Help me choose my first scope! 3-9x40, general hunting, $300 price range

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Schikk

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Hey fellas,

Simple thread: I’m a total newbie, looking to purchase my first scope in the coming days.
This scope will be paired with a yet-to-be determined hunting rifle in either a 30-06 or a .270.

Luepold VX-2 seems to get the most love, but I’m trying to get some feedback on all the other various names that fall in a slightly lower price range.

I quite like the look and feel of the Vortex DB and the Viper, but when it comes to Bushnell and Nikon I can’t keep track of all the different models.

If you were to rewind back to your first hunting rifle and wanted to spend something in the ballpark of $300, what would you buy?

Thanks!
 
Redfield gets my vote... 2 years on my hunting rig and I have yet to miss game... Both my Nikons had to be sent for RMA
 
Just got the Vortex Viper 3-9x40 and love it. Picked it over everything named in this thread. I would pick the Fullfield E1 as the closest second in terms of glass.
 
Schikk said:
Hey fellas,

Simple thread: I’m a total newbie, looking to purchase my first scope in the coming days.
This scope will be paired with a yet-to-be determined hunting rifle in either a 30-06 or a .270.

Luepold VX-2 seems to get the most love, but I’m trying to get some feedback on all the other various names that fall in a slightly lower price range.

I quite like the look and feel of the Vortex DB and the Viper, but when it comes to Bushnell and Nikon I can’t keep track of all the different models.

If you were to rewind back to your first hunting rifle and wanted to spend something in the ballpark of $300, what would you buy?

Thanks!
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Whatever scope you get, make sure you get a proper mount/setup for it. It makes the whole experience worth it.
 
No need to look any farther than a leupold, they are proven to work in our cold wet climate. That said I do also have a Burris fullfield II that seems to work well.
 
Nikon Pro Staff, Vortex Viper, Leupold VX-1 or VX-2, Redfield Revolution... you can't go wrong with any of these....
 
kamlooky said:
Find old stock of 4200 Elite's or even the new Elite series are not a bad bang for your buck.
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+1 - I was shooting with a nightforce on the weekend and had some snow on the ocular lens, couldn't see crap. Made me scratch my head that my $100 and up bushnells have rain guard and look nice and clear when its raining. Too bad NF couldn't license this coating.

The bushnell 4200s have the best light transmission of any scope mentioned on here so far except the Nikon, and I would put my money on the bushnell over that one
 
as stated, new elites or 3200 are the very best for the money. Also 4200 elites are very good. Second choice would be Vx1 or 2 but usually unnecessarily pushing your 300$ limit. Regularly good deals on EE for elites
 
Schikk said:
Awesome, thanks.

Where would a Bushnell Legend Ultra HD fall in amongst this list?
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From my eyes;

1.Viper/Elite
2.VX-2/Diamondback/Fullfield II
3.Revolution/Legend/Prostaff/VX-1
4.Trophy XLT

That would be in overall order of glass performance. Some have an edge for flare/glare and some for low light etc.. Haven't tried the prostaff 5 or Monarch, so I'm not sure where they would sit. That being said; even the XLT will do the job just fine on a hunt. You have to consider the extra quality and comfort you are getting as you spend more. So from the Trophy to the Elite you upgrade glass, construction, turrets, accuracy of clicks, repeatability and durability. The deer won't tell the difference, but the experience is going to be just that much nicer.

The Elite is a great option as they are commonly on the EE. They are about on par with the Vortex Viper.
 
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