Help me choose a good scope for youth 243...

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pgrace245

Inactive
Hello,
I am new to this forum and I'm getting back into reloading and shooting in general. I just bought my son a Youth Savage model 10 .243 for the upcoming deer season. The rifle is the XP3 package and comes with a scope that based upon what I read is not good. So I'm looking for a basic 3-9x40mm scope that will hold a zero with most shots likely under 100 yards. My price range is between $75-$150. I like the Leupold Rifleman but it may be hard to find a good used one in my price range. I really like the added visibility in low light shooting situations that I find alot in the woods with a the Leupold Rifleman. To sum it up...economical, dependable, and simple. Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
 
Check the pricing on Vortex Crossfire line of scopes.http://vortexoptics.com This link will get you to their website to check model options. They have a great warranty and good products. I have binoculars and 2 scopes from vortex, and I am very happy with them. All are comparable to Nikon and Leopold imo. I have compared the vortex viper to a ziess conquest side by side and I purchased the vortex.
 
At what range are you planning to have him shoot at?

At reasonable ranges, barring a mechanical failure of the scope itself, I doubt a new shooter could realize as much benefit from the cost of a used expensive scope as he/she could from the same dollar amount spent in practice ammo/components for same.

Familiarity with the weapon will count for far more than perfect clarity or even a slight shift in zero when you turn the power up.......

Look at it this way: would you rather have your sprog engage his quarry with an unfamiliar 1MOA weapon, or a 4MOA weapon he knows like the back of his hand?
 
"...what I read is not good..." Hi. They're not bad either. They're lower end, but serviceable.
"...$75-$150..." When it comes to optics you get what you pay for. A $75-$150 used scope will be low end or well used that may or may not be any better than the Simmons that come with the Savage packages. A Simmons can run in the same price range. Some of 'em run double your high end.
However, have a look at Cabela's. They currently have a sale on Nikon's starting at $94.
 
I personally would tend to avoid the Leupold Rifleman. They aren't bad, but they are WAY overpriced for what they are. Basically, they are an $80 scope plus a $100 lifetime warranty.

In your price range, I'd tend towards the Bushnell Trophy series. While i wouldn't try and use a Trophy on a heavy recoiling rifle, using one on a .243 should be fine.
 
For ranges under 300 yards you do not need a variable power scope. For MANY years most of us used 4X scopes which worked well, and I never lost any game because of the power. The main reason I went to a Leupold VX 3 2.5X8 was that hunting antelope it is easier to keep up with the herd buck at long ranges. Otherwise I hunted for 30 years with a 4X using it for deer, elk, antelope, sheep and goats.

My advice is to get a good quality 4X scope, mount it as low as possible, and you will be set.
If most ranges will be 100 to 200 yards a 2.5 might work better. Don't get a scope larger than the rifle.

In 1972 I bought my son a Rem 660 6 MM Rem and put a 2.5X Weaver scope on it. We never looked back, and it is still on the rifle. He killed deer out to 250 with it.

Regards,
Jerry
 
Go to camerland of ny. Doug offers some great deals on quality scopes NEW.

Check out Pentax. I bought a 3x9x40 for just over $100 and it is super clear glass. The Pentax's are put together for them by Burris and they have a great warranty.

I also have a Nikon 3x9x40 that was in the $150 range on sale last year.

When I compare these scopes to the "lower end" Bushnell that came on my Weatherby Vanguard package, the Bushnell isn't even close.
 
My price range is between $75-$150.
Click to expand...

That's the price range for a decent set of peep sights. That's what I put on my son 700 Youth 308. He got his elk with no problem.

If you bumped your budget to 200ish then you should look at Burris Scopes.
 
Scope

Thanks for all of the good suggestions especially the cabelas sale on Nikon Prostaff scopes! Snagged a Nikon Prostaff 3-9X40 for $99! Should be a good scope for my son to get used to. Now time to load some Barnes TSX for him...
 
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