scope for a backup 300 wm

brybenn

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southern ontario
I in my great haste said I'd take a rifle and never got a timely response so I bought another. Needless to say I now have an extra 300 wm.now I Need a scope for it but since I wasn't planning on scoping an extra rifle and this one will be a backup my budget isn't much so I'm looking at the lower end of the better names
Leupold vx1 or vx2
Ziess conquest or terra
Bushnell elite 3200

I'm going for a no frills hunting scope. Zero and forget
The ziess is nearly twice the price of the Bushnell with the Leupold in the middle. I like my other elites but since new hunters may borrow this rig in hunt camp I want the best scope for the money. I'm slowly upgrading all of my optics.

So I ask of those who own them what are your thoughts pros and cons. Comparing them in store I like all 3
 
I've either had or still have everything but the Terra. VX2 and you're done.

A 3200 should come with suture material and a pint of blood if you're going to bolt it to a .300 and pass it to new shooters. The Leupold is very forgiving with eye-position for multiple shooters. I'm over 6' and my kids have been shooting my rifles since they started experimenting with bipedal locomotion. If the shooter you pass it to happens to be 4 foot tall they might have to turn the power down but they can use it. BTW, a .300 is a mean thing to do to a 4 footer.
 
I believe Prophet River still has the VX-1 3-9x40 matte duplex reticle scopes on for either $279 or $289 with no tax and free shipping. I bought one of these last year and so far no complaints, holds its zero and is nice and lightweight.

Haven't owned a Zeiss, yet, so can't comment on those. My dad has and had a couple Bushnell 3200's over the years, the couple times I've been shooting with them at the range they looked really good to my eyes, but if I remember correctly they had a thicker cross-hair. It's been years since I've looked through those so don't quote me on that, but check into it. Depending on the type of shooting and locale a thicker reticle can be a good or bad thing.

Nikon's have become more numerous in my safe than any other brand since I started buying them. In the $200-500 range, best glass for each dollar spent in my opinion! Their Prostaff5 scopes work really well with my eyes. The ocular bell is a bit larger than some competing scopes, so bolt clearance might be an issue if you have low rings set up. Still haven't had to buy rings I didn't want in the first place though. Leupold's definitely have the edge in this regard, very slim ocular bell.
 
The only 4200 I've handled all had target turrets on which I don't think would be good for hunting in the conditions I hunt in. I have a 3200 on my 458 wm and I'm truly happy with it. The ziess was clearer but wouldn't mount on my 458 due to the bolt. The elite was clearer than the Leupold canadian to me and had a heavier duplex.
This 300 wm opens me to more options however my budget is $500 or less.
By new hunters I meant new to actual hunting not shooting. I have several friends who can handle my rifles well they are now just getting into hunting and don't have their own equipment. If they were new to firearms I'd lend them my 300 savage or 308 win. Everyone I bear hunt with carries a 300 wm except me

In the store I couldn't see much difference between the vx1 and vx11. Is the difference noticeable outside at distant objects?
 
My crappy shewt'n eye can see a bit of difference between the two.
I've got a 4200 on my Ruger and the clarity amazes me when compared to
some of the VXI & II's around here.
My 4200 has normal turrets on it.
I would almost say it compares to the VXIII's.
 
Have not had a 3200 but have lots of 4200 scopes and the light transmission and clarity on those made in Japan with the adjustable objective is really impressive. I've picked up a number of them on the EE for around $350. Can't speak to the other scopes. Also not sure what the comment about scope bite was all about, unless it is particular to a 3200.
 
I have 2-7x32 elite 3200 and love them they have lots of eye relief for me I'm just wanting more magnification for the 300 wm. I think I'll continue with bushnells. I'll keep an eye for a 4200 with normal turrets or just get a 3-9x40 3200. Thanks for the replies
 
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