30-06 scope POLL

What is the most durable, rugged, and reliable scope under 200 bucks?

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Right at $200, get a Leupold VX-1. None of the others are anywhere near the same level of ruggedness. They might have a slightly clearer image, but only by a hair. If you have to keep it under $200 then the Redfield.

Here's an interesting comparison of these selfsame scopes. http://opticsthoughts.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29:qinexpensive-scopeq-comparison&catid=4:rifle-scope-reviews&Itemid=4

I bought a Diamondback with BDC reticle based on the article. It really does have a noticeably wider field of view than the others which is a very good thing.

I can't speak to ruggedness since I haven't shot with the scope yet due to rotator cuff surgery. In about 6 more months I'll be back to shooting, dropping my rifles and falling down on nasty terrain so I'll be better able to speak to the subject then.

VX-1 or Redfield

A Leupold VX-1 or Rifleman would be my choice, they are both right at $200.

If not, then I have never looked through (and used) a Nikon Prostaff that I didn't like.

The Nikon Buckmaster can be had for $200. I haven't used the Prostaff, but I believe the Buckmaster is clearer and better in lower light.

Seeing the poll results, it's obvious that the majority of the guys that voted for the Redfield haven't owned the Burris or Vortex. I've owned a Redfield as well as several Burris FFII's, a couple of Prostaffs, and several others in that price range and imo the Burris or the Vortex are by far the best scope for the money in that price range. The Burris is my favorite, and has great glass that's quite a bit better than the Nikon or Redfield, along with great durability, and good turrets. To be honest, I have 2 Monarchs as well and imo the FFII's have better glass than the Monarchs as well. I just don't think you could ask for much more in a hunting scope. It would be my choice and the Vortex Diamondback would be a close second choice.

Leupold Mk4 Tac 4.5-14x40 or 50

Rock solid. I love the Mil-Dot

Took a spring black bear at about 375y with a Win M70 .30-06 up in Canada in 2008.

Dont remember the bullet type, I still have the slug. Through the breadbasket and lodged in the shoulder blade.

+EDIT+ IIRC, it was 180gr Federal Vital-Shok

2 bills will buy a nice used Leupold...Good luck might even make it a VX II.

Shepherd oh wait , you said under $200.00, Nikon !! I have 3 of them one even has a dent in it and still holds zero, and has never fogged up , pluss if you go with a BDC the Nikon is the only one with circles you look through , the others have dots that block your target ,

I picked the Vortex only because I just bought one and HOPE it works out well. Very clear, no problems yet.

I really like my Burris Fulfield 2. In fact I bought another after my mother in law bought me one.

A Leupold VX-II in 3x9x40 sits atop mine! it was only $225 when I bought it!

You can get a VX II used for $200. Vastly better than anything in your list and comes with a lifetime warranty. Rifles may come and go but once you get excellent glass you will keep it forever.

What is the most durable, rugged, and reliable scope under 200 bucks?

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I have a 3-9x40 Nikon Team Primos on my 30-06 and like it a lot. And there isn't a bad choice on your list. You'd probably be pleased with any of them. I voted for the Weaver, though. Because I have several Weavers and they seem to offer the best overall quality for the price, in my experience.

skoro said:

I have a 3-9x40 Nikon Team Primos on my 30-06 and like it a lot. And there isn't a bad choice on your list. You'd probably be pleased with any of them. I voted for the Weaver, though. Because I have several Weavers and they seem to offer the best overall quality for the price, in my experience.

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I had the same on my 700BDL 30-06 but the Burris FF2 allowed me to mount a little further back for better fit without messing with my whole mounting set-up. The Nikon TP is a Monarch and I didn't feel I lost much (if anything) putting the FF2 on there. I can't imagine why someone would recommend the Prostaff over a FF2. For that matter, I can't see why people like the VX1 just because it says Leupold on it. I shot a few rifles with VX1 and VX2 scopes and the VX1 doesn't come close to FF2, Buckmasters, or 3200 Elites that I've used. Maybe I just looked through a few bad ones.

ETA: I didn't vote for it since I don't have one, but the Weaver is pretty tempting from what I read.

I'd save up another hundred and buy a Leupold VX2. I think you can still get them for $300 on various websites. Don't shortchange yourself by buying less scope than you really want.

That said, if you absolutely can't pay $100 more, buy the Burris or Redfield.

I personally like Nikon a lot. Among others, I've been using the Prostaff that came on one of my Savages for a while now, and it's an impressive little scope, given its price. The BDC reticule is what I really love, but the clarity is good during the day and in the woods, and it's been dropped a couple times, and hasn't lost zero.

Why handicap yourself with 3-9X?

The '06 is a big-game cartridge. The odds of needing a close-range shot are very high, and a 2-7X is a better choice. Perhaps not a BIG difference, but the lesser bulk and weight of a 2-7X can be important. The cost is also less, for equal quality. Generally, 2-7X sights are roughly the size and weight of a fixed-4X scope.

Big game animals that are IN REASONABLE RANGE do not need much magnification, and I find that the 7X setting is ample for paper-target work.

I suggest a Leupold/Redfield 2-7X, which in these parts costs about $140.00. I bought two of them, and they are working fine. Going to anything cheaper than this would be a mistake, I believe.

save up another hundred and buy a Leupold VX2. I think you can still get them for $300 on various websites. Don't shortchange yourself by buying less scope than you really want.

That said, if you absolutely can't pay $100 more, buy the Burris or Redfield.

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I agree with this post, other than having run a pair of Burris Fullfield II's for years, I would opt for the Burris in the $200 price range. If you are lucky, you can find them well under that price.
Also if you can scrape up the extra $100, there are better options. My last 2 scope purchases were a Leupold VX-2 3-9 and a Zeiss Conquest 3-9, each of which I got for less than $300.

My Savage .30-06 has a Leupold vx-1 3-9x40. Clear as can be and holds zero. I'd buy it again every time. Right around $200 where I'm at.

My personal rifles have either a nikon or leupold VX-ll, but I could be happy with any on your list. Most of the manufacturers have decent product in the $200 range.

Leupold the best...

I would opt for a used Leupold if my budget was $200.00 and under. You can pick up a good used Leupold VX3 at gunshop's for around 200.00. Look at scopes under consignment from private owners. I would be reluctant to take anything else into hunting season for fear of: lens fogging, failure to hold zero, poor light gathering, and generally so-so optics.
Hope this is helpful.