Best Scope for the money, under $300?

Hey guys just like the title says, what's the best scope for the money, under $300?

Im looking to replace the scope on my Weatherby Vanguard 30-06.

 

What are you hunting? What kind of territory do you hunt in? Brushy, lots of open space/clearcut type? What is the longest shot you think you would take?

J

 

I primarily hunt deer, sometimes hogs. Im in cali so it's a lot of open space clear cut, some small brush. i think the longest shot i would take is 300yds maybe 350yds.

 

Anyone?

 

I've heard good things about the upper end Vortex stuff.

 

I have a Leupold Rifleman 3-9x40 on my Rem 700 sps 270. I LOVE IT! it is super clear and it ran me about $200

 

nikon monarch gold is pretty good, but you cant go wrong with something from nikon

 

noooooo. dont listen to any of them(sorry guys but the ones you said arent the best)


the best is the nikon prostaff BDC reticle


check it out man just plug that into google.....


nikon also have 2 other levels of qualitly but the price goes up sharply....


i have the nikon buckmaster 4-14x50 with BDC(bullet drop compensation)
it was about 400 but so far in the last 2 years i've shot a cow elk at 650 at spike at 600 and a nice muley(scored 170 ) at 690


and this is all with a .270


oh and cheack out BDC at nikon.com

 

like i said nikon dosent make anything bad

 

I really like the Redfeilds for the money. Super clear great eye relief and made and factory backed by leupold in the USA. The VX-1 by Leupold is about the same for a little more money.

The prostaff nikons aren't much better than a simmons, but once you get into the buckmasters the nikons are a little better. I love the Nikon brand there cameras are great best glass in the business. But have been less than impressed with the spoting optics I've used.

OP how is the trigger on your vanguard?

 

Mueller.
http://muelleroptics.com/

 

I'd suggest the Konuspro 3-12x50 for well under $300 and it's FULLY MULTI COATED. It's very nice though it is ~19oz...Comes with sun shade and caps.

 

Lee-uh-pold!...there, got that out of the way, now we can focus on quality optics.
Your timing is very good, Bushnell just discountinued the Elite 4200 line and they are on closeout....3-9 power on sale for $199...easily the equivalent of VX-3.
I would also look for Nikon Team Primos, also at $199 and the equivalent of a higher-end Nikon.
Maybe Sightron S-II?
Burris Fullfield II is excellent glass and construction...the only thing I don't like is the entire eyepiece rotates when you adjust the power...only a penalty if you use Butler Creek lensecovers.
Take a look at opticstalk.com and their associated retailer SWFA.
Good people to do business with...I've done about 10 deals with them.

 

Whatever you get, make sure it's fully multi-coated (not just multi-coated).

 

Trigger on my vanguard is heavy, the least it can be adjusted to is 3lbs. But I've gotten used to it. It's a lot more accurate since i adjusted the travel on my trigger. Personally I dont like triggers with a lot of travel.

 

Ok fromt the comments above, and some research I've narrowed it down to 3:

1. Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x40
2. Bushnelll Elite 4200 3-9x40
3. Leupold Rifleman 3-9x40

I'm leaning towards Leupold because of their unbeatable warranty and customer service but I'll keep you guys posted.

It's a tough pick but I'm leaning towards Buckmaster because

 

The Leupold is easily the worst glass of the 3....Nikon Team Primos is nicer than BM and possibly cheaper.

 

http://www.sightron.com/index.php?action=view_document&did=1280519613

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check out the SII series. japanese glass, fully multicoated, 99% claimed light transmission, argon filled, lifetime warranty and are currently running a $50-$75 rebate.

Sightron makes some quality optics at a decent price. I have a 3-9x40 SI series with BDC and a Red Dot...couldn't be happier with either.

 

oh and nikon has a life time warrantry with all scopes..... like i said before i can easy shot out to 700 yards and do a one shot kill on a deer......

 

I have a Nikon on my .223 and if it gets banged around, good. When my gun is in my back seat, my kids climb over it (try to keep them off the scope, but I haven't had to sight it in in over 4 years. Give me a sec and I will get a pic for ya and tell you the detentions.