Best Hunting Scopes Under $300

[KsSkaEnthusiast]

As stated in the title looking for your opinions and recommendations. Doesn't need adjustable parallax or illumination but they wouldn't hurt either.

 

[LoonWulf]

What power range?

3-9s set it and forget it, i like the Sig Whiskey 3s, Leupold vx-f (prefer vx-3hd), and Burris ff2/e1s.

For higher power/wider range I REALLY like the Athlon Argos HMRs 2-12s and 4-20s are hard to beat. They come with or without illumination, and graduated reticles.
Down side is the weight.

For sub 300 and adjustable, i like the Burris 4.5-14 and 6.5-20s.

 

[KsSkaEnthusiast]

What power range?

3-9s set it and forget it, i like the Sig Whiskey 3s, Leupold vx-f (prefer vx-3hd), and Burris ff2/e1s.

For higher power/wider range I REALLY like the Athlon Argos HMRs 2-12s and 4-20s are hard to beat. They come with or without illumination, and graduated reticles.
Down side is the weight.

For sub 300 and adjustable, i like the Burris 4.5-14 and 6.5-20s.

im also a big fan of the athlons and burrises but wanted to see what else people are into. Appreciate the input

 

[troy fairweather]

Leupold or Burris

 

[BigBL87]

I will echo Athlon and Burris, and I'll also add Primary Arms. The Mueller APV that I have is pretty good for the price too, though the eyebox is a bit less forgiving than my other scopes.

 

[tominboise]

For "standard" rifle scopes like the classic 3-9X40 and 4-12x42 with plex reticles, I've had good luck with the various Leupies and Zeiss Conquest. I also have and use Nikon Monarch's and the older B&L 4200 scopes.

 

[LiveLife]

Another vote for Burris FF E1 6.5-20x50mm ($195) - https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/200341

Mil Dot version ($185) - https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/000381001931

For simple 3-9x40mm, Bushnell Trophy which also comes in 3-9x50mm for low light use ($100) - https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/029757539601

3-9x50mm ($130) - https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/029757753922

BTW, Burris is made in Philippines and Bushnell Trophy in Korea if wanting scope not made in China.

 

[Laphroaig]

Hunting scopes come in many shapes and sizes. Without a couple of clues as to what your plans are its tough to recommend anything. A hunter who rides his ATV to a blind and sits there all day might have different needs to a sheep hunter who is climbing rough terrain and glassing all day.

Personally, I like something light in weight with a 42mm objective or less and mount it as low as possible on the rifle. 3-9x, or even 2-7x meets 99% of my needs and are typically a good value price wise. Weights vary quite a bit between makers and if it matters to you check the specs. Leupold's are usually among the lightest in weight, proven dependable, and their warranty is pretty iron clad. When my kids started hunting I always bought them the $200 VX-1 or VXII model and they have held up and served them well over the years.

 

[FL-NC]

Vortex. Pick the one out you want and can afford.

 

[funnelcake]

2nd recommendation for the Bushnell Engage 3-9x40 this evening. Available with and without illumination.

 

[sparkyv]

Another vote for Vortex.

 

[cfullgraf]

I've come to not be pleased with budget priced optics.

Read that as you may.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Used Leupold

 

[JeeperCreeper]

Nikon if they still made stuff

Leupold VX Freedom

Burris

 

[dh1633pm]

I like Vortex. Never once have I had to use their warranty.

 

[dranrab]

BTW, Burris is made in Philippines and Bushnell Trophy in Korea if wanting scope not made in China.

XTREME TACTICALTM XTR III SCOPES -- 34mm USA
201200 3.3-18x50mm SCR MIL, Non Illum SCR MIL
201201 3.3-18x50mm SCR MOA, Non Illum SCR MOA
201202 3.3-18x50mm SCR 2 MIL, Non Illum SCR 2 MIL
201210 5.5-30x56mm MIL, Non Illum SCR MIL
201211 5.5-30x56mm MOA, Non Illum SCR MOA
201212 5.5-30x56mm MIL, Non Illum SCR 2 MIL

XTREME TACTICALTM XTR II SCOPES -- 34mm Philippines
201031 3X-15X-50mm illum SCR Mil Front Focal
201032 3X-15X-50mm illum SCR MOA Front Focal
201042 4X-20X-50mm Illum SCR Mil Front Focal
201043 4X-20X-50mm Illum SCR MOA Front Focal
201051 5X-25X-50mm Illum SCR Mil Front Focal
201052 5X-25X-50mm Illum SCR MOA Front Focal
201080 8X-40X-50mm illum F Class MOA Option

RT Series -- 30mm
200472 1X-6X-24mm illum Ballistic AR - Philippines
200475 1X-6X-24mm ill,FFire3, PEPR Ballistic AR - Philippines
200480 3-15x50mm SCR 2 MIL - China
200481 5-25x56mm SCR 2 MIL - China
300261 RT-1 2 MOA Dot - China
300262 RT-3 Ballistic 3X - China

VERACITY SCOPES - 30mm Philippines
200621 2X-10X-42mm Ballistic E1 FFP
200636 3X-15X-50mm Ballistic E1 FFP
200640 4X-20X-50mm Tall Knobs Ballistic E1 FFP Varmint
200641 4X-20X-50mm Low Knobs Ballistic E1 FFP
200650 5X-25X-50mm Tall Knobs Ballistic E1 FFP Varmint
200651 5X-25X-50mm Low Knobs Ballistic E1 FFP
200652 5X-25X-50mm Low Knobs SCR MOA Front Focal

SIGNATURE HD SCOPES - 1" & 30mm China
200530 2-10x40mm Ballistic E3 RFP
200531 3-15x44mm illum Tall Knobs Ballistic E3 RFP
200532 3-15x44mm Plex
200533 5-25x50mm illum Ballistic E3 RFP
200534 5-25x50mm Tall Knobs Fine Plex
200535 5-25x50mm illum Tall Knobs 6.5 CM FFP

FULLFIELD E1 SCOPES -- 1" Philippines
200320 3X-9X-40mm Ballistic Plex E1
200346 3X-9X-40mm Ballistic Plex Shotgun
200347 3X-9X-40mm Ballistic Plex Muzzleloader
200348 3X-9X-40mm Ballistic Plex 450BM
200366 3X-9X-40mm Ballistic Plex 350Legend
200338 4.5X-14X-42mm Ballistic Plex E1
200341 6.5X-20X-50mm Ballistic Plex E1 MV

FULLFIELD IV SCOPES -- 1" & 30mm China
200485 2.5-10x42mm Ballistic E3
200486 2.5-10x42mm illum Ballistic E3
200487 2.5-10x42mm Plex
200488 3-12x42mm Long Range MOA
200489 3-12x42mm illum C4 Wind MOA
200490 3-12x42mm Ballistic E3
200491 3-12x56mm illum Ballistic E3
200492 4-16x50mm illum Ballistic E3
200493 4-16x50mm 6.5 CM
200494 4-16x50mm illum Long Range MOA
200495 6-24x50mm Ballistic E3
200496 6-24x50mm Fine Plex
200497 6-24x50mm SCR MOA

FULLFIELD II SCOPES 1" Philippines
200162 3X-9X-40mm Ballistic Plex (30-06 Rem 1917)
200183 4.5X-14X-42mm Ballistic Plex (7x57 Mau)
200193 6.5X-20X-50mm Ballistic Mil-Dot

DropTineTM -- 1" Philippines
200017 3X-9X-40mm Ballistic Plex
200019 3X-9X-40mm 22LR Ballistic Plex 22LR
200077 4.5X-14X-42mm Ballistic Plex

SCOUT SCOPES -- 1" Philippines
200261 2X-7X-32mm Ballistic Plex
200269 2.75X-20mm Heavy Plex


HANDGUN SCOPES -- 1" Philippines
200218 2X Plex
200229 2X Plex
200291 2X-7X Plex
200279 2X-7X Ballistic Plex
200298 2X-7X Plex
200299 2X-7X Ballistic Plex
200309 3X-12X Ballistic Plex

AR-PRISM SIGHTS China
300208 AR-332 3X - 32mm Ballistic CQ
300210 AR-536 5X - 36mm Ballistic CQ

 

[dranrab]

Hunting scopes come in many shapes and sizes. Without a couple of clues as to what your plans are its tough to recommend anything. .

Yep, we are spinning our tires here.

 

[Nature Boy]

I like Vortex. Never once have I had to use their warranty.

I have but it was their bottom of the barrel Crossfire II. They make good optics but save up for a midrange model. That’s my advice

 

[dh1633pm]

Never tried their low end. Mid or higher. I hate warranties. They sound nice til you use them.

 

[LoonWulf]

I saw a pretty good deal for the DBs on scopelist, those are about the cheapest Vortex I can recommend, and im not a huge fan of them personally. I know a couple of guys that REALLY like them tho.

 

[The Happy Kaboomer]

I've come to not be pleased with budget priced optics.

Read that as you may.

Same here. I hunt very early and very late. The cheaper scopes just don't cut it.

 

[Bartojc]

For under $300 as others have suggested Leupold VX-Freedom Or a Burris Fullfield. There are many different models of each. "Hunting" scope for me means a standard no frills 3-9x40 as a minimum. Others require other features and some not as many.

I own a few Leupolds, no Burris. Friends have Vortex on their hunting rigs. Nothing against Vortex, but I think their value priced scopes are slightly below the other two I mentioned. Their higher end glass seems better.

-Jeff