Optic for long range under $500

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phin11

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Wondering about a decent optic under $500 ? . My rifle is a savage 11 fcns .308 in a boyds tacticool . I'm currently using a bone collector trophy xlt 6-18x50 .DNZ rail. I have a thin hunter barrel , 3 in groups @ 100 yrds . The scope is blurry at higher magnifications .
Would like to get into shooting longer range . I am thinking about getting a Ruger rpr but am using this set up for the near future.
 
I had great success with my Bushnell Elite 6500...if you're patient you'll come across them in the EE for between $500-$600. Otherwise I would suggest Vortex optics. That is what I have set up on my "hunting" rifle and its a thing of beauty with surprising clarity out to 300 for the price point.
 
Any proper long range scope will have a 30mm tube, the best to get for clarity will have a 34mm or a 35mm, but those are not cheap 98% of the time.

I used to run a barska 40x50 benchrest on my fun rifle, swapped it out for lower magnification S&B, but flawless results.

Whatever optic choice you look in to, i highly reccomend you keep in mind a 30mm+ tube for clarity.
 
I've been looking for a scope for a couple of weeks now. I've had a couple of $1500 scopes and it's hard to go back. But I did and just ordered a Burris Veracity 3-15 for $850. I couldn't find any thing I liked in the $500 range. I think a clearer low powered scope is better than a fuzzy higher power scope.
 
If your only getting 3 MOA at 100 yrds then you'll need a big target at 500:) Have you tryed some diff ammo. I usually buy 5 or 6 diff brands of ammo and find one that the gun likes.
 
Google Athlon optics, the only "budget" scopes I have seen come along that may actually be worth their salt, I will be getting one as soon as they are available up here.
 
freezer filler said:
This is a very good point... quality glass trumps magnification. Also you will want a 50mm objective or preferably larger if you want to use 16x or greater or clarity will suffer.
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Objective size has almost nothing to do with clarity, it will help exit pupil size at higher mag though and help give you a brighter sight picture.
 
Based on what has been posted on CGN, the Bushnell 10X Tactical scope may be a best buy. Don't recall reports of problems.
Other scopes that are worth looking for are the steel Weaver T series scopes. Made in 6, 10,16,20 and 25 power. Older technology in the lens coatings, but very usable, with excellent adjustments. The newer KT15 is also useful. Any of these Weavers should be well under $500.
Based on personal experience, I cannot recommend the Falcon Menace scopes.
 
I was out this morning . I tried 42.6 gr of imr 4895 shooting a 150gr speer hot cor . Did better 1in to 1.2in . @ 100 . Befroe I was using some 180gr win silver tips I got on sale at walmart. Have found my rifle does not like those heavier bullets at all.
My friends are telling me to get a vortex viper 6-20x50. I'm going to try that bushnell elite tactical 10x40 . Looks like they seem to be $200-300 used.
 
tiriaq said:
Based on what has been posted on CGN, the Bushnell 10X Tactical scope may be a best buy. Don't recall reports of problems.
Other scopes that are worth looking for are the steel Weaver T series scopes. Made in 6, 10,16,20 and 25 power. Older technology in the lens coatings, but very usable, with excellent adjustments. The newer KT15 is also useful. Any of these Weavers should be well under $500.
Based on personal experience, I cannot recommend the Falcon Menace scopes.
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X2 on everything, including avoiding Falcon scopes. I had one in 5.5-25, didn't have any issues, but poor optical clarity and sketchy tracking made it unusable at longer ranges. The elite fixed 10x represents an excellent value and quality for $300 and change.
 
I would highly recommend the vortex cross fire 2 6-24×50 bdc reticle. Life time warranty fairly fine reticle (avoid the v plex )tracks extremely well. Comes with a sun shade. Not the best optical clarity but for shooting off a bench you can take all the time you need.Has AO as well.I've had this scope on my CZ 452 varmint, vanguard series 2 223, and now it's on my Anschutz match 64. I also have a Viper HST, sightron big Sky, while both of those are clearer they are over the price. The cross fire tracks just as well.
 
Before my falcon 4-14 ended un the 22lr it spent some time on a 6,5x55 swede.
To get fair tracking the trick is to always adjust in same direction '' up '' so it I go down 1,5 mill, I go 2,5 down and 1 up. this way I get away with the backlash. But now, a SIII is the cheapest I would spend money on
 
You're in luck! I just posted a vortex PST 2.5-10x44. It is $600 plus shipping though...

Out of savage you should be getting 1moa or better. What kind of ammo? It's kinda expensive, but I find that federal gold medal ammo will give you a good idea as to a rifle's accuracy. Buy my scope, and I'll throw in a box of 20 federal gold medal's in 168 grain.
 
I tend to agree on the Bushnell although the fixed 10X does not have matching reticle and turrets. I have 2 Falcon scopes both on rimfire, no issues with tracking but I only shoot out to 200 yards and it is only rimfire. I would not put one on a 308.
 
Nikon...... hey.... did I mention Nikon?
oh wait I have a better idea LOL a fricken Nikon.
my buddy picked up a Monarch 3, 4 -16 x42 BDC and I got the same in Nikoplex.
while we haven't shot any animals at long range, we have both put the scopes thru their paces using the spot on app from Nikon, out to 700 yards on paper.
Mine is on a ruger m77 in 7mm rem mag and my friends is on a weatherby in .338 win mag.
I've taken 4 big game animals this year at ranges from 60 FEET to 275 yards
I will be buying another Nikon optic shortly for another rifle I have in 7mm-08 , again with the nikoplex recticle
for the 500.00 ballpark and a scope that is designed for long range a guy simply can not go wrong, especially when you set it all up using the spot on app.
I don't personally like the BDC recticle, especially if the rig is going to be primarily used for target purposes.
 
tiriaq said:
Based on what has been posted on CGN, the Bushnell 10X Tactical scope may be a best buy. Don't recall reports of problems.
Other scopes that are worth looking for are the steel Weaver T series scopes. Made in 6, 10,16,20 and 25 power. Older technology in the lens coatings, but very usable, with excellent adjustments. The newer KT15 is also useful. Any of these Weavers should be well under $500.
Based on personal experience, I cannot recommend the Falcon Menace scopes.
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I bought the Weaver Tactical 3-15X50 30MM and I like it very much.
 
45ACPKING said:
Nikon...... hey.... did I mention Nikon?
oh wait I have a better idea LOL a fricken Nikon.
my buddy picked up a Monarch 3, 4 -16 x42 BDC and I got the same in Nikoplex.
while we haven't shot any animals at long range, we have both put the scopes thru their paces using the spot on app from Nikon, out to 700 yards on paper.
Mine is on a ruger m77 in 7mm rem mag and my friends is on a weatherby in .338 win mag.
I've taken 4 big game animals this year at ranges from 60 FEET to 275 yards
I will be buying another Nikon optic shortly for another rifle I have in 7mm-08 , again with the nikoplex recticle
for the 500.00 ballpark and a scope that is designed for long range a guy simply can not go wrong, especially when you set it all up using the spot on app.
I don't personally like the BDC recticle, especially if the rig is going to be primarily used for target purposes.
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I ended up getting the Nikon P-.308 at local big box store for $249 on sale . I like the BDC , Hope it works good.
 
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