Entry Level Deer Hunting Scopes?

Buying new, Burris is a solid choice.
But I always look at what’s available on the used market due to their general depreciation.
It’s usually not hard to find a better scope that fits the budget or you can get the scope level you are looking at for far less.
Many are safe queens that are in as new condition with excellent warranties and some include extra options for basically no extra cost.

Agreed on Leupold cost…it’s up there. I’m still on the fence though if it’s them, me or everything in general as I recall buying a VX3 4.5-14x40 30mm with side parallax adjustment (if memory serves) for $1100 + taxes 15 to likely 20 years ago. I thought it was an atrocious amount of money then, and it was, but that scope today is $1300 and comes with several things mine never. So not much of a price hike considering how much my food bill went up…
 
I bought a case of cheap Bushnells once. 3-9 Banners. Well, me and two other guys. I ended up with 4 of them. One the variable rotation was seized out of the box, one it seized while I was out hunting, literally bent the scope trying to force it, one went on an 8 Rem Mag (because it was the only loose scope I had on hand at the time), where it lasted through a couple hundred rounds (and was still working fine when I upgraded that rifle), and one is still in it's box. I'd spend a few dollars more and get the Burris. - dan
 
I guess it depends how picky you are.

I'm not all that picky.

I'm sure, i totally agree, that there's going to be a difference between a $300 vortex and a $1000 high end scope.

But, as the saying goes, when you piss in the ocean, you are technically increasing the total volume of water in the ocean.

Technically.

But is it enough to really matter?

And that's the question: does the higher end scope really differ enough to matter?

I could be talking out of my ass here, since i've only been at this about 5 years, but so far, in my limited experience, if the minor improvement offered by the more expensive scope is enough to make the difference between you getting or not getting a full sized deer, well, my hunch there is that you probably didn't really have the shot to begin with.

For my part, i've had a $300 vortex on my x-bolt for about 3 years now. It still makes the shots, i'm still happy with it, and i haven't had to use their famous warranty, knock on wooden stock...

But, each to their own. As long as guys are getting out and enjoying it.
 
I've had very good luck with used scopes. Budget friendly and you usually get much more for your money. Lower power variables can save money, but my solution is fixed power. You can get a leupold M8 4x or 6x for $300-350. An older scope but good value. The only time I turn up a variable is when I'm bored. I've shot deer at 25yds with 6x walking and 75 yds in front of the dogs so field of view is fine with the M8s IMHO.
 
ghughes said:
I've had very good luck with used scopes. Budget friendly and you usually get much more for your money. Lower power variables can save money, but my solution is fixed power. You can get a leupold M8 4x or 6x for $300-350. An older scope but good value. The only time I turn up a variable is when I'm bored. I've shot deer at 25yds with 6x walking and 75 yds in front of the dogs so field of view is fine with the M8s IMHO.
Click to expand...
There is something to this.
I usually keep my Burris set to 4 - 6, which I find to be a good compromise between FoV and magnification.
 
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