Hunting scopes

You can get the Burris for $150-$200 one of the best in the price range.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/burris-3-9x40mm-fullfield-ii-rifle-scope.html

or leupold vx-3i for about $400.
https://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-leupold-vx-3i-3-5-10x40mm-riflescope.html

For 500 there are a lot of good scopes. These are just scopes that have been popular . I would look more for a hunting scope.

For a primarily hunting perspective with informal target shooting I think this is the best $500 scope available.

https://www.swfa.com/optics/riflescopes/meopta-3-9x40-meopro-rifle-scope-5.html

2nd choice would be a Leupold 3.5-10X40 VX3i

There are lots of other options and most anything in the $400-$500 price range will be similar quality. It comes down to features. I really like scopes with multiple aiming points on the reticle like on the Meopta for shooting 300+ yards. Twisting dials is more precise, but a BDC type reticle is faster and a better option for hunting IMO. Dials can be used for hunting but are slower and better for target shooting.

Don't get caught up into thinking you need lots of magnification or huge objectives.

I have a VX-3 and a 3.5-10x44 MeoPro. Though I like my VX-3 very much I like my MeoPro better. So I’d go with Walkalong’s suggestion of a 3-9 MeoPro.

+1 what Troy said.

Burris' lifetime guarantee, excellent glass, etc. makes for lots of scope for the $$. My favorite (primarily hunting, but holds it's own on the range as well) is their 4.5-14 https://www.opticsplanet.com/burris-4-5-14x42mm-fullfield-ii-e1-long-range-riflescope.html which comes in well within your budget. Leave it on 4.5 in the field, if target far enough away to need more power, got plenty of time to crank it up. For target work off bench, the 14x gets the nod.

The E1 reticle is bold enough to provide quick target acquisition in the field yet precise enough (especially @ 14X) to shoot some excellent groups. (Called shot #5 right).

Could have used a third hand holding my camera & rifle on a moving bobcat. Picture not especially impressive, but gives you an idea of what reticle looks like in the field.


I have several 3-9 and 4.5-14 Burris FFII's; all are repeatable and track very well.

Regards,
hps

Based on your limitation of a 500 yard range nearby seems like I would be in the market for:

Leupold VX-3i 2.5-8x36mm
or if you think you need more magnification
Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x40mm

The VX-3i lines are in my opinion with the recent price reductions are one of the best values out there currently.

Based on your caliber 30-06 and location I'm assuming its a deer, moose, bear rifle, so high magnification doesn't seem necessary to me.

My preference for a hunting rifle would be something with lower end magnification, I like field of view and based on your yardages and use an 8x power at the top end would be enough for me.

I also have a Burris Timberline that is a very nice scope as well. I own several Vortex's that are good in their own right with good turrets but are in my opinion too heavy for a hunting rifle. In the past I've owned Nikon's, Bushnell's, Tasco's and Simmons, they have all gone down the road. But scopes like many things are user subjective on what their eye likes, go to a store and look through some different glass, and take them outside if the store will let you preferably at dusk, it gives you a much better representation than trying them out inside.

Another vote for the VX3

If I could only have one scope for all of my shooting needs it would probably be a VX-3x 2.5-8x36

Outstanding price on a great scope!^^^^^^^

Regards,
hps

Ive had, or have, some variant of all the lines suggested besides the Meopros, and I think anything suggested would do you just fine. Best buy would probably go to the FF2s,

PERSONALLY Id probably try the Meopro, partly because Ive never owned one, but mostly because Ive never heard a complaint about one.

I’m in a similar boat right now though I can afford to expand my budget quite a bit (if I weren’t a cheapskate, but I am so I won’t). In thinking about how I hunt and what’s worked for the past decade for me, I’ve come to realize that knowing my yardage has been a real boon. Owning a good range finder makes that possible.

I don’t have to worry that my estimate is off and pass up a nice trophy for fear of a bad shot. I can also range a field and add reference flags while scouting, making quick work of things. What I’ve really been lacking is a scope that tracks well enough, year after year, to tie everything together.

So, if you don’t already own a good range finder I would suggest the Burris as a better tracking scope than the Leupold and a range finder to accompany it. Make yourself a range card and note your clicks, range what you can of your potential hunting spot, and practice dialing your scope for those ranges.

As for choosing a magnification range, ask the store employee to grab a range finder as well or find a scope with parallax adjustment yardage marked on it (should be a reasonable estimate) and have a look at objects at 200 or 300 yards to get an idea of how big or small they appear. You should then also have an idea of whether or not you are steady enough to hold on that rock/tree/car at a given distance with an improvised rest like the building’s door frame or a signpost in the parking lot.

Back to my personal quandary I’m focusing in on Bushnell’s Forge and Nitro lines as most likely candidates, but I’ll stop short of recommending them because I’ve not handled them. They’ve gotten a fair bit of positive response in what I’ve read, but often people are hesitant to point out shortcomings after spending their money. Me, I think I’m willing to risk it based on my previous encounters with Elite model scopes.

I suggest you look through a Bushnell Elite 4200, or above. If anything about it disappoints, I'm OK with checking it off your list.

But I shoot in cool and damp conditions sometimes. And Bushnells proprietary RainGuard system does work to eliminate, or at least greatly reduce fogging on the outside of the lenses.

The glass is good, and I have had no issues

The Elite line is descended from Bausch-Lomb and is not cheap, but they are usually in your budget range

Chef-cg said:

am probably going to go with the leupold vx3i 3.5 - 10 x 40.

Click to expand...

I have VX-3’s on multiple rifles. The one on my CZ .22 is a 4-14x40. I expect to shoot one hole groups (obviously don’t always do it, but that’s my goal) and you can only shoot as well as you can see.

For typical shooting your choice should be great. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the low light clarity