Need advice: Budget scope comparison

Thanks for all the responses guys. I think I'll be going with the Viper 2-7, or possibly fork up $90 more for the 6.5-20x44. Still have yet to decide.
 
Thanks for all the responses guys. I think I'll be going with the Viper 2-7, or possibly fork up $90 more for the 6.5-20x44. Still have yet to decide.
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I've got two of the 2-7 Viper scopes and I like them quite a bit, I bought them to replace my 2-7 Burris FF II scopes. I think the Viper will serve you well as a hunting scope. However I think you'll have too much scope if you use the 6.5-20 for hunting.
 
Another vote for the Vortex Viper (in your price range). If this is for a hunting gun (not a varmint or target gun) I wouldn't got any bigger then a 3-9x40/50 or 4-12x40/50 max.

If you can afford it you wont be sorry with the Zeiss Conquest.
 
CDMMA said:
unfortunately, the Tac II is out of my price range.

I think I'll be going with the Viper 2-7, or possibly fork up $90 more for the 6.5-20x44. Still have yet to decide.
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I've been shooting with the Mueller Tac II for several years now and it's been a very good scope that has been on several different 7.62 rifles. I haven't seen anything in the $300 price range that matches it. The next step up in price well get you a Vortex Viper and it does have better glass, I have not used my 'new' Vortex long enough to know if it well hold up to years of shooting. Midway has a dealer special on the Vortex Viper 6.5-20X50, 30mm SF fine plex for $350. That's $110 under Opticsplanet price. If you know anyone with a account with Midway I would take a very serious look at it.
 
@taylorce - I was actually thinking the same thing, a minimum of 6.5 magnification seemed a bit high.

@Fullboar - Sounds good, in the future I think I'll pick up a Zeiss, but for the time being, I cannot afford one :(

@madcrate - Thanks man, I'm seriously looking at the Viper, that's what I'll be going with unless I can find a ridiculous deal on a great scope in the next few days :p
There's a sale at cameralandny.com for the 6.5-20x44 with the V-Plex Wide for $260. If that wasn't too much scope for my purposes, I would most likely be going that direction.
 
I have two 3200's one with the firefly one with out. One Burris Fullfield. All 3x9s.

I like the Firefly 3200.
 
Don't overlook the new Redfield scopes. I have two and like them a lot, the both cost me less than $200 and both are 4-12X40 scopes. Plus they are backed with a lifetime no questions asked warranty, just send it back and they'll replace or repair for free.
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The new Redfields are nothing more (or less) than rebadged Leupold "Riflemans". Great values for sure.
 
Sure seems to be quite a spread among those who consider what value is a "budget" scope. On a whim, I bought some scopes on closeout from Natchez. They are the Millet 6-18x40 Buck Silver scopes. They come well packaged, nice black matte finish on them, have an adjustable objective, has very good low light transmission, positive clicks when sighting in, an all around good scope. I gave right at $50.00 for them. They hold zero as good if not better than a lot of the far higher dollar "target" scopes and the glass is crystal clear and beats some of the high dollar scopes. I'm still looking for the reason for these scopes to be so cheap. I guess I've had them about 6 months now and of those I've put on rifles, all are doing exceptionally well. I wish I had bought another dozen now.
 
I don't know much about Swift scopes. But the Swift Premier 2-7x40mm might be worth it because it has a lower low end.

I prefer my scope to start at 1.5x or 2x. Most of my shots are pretty close and it's easier to find a deer in the sights with lower magnification.
Unless your targets are closer to 300yds than 100yds, you won't be using much past 5x or 7x
 
Leupold keeps upping the feature on their higher line scopes and the cost shfit down into the lower ones.

Me, I had a Weaver scope, went AWOL when I went to use it after 215 year sitting and I had to buy a new cope (not one of the warranty ones)

Next scope will be a Leupold or Redfield. They work and you get them repaired or replaced if there is a problem. That cuts the cost in half in the case of the Weaver.
 
Rc I'd just be tickled about being alive 215,,,,, what the heck dude?:rolleyes: Also I'd read "Things you should know" from Taylorce1's signature!!:cool:
 
CDMMA, I'm an amateur photographer myself, all film, 35, 120 and 4x5, Nikon, Leica, Rollei, Schneider and Rodenstock. The optical quality of scopes is nowhere near what you may be used to. Often poor resolution seems to be hidden behind high contrast. Just about anything will work at 100yds for hunting, but for precision shooting or longer ranges almost everything in the cheap seats is disappointing. I recently purchased a Mueller APT and have been impressed for the low price. My sample has good resolution, clarity and reasonable contrast. The adjustments are repeatable and the ability to focus the objective is a bonus.
 
I spent a tad over 200.00 for this Diamondback from Vortex and so far(knock on the hardwood man) it hasn't gone bonkers and it was easy to mount, (of course we have all the tools for proper scope installation), easy to zero, and is easy on the ole eye.....(4x12x40):)
 
The optical quality of scopes is nowhere near what you may be used to. Often poor resolution seems to be hidden behind high contrast. Just about anything will work at 100yds for hunting, but for precision shooting or longer ranges almost everything in the cheap seats is disappointing. I recently purchased a Mueller APT and have been impressed for the low price. My sample has good resolution, clarity and reasonable contrast. The adjustments are repeatable and the ability to focus the objective is a bonus.
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Spot on! For hunting out to 300 yds the main thing you need is durability. The old fixed 4x or variable 2-7x or 3-9x has served well in that role. I inherited two rifles with Bushnell Banner 3-9x32 scopes from 1960s and they hold zero season after season. The may not have high end glass that can see at near dark at 9x, but they have survived well over ridge and through snow, and we use the 3x or 4x setting most of the time anyway which is pretty good exit pupil for even a 32mm.

I have bought a Nikon Monarch and Leupold VXIII and they are great, but also two or three times the cost of lower end but solid scopes. If you are shooting $300 yds or less, then a $250 scope such as a Redfield is plenty good enough.

However, if you are shooting 500 yds or more then less expensive scopes will be frustrating with not enough clarity and may not have enough windage and elevation range, and the reticule features are more important. Same for spotting scopes. Glass clarity is more important than magnification.
 
I like Swift optics a lot, and I think you'd do well to consider them completely.

I also like the new Redfield scopes. Very good value for the money. Between the Redfield and the Swift scopes, I'd be hard-pressed to make the choice. I own both and like both.
 
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