Good/best budget scope

There is nothing much under $200 I'd recommend, but starting right at $200 there are several good scopes. In that price range in order of preference.

http://swfa.com/Burris-3-9x40-Fullfield-II-Rifle-Scope-P7932.aspx
http://swfa.com/Leupold-3-9x40-VX-1-Riflescope-P51827.aspx
http://swfa.com/Redfield-3-9x40-Revolution-Rifle-Scope-P44468.aspx

They are all very comparable. The Burris gets the top spot simply because it comes with long range dots at the same price as the others with a standard reticle. You can pay a bit more and get the others with dots. The Leupold is available with dials for extra.

For $100 more the Leupold VX-2 is my go-to scope.

http://swfa.com/Leupold-3-9x40-VX-2-Riflescope-P51796.aspx

To me it is worth the extra, but I'd not feel a bit handicapped using any of the above scopes. For about $350 the VX-2 can be had with either dots or dials which I also prefer.

You can spend a lot more, but not get a lot more than with the VX-2. The older Zeiss Conquest was in the same price and quality range as the VX-2, but those have been discontinued and are hard to find.

The glass in all scopes is about the same within the same price range among all brands. Including Vortex. I'm not a fan of Vortex scopes for other reasons. Factors such as eye relief, view through the scope, weight, length, reticle design, adjustments, and reputation for durability are all more important than the glass quality. The scopes I've listed above have the qualities I'm looking for. The Vortex scopes are good scopes. Just not with features important to me. I feel the same about Nikon, Bushnell and several others.
 
Optics Planet has been known to have some good sale prices on scopes. That would be one place that I would suggest keeping an eye on for prices.
 
If you want new...Nikon and a couple of the Weaver's...are decent for the $200.

But, the best buys in that price range will be used...and with a lifetime transferable warranty...no risk in buying used. Most of the scopes in my safe, were bought used...all are Leupold or Nikon.
 
I'm a pretty big fan of vortex scopes. Their prices are pretty good compared with the quality of product you get. Might be worth checking them out.
 
A Vortex Crossfire II will do nicely for your purpose. Has a "Unlimited, unconditional lifetime warranty" for starters. And they don't care if you caused the damage or not. Their warrantee is on the kit, not the buyer. If you opt to sell the rifle with the scope down the road, the scope is still covered. MSRP is $199.
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/crossfire-II-3-9x40-with-v-plex-moa-reticle
Most hunters set variables on one magnification and leave it there. Deer woods tend to be thick cover and dark at dawn and dusk so it's not really a bad thing to have a variable.
 
I've used several of the newer Weaver K series and had good luck. One was mounted to a savage that rode around in my trunk for a year and never lost zero.
 
I am a exclusive user of inexpensive rifle scopes. Any more I only buy two Brands. Not because other might be just as good. I just know what I am gona get with these. I have purchased a real crappy scope or two. So now I hang with what i know works.

For good price and good performance I use Bushnell Banners. ( Not the Wall Mart ones though.)

Then when I want a little more for just a little more. I go with the Sightron S's.

SIGHTRON SIH-TAC 3-9x40mm TACT TURRETS HHR-RETICLE $139.99

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Banner:

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Back in the 1990s, a friend of mine had a website called "the cheap scope page".

What to do with a cheap scope?
1) Give it to someone you don't like.
2) Use it to pound nails.

Back then I refused to pay more than $20 for a scope. That got a used Weaver K-4.

--------------------------------
woo wooo time travel
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Some of those still K-4s still work, dimly.

Last week I paid $2k for a 2.5x10 Nightforce NXS scope.


What has happened in 20 years to cause me to change my scope budget?
Horrible things.
Unspeakable things.
Missed shots while hunting
 
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