New target scope

Ludarue · April 9, 2010, 04:45 PM

I've been looking and researching cheap but decent scopes lately and am just not able to come to a conclusion.

So I was wondering if I would be able to get some help. I'm looking for something between 100-200 dollars pref. Nothing over 300. 4-10x30-50mm mil dot. I know that amount won't buy the best quality but that's what I can afford. I just want something decent.

Thanks in advance.

Irish80prf · April 15, 2010, 11:46 PM

I have a Tasco 6x24 target/varmint scope on my .223 and I can't see any problems with it at all. I know it's not as clear as the high end scopes but really how clear does it have to be to see a coyote/prairie dog/target. It's been mounted on my .223 since Christmas. It's been out on 20+ coyote hunts and I've shot 200-300 rounds at targets and it still holds zero just fine. I'm not sure how it would do on a heavy recoil rifle but I have read reviews about people using them on large caliber guns. Yeah you can find one for under $100 pretty easy. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=156666 Check out the reviews on the link, I think you would be pleasantly surprised with this scope for the money.

10-96 · April 16, 2010, 01:35 AM

I own three of these so far- http://swfa.com/Mueller-85-25x44-Tac...ope-P9140.aspx They really are a pretty good scope- I haven't had any bad issues with mine.

Txhillbilly · April 16, 2010, 10:29 AM

I also like the Mueller,I have an Eraticator 8.5-25x50 and it is a decent scope for the price. It's clear until you get over 20x,then it gets a little hazy.

CPTMurdoc30 · April 16, 2010, 11:15 AM

I am with the guys that say Mueller. They are quality scopes that will not break the bank. Nikon has some as well.... Bushnell elite 3200 may be in your price range as well.

Try looking at Ebay I just bought a Nikon Monarch 6-24x50mm for my RRA predator Pursuit Rifle. I got it for $500 shipped vs $650+ on other web sites out there.

Brandy · April 16, 2010, 01:20 PM

not that good. You would do FAR better to stick with a fixed power scope if that is your budget limit. A 10X Bushie 3200 is a good scope that follows the KISS theory. I would stay away from any variable if you plan to put a lot of rounds downrange as cheap ones break.

Good variables that will take 1000s of rounds are $600 at the bottom and really good ones are $1000 and up.

Go to a class F match and you won't see any Chinese variable scopes in the winners' circle.

Irish80prf · April 16, 2010, 02:25 PM

I don't know if cheap scopes break after awhile or not but my thinking is...if it holds zero, you can see clearly and the adjustments are correct why not use one until it breaks. You can buy 4-5 cheaper scopes for the price of one mid grade Leupold or heck you could buy 10 plus if you were to buy a Zeiss or Swarovski. I'm not saying that the high end scopes aren't better because they are. But I don't thing I would tell a guy all cheap scopes will break in X amount of shots so you should just go spend $800-$1000 so you don't waste $79. I say try one of the scopes that people say work pretty good for a cheap price, if it fails then you aren't out that much. Who knows you might get a great scope that will last years. I'm not getting all worked up I'm just giving my opinion and that is definitely what it is, an opinion.

Brandy · April 17, 2010, 12:25 AM

should be considered... as in the middle of a match or hunt.
"You get what you pay for."

Irish80prf · April 17, 2010, 04:30 PM

I agree if you are using it for hunting 100% but the title says it's for target shooting.

Brandy · April 17, 2010, 06:36 PM

and in the lead and my el cheapo Chinese scope breaks....yeah I'm real happy!

jgcoastie · April 18, 2010, 12:22 AM

Are cheap scopes useful for some applications? Sure, for some people...

Need a budget scope for your .22lr for target shooting at 50-100yds? El cheapo is the ticket...

Need a budget scope for your hunting rifle? Cheap is not the answer, inexpensive is. Something like a Nikon Buckmark...

Cheap scopes are just that: cheap.

Why spend $500-$1000 on a rifle, but then go out and throw a $75 hunk-o-junk on it? What the heck is going through your head?

There used to be a saying "Spend at least as much on the scope as you did on the gun." Now, I'm not saying that you should do this, but you should at least budget out 50% of the cost of the gun for optics.

You need to be able to see your target every time, or that gun ain't gonna do much for you.

Ludarue · April 18, 2010, 11:13 AM

Thanks guys. I appreciate all the advice on the matter. The scope itself will be going on one of my cheap .243 rifles I plan to use for target and varmint. I think I'm going to look into the Mueller scopes a little closer and see if I can't find one that's right for me.

1911rocks · April 18, 2010, 11:20 AM

Both of the above are available in MilDot. Both are in the price range. Both are available in Fixed and variable. The Merlin, though hard to find does have a 1st Focal Plane Reticle. That's a real plus!! The Merlin is a bit harder to find. Neither are a S&B, or Leupthold MK4, or a Night Force, but still very nice. They will most definitely "shoot the box"

April 9, 2010, 04:45 PM	#1
Ludarue Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 181	New target scope I've been looking and researching cheap but decent scopes lately and am just not able to come to a conclusion. So I was wondering if I would be able to get some help. I'm looking for something between 100-200 dollars pref. Nothing over 300. 4-10x30-50mm mil dot. I know that amount won't buy the best quality but that's what I can afford. I just want something decent. Thanks in advance. Last edited by Ludarue; April 9, 2010 at 05:28 PM.

April 15, 2010, 11:46 PM	#2
Irish80prf Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2010 Location: north country of Missouri Posts: 245	I have a Tasco 6x24 target/varmint scope on my .223 and I can't see any problems with it at all. I know it's not as clear as the high end scopes but really how clear does it have to be to see a coyote/prairie dog/target. It's been mounted on my .223 since Christmas. It's been out on 20+ coyote hunts and I've shot 200-300 rounds at targets and it still holds zero just fine. I'm not sure how it would do on a heavy recoil rifle but I have read reviews about people using them on large caliber guns. Yeah you can find one for under $100 pretty easy. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=156666 Check out the reviews on the link, I think you would be pleasantly surprised with this scope for the money. Last edited by Irish80prf; April 15, 2010 at 11:52 PM.

April 16, 2010, 01:35 AM	#3
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	I own three of these so far- http://swfa.com/Mueller-85-25x44-Tac...ope-P9140.aspx They really are a pretty good scope- I haven't had any bad issues with mine. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

April 16, 2010, 11:15 AM	#5
CPTMurdoc30 Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2008 Location: Stafford VA Posts: 969	I am with the guys that say Mueller. They are quality scopes that will not break the bank. Nikon has some as well.... Bushnell elite 3200 may be in your price range as well. Try looking at Ebay I just bought a Nikon Monarch 6-24x50mm for my RRA predator Pursuit Rifle. I got it for $500 shipped vs $650+ on other web sites out there. __________________ Solving Virginia's Ground Hog problems 50gr at a time.....

April 16, 2010, 01:20 PM	#6
Brandy Junior member Join Date: March 31, 2010 Posts: 151	$300 scopes are generally not that good. You would do FAR better to stick with a fixed power scope if that is your budget limit. A 10X Bushie 3200 is a good scope that follows the KISS theory. I would stay away from any variable if you plan to put a lot of rounds downrange as cheap ones break. Good variables that will take 1000s of rounds are $600 at the bottom and really good ones are $1000 and up. Go to a class F match and you won't see any Chinese variable scopes in the winners' circle.

April 16, 2010, 10:29 AM	#4
Txhillbilly Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2008 Posts: 512	I also like the Mueller,I have an Eraticator 8.5-25x50 and it is a decent scope for the price. It's clear until you get over 20x,then it gets a little hazy.

April 16, 2010, 02:25 PM	#7
Irish80prf Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2010 Location: north country of Missouri Posts: 245	I don't know if cheap scopes break after awhile or not but my thinking is...if it holds zero, you can see clearly and the adjustments are correct why not use one until it breaks. You can buy 4-5 cheaper scopes for the price of one mid grade Leupold or heck you could buy 10 plus if you were to buy a Zeiss or Swarovski. I'm not saying that the high end scopes aren't better because they are. But I don't thing I would tell a guy all cheap scopes will break in X amount of shots so you should just go spend $800-$1000 so you don't waste $79. I say try one of the scopes that people say work pretty good for a cheap price, if it fails then you aren't out that much. Who knows you might get a great scope that will last years. I'm not getting all worked up I'm just giving my opinion and that is definitely what it is, an opinion.

April 17, 2010, 12:25 AM	#8
Brandy Junior member Join Date: March 31, 2010 Posts: 151	I guess when it fails should be considered... as in the middle of a match or hunt. "You get what you pay for."

April 17, 2010, 04:30 PM	#9
Irish80prf Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2010 Location: north country of Missouri Posts: 245	I agree if you are using it for hunting 100% but the title says it's for target shooting.

April 17, 2010, 06:36 PM	#10
Brandy Junior member Join Date: March 31, 2010 Posts: 151	So I'm 2/3rds of the way thru a F class match and in the lead and my el cheapo Chinese scope breaks....yeah I'm real happy!

April 18, 2010, 12:22 AM	#11
jgcoastie Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Location: Kodiak, Alaska Posts: 2,118	Are cheap scopes useful for some applications? Sure, for some people... Need a budget scope for your .22lr for target shooting at 50-100yds? El cheapo is the ticket... Need a budget scope for your hunting rifle? Cheap is not the answer, inexpensive is. Something like a Nikon Buckmark... Cheap scopes are just that: cheap. Why spend $500-$1000 on a rifle, but then go out and throw a $75 hunk-o-junk on it? What the heck is going through your head? There used to be a saying "Spend at least as much on the scope as you did on the gun." Now, I'm not saying that you should do this, but you should at least budget out 50% of the cost of the gun for optics. You need to be able to see your target every time, or that gun ain't gonna do much for you. __________________ "To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them." -Richard Henry Lee, Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress, initiator of the Declaration of Independence, and member of the first Senate, which passed the Bill of Rights.

April 18, 2010, 11:13 AM	#12
Ludarue Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 181	Thanks guys. I appreciate all the advice on the matter. The scope itself will be going on one of my cheap .243 rifles I plan to use for target and varmint. I think I'm going to look into the Mueller scopes a little closer and see if I can't find one that's right for me.

April 18, 2010, 11:20 AM	#13
1911rocks Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2006 Posts: 424	Falcon Merlin or Bushnell 3200 Elite Both of the above are available in MilDot. Both are in the price range. Both are available in Fixed and variable. The Merlin, though hard to find does have a 1st Focal Plane Reticle. That's a real plus!! The Merlin is a bit harder to find. Neither are a S&B, or Leupthold MK4, or a Night Force, but still very nice. They will most definitely "shoot the box"