Entry level optics

7david7

Looking to upgrade from my 3-9 power tasco on my 243. Money is a major issue. any help is appreciated.

mamalukino

@7david7
What is your budget amount and what is the scope being used for primarily, hunting etc.?

7david7

I'm thinking a budget of under $350. And primarily used for range time but occasionally coyote hunting.

hypo

Low end Vortex or something quality but used or Demo. How far do you want to shoot?

7david7

Right now only have access to 100 yards at the local range. Going to start going to hunters pointe in Humboldt SD, they have targets to 600

7david7

Anyone have any experience with the primary arms 4-14 ffp scopes. Looking at the mgrid one.

mamalukino

I don't have any experience with those scopes.
Due some searches of user reviews.

orkan

@7david7 said:

Anyone have any experience with the primary arms 4-14 ffp scopes. Looking at the mgrid one.

I've used them, as well as the BSA and falcon models. They are alright for what they are... but what they are is a very low end scope.

hypo

I would rather have good glass from a used higher quality scope with fewer features than a cheap scope with tactical knobs, illuminated reticle, huge objective lenses but mediocre or poor glass.

You need to double your budget to begin getting into the better glass and triple it to get to a low range tactical scope with decent glass and all the features.

Vortex PST, Burris XTR2, Bushnell Elite Tactical, some of the newer SIg Scopes Tango 4 or Whiskey lines, Zeiss Conquest HD5 for glass but no FFP, are all in the $1k range give or take a couple hundred.

I don't see anything in the Leupold line that is worth more than $1k and most shouldn't be priced much over $500 even the Mk4 scopes compared to the scopes in the group above.

Leupold VX-3 and Nikon Monarch and Vortex Viper and Zeiss Conquest are the low end of decent glass in hunting scopes with second focal plane.
The two older made in USA Burris scopes I have are the equal in glass quality of the new Leupold VX-3 6.5-20 that I have.
Go find a Nikko Sterling or BSA to get a feel for cheap glass, then look through even a $450 Nikon.
Eye box is a big factor. Clear glass with touchy hard to hold eye position is a PITA.
That is one issue with my Burris.
Clear but a small eye box.

It is all a trade off.
I want good glass with a forgiving eye box first priority for hunting with a secure fixed zero and using a holdover to 300 yards.
After that I want repeatable turrets that return to zero
Better tactical style turrets as to the feel of the clicks and a zero stop.
illumination for marginal light conditions
Bigger objective with high magnification.
Those are my priorities.
I'm not into 2 pound scopes even if I could afford them.
Best scope I ever used was a Premier Reticles 3-15. Even used it would bring close to $1500 now.

Older High quality German stuff can have odd tube diameters though.
Unless you can make your own ring reducing inserts to go from 30mm-26mm or 25mm to 22mm Stay away.

ar10shooter

@7david7 said:

Anyone have any experience with the primary arms 4-14 ffp scopes. Looking at the mgrid one.

I have one on an AR-15, it's a good basic scope.

a_marks

I've had good luck with a fixed power 10x SWFA Classic scope. They have several options between 6 and 20. The theory is that a similarly priced fixed scope will have higher quality components than a variable scope since it doesn't need the added cost of the variable mechanism. Check out the Sniper 101 series from TiborasaurusRex. He goes into detail about scope selection for various budgets.

longshot338

+1 on swfa. i have a fixed 10 power on my 243 and shoot it to 1000yds. no problem! the glass is good and turrets repeat perfectly. For $300 you can't buy better in that price range.

7david7

@longshot338 what are you shooting at, I don't know if a fixed power scope will work for me, coyote from 50 to 250 yards might be a problem, b but I am open to trying.

orkan

@7david7 said:

@longshot338 what are you shooting at, I don't know if a fixed power scope will work for me, coyote from 50 to 250 yards might be a problem, b but I am open to trying.

A fixed 6X would not have any problem shooting a coyote from 50-250yds.

7david7

I'm saving up to get something better, then midway put a viper 2.5-10x32 on sale for $399. Don't know about the 32 mm objective though

hypo

Where is that sale? If it is the Vortex PST 2.5-10X32mm that is a decent scope at that price point.
It is usually $800
http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/538389/vortex-optics-viper-pst-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-25-10x-32mm-side-focus-1-10-mil-adjustments-first-focal-plane-illuminated-ebr-1-mrad-reticle-matte

I am fighting small eye box issues with my Burris scopes right now.
You really need good form and NPOA with a small eye box scope.

7david7

Sorry, got the two "hot buy"scopes mixed up. The ffp one isVortex Optics Viper HS Long Range Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 2.5-10x 32mm $579.99. The viper hs 4-16 second focal with duplex reticle is $339.99

longshot338

@7david7 I shoot mine at ground hogs and coyotes anywhere from 25 yards to 600
And shoot steel out to 1000

norcal_in_az

@7david7 said:

Sorry, got the two "hot buy"scopes mixed up. The ffp one isVortex Optics Viper HS Long Range Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 2.5-10x 32mm $579.99. The viper hs 4-16 second focal with duplex reticle is $339.99

$340 for a Viper HS is a good deal. I have a Viper PA 6.5-20 and its a good scope for the money, the HS is a step up on that.

irocguns

I know this is a zombie thread but I like the topic and wanted to add my 2 cents. I've got no experience with high end optics, only what one might consider entry level optics. My best scope, the best I've ever owned, is a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x42 that I have on my win 70 supergrade. When I bought it I looked at Nikon Monarch, Leupold III and a few other similar priced optics and found the Zeiss to be much nicer in terms of glass, eye box, etc. I've handled since some Zeiss terra which is their newer low end and these are also very nice.

I have two millet scopes, an lrs 1 and a buck gold both are nice glass, but more sensitive to eye relief. The rest of my scopes are all old redfield and weaver 4x and one redfield 2 - 7 all of which are excellent but old usa made steel tube scopes. Finally two BSA's waiting to be put on 22 LR rifles for target shooting.

Based on my experience the Zeiss is as good as it gets in this price range but I haven't owned a vortex.