Best riflescope for under $600????

Tactical Gear Optics & Mounts
1

ok,

I bought a savage .300 WSM with a bull barrel. I deer hunt mainly on fields and powerline rightaways, so I like to be able to shoot around 500 yards. I want to put a good scope on the gun, but I am on a budget. What is the best scope for under $600 total including bases and rings? I would appreciate some input.

2

check the trijicon accupoint line. they have several reasonably priced options. such as:
http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=232

this particular setup could probably be had at your price point if you shopped around a bit.

3

Take your pick.
Weaver V Series 4-16x42 $305.99
Nikon Monarch 4-16x42 $439.95
Bushnell Elite 4200 $499

Add
Warne Maxima Bases $21.99
Weaver Grand Slam Rings $24.99
Butler Creek Flip Up Cap Objective $8.99
Butler Creek Flip Up Cap Eye $8.99
Freight $20?

4

www.swfa.com/pc-3352-307-leupold-35-10x40-vx-iii-riflescope.aspx

5

take the time to visit several good gun shops…after dark; the smaller gun shops are better for this. talk to optics person and tell him you want to see how well the scopes work, in low light conditions. If he/she is good, they will grab several scopes and go outside with you and let you view them yourself.

after years of working in optics i’ve found that each person views optics in a different fashion, and where one person loves a specific scope, another person can’t tell the difference between a $129 tasco and a $500 Leopold. View them yourself and go with what your eye tells you is the best. There is a bit of truth to the saying that you get what you pay for, and buying a $150 dollar scope probably won’t give you what you are looking for.

Things to keep in mind:

  • the more magnification you have, the less light will reach your eye (unless you are dealing with a very high end scope that uses top of the line coating material).
    -the more magnification you have, the greater chance for distortion, as the image has to pass through more glass before reaching your eye.

for your best performance in clarity and light transmission, a fixed power scope will do the best.

check this site for some more info
http://www.snipercentral.com/scopes.htm

last word…not all scopes are the same, even if they are the same make. If you buy from B&M make sure to check the scope and verify clarity; if needed have the salesperson bring out 5 scopes that are the same make and model. If you really want to learn how to tell good optics, pm me and i’ll try to explain. good luck

6

Why not just get a Leupold VXII or VXIII, they are great scopes. I believe the only difference between the 2 scopes is the coatings on the glass, which may have 5% difference in light transmission.

7

Also since I think Leupold discontinued the VXIII line, you might find some nice prices on closeout models.