's moa through out it's zoom range.
I've never used Nikon scopes before but I have used their camera a lot and have been impresed. I think given my experiences so far that I'd probably go for another Leupold or maybe a Nikon. I'd love a Nightforce or S&B but then the scope becomes like 3-4x the price of the gun itself.
I've never used Nikon scopes before but I have used their camera a lot and have been impresed. I think given my experiences so far that I'd probably go for another Leupold or maybe a Nikon. I'd love a Nightforce or S&B but then the scope becomes like 3-4x the price of the gun itself.
- Location
- AB foothills
When spending hard earned money on a product that can malfunction in any way, customer service should always be taken into consideration.
Just because junk scopes are being made better than they were ten years ago doesn't mean you should waste your money on one.
prosper said:
Nice try. There are many junk scopes on the market these days, not hard to find at all.
Want me to take two minutes and dig up some perfect examples?
Davy your a little biased on scope quality, are you not? You did say you'd never own another Bushnell, right?
The amount of recoil that a 243 is going to produce likely won't bother a Bushnell 3200 3-9x40 in the least bit, and at $249.00 plus Leupold or Burris rings and bases at around $69.00, a guy will have an excellent scope and mount for his 243. FS
The amount of recoil that a 243 is going to produce likely won't bother a Bushnell 3200 3-9x40 in the least bit, and at $249.00 plus Leupold or Burris rings and bases at around $69.00, a guy will have an excellent scope and mount for his 243. FS
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I just purchased a Bushnell Elite 3200 10x scope for my recent .243 Savage purchase.
- Location
- AB foothills
Where in my above post did I mention Bushnell? Just because I mentioned junk you assume that I was speaking about Bushnell products, I wonder why
.Your right, a 3200 would work just fine for the mentioned application. I wouldn't waste my time or money, but thats just me.
Where in my above post did I mention Bushnell? Just because I mentioned junk you assume that I was speaking about Bushnell products, I wonder why
Your right, a 3200 would work just fine for the mentioned application. I wouldn't waste my time or money, but thats just me.
The Bushnell Elite 3200 is probably the best bang for your buck on the market today.
I have been looking for the exact same thing. For a .243 and everything. I think that I have came to the conclusion that I am going this weekend to pick up a Bushnell 3200 3-9 x40 this weekend. Jacket and all...lol. I dont really care about the jacket but it is a freebie. The 3200 going rate so far is $249. I currently have a simmons scope on it and I am tired of the crayola crayon recticle. It is as thick as a cucumber.
