Cheapish hunting scope?

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Mauser lover

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I'm looking for a halfway decent, bare-bones, dead simple scope just to slap on a hunting rifle. I'm looking for 3x-9x magnification, decent clarity, holds zero (duh), probably about a 40mm objective, and I'd like to keep it to less than $150.

Unfortunately... I know just about nothing about scopes.

What options do I have that rise to the top of this pack of mediocrity? (Seriously, not looking for the latest and greatest here)

CDNN has a sale on Redfield Revenges right now through tomorrow, but they'll probably extend the sale, so that's what I'm looking at right now. Worth it? Is there better for the price? Good enough for who it's for?

https://www.cdnnsports.com/redfield-revenge-3-9x42-matte-4plex-reticle-25458.html#.XBmjs1VKhdg

Mounting on a .257 Roberts (unless it gets snagged for an AR), no barn burning Weatherby magnums here.

Good deal or no?
 
my minimum is a nikon prostaff, that have been good for me. the burris fullfield II is very good to. from what i heard the redfields are good but have not heard much lately on them.
 
Anybody used a Bushnell Trophy and either a Nikon Prostaff or Redfield Revenge head to head?

I just don't know about a cheaper scope being just as good as one that costs twice as much... I know, I know, those people like me that enjoy spending more money because they think it automatically makes it a better product...

It looks to me like a Prostaff and a Revenge are going to be about the same price... And I don't particularly like the BDC on most of the Prostaffs I'm seeing. I've been waiting since Black Friday to snag a duplex 3x-9x or even 4x-12x and all I've seen on sale are the BDC ones!
 
I've got a Redfield Revolution 3-9x40 and am really happy with it; it's closer to $200 though than $150. Don't know anything about the Revenge.

And I think it's today only, but Brownells has a 10% off sale with free shipping; that might be able to help you snag a deal on a scope.
 
Oh good grief... Too many sales! I'm going to go nuts trying to get a deal tonight...

I'm going to sleep on it and I'm sure Brownells will have another sale.

Leaning toward the Redfield from CDNN at this point...Only because it looks like I'm getting the most scope for the least money... $115 or so... The Nikon looks to be about $155 or just a shade more when various sales/discounts are considered...
 
Every time the subject comes up, there's always a bunch of guys who love to tell us all how much money they spent, or so they say, and how cheap everything less expensive is. Tasco 3-9x40, last time I bought one, was right at $40. Swift 665M... 1.5-4.5x with the 21mm front end... I got a deal on at $60. These are just plain duplex reticles. I've shot deer with these... it's what I bought them for... sometimes in fading light, and I got my deer.

I don't generally point to the 2.5x Barska I mounted on a .22 rifle. It's not a bad scope, but after shooting it some, the only real advantages are (1) longer eye relief than some and (2) the front end allows it to ride lower without interference with the rear sight. I'm really not sure why they cost anything over $40 when compared to the Tasco and Swift.
 
I think you'd be happy with either the Redfield or Nikon you mentioned. To muddy the waters a little more, I'd throw out these as additional bang for your buck winners:

Mueller Hybrid
https://www.amazon.com/Mueller-Hybr...+3-9+scope&dpPl=1&dpID=31j4OViSgRL&ref=plSrch

Vortex Crossfire II
https://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Optic...vortex+3-9&dpPl=1&dpID=31HZpf83R1L&ref=plSrch

Bushnell AR Optics
https://www.natchezss.com/bushnell-ar-rifle-scope-3-9x40mm-dz-223-bdc-reticle-black-matte.html

Weaver 40/44
https://www.natchezss.com/weaver-40...e-3-9x40mm-ballistic-x-33-9-11-3-3-matte.html

Additionally, if you do decide to go with the Nikon and don't mind going refurbished, Natchezss has some nice deals in Nikon refurbs right now:
https://outdoors.natchezss.com/products/optics-rifle-scopes-nikon-2.5-10x+39x-$100-$125+$125-$150
 
A bit above the OP's price point (retail).........Redfield Revolution.
The Revenge line is import. The Revolution not.
I have seen Leupold VX1's used for 150. Think Natchez and other places were blowing them out a month or two ago new, for less.

Worked gun retail, saw too many Bushnell Banners bad when they moved production. Dunno if that was resolved.
Seen Lower end Nikons problematic too (Buckmasters IIRC).

Ran a few Banners back in the day, and they were OK.
Large eye pieces can interfere with bolts and safeties depending on what you put em on.

Tasco...............around '90 they went to crap.
Lost track, how many of them died. Unsure of vintage, usage or mounting..............but even employing a filter.................yeah, don't waste your money.

Cheapest scope I can recommend.........Redfield Revolution.

Think of how much overtime you're missing hunting the weekend. How much the ol lady is complaining about time away from home.
The overall cost of gear, gas etc.

Not worth risking a hunt to save 50-100 bucks on a scope.
 
FWIW I aint made of money, far from it.
But I like a decent scope.
Paid 175 shipped for an old Leupold 4X compact.
Yup, it aint got the latest coatings and is gangly looking compared to the new model.
But I needed the longer tube sections to help it fit on a certain rifle (Ruger #1).
Ended up slapping it on a Rem 760.
Will get another #1 and look for a longer tube Leupold 2-7X (with bigger than 28mm front).
A reg new style 2-7X wont fit unless I use two offset rings.
My stomach can only tolerate one offset ring.
 
Mauser lover said:
Cheapish hunting scope ... looking for a halfway decent, bare-bones, dead simple scope just to slap on a hunting rifle ... 3x-9x magnification, decent clarity, holds zero (duh), probably about a 40mm objective, and I'd like to keep it to less than $150.
Click to expand...
Currently I think, Bushnell Trophy line provides the best bang for the buck.

Last year I bought Leupold American Marksman (Cabela's/Bass Pro only scope) 3-9x40mm for $159 with free shipping to compare with Bushnell Trophy 3-9x40mm currently $59.99 with free shipping - https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/bushnell-trophy-3-9-x-40-riflescope

During my low light testing, both scopes provided sharp field of view (I was focusing on a car emblem 100 yards away at 9-9:30 PM in June under canopy of dense 100+ feet trees with no other ambient light - I live among dense coastal redwoods) and Trophy was neck and neck with Marksman with slight advantage to Trophy that my eyes didn't need to adjust to. It was a surprise for me - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/bushnell-trophy-3-9x40mm-multi-x-reticle-59-99.844541/


You may want to consider Bushnell Trophy 4-12x40mm for $69.97 with 2-day free shipping - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...2x40mm-69-99-with-free-2-day-shipping.844589/

Here's WestKentuckey's review of the scope - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...ith-free-2-day-shipping.844589/#post-10992528

"For a budget friendly scope, it is far from being “cheap”. Up close clarity is amazing. From roughly 30 yards and out you can read stuff pretty easily, and even closer it’s still pretty stinking clear. That has been a problem for me before where I actually have been too close for a shot, and that time was a bit dangerous for me as I had a young rutting buck ready to charge. With this scope that would not be an issue. Further out looks good as well, but I will refrain from comment for now simply because it’s not yet on a rifle, and I can’t get it set up to thoroughly evaluate.

One thing that was very thoroughly checked today was the fog-free coating as the scope sat outside in 45 degree weather until I got home, and then coming into the 72 degree house and me breathing on it the scope lens did not fog up. That’s another issue I think most of us have probably had when a warm breath hits a cold scope and our chance at a shot is ruined by the clouded lens. Again, not going to be a problem with this scope.

So far I am impressed. I have been looking through scopes in the $300 range and have been hoping to buy one at some point next year. This scope is absolutely as good as any of the scopes that I have been considering, and that includes some pretty highly rated scopes.

Update: I am officially upgrading my initial impression to remarkable.

I carried the rifle out on my back porch and was looking into the neighbors field and even in the dark I could easily make out his horses and mules, and I could tell which was which. Clarity is nice. Color is nice."


You could also consider clearance Sig Sauer Whiskey3 3-9x40mm QuadPlex Reticle for $109.99 and free shipping - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...plex-reticle-109-99-and-free-shipping.845059/


And there's Minox ZV3 3-9x40mm for $109.98 with free shipping but you posted you don't care for BDC reticle - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/minox-zv3-rifle-scope-3-9x40mm-109-98.844746/
 
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Mauser lover said:
I'm looking for a halfway decent, bare-bones, dead simple scope just to slap on a hunting rifle. I'm looking for 3x-9x magnification, decent clarity, holds zero (duh), probably about a 40mm objective, and I'd like to keep it to less than $150.

Unfortunately... I know just about nothing about scopes.

What options do I have that rise to the top of this pack of mediocrity? (Seriously, not looking for the latest and greatest here)

CDNN has a sale on Redfield Revenges right now through tomorrow, but they'll probably extend the sale, so that's what I'm looking at right now. Worth it? Is there better for the price? Good enough for who it's for?

https://www.cdnnsports.com/redfield-revenge-3-9x42-matte-4plex-reticle-25458.html#.XBmjs1VKhdg

Mounting on a .257 Roberts (unless it gets snagged for an AR), no barn burning Weatherby magnums here.

Good deal or no?
Click to expand...
I have the other version of that scope, the Redfield Revolution, on my 243; it's a 4-12x. It's pretty good. Probably the best "affordable" scope you can buy. Clear even in poor light, such as heavy overcast. Took a caribou with it at 300 yrds.

On a related side note, it looks like Redfield has gone under. Their website has no products on it all; there is a just a number to call customer service, and some links to download manuals and a 2015 catalog. The most recent post on their facebook page is 2014. I bought their 600A rangefinder 2 seasons ago (Aug 2017), and their website was up then.
 
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D.B. Cooper said:
Uh. No, I meant it looks like the reincarnation of Redfield (by Leupold) also went out of business.
Click to expand...
Yes, i understand. Google has no info that i can find.

"Discontiued" can mean a new model has replaced the old one. As i am sure you know.

Edit add- Contact Leupold and ask if the Redfield line has been discontinued.

I have 2 old Redfields. Not buying another.
Bushnell has been around many years, so when i want low price, its where i look. There price range is wide. Cheap to expensive. $70 to $2350.
 
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243winxb said:
Yes, i understand. Google has no info that i can find.

"Discontiued" can mean a new model has replaced the old one. As i am sure you know.
Click to expand...

It could, but look at their website. Doesn't look like a website that belongs to a company that is selling anything.

https://www.redfield.com/

Look at their facebook page. Most recent post is June 18, 2014. 4-1/2 years ago. Customer comments aren't being responded to. By comparison, Leupold's most recent post on their facebook page is yesterday, and Vortex's most recent was post was this past Saturday.
 
BigBL87 mentioned the Vortex Crossfire II. I have one of these on a light weight 22-250 and I'm entirely satisfied with it. I understand Vortex has a lifetime warrranty but I haven't needed it.
 
Minox ZV3 at Natchez, $110 https://www.natchezss.com/minox-zv3-rifle-scope-3-9x40mm-bdc-matte.html

Sightron S1 Hunter, $110 https://www.opticsplanet.com/sightron-si-series-3-9x40mm-riflescope.html

I own these (or a variation of) and both are tough to beat for the money. Good light transmission, solid tracking, no frills, and durable. The Sightron has served time on 30-06 and several muzzleloaders (including on firing 150gr of powder) for more than a decade with 4-5 range trips a year. The Minox is mounted to a 6.5 Creedmoor.
 
Has anyone heard anything good or bad about the Nikon refurbs? I am fine buying refurbs, as long as I can expect to get real or near equivalent of new. Don't get me started on refurbished laptops...

You guys are going to kill me... I'm going to end up with three scopes!
 
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Called on the Nikon take off... it is the one that comes on the Savage Trophy Hunter... and I can't find which one it is. So... I'm just going to pass on that one.

I think I'm going to get that refurbished ProStaff and that Bushnell Trophy... And... I'll keep the one I like better and probably give the other one away! Or put it someplace in the archives...

On second thought... all the information I could find said that the refurbished scopes carry only 90-day warranties.
 
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