Picking a budget scope.

HChammer

HChammer

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Pretty close to North Bay Ontario
Hey guys,
I'm a bush hunter mostly, I can't sit still so most of my hunting is done on foot and it works well for me! Well I have a 25/06 on the way that will be my field gun and I'm on a tight budget to put some glass on it so I've narrowed it down to 3 at the moment (all used)

Tasco 3x9x50
Tasco Vermint 2.5x10x42
Bushnel banner 3x10x36

I know there's not a lot of love for the tascos but I bought one for my trapping gun and I'm really impressed with it, my nikons seem more likely to fog! šŸ˜³ Lol

Any advice would be appreciated
 
2 of those have a/o which I would not want on a centerfire hunting rifle.
You can pick up a new 3-9x40 Banner for about $70 from some of our CGN dealers, that's about as cheap as I'd go.
 
I would look at warranty if I was going to get a lesser quality scope. That way I don't lose my money if it breaks. Perhaps the bushnell I hear their warranty is good.
 
If I was on a budget I would rather buy a used higher quality scope than a new cheaper one... you can find used bushnell elite for around 200 ish which is way better than a new 100 banner
 
I have a budget scope on one of my rifles and its a Vortex Diamondback.
Don't want to be a scope snob, but anything under 300-350$ i'd rather rely on irons
Edit : Forgot to mention, if going cheap, buy to the max of your budget, and get the scope with the less possible features. As in fixed magnification, no illumination etc... If you have to el cheapo scopes, one feature heavy, the other feature-less, the one with less features will have better glass most of the time.
 
polskiogorki said:
If I was on a budget I would rather buy a used higher quality scope than a new cheaper one... you can find used bushnell elite for around 200 ish which is way better than a new 100 banner
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Pickles has the right idea.
Yer better off on a better used optic than a new so-so one.
Wartch the EE as every now again there is a VarX VX of some sort for two bits.
Skrewy has a 3200 DOA on there for a decent price.
Owned one and was surprised at the clarity of the glass.
Sold it as I dint like the bs under the + hairs.
 
I was in a fix years ago after a Tasco failed and needed cheap glass on a very tight budget. It was a 7600 in 06 that would loosen your teeth if you were holding it wrong. I put a Bushnell Trophy on it and it was very clear for the money and held zero for many years (still is as far as I know as I sold the package). I see the original Trophy models used for about the same price as a Banner so I would go that route if I were you.

I recently sent in a pair of Excursion EX binoculars that were 10 years old and had a sloppy focus wheel. Within a week I had a new upgraded set of Excursion HD for the price of shipping. It is not Elite Prime ED glass but it is more than good enough. I still had the receipt but some models (including Trophy) are now covered even without proof of purchase.

This is from the Bushnell website.

The No Questions Asked Lifetime Warranty covers the following Riflescope, Binocular and Spotting Scope product families:

TrophyĀ®
TrophyĀ® Xtreme
LegendĀ®
EliteĀ®
EliteĀ® Tactical

Fully transferable, covers accidental damage as well as defects in materials & workmanship.
No receipt or warranty card is required.
We will repair or replace product with equal or similar value and/or specifications.
We will return product to you at no charge.
 
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Buy a used scope off the EE. You've got 6 months until you have to be geared up to go hunting so, if money is an issue, keep saving and buy something decent.
 
Not often that I would pump a big box retailer; but try looking at a place that kinda rhymes with rubela.

Interesting thing I found out, there, was that you can buy a scope, and return it later, at full purchase price, no questions asked. Buy the best you can, and upgrade incrementally, if need be. There needs to be no reason for return, as long as you have the receipt, I have been told.

So if you get something that doesn't work for you, you can easily upgrade, and be out no money.
 
MartyK2500 said:
I have a budget scope on one of my rifles and its a Vortex Diamondback.
Don't want to be a scope snob, but anything under 300-350$ i'd rather rely on irons
Edit : Forgot to mention, if going cheap, buy to the max of your budget, and get the scope with the less possible features. As in fixed magnification, no illumination etc... If you have to el cheapo scopes, one feature heavy, the other feature-less, the one with less features will have better glass most of the time.
Click to expand...

There are good scopes under $300...
Tradex has a bunch of Japanese Elites for $225-$270 which are much better then Diamondbacks. Hell a $150-$200 Nikon Prostaff is a better scope then the Diamondback and also made in the Philippines (like the $300-$350 Diamondback).
Leupold VX-1's go on sale for $250-$300, and you can still get Redfields for under $200 (Philippines ones) and under $300 (US made ones).
So no, you are not a scope snob with a $350 Vortex, just another sucker that bought into their hype and advertising lol.
 
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Agree completely.
Hitzy said:
There are good scopes under $300...
Tradex has a bunch of Japanese Elites for $225-$270 which are much better then Diamondbacks. Hell a $150-$200 Nikon Prostaff is a better scope then the Diamondback and also made in the Philippines (like the $300-$350 Diamondback).
Leupold VX-1's go on sale for $250-$300, and you can still get Redfields for under $200 (Philippines ones) and under $300 (US made ones).
So no, you are not a scope snob with a $350 Vortex, just another sucker that bought into their hype and advertising lol.
Click to expand...
 
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