scope recommendations under $200
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I've written up some details a number of times here about my testing of the Burris FF II and FF E1 4.5-14x42 scopes compared to various Leupold, Weaver, Sightron, Vortex, Clearidge, and maybe a couple other brands. Those Burris scopes compare well (that is, generally they are optically better to my eye with equal or superior clarity and resolution) to the others that I've tried up to the $400-$500 street price level. And they have the lifetime, no-questions-asked warranty if that matters to you. Absolute bargain.
dranrab
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The objective bell on the 42mm scope with the adjustable objective has the outer diameter of a typical non-adjustable 50MM scope. It's big.
Folks, according to Doug at Cameraland, the Droptine is a an FF2 with some minor improvements. Good scopes, I have two. They are a much better scope than any Vortex in that price range. In fact my Droptine 4.5-14x42 was better than a Vortex Viper 6.5-20x50 that I had. Appreciably better optically. No eye strain over an extended shooting period. No "yellowing" of the image. Better in low light. Both tracked predictably during sight in.
BigBL87
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There's a reason 2 of the 4 scopes I own are Burris Fullfields. Used to be 3 of 5, but sold my 243 to my brother in law. He absolutely would not believe me that I only paid $160 for the Fullfield that was on it.
cdb1
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The Navy Seal scope is/was a fixed 10x. Tasco had won the contract and SWFA purchased the over runs from them after Tasco fulfilled the contract. SWFA then contracted with Tasco to keep making the scope for them until Tasco went bankrupt and was purchased by Bushnell. SWFA then contracted with the company making the scope for Tasco to continue making the scope for themselves. They have also expanded the line but most of the models are fixed, not variable. The scopes are tough, they will take a beating, but the glass to my eyes, and others is middle of the road. SWFA customer service is not the best. One of their managers by the name of Skylar was a member of Texas Hunting Forum and would handle member’s issues with SWFA, but he quit a couple of years ago. I haven’t purchased anything from them since and I live less than an hour from them. Camera Land is still my first choice.
The statement, “SWFA makes the best scope under $500”, just isn’t true unless you get more specific. I wouldn’t argue the statement that SWFA makes the best fixed magnification scope for under $500. But the OP’s hunting distances are better served by a variable IMO and the SWFA scopes do not fit in to the stated budget.
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stillquietvoice
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I have 3 burris scopes 2 ff2 4.5-14x42's and a driptine with the same power range. I can't tell any difference between them. Only thing I had that was better was a Leupold vx3l 3.5-10x50, but that cost alot more.
CptnAwesome
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For the price you won't beat these! Burris Full field E1. I have ordered 2, my brother have offered 2 also and we're both beyond pleased. I forget who first posted the link to this website, but I'm forever thankful. Legit Burris scopes (discontinued model). Awesome glass and you can't beat the quality!
https://gritrsports.com/burris-fullfield-e1-45-14x42mm-riflescope-200349
https://gritrsports.com/burris-fullfield-e1-45-14x42mm-riflescope-200349
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OFFGRID
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so i got the stuff in from optics planet. the rail wasnt made for this gun. maybe a newer model 110. idk. the rings didnt fit the existing rail on the gun. and the scope is screwed up. wont adjust.
i did all the stuff for a return and sent it off today but it will likely be a week or more before i get the refund minus $8 refund fee.
the people on the phones were very nice and helpful but in all honesty its a crappy business model and a mistake i wont make again. im out the $8, $20 in gas, and the money for the new rings i bought locally for the broken scope AND 2 weeks....all to save $60. stupid mistake. next time ill buy local and any issues can be resolved in an hours time instead of days or weeks.
for now i guess ill put this old pos back on and get it sighted in again so we can go hunting.
i did all the stuff for a return and sent it off today but it will likely be a week or more before i get the refund minus $8 refund fee.
the people on the phones were very nice and helpful but in all honesty its a crappy business model and a mistake i wont make again. im out the $8, $20 in gas, and the money for the new rings i bought locally for the broken scope AND 2 weeks....all to save $60. stupid mistake. next time ill buy local and any issues can be resolved in an hours time instead of days or weeks.
for now i guess ill put this old pos back on and get it sighted in again so we can go hunting.
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LiveLife
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OFFGRID
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i bought a rail that was labeled 110 savage for a 110 savage. turns out the gun has mounts built on that cant be removed. the rings were sig buckmaster 1 inch rings but the bolt on bottom is too big for the mounts. rookie mistakes on my part. i wasnt even aggravated about that but after i bought new rings at the rifle shop and had them mount it for bore sighting and they found the scope to be bad i got a little peeved.
i should have taken it to the shop to start with instead of being a penny pincher and trying to save a few bucks. oh well its what i get, i reckon.
LiveLife
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Hope things work out on your generous efforts.
I have done many "Pay It Forward" projects with wife over the decades (We have a dedicated PIF fund for retirement) which included complete reloading kits and recently, brand new scopes I buy extra when they are on really good sales/Black Friday deals (Wife does even used cars/trucks to new household furniture and appliances for her recipients).
Sometimes, generosity of items are a good fit and sometimes, not so ... But important thing is your core heart's desire to benefit another being.
Good on you for doing this.
I have done many "Pay It Forward" projects with wife over the decades (We have a dedicated PIF fund for retirement) which included complete reloading kits and recently, brand new scopes I buy extra when they are on really good sales/Black Friday deals (Wife does even used cars/trucks to new household furniture and appliances for her recipients).
Sometimes, generosity of items are a good fit and sometimes, not so ... But important thing is your core heart's desire to benefit another being.
Good on you for doing this.
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OFFGRID
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na man im done with it. gotta get this crap straightened out so we can go hunting. if and when i get a refund ill buy ammo with it.....locally!
if anyone needs a set of leupold 1 inch medium rings pm me.
stillquietvoice
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Don't think I've ever seen a 110 with mounts that couldn't be removed. From your pics yhe rings look like yhe ones that were being used in the early 90s. Vertical split. But the front mount doesn't look like a savage mount, due to yhe second mount slot. Unless someone bedded the mounts to the action or some such thing.i bought a set of leupold rifleman rings got one of my savage 110's with a similar design. Also bought a set of leupold 2 piece mounts for flat back reciever, that I never used cause the scope drawing was too long. Do you know why the mounts wouldn't come off?
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OFFGRID
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there were no screws. it was part of the casting or welded on or something. not sure.
cdb1
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Savage 110’s have two different bases, one set for the AccuTrigger and a different set for the Pre-AccuTrigger. The front mount is the same, the rear mount is different. As an FYI, the AccuTrigger 10/100, Ruger American and Remington 783 and Axis II all use the same two piece bases.
I would love to see a photo of the rifle in question to get a look at the permanent bases.
I would love to see a photo of the rifle in question to get a look at the permanent bases.
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OFFGRID
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i posted pics of it earlier with the scope attached. thats all I have and i sent the rifle home.
cdb1
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They do look permanent.
I removed the 783 two piece crap and installed a Leupold rail in about 30 seconds
I removed the 783 two piece crap and installed a Leupold rail
45/30-06OKIE
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I will agree with the crossfire II being a good budget scope. My 270 Winchester came with a 3-9x40 and it held up to the recoil just fine. It was upgraded to a Viper HS a short time later as it wasn't enough scope for me personally.
I didn't look that hard at those pictures till now , but it LOOKS there's some weird stuff going with that 110. The only 110s I've not had any experience with are the first gens, and I've never seen a scalloped front bridge. It's very possible those mounts are tacked on.
LiveLife
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Not me.
My experience with local stores (Big chains like Sportsman's, Big-5, Dick's, Cabela's, etc.) including small family owned gun stores in three nearby cities have been overpriced for decades and now I buy essentially all of my guns and accessories online.
I bought 5 scopes this year with rings and mounts all online and have been very happy with pricing, fast shipping and resulted mountings on carbines/PCCs/rifles.
But it's your money and you can do whatever you want to do with it.
cdb1
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There are online dealers that are above reproach such as Camera Land. Then there companies such as Optics Planet that are unethical. Optics Planet has a well deserved bad reputation, I’ve experienced it firsthand. You can find bad juju about Optics Planet all over the net.
gotboostvr
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Agreed.
I would just avoid OP altogether. Cheaper Than Dirt too.
Plenty of other retailers with a good reputation.
BigBL87
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OP is crap, but as long as you go with an online dealer with a good reputation, no reason shopping online can't be an option. I'd have alot less quality in firearms, optics, reloading tools, etc if I limited myself to what I could get in person.
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