Howdy folks,

Wanted to reach out in hopes you guys could educate and advise me on a scope purchase.

Couple of initial details.

-I have never owned a centerfire rifle, just traded for a .270 and need to outfit it with a scope. I know almost nothing of scope technology.
-I basically hunt public land exclusively. No crazy long shots on fields or power lines for me. I have never killed a deer at more than 100 yards, not that I wouldn't, I just can't usually see that far!
-I'm kinda cheap! I would prefer to stay under $200, $150 would be preferable

I have seen you guys suggest NatchezSS to folks before so I started my search there. What I found was a mind boggling array of scopes available that are less than $200.


I picked 4 that I thought offered decent specs around my price point, but I am open to ANY other suggestions based on your expertise.


Nikon buckmaster 3x9x40 - $120

Vortex crossfire 2 4x12x40 - $125

Bushnell elite 3500 3x9x40 - $170

Nikon prostaff 5 2.5x10x40 - $180

Thank you very much!

I might give the vortex a try at that price.

I would go with a leupold vx 1 or 2. Or the bushnell elite

Of those choices, I'd get the Bushnell elite 3500

Find a used Bushnell 3200 3X9X40. Better IMHO than anything new under $200.

Let me inform you! Barska has the best. Its called a Barska Colorado 3x9x40. They cost 37 bucks online at amazon.com. free shipping. I have them on all my guns. They are worth 200 bucks each in my opinion!!!!! Look them up. Totally unbelievable quality.

If youre just starting out then youre not gonna be wrong with any of your choices and as time passes youll learn more about scopes and rifles if that's what you want to do.

Of those listed I'd lean toward the Bushnell for your use. One reason is power. Two of the others you listed are higher power. From what I read , you don't need a high power scope , as your shots are not long. A 3-9 more than enough.

Make sure you get something with a good hunting/killing reticle , not some mill dot long range/ paper punching deal. A medium to heavy duplex or heavy number 4 or such will get deer killed. Reticle is VERY important IMO.

Thank you to all who have provided advice!

I will look into the reticles, that is a very good point and I wasn't considering it closely. I appreciate that pointer 2dogs.

Jake, $37 is perfect for my cheap azz but I can't tell if you're being serious. If so I will look into Barska, though I don't mind spending a bit more.

I was strongly leaning towards the Vortex but some of the reviews I saw were less than flattering. I was about to pull the trigger on it until reading that.

Cactus I would love to have one of those Leupolds but they're just too expensive for me right now based on their website pricing.

If you shop around I think you can "sneak up" on a Leupold VX-II for very close to your $. Put a WTB post in the classifieds , someone on here may have one.

Why not post a wanted ad in the classifieds?
Buying used will likely allow you to get a better scope than what your budget would have allowed.

Good suggestion on the classifieds and I may well do that. My only concern with buying used is the warranty. I believe that that Vortex and Nikon offer "lifetime" warranties but I do not know if that warranty would be transferable in the case of a used scope.

The 3200 Bushnell I suggested is full warranty used or not,so is any Leupold or Zeiss. You really need to think of this scope as a lifetime investment and save the money to buy something decent.

I've seen too many cheap skates with blister pack Walmart scopes spend $40 on a scope and then blow $100 on ammo trying to get that POS sighted in. Then they miss a big buck and sell gun and scope to the pawn shop and repeat the whole cycle again, all the while trying to find a good gun that will consistently shoot well,when all the time the problem is that they are too cheap to buy a scope that will work every time.

Take some good advice and if you have to buy new get a Leupold VX2. Cameraland NY has some sales right now,or just buy used.

Thanks Clark for all the details! I found that 3200 on Midway for a price I could probably swing, with a heavy reticle.

I'm not trying to be super cheap and buy a $40 Walmart version, but I am frugal generally.

After hearing a bit of info from you all I think I will post a WTB in the classifieds looking for either:

Bushnell 3200 3x9x40
Leupold VX2 3x9x40

I get the impression from you all that either of these will serve me will for years to come, especially with a warranty.

Thank you all for taking the time to respond. I know where to turn in the future with my questions on guns or gear!

Here ya go.

VX-2, 2-7 and 3-9 Leupolds with Duplex for $239 at Camera Land. Pretty much a no brainer IMO.

And SWFA may beat that price if you call them on it.

I agree with the others. For a deer gun, a new/used Bushnell Elite 3200 or 4200 (don't buy a new 3500....made in China instead of Japan like aforementioned Bushnells) or a Leupold VX2 would be the absolute cheapest for me to fully trust. If by some chance Natchez has any Weaver Super Slams, Grand Slams, etc. on a great sale....fantastic, bulletproof glass too.


https://www.natchezss.com/weaver-re-desi...3-31-matte.html

This below is fantastic glass too and I love the illuminated dot for whitetail hunting. I have since moved to Trijicons on my main rifles but this scope (though heavy) is amazing for the $.

https://www.natchezss.com/weaver-classic...icle-matte.html

Thanks 2dogs, I had never heard of SWFA and they appear to have the best prices on most of the mentioned scopes.

Jug thank you for that, I was just about to ask what the difference between these models. I appreciate those links too, $50 more to get illuminated dot seems to be a decent deal, though I am wholly unfamiliar with Weaver.

So China vs Japan with the Bushnells.

What is the difference between the Leupold VX 1 and 2? Basically just glass quality?

Thanks!

So I cannot attest for the scopes. But I have bought several things through the wish app you can get for your phone. Millions of items dirt cheap. I looked at scopes and they have " Bushnell and leopold" for 50 bucks. All items come from japan, so dont burn me at the stake. But if you pressed for cash and dont need the top of line brands for just 50 to.100 yrdd it could be an option. Next scope I got will be from this app.

SWFA.com does 110% price matching. I buy the bulk of my optics from them for that reason.

Any of those are good but get a 50mm obj. There is a difference.