Looking for some insight from the rifle hunters out there. I have a Remington 700, 30-06, and I need to put a scope on it. Though I would like to go big and get the best, my budget only allows for about $350 max for bases, rings, and the scope. I drew two rifle tags for Oregon's Murderer's Creek unit this year and I typically bow and muzzleloader hunt. I rifle hunted with the rifle when I lived in Montana, but I had a cheap scope that I had to sight in every other day. It got the job done on my first Mule Deer and four Antelope, but it was a pain in the neck. I will primarily be hunting the more open areas of eastern Oregon for Mule Deer and Elk, but also Antelope if I ever draw a freakin' tag. (It takes forever in Oregon.) I like Leupold because they are an Oregon company and have a great reputation, but I have heard that Nikon scopes are just as good for less money. Probably going to go with a 3x9, but I am not 100% sold on it because for some of those open country shots, it might be nice to have more magnification. I know its a lot, but the season is arriving quickly and I want to make an informed decision because I have been out of the rifle game for a while. Thanks in advance guys and I hope you are successful this year.

Bushnell Elite 4200 3-9. If you look around, you should be able to find them for $250 or so. They have the Rainguard coating. Add Burris Signature ZEE rings (Weaver style) and you're good to go.

Dale

Thanks Dale I appreciate the insight. Haven't looked at any Bushnell products yet. I'm assuming you have at least one and are satisfied with it? -Tyler

I own a Leupold Rifleman and a Nikon Pro Staff both are 3x9x40 and in my opinion are very good scope's for the money. You could even step up a model to the Leupold VX-I or the Nikon Buckmaster BDC scope and get your base's and ring's and still stay within your budget. Heck you might even have enough left over to buy some Butler Creek len's cap's.

That's funny jro, I was actually leaning towards the Nikon Buckmaster BDC and it is within budget. I did include the flip up caps in the cost. I guess my main thing is whether the Leupold VX-1 is inferior to the Buckmaster. They are similar in price, but like everybody else; I want the best scope for the money. Any insight on 3-9x40 vs the higher magnification 4.5-14x40?

Has anybody hunted with the Redfield Revolution? Since its made by Leupold, one would think that the quality would be the same. The 4-12x40mm seems like a possible fit for me. Any experiences or knowledge out there on this scope? Here is a good article from the American Rifleman, but I would like some personal experiences from my fellow club members. http://www.americanrifleman.org/Art...237&cid=36

Don't know how you feel about where a scope is made, but the Leupolds are made in America and the Nikon is made in the Phillipines. That's about the only way to choice between the two as the price and quality are about the same IMO. I bought a Nikon and love it, but my next scope will be a Leupold. I don't think you'll go wrong with a Redfield I haven't heard anything bad about them.

Burris delivers a big bang for the buck.

With your budget I would look at their fullfield.


Check out - opticsplanet.com

You could step up to the Leupold VXII right now that is on sale for $300 at Cabelas and come close to your budget with the addition of new rings and bases, if needed. I have the VXII 3x9x40 on my Model 70 30-06 and the VXI on my Ruger M77 25-06 and love them both!

Thanks for all the advice guys. Bambikilla - it does matter to me that they are made in the US, not only that but they are made in my home state. I went to Sportsmans Warehouse today in Medford and made some side by side comparisons. As expected it was hard to tell too much difference in the store between the Nikon Buckmaster, the Redfield, and the Leupold VXI, and VXII. The guy tried to sell me on a Vortex for some reason, but there was a big difference between that and the others. I am going back tonight at dusk to take them outside for comparison. I will post the results. Thanks again, and by all means keep the posts coming. Topgun, thanks I will check it out tonight as well. I went to Cabelas site and they are also giving $20.00 off right now on purchases made over $150. I might just go with the VXII if it is noticeably different in low light.

I put the Redfield Revolution scope in 4x12-40mm with the Accu-Range reticle on my Stery SSG 69.  I'm shooting 1" groups with this rifle at 200 yards with match ammo.  Got the scope on www.gunbroker.com for $194 including shipping and must say it is the best $194 that I ever spent.  I would strongly suggest buying one as it sounds like it will fit your needs perfectly.  It surely fit mine.

Tyler, I have 2 of the Elites and am perfectly happy with them. I also own some 70's era Bushnell and Weaver, a newer Weaver, a Leupold and a Nikon. The Elites are the best of the bunch. Solid movement of the adjustments, very bright, easy to focus, Plus, with the Rainguard, you don't need those stupid flip up scope covers.

The Elites are more comparable to the Leupold VX-3 or whatever the latest model number is than they are to the VX-II or lesser scopes.

Dale

I'll tell you what, I just joined the club, but you guys are great. I really appreciate all your insight. I went down and did the low light test at Sportsman's Warehouse tonight. I tested the Redfield 3-9 x 40, the Leupold VXII 3-9 x 40, the Nikon Bushmaster BDC 3-9 x 40, and oddly enough a different guy was working tonight and he recommended the Vortex scope like the guy this afternoon. So either they are truly good, or they are getting a kick-back. So in addition to the three I was interested in, I checked out the Vortex 3-9 x 40 as well. Results: After switching back and forth several times, I am nearly convinced that the Redfield and VXII are the same scope internally. They both gathered a lot of light and were really clear even zoomed in to 9 power. The VXII may have had a slight edge on clarity, but it was very minimal if at all. The Vortex was surprisingly bright as well. It seemed like the edges blackened out if I moved my head too much whereas the Redfield andVXII remained clear. The Vortex did have a wider field of view which was surprising. I'm not so sure that is so important. If you've noticed I'm not talking too much about the Nikon. It did not seem to be nearly as bright as the other three. In the store however, it looks great. I did take a look at the Elite Dale, but they don't carry the 4200, only the 3200. It wasn't nearly as bright as the others. I'm sure the 4200 is comparable which is why you recommended that one. Just for grins I decided to taint my viewpoint by looking through a Zeiss Conquest. I had read a lot about it and it lived up to the hype. It was super bright and crystal clear. If somebody has $400 to spend on a scope, go for it. So I guess I am leaning towards the Redfield for right now. Tie goes to a US company with a great warranty. After all, if I don't like it I'm sure I can return it and upgrade to the gold rings of Leupold. The main difference between the Redfield and the VXII is about $100. They don't have the 4-12x40 at Sportsman's warehouse. What online stores do you guys recommend?

Man, I really like the Accu-Range reticle. Thanks for the info MrVJP.

There's a brand new Redfield Revolution 4-12x40mm with the Accu-Range reticle on www.gunbroker.com for $190 including shipping.  You can get the 3-9x40 for $45 less.

Cut and paste this link for info:

http://v2.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...=183185341

These guys have the 4-12x40 for $195 including shipping and you can just call their 800 number to order.  They are in Minnesota.

Northern Firearms

< QUALITY FIREARMS and ACCESSORIES>

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The rebirth of an American legend; the all-new Redfield Revolution™. Made in Oregon using state-of-the-art design, manufacturing, assembly, and testing techniques, the Revolution™ produces optical, mechanical, and functional superiority that no import can rival. The Illuminator Lens System™ combines premium lenses with cuttingedge multilayer, vapor-deposition coatings to provide unparalleled image quality, a greater usable field of view, and superior light transmission. Painstaking design effort resulted in Redfield’s exclusive Rapid Target Acquisition™ (RTA) eyepiece, meaning no more missed opportunities because you couldn’t find the “sweet spot” behind the scope.

FEATURES

• Made in Oregon
• Resettable stainless steel finger-click Accu-Trac adjustments
• Best in class durability, image quality, and field of view 
• Waterproof, fog proof, shock proof
• Rapid Target Acquisition (RTA) eyepiece
• Lockable eyepiece
• Redfield Full Lifetime Warranty

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Guys---With the Redfield name on that scope and knowing that Leupold now owns them, I would bet that the scope Mr VJP just posted is going to be a winner. I wouldn't hesitate  buying that knowing who the manufacturer is and being able to save a $100 over the VXII with the gold ring if you're on a budget!!!

I own 20+ rifle scopes, Bushnell 3200, 4200 and 30 MM Elites, Swift's ,Burris, Weaver Grand Slams or Weaver Classics are good scopes. I own several Leupold VX II, III 's and Europeans, they are a bit better scopes in my opinion since they seem to be more resistant to reticle recoil damage. I also have a new Redfield Revolution 4-12 on my Savage Model 16 in 250-3000 Savage. I like that scope and the Accurange. Quality glass all, whichever fits your pocket book, holds up to the recoil and does not alter your rifle's balance.

Thanks jpool. I ordered up the Redfield Revolution 4-12x40. Just ordered it yesterday and I am excited to hunt with it and see how it goes. By the way, do any of you guys have a preference on rings and bases? Should I go with the Leupold, or Warn? A buddy of mine said to go with Warn, but I was thinking that Leupold rings with a Leupold-made scope would probably make sense since that is how they test them when they are designed. Any advice is appreciated.