first rifle scope to be mounted on a .308 bolt action

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theshaneler

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Lets start this off by assuming my wife took my $600 budget and made it a $300 budget.

Im looking for something for my new bolt action, ranges im looking to shoot at will be 200m and 600m. Im currently leaning towards the Vortex Diamondback 4-12x40 BDC on sale at cabelas for $250

Another option I was looking at was the Cabela's brand covenant tactical 4-16x44 that was on sale for black friday for $300 (i can get sale price as i have an in at cabelas). I have also been looking at some used bushnell 3200's.

I know none of these are great scopes, and even the scopes that are in my original $600 range would be considered OK and not great, but being married with kids I have come to accept that my budget is what it is and I am trying to make the best of it.

does anyone have any opinions on the scopes listed or other options within my budget? unfortunately the just save up more is not really an option for the foreseeable future, so please try to keep suggestions within my firm budget of $300. if i can keep room in that budget for some rings, all the better (which is why i was leaning towards the Vortex diamondback)

Thanks guys!
 
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Can you look through either of them? The covenant seems to get decent reviews for what it is. I run a fixed 10x bushnell on my 308 and it serves me well. Shot out to 500 with it and worked great. I only mention it as the glass is nice and clear and there are a couple on the EE that fit your budget
 
I had the Diamondback 4-12 on my heavy barrel. Really good glass for the money. Field of view is also really good on that model for a scope starting at 4x it is as good as many 3-9 scopes. Of course the eye relief was sacrificed for this a bit. Just over 3 inches if I remember correctly which is fine for most 308 rifles.
 
kwjkwjkwj said:
I had the Diamondback 4-12 on my heavy barrel. Really good glass for the money. Field of view is also really good on that model for a scope starting at 4x it is as good as many 3-9 scopes. Of course the eye relief was sacrificed for this a bit. Just over 3 inches if I remember correctly which is fine for most 308 rifles.
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I absolutely agree, I got a chance to look at the Diamondback at Cabelas and it looked as good as the $550 Leupold, the only scope that seemed dramatically better than either(at same magnification) was a Swarovski Z3. The Diamondback is a really good value at $250 but I saving up my pennies for a Swaro.
 
I returned my vortex diamondback for a crossfire they looked ok in the store but eye relief or eye box did not work for me in the field. I would go older second hand leupold with some paint missing lots for $250 range . If your in a hurry and can't find one PM me
 
I decided to upgrade in October this year, so on a last-minute trip to Cabela's I made my way to the optics counter to have a look. I wound up taking home a Nikon prostaff 5 2.5-10 for $270 on sale that week. I preferred it more than the diamondback line but that's just with my eyes. Trust me when I say you need to look through them yourself if you have an astigmatism and corrective lenses.
 
I have the cabelas covenant 4-16 That will be going on my bcl102. The glass seems to be very high quality with good contrast and clarity for the price. I got mine for 300 and free shipping a few months back. Only downside is the reticle at 4x is a little hard too see in low light conditions in the bush since its not illuminated but no problem in higher magnification. The turrets feel a little soft but seems to track well from my unmounted unscientific testing lol but again at the price point i think it offers very good value.
 
I'd reckon a fixed 10x if not a hunting rifle. A $300 fixed optic should be of better quality than a $300 variable optic due to manufacturing methods and costs.

It's a $350 recommendation but there is a Bushnell 4200 6-24 on the EE right now...I have no ties to the guy selling it, and I'd have bought it already if it weren't for the mil-dot reticle(I want a target dot or fine hair) that's a nice piece of glass and you won't do better for the money.
 
Vortex Diamond Backs in that zoom range don't work well.
Anything over 10X needs a parallax adjusting ring.
The glass started to resemble looking thru a round fish bowl at the
higher X's.

I had one and got rid of it tewt sweet.

YMMV
 
I'd take the zipper from the side of my pants and put it in the front then take the $300 budget and make it a $600 budget.
 
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