Okay I have a budget of about 200. What make model 3-9x40 do I buy.
Vortex, nikon, leupold ect. Not real experienced in buying scopes
You can get a Leupold VX-1 3-9x40 in that price range. I’m sure Nikon has an option too.
Most companies do I just don’t know which one is the best investment. I’m kinda leaning towards the vortex due to the warranty and made in the USA
Any optic variable optic under $300 is just not worth owning. A SWFA SS or Bushnell Midway 10X in mil/mil are the best options in the low price range (unless this is just a plinking gun)
I don’t think Vortex has any scopes made in the USA at that price point. Most Vortex optics are made in the Philippines. At least my HS 4-16x50 and PST 1-4x24 where Philippines made.
If you are putting this on a bolt action and want a worry free scope, I would save a little more money and go with the Leupold VXIII 3.5X10. I’ve had a 3X9 Leupold 3X9AO since 1979 mounted to a Rem. 700 BDL and it has been rock solid. I also have a Nikon 3X9 BDC scope mounted on my TC muzzleloader and after shooting a big 10 point buck several years ago I slipped on wet grass while dragging the deer out. I took a spill and the scope landed on a big rock. It scarred the surface of the scope but a sight-in the next weekend showed the scope was still on.
Take a serious look at the Redfield Revolution line. Made in USA. Now owned and backed by Leupold’s lifetime warranty. Redfield is putting out good products. No joke.
Vortex doesn’t make anything. Their scopes are Chinese , phillpinenes, or japan. Their rings are seekins. They don’t have any organic manufacturing capability as far as I have read or heard.
As others have noted, Vortex doesn’t make anything in the USA. All imported from various asian countries. The $200 models are, I believe, made in China.
There is no $200 3-9x scope I can recommend enthusiastically, but the Redfield is perhaps the only one I can recommend somewhat. The Redfield Revolution is assembled in the US, although the parts probably come from China. The other series of Redfield are made in the Philippines, still a cut above most Chinese stuff.
For $140 or so you could get a made in Japan Weaver K4, 4x38mm, which although fixed power has very good glass and weighs almost nothing (11 or 12oz, I believe).