Scope recommendation?

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Slater

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Just put a Remington 700 AAC-SD (20 inch heavy barrel) on layaway and am thinking about the optics. This will probably be a range gun with most of it's time spent in the 100-150 yard region with occasional 200 yard shots.

Right now I'm looking at scopes in the $400 range (and maybe an upgrade later on down the road). What are some decent scopes in that price range? Also any input on base and rings would be appreciated. I'm not really picky as far as one-piece or two piece bases as long as they do their job.
 
I was at Cabelas yesterday and they had a good number of decent Leupold scopes under $400. The one thing I have switched to over the years is a reticle with elevation and windage dots or marks. I know a clever fellow can do marvelous things with a standard reticle but I find the elevation marks much more useful. I have never had a Leupold fail and the glass on the latest ones is excellent owing to the competition they have faced from the Euro scope makers. I think the power settings you get are more a function of the age of your eyes. I want more but young people are good with a lot less than I could use.
 
Well... at the range, folks will be looking at your setup. Depending on how your head works, you can go with a Zeis for a lot of money or a Simmons for not nearly as much. At the range, not over 300 yards, they'll work the same on the targets, differently on those 'lookers'.
 
Well, more power to the folks that can drop some coin on a $2000 Swarovski. Unfortunately I'm on more of a limited budget.
 
Once you buy a scope most people keep them for life so do you want something you can do a bit more with it or just a plain scope?
I would stay away from all the garbage that is like putting the money in the trash this includes things like BSA, Barska, Simons, anything with the name sniper, black ops, etc...
The best would be to hit a couple of stores and look through some of the mid range scopes with some decent glass.
It is hard to describe to you what it looks ok to me it might not be the best for you because we all have different eyes.
Make sure you adjust the ocular piece before you compare contrast and other features.
The following manufactures should have decent mid-range scopes...

Burris Veracity, Mtac, predator, fulfield (some)
Nikon Monarch, some AR
Redfield Revolution (US made owned by leupold)
Leupold VX..
Bushnell elite and perhaps some AR models.
Weaver tactial and grand slam (japan glass and tubes)
Vortex Viper, PST (japan too)

Some might be restricted in terms of functionality because of:
- 2nd focal plane
- BDC / drop reticle will work for that distance but if you want to use it for longer ranges the fixed estimation systems are not reliable.
- Turrets might not be up to the task for rapid / meaningful adjustment
- Parallax can be an issue so parallax adjustment is a plus.

Not all chinese made scopes have to be bad. Of those there is one perhaps worth looking at for beginners that is the
falcon tactical. Unlike the cheap BSA, Barshka and other with cheap first focal plane this one seems to better than the average
hold up in place, reliable and it doesn't fall apart.

http://swfa.com/Falcon-M18-4-18x44-Tactical-30mm-Riflescope-P100484.aspx

I would save for the best glass I could afford because I will always use it.

Midway sells one Weaver tactical based on the grand slam quailty that is compact and very reliable like the more expensive tactical.
Also japanese tube and camera grade lenses. The down side is a 2nd focal plane w/o parallax adjustment but at the other hand
it is a mil mil with very precise turrets and tracks to the T. Holds zero and it is a step above a quality fixed magnification.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/59...mm-1-10-mil-adjustments-mil-dot-reticle-matte

Again go and look through them and get familiar with the retricles and mechanical parts.
Opinions about scopes are kind of arbitrary because of the mentioned characteristics that are subject through the eyes of the shooter.
Our eyes are the most important part of the optical system and we all have a different set of eyes that see light and colors in different ways.
 
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This is a heck of a price on a good scope that might fit your needs great.

Weaver grand slam 4-16x44 $280 https://www.natchezss.com/weaver-re...pe-1-tube-4-16x44mm-dual-x-reticle-matte.html

If you want a meopta, the Cabela's euro instinct is made by them, and is the same scope as the Zeiss conquest. a 3-9x40 is $250 http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Instinct-Euro-Riflescopes/1216808.uts

I'd rather have the Weaver myself.

If you want cheap power, this is a rebadged Weaver 44/40. https://www.natchezss.com/custom-gold-6-5-20x44-with-varminter-reticle.html
 
image.jpeg
Slater said:
I came across this scope (among many). Not familiar with the brand, but it would seem to be some off-brand Chinese product:

http://shop.opticsplanet.com/meopta...plusbox-beta&gclid=COWCkLK_6tACFQkyaQodkWcNAg
Click to expand...

That is an outstanding scope at an outstanding price. Meopta is a Czech company that has been around for many years. The Conquest was built for Zeiss by Meopta. I will personally take a MeoPro over a Grand Slam any day of the week and twice on Sunday. I don't think any other scope in the same price range touch the quality of the glass, especially in low light. And yes I do have one.
 
You might try a Burris Fullfield II 4-12X. I have one on my Rem 700 .270. Just got it last year and paid under $300. The optics are crystal clear and it has 44mm objective lens. I've killed deer with it as close as 40 yards and a coyote at 400; lucky shot I'll admit, but the great view recorded it all. I have several Leupolds and you can get many of them under $400, but I'm impressed with the Burris for such a low price....very rugged too.
 
I'd always advise anyone to go somewhere and look at some scopes, everyone's preferences are different. Don't look past the Meopta, I'm not familiar with that particular scope, but every one I've ever looked through has been excellent for the money.
 
I'm wandering from the herd on this. I know that. My favorite trick for value and usefulness is to pick a quality brand and buy a fixed-power scope.

I am impressed by Leupold's customer service reputation, but I cannot comment firsthand, for my M-8 scopes (superseded by the FX series) have never given a moment's trouble. Weaver K and T series deserve examination. I have no personal experience with Bushnell Elite, but some people recommend them warmly.
 
variable magnification is a feature I always want because the scope is not just an aiming tool but an optic device that can be use to glass the area or a spotting task.
It really depends on the intended use. Most people would want some versatility I would expect. Fixed magnification restricts that.
 
stay away from the fancy dodads and buy the best 3x9 that your 400 dollars will buy. Lots of good scopes in that price range by luepold, Nikon, burris, vortex. and a few others.
 
Ill add this. If it were my 400 bucks I call doug at cameraland.com and ask him what they have on close out or special in that price range.
 
cdb1 said:
View attachment 226486

That is an outstanding scope at an outstanding price. Meopta is a Czech company that has been around for many years. The Conquest was built for Zeiss by Meopta. I will personally take a MeoPro over a Grand Slam any day of the week and twice on Sunday. I don't think any other scope in the same price range touch the quality of the glass, especially in low light. And yes I do have one.
Click to expand...

Ended up going with this particular Meopta. After a discount it was $315, with free shipping.
 
Lloyd Smale said:
Ill add this. If it were my 400 bucks I call doug at cameraland.com and ask him what they have on close out or special in that price range.
Click to expand...
^^^^^^^^^
This. Doug knows optics, he sells everything from the inexpensive stuff up to scopes in the $2-3500 range. Not to mention, he seems to always have something he can work a 'deal' on if you'll just call and tell where you heard of his company. http://www.cameralandny.com .
 
Slater said:
Ended up going with this particular Meopta. After a discount it was $315, with free shipping.
Click to expand...

I have the Meopro 3.5-10x 44mm from Cameraland and paid $315 for a year ago. I have it on my 30-06. I really like the scope a lot. I prefer it over my Vortex Viper and Leupold Vari X III. It is a 2nd focal plane scope however, but so far that hasn't presented a problem. I have a couple of Weaver 44/40 scopes and they are better than expected since I paid less than $100 each for them and have them on truck guns.
 
Keep an eye on the Natchez Weavers. Some very nice glass for a very reasonable price. They are made in the Philippines but very nice. Very good value.
 
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