Starter scope

[cpthowdy33]

Hey guys, I just bought a Remington 700 and was looking to buy a scope that wouldn't break the bank. Any suggestions? Any options on leatherwood scopes? I was looking at the 8-32x50 scope and also the primary arms 4-14x44 scope... I really don't want to spend more than 250 for a scope right now, but I also want something that won't lose its zero. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone.

[penguin0123]

Save your $. Glass is not an area you cheap out on.

SWFA isn't a bad performer at that price range.

[MongooseV8]

SWFA 10x42mm or your choice of Leupold/Nikon.

[lewdogg21]

What do you want to use your rifle for? That dictates what type of scope you should be considering.

[thegamettt]

the primary arms one isn't bad.

[berg]

Don't fall for the "I need a high magnification scope " mentality that so many noobs are seduced by. On the lower cost side of optics the quality of high mag scopes is not good and many (most?) go dark or blurry when you crank up the zoom ring.
You can get by just fine with a solid 3-9x40 and in that price range you can get something pretty decent. Look at a Nikon Prostaff 5 or Burris Fullfield.

[cpthowdy33]

thanks guys I appreciate all the input.

[Cowboy T]

For $200, shipped, you can get a either Redfield Revolution or Leupold VX-1, in 3-9x40, which should take care of any reasonable shooting task you may have. Both scopes are very good and very sturdy. I have both and like them quite a bit. Both are made in USA at Leupold's Beaverton factory.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/171...-9x-40mm-matte

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/136...cope-3-9x-40mm

Either of these, with a 20 MOA base, will get you as far as 1,000 yards, which is well beyond "starter" distance.

[MarikinaMan]

I've got a Primary Arms 4-14. I've taken it to 300 yards no problem. Going further soon. It tracks with the Ballistic AE app. Happy with it. I'm not ready to buy high dollar scopes.

[Kwikvette]

Another vote for the SWFA 10x42 scope.

[anhzx]

+1 for swfa

[Cowboy T]

We should also ask, what do you have in mind for this setup? Are you thinking paper-puncher, or eventual hunting? And at what distances are you planning on shooting? Since you said "starter scope", I'm guessing that you'll be starting at 50 yards, getting good there, then going to 100, then 200, and so on. But that's just a guess.

[HK Dave]

Yep go with the SWFA.

[cpthowdy33]

Yep that's it exactly. I want to start at the beginning, also I'll just be shooting paper.

[MongooseV8]

A 10x42mm SWFA will have you set to start shooting at 50 yards and grow with you out to 1K when you are ready.

[Sir Toast]

Originally Posted by penguin0123

Save your $. Glass is not an area you cheap out on.

THIS!!!!! Save up a little more dough and get a good scope, it will serve you well. Look at the Vortex line of scopes. Excellent company with scopes at every price range. You can't beat their warranty.

Bushnells are nice too, but the warranty isn't as good as Vortex's.

Loopies go without saying.

Don't buy a scope until you research the Vortex line. (Burris makes great scopes too.)

[Kwikvette]

If you do save your money and opt for something better than the SWFA then I'd recommend the Burris XTR II; better glass than the Viper PST and feels way more rugged. Plus that 34mm tube will yield more elevation for when you decide to shoot at longer ranges.

[Loopwell]

I've had great results with Nikons at $200

[Horrendo Revolver]

At $250.00 you have many decent options. Don't forget to allow for decent rings and bases.

[Cowboy T]

Originally Posted by cpthowdy33

Yep that's it exactly. I want to start at the beginning, also I'll just be shooting paper.

In that case, you don't have to spend a lot of money to get good quality. I'd definitely go with the 3-9x variable-magnification type. At 3x, you'll see 50 yards very clearly. I can see clearly even at 7 yards with mine. At 1,000 yards, you'll be able to hit the target at 9x. Such a scope will do many things well.

The good ol' Duplex reticle has punched out a whole lot of bullseyes and put a whole lot of meat on the dinner table over the decades. It ain't fancy, but it sure does work. Every scope manufacturer has a Duplex reticle version.

If you'd like a few hold-over points, I can't give enough praise to Redfield's "Accu-Range" reticle. Again, this is the one on their Revolution line. I find it the perfect balance of having good hold-over points while not being "too busy", i. e. it's easy to use and doesn't distract the shooter.

You really don't need any more scope than this. Seriously. But if you're set on going beyond the $200 range, read on....

Redfield's Revolution TAC-MOA is a mighty fine choice and hard to beat in its price range. Even Sniper Central likes this scope for $279, shipped.

http://www.snipercentral.com/redfiel...ntac-3-9x40mm/

Another very good option, especially if you like the metric system (I do), would be Weaver's Grand Slam Tactical for $299 in 3-10x40. This one has mil-dots and is another quality scope for not a lot of money. The windage and elevation adjustments are, like the reticle, also in mils, which makes dialing in your shot very easy (units are the same).

http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/598...FVGAaQods-cEMg

And if you want to get fancy without having to pay too fancy a price, consider the Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40, currently $329 + shipping ($345 out the door) at EuroOptic with a traditional Duplex reticle.

http://www.eurooptic.com/zeiss-conqu...214609920.aspx

For scope mounts, standard Weaver bases and rings from just about anyone will be fine. I like Leupold's aluminum "Rifleman" rings for anything up to and including 7mm Rem Mag or "warm" .30-06. These rings are inexpensive and effective. If you want to get fancier, then Burris's Signature series of rings, with their ability to accept (inexpensive) 20 MOA shims down the road, is an excellent choice. For the Weaver bases, you'd get the "Signature Zee" line.

[Rickrock1]

Originally Posted by Cowboy T

In that case, you don't have to spend a lot of money to get good quality. I'd definitely go with the 3-9x variable-magnification type. At 3x, you'll see 50 yards very clearly. I can see clearly even at 7 yards with mine. At 1,000 yards, you'll be able to hit the target at 9x. Such a scope will do many things well.

The good ol' Duplex reticle has punched out a whole lot of bullseyes and put a whole lot of meat on the dinner table over the decades. It ain't fancy, but it sure does work. Every scope manufacturer has a Duplex reticle version.

If you'd like a few hold-over points, I can't give enough praise to Redfield's "Accu-Range" reticle. Again, this is the one on their Revolution line. I find it the perfect balance of having good hold-over points while not being "too busy", i. e. it's easy to use and doesn't distract the shooter.

You really don't need any more scope than this. Seriously. But if you're set on going beyond the $200 range, read on....

Redfield's Revolution TAC-MOA is a mighty fine choice and hard to beat in its price range. Even Sniper Central likes this scope for $279, shipped.

http://www.snipercentral.com/redfiel...ntac-3-9x40mm/

Another very good option, especially if you like the metric system (I do), would be Weaver's Grand Slam Tactical for $299 in 3-10x40. This one has mil-dots and is another quality scope for not a lot of money. The windage and elevation adjustments are, like the reticle, also in mils, which makes dialing in your shot very easy (units are the same).

http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/598...FVGAaQods-cEMg

And if you want to get fancy without having to pay too fancy a price, consider the Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40, currently $329 + shipping ($345 out the door) at EuroOptic with a traditional Duplex reticle.

http://www.eurooptic.com/zeiss-conqu...214609920.aspx

Good info guys.

[cpthowdy33]

Awesome info, thanks Cowboy T

[LeftHand-Fu]

I'll second the recommendations for 3-9x scopes. That is all most of us will ever need for a wide range of activities. The general rule is to spend the same on the optics as on the rifle, but it makes sense to spend less until you have more experience and more idea what you want.

[Horrendo Revolver]

Bushnell changed their warranty in January. It pretty much stacks up with everyone else's now.

http://bushnell.com/global/customer-...ty-information

To the OP. No one can tell you which is the best scope for you to buy because everyone's eyes are different. Of all the brands mentioned there will be some that you see through better than others in the same price range. I happen to see better out of Leupold, Burris, Bushnell and Zeiss than I do Nikon and Vortex. For you it may be just the opposite. I would use these suggestions as a guideline, nothing more.

[MrSam]

Most of Nikon's optics are relatively inexpensive and will serve you well.

[Jimi Jah]

Vortex crossfire II are a great bargin. I saw a 3x9 at Midway on sale for $109.

[Bull Elk]

Leupold VX1 3-9x40

It's about $200 and is all you will need.

[Divernhunter]

^^^ Bull Elk has it right. I do prefer the VX2 3X9X40 but for the $200 price the VX1 is just fine.

[AlexHunter]

Hi there! I recommend the scope ATN X-SIGHT II HD 5-20X (http://www.atncorp.com/smart-hd-weapon-sight). This scope can be used day and night, is an ideal choice for beginners. Good luck!

[JMP]

I don't see where the cartridge, model, or range was specified. Where are people getting their suggestions?

[stix213]

Been happy with my Redfield Revolution 4-12x I got a few months back, as well as my 3-9x I've had for a few years. They are manufactured by Leupold in Oregon. They don't have some of the fancy features of the high end scopes, but the glass and zero are solid as well as the controls. At a little under $300 they compare roughly to Leupold branded scopes about $100 more. Lifetime warranty.

https://www.redfield.com/riflescopes/

[stix213]

Originally Posted by JMP

I don't see where the cartridge, model, or range was specified. Where are people getting their suggestions?

He gave examples of what interests him in the first post.