Looking for a rifle scope.

the word "inexpensive" when referring to optics is usually associated with the words "poor quality". i'm sure there are some folks that will chime in here that have great luck with inexpensive scopes. I personally use leupold on all my rifles and blackpowder rifles. I have had great luck with them, they're extremely reliable, and always hold their zero from year to year after miles of bumping and walking into trees and trekking through the woods in all kinds of weather. I am sold on them..............my vote is leupold. i'm sure they make something that'll suit your needs...

"Zoom" implies variable power. Magnification is a word that might better refer to a fixed power. What game and that type settings will you hunt, meaning distance. If you are hunting big game within 300 yards, a fixed power 4X scope is about perfect. Also consider the time of day. If you hunt early morning, late evening, you need better glass than if you hunt only mid-day. I do like Leupolds, but have been stung a couple of times of late. I have a Mueller 4.5-14 AVP scope that seems to do a nice job at a nice price. Link: http://muelleroptics.com/mapv451440

Geno

take a look at the vortex line, price is reasonable and I have had great luck with them so far.

What do you consider inexpensive?

Many guys on another forum I'm on are using the Simmons Pro Diamond 4x on their muzzle loaders and love them, and say they hold up well. These are $40 at Natchez + shipping. If you need really cheep this is the way I'd go.

If you mean inexpensive by $200 or under, the Burris FFII 3-9x40 is the way I'd go. Inexpensive is different for everyone, so we just need to know what price range you are talking about.

For real inexpensive, some of us here have been having decent luck with CenterPoints from Wal-Mart. Usually under $100 out the door. Easy to send back if they break, which they don't seem to? I have one I use for testing rifle builds now and then. So far so good. Another High Roader uses one on his 45-70 pig gun and sop far has not been able to shake apart

I have always been a fan of older Weaver steel tube MicroTrac scopes. Well made and tough as nails. They come up on the 'Bay now and then - usually go for around $90 or so.

As you move up the price curve, I have had very good luck with Bushnell Elite series. Their proprietary "RainGuard" coatings do help in the fog and cold rain - reduces fogging. The glass is decent and they seem to hold up fine.

Vortex gets good reviews. So does Mueller. I like Burris too.

Above these, it gets tricky and you will need to think about the dollar hit more. I don't own a Leupold, but I worked on their scientific instruments back in the day. They make well though out products.

And I even have one Mil-Spec TASCO that I picked up surplus. Marked US Govt property and made in Japan. It's a very nice scope, but so obscure I doubt you'd ever find one?

During normal daylight most any $50 3-9 is going to give close to the same resolution as a high end scope, where you will notice the difference in quality is at first light and last light. Better glass gives you extra minutes of shooting and also defeats the glare you get when the sun is low. Just happens to be exactly the same time you will see 70% of your deer activity.

I've been sayin' it because I was so surprised when I gave them a close look.
REDFIELD.

Made by Leupold. Warranty by Leupold. Best value I have ever seen.

Good looking inexpensive scopes are fine until they are not...

You might find out they are different when parts fall off them all over the bench, the reticle gets canted or simply the adjustments do not track to what they say. ie: 1/4MOA adjustment might be .30 in at 100yards the field so you find out because you cannot hit anything although your ballistics and math might be right.

Forget about any fancy features and you can actually find some value between $150 - $200.
Stick to simple, time tested yet functional:
-Burris timberline or Fulfield (The E1 is very clear).
-Nikon (Coyote, Prostaff) not bad for the money.
-Redfield (Leopold owns this)
-A couple of Bushnell in the $120-150 are 'ok'.
For around $350 or so you have a few other great options...
-Burris
-SWFA
-Wotac
-Nikon Monarch
-Weaver tactical.

No much more out there that can actually give some quality.

+1 on the Redfields, I love mine.

+2 on the Redfield line! Made in America, life time warranty, and as far as I have seen the best bang for your buck.

I have three Nikon Pro-Staff scopes that are hard to beat.
Price for a 4X about $110.00 at Dick's

Most .270 usage is for deer hunting. From that, in my experience, no more than a fixed 4X will suffice on out to 400 yards--and 90+% of all deer are killed inside of 200 yards.

There is "need" and then there is "I want". While I generally prefer a 3x9x40 in a quality brand, I don't get all excited about it.

Long range varmints? The old 3x9 works just fine.

I agree with ART. the Redfield with the 2-7 has an amazing picture with great eye play/relieve. very quick.

I've got a Redfield 2x7 on an 18 inch 6.8 SPC AR 15. Love it. 11 inches and 11 oz.