My BSA is going to need to be replaced before next season. I figured this would be a good time to get a better grade scope on this .270 that I've had for 15+ years. What's the best scope for under $300?

Any input is appreciated. The ones I've look at online are:
-weaver classic extreme
-Vortex Crossfire II 3-12x56 30mm Hog Riflescopes
- Nikon prostaff

Prostaff

Crossfire II. I have the 6-18x44 with an illuminated reticle and I love it. It's obviously not the best scope on the market, but for it's price point you can't beat it in my opinion.

Weaver Classic Extreme with illuminated reticle and it isn't close. I sold a Trijicon and bought a Clssic Extreme to get me by until I could find something better. This will be the first year in a long time I am not looking for an upgrade.

Be real hard to beat this one

http://www.aldeer.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2090780&gonew=1#UNREAD

Nikon prostaff

I agree with both of these. The pro staff, is the best in your list. The Leupold is better than any in the list.

I don't think you will go wrong by saving just a little more and buying a Leupold VX2 or VX3.

Neither would I buy a 56mm anything. You will have to mount it so high all you will get is a chin weld. It won't be as quick to use for snap shots because you will have to adjust-lift your head after you mount the rifle. Rely on better glass and coatings for low light performance rather than huge objectives. The only way I would want a large objective would be ion a specialty rifle for long late evening shots.Even then I would want an adjustable cheek piece and I would buy better glass than what $300 will buy.

I'm not trying to knock your budget or be as much of a scope snob as I sound like. I'm just saying that you can buy a better scope for the money if you stick to a standard 3X9X40 than if you buy a high power large objective scope. They have to cut costs somewhere and it is in glass and coatings on the bargain large objective high power models.

buy a Leupold and be done with it, nothing else is even close for the money.

Vortex

Yep

Bushnell elite. Of course everyone is voinv to be partial to what they own

https://www.universalmania.com/products/...CFdgLgQodm_wGfA

Leupold vx-3i 3-10x50
Hard to find a better price on Leupold scopes.

I know you said 300.00 but I just purchased a Leupold VX3i 2.5-8x36 from Universal Mania for 329.00 with free shipping. They also had the 3.5-10x40 for the same price. Their prices fluctuate but Buds gun shop was 399 and 449.00 for the same scope.

https://www.universalmania.com/products/...KnPrRoCp6Tw_wcB

You can get in a VX2 Leupold for that money.

clear and will take you well pass legal hours
it's pictured as BDC but it not

nikon

Pick up a Zeiss conquest from eBay

Here is a deal hard to beat. Just $50 over budget if you don't want to go with a Leupold. The Meopta's have a warranty just like Leupold. Good people to deal with too. No problems with unmounted returns.

http://cameralandny.com/spec-sheet.html?catalog[name]=Meopta-MeoPro-3.5-10x44---Reticle-ZPlex-INCLUDES-a-Meopta-NEOPRENE-Scopecoat-meopro&catalog[product_guids][0]=1256516

Phil,

Check out 24 hourcampfire forums. I've seen conquests and elite 4200s sub 300 bucks.

The weaver scopes mentioned are very good.

That scope cost me a buck last season with 10 minutes shooting time left on a cloudy day. I Needed a better scope or better binos !!!

Maybe even better glasses. LOL

Seriously, what happened? Did the reticle fade out on you? I've never used that particular Meopta but every Meopta I've even seen before would take me to the end of legal shooting time.

Getting close to the end of the season I had a buck walk out in the middle of a green field at 75 yards. It was very cloudy and I couldn't entirely get a good read on him with the scope. Wasn't going to take a chance on a anything less than a 3.5 yo. Grab the Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 8x42 binos and I had about the same picture. Had to let him walk. 90% sure he was a shooter. I changed the scope out for a Zeiss Conquest 56mm to be used for my afternoon to dusk gun. Haven't replaced the binos yet but I definitely will before this season. Learned that there is nothing more important than good glass.

Meopta made the glass for the conquest.

I would have just ground checked him,but I ain't that picky. Must have been the darkest evening in history since you couldn't see him at only 75 yards.

Honestly I've been able to see well enough with any scope I've ever used at 30 min after sunset in a field at close range. It's in the woods at a distance,or over 150 yards in the field that I have trouble with and when I want the best optics possible.

Heck. Maybe I do need glasses !

DaBreeze I realize you might cheer for the wrong school but I'll have you check out my Nikon Monarch 7 10X42 binoculars.

I've been impressed with the Edge Dispersion glass.

Picking a scope is very subjective. We all see differently and sometimes we don't even realize how much until we start comparing scopes.

Thanks. I'll would like to.

Auburn isn't a short drive from molino

We are in the same hunting club in Auburn

. Damn that's a haul for a hunting club. Great deer I'm sure

Cause you won't turn me on to anything down here.

Midway had a blow out sale on the vortex viper earlier in the week 6-20-44 side focus for $299 which is a good deal if you want something with that much magnification.

Yea,but I wouldn't want it for a general purpose scope. It might be fine for hunting over a huge field where you know most shots will be beyond 100 yards but it wouldn't be nearly as good in the woods as a simple 3X9.

I picked up a Leupold vx-3i 3-10x50 at a pawnshop last year for $150. If you are not in a hurry look around for a while. Imo you are better off buying used quality products than cheaper new products. But it's all relative to your budget. My Leupold 3 is by far the best scope I have ever owned but the next guy may think it's junk

Nikon Prostaff inline xr

Check out Nikon's PROSTAFF 5 3.5-14 x40 BDC. This scope has upgraded glass coating's over the PROSTAFF Series and side focus parallax adjustment. A lot of scope for under $300. If you're not a BDC fan this scope also comes with a Nikoplex reticle.

I would look all over the place and see if I could find a Bushnell Elite 4200 (even used), damn good scopes for the money.

There was a Bushnell 3200 Firefly for sale earlier today at 24hourcampfire for $150. Great scope with a very good low light reticle. If you keep an eye out there on used scopes you will get more for your money than buying new.

4-12x40 VX-2s with CDS can be had under $300 on eBay. Me and some coworkers all bought one, great scopes for the price. Think they are $275 right now.

there isnt one!!! your in real estate, dont be a tight ass!

X2 when I'm not just being nice. My best recommendations start at Leupold VX3 level and go up from there.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bushnell-Elite-4200-2-5-10x50-Riflescope-/152535121970?hash=item2383cd4032:g:hpQAAOSwc49Y7UBU

Used Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 if your budget is a hard number.

Get the same in a 50mm objective if you can squeeze another $100 out. I've bought two 3-9x50's from members here for $400 each, I'd buy another in a minute.

I'll have to go against the Prostaff rec's.

I've compared several scopes side by side and developed a rough ranking. I'd definitely recommend the Zeus Conquest and the Vortex Diamondback. I've never looked through the Nikon Monarch scopes, but their binos are pretty solid.

This isn't that hard, if you can sneak up on a VXIII Leupold jump on it, if not a VXII is plenty of scope for the $ you wanta spend.

I have been very impressed with the Redfields. Has Leupold glass in it ( Leupold bought Redfield). Both kids have Redfields on their guns and have compared to my Leupold at dusk and dawn and very impressed.

I totally agree. Leupold is my go to optics. I've had a varix-3 for about 20 years and i've never had to touch it and i've dropped it plenty of times.

Here you go. Great scope and killer deal.

Vortex Diamondback 3.5-10x50 Vplex for $189 with free shipping.

http://www.fieldandstreamshop.com/p/vort...udmndbck3510opt

Go to this website Natchez shooters supply . You can by closeout and demo scopes for a bargain ! I've bought Nikon buckmaster and prostaff scopes for less than 300 . It awesome website , has all kind of stuff on it .
Hope this helps .

Will they ship to Alabama? They use to have a banner that said not sold to Alabama residents.

I tried to buy from them recently and they said they did not service Alabama. I clicked off their website and never plan to click on it again.

I've never heard of such intentional discrimination.

It's because they have a non compete with retailers that they sell to here.

Check at Marks Outdoor's as they have used scopes for sale

Good scopes don't exist for under $300. Espescially the Nikon buckmasters scope.

I've owned Meopta, Leupold, Burris , Trijicon and Bushnell. The cheapest scope I've owned is the current Weaver Classic Extreme I have. It's a made in the Philippines, 30mm tube , adjustable illuminated reticle, 2.5x10x50 and I gave $249 for it brand new off Natchez. I sold the trijicon and was going to upgrade to the Leica but couldn't find one used before the season last year so I bought the Weaver to get by. I'm not looking to upgrade anymore if that says anything. I can hunt way later than is legal in the woods and could hunt all night with any moon light in fields. I can't speak to durability yet but optical quality is more than adequate and as good as the Trijicon and Meopta (Meopro) I owned.

Idk but we stuck a cheap $150 nikon on a $400 rem 700 243. Bought at tha walmarts an tha sucker will drive nails. I kilt prolly 25 deer with it an more hogs than you could pile in a semi trailer. So we went an bought same gun in 7mag an 30-06 an stuck some more cheap nikons on them... Tak drivin machines. Ma brother stuck a $75 center point from wally world on his 22-250 an hes kilt deer an pigs at 2 or 300 yards. Difference in them thangs is if they tear up or dont act right ill just takem back an git me anothern.

Bill,I'm sure you know you won't have any warranty with a used Leica. Scopelist has several new ones if you're interested.

I bought one of the 2.5-10X42 ERi's with a 4a reticle and a turret. I wasn't all that impressed with it and sent it back. PM me if you are interested in particulars as to what I didn't like. It was a fine low light scope however if that is your only criteria.

PS
Are any of the Weavers still made in Japan? I liked those I've seen pretty well.

I think the Super Slam is still made there. I talked to a Weaver rep before purchasing the Extreme and seems I remember him saying that. I really am not looking to upgrade any more. Unless this Weaver doesn't hold up I'll be happy to use it for several more years.