I have a budget of $1500 and under to spend on a scope for long range precision rifle shooting. I am new to LR shooting and will start shooting out to 300m. As my shooting skills improve, I will progressively move towards 1000m. It would be nice if I can use the same scope for hunting if possible. Please give me your recommendations on the best scope for my shooting requirements? Thanks!
Best Scope for under $1500
- Thread starter Ngyukon
- Start date
Hi, Ngyukon:
The very finest rifle scopes in the world are slightly above your price range. They will cost about $2200 used. This means that $1500 will buy a fantastic scope that will be better than your own ability to tell the difference.
Target shooters seem to be liking the Bushnell 6500s. Mysticplayer on this site sells Sightrons that do well in competition. Hunters seem to like Zeiss. It is hard to get a 1000-yard scope with target turrets into a weight limit that a hunter will enjoy carrying. Also, a target reticle is generally not preferred for hunting and vice versa (thick lines vs. thin lines).
Anything called "tactical", like a Leupold Mark IV or a Nightforce, will be $500 more expensive than it should be. These are, nonetheless, excellent scopes.
Just keep browsing the EE and get a handle on what is being sold for over $1000. You'll find a winner soon enough.
The very finest rifle scopes in the world are slightly above your price range. They will cost about $2200 used. This means that $1500 will buy a fantastic scope that will be better than your own ability to tell the difference.
Target shooters seem to be liking the Bushnell 6500s. Mysticplayer on this site sells Sightrons that do well in competition. Hunters seem to like Zeiss. It is hard to get a 1000-yard scope with target turrets into a weight limit that a hunter will enjoy carrying. Also, a target reticle is generally not preferred for hunting and vice versa (thick lines vs. thin lines).
Anything called "tactical", like a Leupold Mark IV or a Nightforce, will be $500 more expensive than it should be. These are, nonetheless, excellent scopes.
Just keep browsing the EE and get a handle on what is being sold for over $1000. You'll find a winner soon enough.
knockturnal
Regular
- Location
- Right behind you!
I bought a BNIB mk4 6.5-20x50 with a mildot reticle off a member here for 1300. I use it for hunting and long range work. It is wickedly clear and doesn't experience any loss at 20x. I also had a budget when I bought it cause I couldn't afford a s&b, us optics or a nightforce. Yes they Are nice scopes but way to much money. I have shot out to 1480yards with it and it performs flawlessly. Plus, if anything goes wrong with it, you don't have to send it out of the country to get it fixed. Which is always a bonus.
knockturnal
Regular
- Location
- Right behind you!
What's it going on??
Actually any of the MK4 scopes have to go to Oregon for repairs. IIRC Korth in Okotoks, AB is not tooled up to fix them yet.
Having had both the 6500 and the Sightron I would recommend trying out the SIII from Sightron. It is clearer, lighter in weight and IMO better than the 6500. That said you'll find opinions on both sides of that table and both are nice optics for the price.
I have experience with some pretty good scopes that are well within your price range and can recommend two that I still use:
At just a shade over $1100 all in - the Elite 6500(T) 4.5x30x50
At somewhere between $7-800 - the Elite 4200(T) 6x24x50 ( glass as good as the above but be advised that the internal elevation range is limited so use a rail with plenty of built in MOA )
Some people like to kick the Bushnell stuff but I find the Elite 4200 and above to be very good for the money ( for that matter so are the 3200 series ) and quite different to the lower end offerings.
At a price point quite above your price range there are some truly excellent scopes so you may wish to save some more money and consider them. One I use that is above the price point you specify is an excellent scope that I can strongly recommend: the Nightforce NXS 8x32x56 with MLR recticle
If you want to buy a much cheaper scope to practice with but still get acceptable glass and mechanics I strongly recommend the Falcon Menace 4.5x18x56. I have owned several and all were really good value. I used one on my Kimber Tactical until very recently and was able to shoot just outside of 1/4 MOA at 100m with this combo. The Falcon has excellent internal adjustment (but a slightly mushy feel to the turrents - may be a problem if using gloves in cold weather ) , acceptable glass and good resale value.
At just a shade over $1100 all in - the Elite 6500(T) 4.5x30x50
At somewhere between $7-800 - the Elite 4200(T) 6x24x50 ( glass as good as the above but be advised that the internal elevation range is limited so use a rail with plenty of built in MOA )
Some people like to kick the Bushnell stuff but I find the Elite 4200 and above to be very good for the money ( for that matter so are the 3200 series ) and quite different to the lower end offerings.
At a price point quite above your price range there are some truly excellent scopes so you may wish to save some more money and consider them. One I use that is above the price point you specify is an excellent scope that I can strongly recommend: the Nightforce NXS 8x32x56 with MLR recticle
If you want to buy a much cheaper scope to practice with but still get acceptable glass and mechanics I strongly recommend the Falcon Menace 4.5x18x56. I have owned several and all were really good value. I used one on my Kimber Tactical until very recently and was able to shoot just outside of 1/4 MOA at 100m with this combo. The Falcon has excellent internal adjustment (but a slightly mushy feel to the turrents - may be a problem if using gloves in cold weather ) , acceptable glass and good resale value.
Sightron SIII
I am leaning towards a Sightron SIII. From all the reviews I have read, it seems to be a fantastic scope for the price. I considered the Bushnell 6500, but I am concern about turn around time on warranty work. When I have saved up more I can upgrade to a Night Force or Leupold or maybe S&B. Thank you for everyone's suggestions.
Now, what magnification to chose:
6-24x50mm or 8-32x56mm
Is there such thing as too much magnification? Will the 8x be too much for distances from 100m to 300m? Is the 24x enough at 1000m for LR target shooting?
I am leaning towards a Sightron SIII. From all the reviews I have read, it seems to be a fantastic scope for the price. I considered the Bushnell 6500, but I am concern about turn around time on warranty work. When I have saved up more I can upgrade to a Night Force or Leupold or maybe S&B. Thank you for everyone's suggestions.
Now, what magnification to chose:
6-24x50mm or 8-32x56mm
Is there such thing as too much magnification? Will the 8x be too much for distances from 100m to 300m? Is the 24x enough at 1000m for LR target shooting?
Sightron. i went to there site and requested a brochure. Took about 2 weeks to get it i think. Pretty impressive. Think i will be ordering one in the near future also. 6-24x50 has 100 moa i think and the 8-32 only 60 maybe, if that matters to you.
Sometimes, no, and yes.
cdnredneck_t3
Regular
Are you going to use it strictly for paper? Than 8X should be good as a minimum power. If you plan to use it for hunting down the road I would stick with a 6x for minimum power.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
You could proably get a Nightforce NXS for around that price or a Leupold Mark 4. Those would be my choices.
I bought a Bushnell 4200 6-24x50 today. It looks very nice, can't wait to try it out tomorrow. I choose it over the 6500 due to the marks on the elevation. I think it has 44 or 50 moa of elevation(4200).
